Skoda today unveiled the Vision IN SUV concept at the Auto Expo 2020. The mid-size SUV is still in the ‘concept’ stage but we expect the production version to be pretty close, at least as far as the exteriors are concerned. Don’t expect 21-inch wheel though.

The Vision IN based SUV is likely to launch in the first half of 2021. The Vision IN will be built on the same platform as the Volkswagen Taigun compact SUV.

The design is typical Skoda—wide, squarish, toothy multi-slat grille with sleek LED headlamps. There are large air dams in the front bumper that add to the look. The imposing looks are further accentuated by the flared wheel arches, roof rails, black side cladding, and strong shoulder line. The Skoda name plate runs right across the rear which has inverted L-shaped taillights.

On the inside, the interiors, with Orange accents are refreshing and youthful. We hope Skoda retains them for the production version. Skoda has put a 9.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system placed as a floating unit and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster.

The SUV will be powered by a BS6-compliant 1.0-litre (115PS/200Nm) TSI petrol engine that will be made locally in India. This will replace the current 1.2 litre workhorse. There will also be a bigger, more powerful 1.5-litre TSI unit with 150PS/250Nm.

Both the engines will get a manual and a DSG (dual-clutch automatic) automatic transmission option. Skoda is likely to offer a CNG version of the compact SUV as well. There won’t be any diesels though.

The SUV will be front-wheel drive only though its sibling Kamiq has a 4-wheel drive version. However, higher ground clearance and a good chassis should make it an ideal car for bad roads. Given Skoda’s reputation for building solid fun-to-drive cars with great ride quality and practicality, Vision IN is one SUV to look forward to.

Skoda Vision IN, when launched, will be entering a highly competitive segment but the good news is that the segment has been the fastest growing and SUVs in general are set to overtake hatchbacks as number 1 auto category. Skoda Vision IN will compete with Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Nissan Kicks and VW Taigun. We expect it to be priced in between Rs 10 lakh and 16 lakh.

Also Read: Skoda Rapid finally goes turbo petrol: Unveiled at Auto Expo 2020

German carmaker Volkswagen has trained its guns on the fast-growing Indian SUV market. It showcased three SUVs, the compact T-Roc, the mid-sized Taigun and big Tiguan AllSpace, at the Auto Expo 2020 today.

That is not surprising considering utility vehicles now make-up 38% of the car market, just 2% behind the hatchbacks. And in 2020, they will overtake the hatchback sales.

VW Taigun

One of the SUVs on the show from Volkswagen is its mid-size SUV Taigun at the Auto Expo 2020 today. Taigun will enter the crowded and competitive segment and battle the likes of Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos. The launch is expected in the 3rd or 4th quarter of the year.

Taigun is part of the VW Group’s India 2.0 project and is based on MQB A0 IN platform. Simply put VW is now targeting the market with a platform that allows them to build cars cheaply—their earlier offerings were built on expensive global platforms.

VW promises that Taigun will undercut Creta. And that would mean Taigun prices should start under Rs. 10 lakh ex-showroom.

Taigun will be powered by a choice of two petrol engines: a 1-litre turbo TSI engine with 112 bhp in power and a 1.5 litre 150 bhp engine. So no diesels for Taigun and that might restrict its appeal.

Taigun has a classic VW SUV look—think of it as smaller Tiguan. Its very squarish but that makes it a pretty handsome SUV.

VW T-Roc

The T-Roc would be the sporty alternative priced to compete with Jeep Compass and Hyundai Tuscon. So, in terms of price, it will sit between Taigun and Tiguan. It’s bit smaller than the those two but expect it to be packed with features and a 150 bhp petrol engine.

VW Tiguan AllSpace

Tiguan AllSpace is the long-wheelbase version of the Tiguan SUV and comes with seven seats in three rows. in the Indian market that will offer seven-seats. The vehicle will get an extra row of seat, which will make it similar to the Skoda Kodiaq. The Tiguan AllSpace will utilise the similar 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine that powers the regular Tiguan in the Indian market. However, it will be BS6 compliant. The feature list is expected to be similar to the Volkswagen Tiguan.

Add the existing regular Tiguan, and you are looking at a purposeful line-up straddling a very wide price range of Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 40 lakh.

Also Read: Skoda Rapid finally goes turbo petrol: Unveiled at Auto Expo 2020

Mahindra has just showcased the radical looking Funster concept electric SUV at the 2020 Indian Auto Expo. The design study, which is meant purely to showcase the direction that future Mahindra SUVs will take, previews the next-generation Mahindra XUV500. The all-new Mahindra XUV500 will be launched later this year. The new XUV500 will feature a sharp front end, similar to what’s seen on the XUV300 and the Funster concept. LED headlamps and daytime running lamps will be offered on the new XUV500. The new vehicle will also have a conventional grille and an airdam given the fact that it will still use petrol and diesel engines.

The Funster concept is a convertible SUV with scissor doors, which is just a party trick to make the concept grab eyeballs. Such bits will not make it to production Mahindra SUVs anytime soon as they’re suited better to sportscars. The Funster also shows Mahindra’s capabilities in the electric vehicle space – it gets 4 wheel mounted electric motors, making 78 Bhp each, to make for a combined output of 312 Bhp. The claimed 0-100 Kph acceleration figure is 5 seconds, which puts it right into sportscar territory.

In the past, Mahindra has showcased many such one-off concepts that don’t make it to production. However, many bits from these concepts such as design and specific features make it production cars. A more conventional electric motor with an automatic gearbox will be offered on a future version of the next-generation Mahindra XUV500. At launch the flagship Mahindra SUV will offer both 2.2 liter turbocharged diesel and 2 liter turbocharged petrol engines. 6 speed manual and torque converter automatic gearboxes are likely to be offered with both these engines.

The diesel engine is expected to be offered with front wheel drive and all wheel drive layouts while the turbo petrol motor is expected to be offered only in front-wheel drive trims. The next-generation XUV500 will not only be feature rich but also will get a slew of safety features that help it score well in global crash safety tests.

The new SUV will be a global car that Mahindra expects to sell not just in India but markets abroad as well. Keeping these global ambitions in mind, Mahindra is expected to give the new SUV high levels of refinement, making it a step up from the current version on sale. A three row, 7 seat layout is expected on the new model, and the new XUV500 is likely to grow significantly in size.

Also Read: Skoda Rapid finally goes turbo petrol: Unveiled at Auto Expo 2020

The second day of 2020 Auto Expo on 6th January will see a slew of launches too. There will be some of the most important launches on the second day of the Auto Expo. Here is a list of vehicles that will be launched on the second day of the Auto Expo.

Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza Facelift

Maruti Suzuki will launch the much-awaited petrol version of the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza in the Indian market. The new Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza will offer a new grille and will also get a few changes all around. The car will also come with new features but the most important change will be the 1.5-litre petrol engine that will power the car. It is the same engine that also powers the Ertiga and the Ciaz in the Indian market.

Hyundai Creta

Hyundai Creta will be launched in an all-new Creta in the Indian market to take on the Kia Seltos. The all-new Creta will get an all-new body and features like split headlamps and split tail lamps. The Creta will also get new engine options and will be powered by the same 1.5-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engine options from the Kia Seltos. The car will be showcased at the Auto Expo while the launch will happen soon after.

Volkswagen I.D. Crozz EV concept

With the manufacturers starting to launch their Electric Vehicles in the Indian market, Volkswagen will showcase the I.D. Crozz EV concept as a halo product. The vehicle will not be launched in the production version for at least a couple of years to come but it shows the manufacturer’s intent to launch such a product in the market. The concept vehicle can do 500 km on a single charge. It stores the power in 83 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that turns a 102 PS-140 Nm electric motor that powers the front wheels of the car. A second motor that powers the rear axle generates a maximum of 204 PS and 310 Nm. Combined, the vehicle gets a maximum of 306 PS and a peak of 450 Nm. It can do a tops-speed of 180 km/h.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class limousine

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class limousine will replace the CLA Class from the Indian market. The A-Class sedan is currently available only in the Chinese market. It will become the most affordable sedan in the Indian market from the brand with a price tag of around Rs 32-35 lakhs for the base variant.

Mercedes-Benz V-Class Marco Polo

Mercedes-Benz will launch the V-Class Marco Polo edition at the 2020 Auto Expo. It will be a variant aimed at the explorers and tourers. It is based on the LWB version of the V-Class and gets a pop-up electric roof that offers maximum space inside the cabin. There are a host of features including a folding table inside the cabin.

Mercedes-AMG GT 63S

Mercedes-Benz will launch the all-new Mercedes-AMG GT 63S in the Indian market at the 2020 Auto Expo. The all-new car is a four-door coupe and looks extremely beautiful. The car will come powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine that generates a massive 639 PS. It gets a 9-speed automatic transmission.

Also Read: Skoda Rapid finally goes turbo petrol: Unveiled at Auto Expo 2020

Tata Nexon is one the most popular sub-4 meter compact SUV. It competes with cars like Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Hyundai Venue, Ford EcoSport in the segment. Tata Motors had recently given the Nexon a facelift and was launched in the market last month. The 2020 Nexon gets a refreshing look in comparison to the older version. The facelifted version of the Nexon is now priced at Rs 6.95 lakh for the petrol and 8.45 lakh ex-showroom for the diesel variants. Here we have a video that gives detailed review on the cheapest or the lowest trim of Tata Nexon.

The video has been uploaded by Auto Trend TV on their youtube channel. The video takes us on tour of the the entry level model of the Tata Nexon 2020. The video starts by showing the 16 inch steel wheels with no wheel caps on them. pre-facelift version used to come with wheel caps. It also misses out on fog lamps and the turn indicator is now placed around fog lamp area in the lower trims. Even the XE trim now gets projector type headlamps and DRLs. Air dam of the new Nexon gets the tri-arrow inserts but they all get a black finish instead of silver that we have seen in the higher trims.

From the side, car looks more or less the same, it has the same white colour strip running on the lower part of the window and there is also black masking on the A, B and C pillars. The door handles are all black instead of body colour, and the ORVMs also get the vlack finish with integrated turn indicators in them. Coming to the rear,even the XE trim also gets clear lens split LED tail lamps which is designed in a way that it look like a tri-arrow. The bumper also has seen changes in comparison to the earlier version The shape of the reflectors have also been changed.

On the inside, XE trim is very basic it does not even get an infotainment system. The instrument cluster however is fully digital and the steering wheel is also the same flat bottom unit that we have seen in Altroz. It also misses out on features like rear AC vents, rear power windows and only gets fabric seats. The rear passenger also miss the grab handle feature. Tata Nexon continues to get a 1.2 litre turbocharged petrol and 1.5 litre diesel engine that are now BS6 compliant. Both engines are available with manual and AMT gearbox options.

Also Read: Skoda Rapid finally goes turbo petrol: Unveiled at Auto Expo 2020

The Skoda Octavia vRS is back. The high performance sedan was launched at the 2020 Indian Auto Expo, at a price of Rs. 36 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi. Only 200 units will be initially imported, and Skoda will bring in more cars only if there’s adequate demand. Aimed purely at driving enthusiasts who want something really quick, sporty and fun to drive but also very practical for everyday use, the 2020 Octavia vRS is the most powerful edition of the car yet. Bookings are open online. 

The Octavia vRS 245, as its name suggests, hosts a 2 liter-4 cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that makes 245 PS of peak power and 370 Nm of peak torque. A 7 speed twin clutch automatic gearbox powers the front wheels of the sedan. The front axle gets a limited slip differential for better traction while the suspension gets a stiffer set-up to cope with the additional performance and offer a sharper driving experience.

How fast? Well, the Octavia vRS will do the 0-100 Kph sprint in just 6.6 seconds, and go on to hit a top speed of 250 Kph. There is a new ‘vRS’ mode that unleashes the full performance of the car. The Octavia vRS is based on the top-end Laurin and Klement trim, but gets a slew of changes to justify its sporty positioning.

The seats are now finished in Alcantara and get vRS insignia and are redesigned. The front seats are electrically adjustable while the Octavia vRS also gets a flat bottomed steering wheel and a 12.3 inch digital instrument cluster that Skoda calls ‘virtual cockpit’. Changes on the outside include 18 inch alloy wheels, Quadra LED headlamps, a boot lid spoiler finished in a contrast colour, vRS badging, and  revised front and rear bumpers.

The Skoda Octavia vRS is the last high performance version of the current generation Octavia, and given the fact that only 200 examples will be initially imported, this will be a rare sight on Indian roads. There are few cars that offer a thrilling drive and everyday usability, the Octavia vRS is one such rare car. Skoda has already begun working on the next-generation Octavia, and the car is expected to be unveiled later this year. While the new Octavia is certainly India-bound, Skoda has not given any indication on whether a vRS version of the next-gen Octavia will also be launched in India. A lot will depend on how successful the current Octavia vRS 245 is. Going by how quickly the last batch of vRS cars sold, this one is likely to be no different.

Also Read: Skoda Rapid finally goes turbo petrol: Unveiled at Auto Expo 2020

Italian two wheeler giant Piaggio has just unveiled a new maxi-scooter for the Indian market. Called the Aprilia SXR 160, the new maxi-scooter will be officially launched in the third quarter of this year, which indicates a festive season launch. Bookings for the new scooter will commence from August 2020. The Aprilia SXR 160 maxi-scooter will not have any direct competition as it gets a much larger engine than other similar scooters sold in India – the Suzuki Burgman 125.

Diego Graffi, the managing director of Piaggio India, unveiled the Aprilia SXR 160, which will be available in four colours: Red, Blue, White, and Black. The scooter was developed specifically for the Indian market at Piaggio’s Italian Research and Development center, and the project has been in the works for the last 2 years. It’s much larger than Aprilia’s current offerings in the Indian market – the SR 125 and 150 automatic scooters. While the scooter showcased at the Auto Expo featured a 160cc, triple valve-single cylinder four stroke engine, Aprilia will also offer a smaller, 125cc engine. The smaller engined scooter is likely to be about Rs. 10,000 cheaper, and will be aimed at younger buyers.

Power and torque figures of the 160cc engine are yet to be revealed. We expect about 11 Bhp-12 Nm to be on tap from the new motor, which will be paired with a CVT automatic gearbox. This much pep should be enough for most buyers, and will also give the scooter quick acceleration, and a top speed close to the 100 Kph mark. The bigger engine and the maxi-scooter design is meant to make longer distance riding convenient. It remains to be seen if this trend will catch up among scooter buyers.

The Aprilia SXR 160 is also expected to be the priciest scooter in Piaggio’s line up, with an ex-showroom price close to Rs. 1 lakh. It’s meant not just for everyday commuting but also longer rides out of the city. There are telescopic forks up front and 12 inch alloy wheels shod with tubeless tyres. The front end of the scooter also gets a fly screen to handle wind blast upto speeds of 100 Kph.

The scooter gets a front disc brake with a single channel ABS as standard. There’s a large, fully digital instrument cluster that also reads out mileage. There is a USB under-seat charger and full LED headlamp and tail lamp. To sum it up, the Aprilia SXR 160 is a smashing looking maxi-scooter that will stand out among the sea of commuter-focused automatic scooters.

Also Read: Skoda Rapid finally goes turbo petrol: Unveiled at Auto Expo 2020

Maruti Suzuki is just a couple of hours away from launching the facelifted Brezza sub-4 meter compact SUV. A massive hoarding that has come outside the Auto Expo venue reveals the updated design of the new Brezza, which gets a mild refresh. The hoarding indicates that the 2020 Brezza Facelift will get a new chrome grille, revised headlamps with LED daytime running light strips, refreshed design for the alloy wheels, a two tone paint scheme with a blacked out roof and other minor cosmetic changes. The bigger changes will be under the hood.

The best-seller has just received a key mechanical change: it has dumped the 1.3 liter Fiat Multijet turbo diesel engine for a 1.5 liter naturally aspirated K-Series petrol engine. The 1.5 liter petrol engine is Bharat Stage 6 (BS6) emission norms compliant, gets a mild hybrid powertrain, and a second on-board battery that is a part of the mild hybrid unit.

There are two gearbox options on offer: a 5 speed manual and a 4 speed torque converter automatic. The engine and gearbox options are already on offer with three other Maruti Suzuki cars on sale currently in India – Ciaz, Ertiga and XL6. So, the Brezza Facelift is getting a tried and tested mechanical package. So, reliability and dependability is already taken care of in good measure.

Watch the live telecast of the 2020 Brezza unveil here.

The Brezza’s prices are likely to be lower than that of the outgoing diesel powered variant, and this will help the compact SUV compete better with the likes of the Hyundai Venue and Tata Nexon, two of the least priced sub-4 meter compact SUVs sold in India. Expect a starting price close to Rs. 7 lakh for the BS6 Brezza Petrol, which is also expected to get a slew of new features on the inside based on customer feedback. An electric sunroof is one such hotly anticipated feature on the new compact SUV.

While the new petrol engine will make the 2020 Brezza very attractive to a lot of buyers, the lack of a diesel engine option is likely to cost Maruti a lot of sales. Maruti Suzuki could reintroduce a diesel engine on the Brezza in late 2020 or early 2021 if there is enough demand for such a variant. The automaker is said to be working on making its in-house 1.5 liter turbo diesel engine BS6 compliant. Once that happens, this engine could find its way into the Brezza, and other Maruti cars such as the S-Cross, Ertiga and XL6. For now though, the Brezza is taking a petrol-only route.

Also Read: Skoda Rapid finally goes turbo petrol: Unveiled at Auto Expo 2020

Tata Motors unveiled the Harrier-based, 6 seat Gravitas SUV yesterday at the 2020 Indian Auto Expo. The Gravitas will be launched soon, and will be priced and positioned above the Harrier. It’ll be Tata Motors’ new flagship SUV, and mechanically similar to the Harrier. Meanwhile, Tata Motors has just released a TVC, showing the production version of the SUV on actual roads. Check it out.

As the video indicates, the Gravitas retains much of the design language from the Harrier on the front end. The changes become apparent at the profile of the SUV, with the Gravitas getting a raised roof section at the rear – a-la-Land Rover Discovery. This raised roof section is what liberates additional head room at the rear of the SUV, making it feel very airy.

This has also allowed designers to offer another row of seats at the rear, giving the Gravitas a 6 seat layout: two rows of captain seats and a bench seat to make for the third row. The Gravitas also has beige coloured leather seats, and the colours used on the inside are quite different from those on the Harrier. It looks like Tata Motors is trying to position the Gravitas as a premium SUV in the Indian market.

Under the hood, the Tata Gravitas will host a Bharat Stage 6 (BS6) compliant 2 liter-4 cylinder turbocharged diesel engine with 170 Bhp-350 Nm outputs. this engine drives the front wheels of the SUV, and gets multiple driving modes including a rough road mode that varies torque between the two front wheels upon detection of wheel slip.

While Tata Motors derived the Omega ARC platform from the Land Rover D8 platform, the length was altered for the Indian market, which is also why the all wheel drive layout from the original platform could not be offered on the Harrier. The same has happened with the Gravitas, which will be a front wheel driven, monocoque SUV with two gearbox options: a 6 speed manual and a 6 speed torque converter automatic.

Other key features on the Tata Gravitas include a touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a panoramic sunroof, power adjustable driver’s seat, push button start, dual zone climate control, leather seats, automatic wipers and headlamps, 10 speaker stereo, multi-drive modes, six airbags, ESP, traction control, ABS+EBD, rear parking sensors and reversing camera, speed alerts, seat belt reminders, and more. Prices of the Gravitas are likely to start from Rs. 14 lakh.

Also Read: Skoda Rapid finally goes turbo petrol: Unveiled at Auto Expo 2020

Maruti Suzuki has just unveiled the facelifted Vitara Brezza sub-4 meter compact SUV at the 2020 Indian Auto Expo. The 2020 Brezza Facelift gets a bunch of visual changes, making it look fresher than before.

The price announcement will happen in a few days, and when that happens, Maruti is also expected to release information about booking and delivery details of the new compact SUV.

The biggest changes however, are under the bonnet. The Vitara Brezza finally goes petrol, but in the process also says goodbye to the 1.3 liter Fiat Multijet diesel engine. What this means is: The Maruti Brezza is a petrol-only offering. It is powered by the 1.5 liter K-Series naturally aspirated petrol motor, also seen on cars such as the Ciaz, Ertiga and XL6.

Tried and tested, this petrol engine outputs 104 Bhp-138 Nm, which while being nothing spectacular, is adequate for a compact SUV like the Brezza. This motor will get two gearbox options: a 5 speed manual and a 4 speed torque converter automatic. It remains to be seen if Maruti also offers a CNG-Petrol dual fuel variant of the SUV. Claimed mileage for the petrol-manual trim is 17.03 Kmpl while the petrol-automatic hybrid manages an impressive 18.,6 Kmpl, both figures ARAI certified.

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For now though, what will accompany this engine is a mild hybrid powertrain, which is called SHVS, or Suzuki Hybrid Vehicle System. The SHVS will get a dedicated on-board battery and brake energy regeneration. The SHVS mild hybrid is meant to take pressure off the alternator, conserving fuel. It’ll also assist the engine during hard acceleration, reducing fuel consumption and tail pipe emissions.

Exterior changes on the 2020 Maruti Brezza Facelift include a dollop of chrome on the new front grille, revised headlamps that gets LED DRLs, a refreshed design for the alloy wheels, reprofiled front and rear bumpers and a dual tone paint scheme. The facelifted compact SUV will go on sale shortly, and bookings will soon open at all Maruti Suzuki ARENA dealerships across India.

The SmartPlay touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, gets a revamp and is offered on the top-end trims. Other key features on the Brezza Facelift include automatic headlamps, cruise control, twin airbags, ABS, reverse parking sensors, reverse camera, electrically foldable wing mirrors, new dual tone paint schemes and AHA radio. The 2020 Maruti Brezza Facelift continues to operate in the sub-4 meter compact SUV segment, competing with the likes of the Hyundai Venue, Mahindra XUV300, Ford Ecosport and Tata Nexon.

Also Read: Skoda Rapid finally goes turbo petrol: Unveiled at Auto Expo 2020

Skoda brought its Rapid to Auto Expo dressed in gorgeous matte paint and red highlights. But it’s under the bonnet where the changes are more significant.  Skoda’s sedan Rapid will now get a new 1 litre, 3-cylinder turbo charged petrol (possibly with 115 PS-200 Nm tune) engine that will be BS6 compliant. This engine, it seems, would be the main workhorse for VW Group in India as it will also power the upcoming VW Taigun.

Rapid 1.0 TSI will be priced similar to the BS4 trims with prices starting around Rs. 8 lakh and will be offered with both the 6-speed manual and 7-speed twin clutch DSG automatic gearboxes. The new Rapid will hit showrooms starting April, 2020.

With the coming of BS6 norms, the Volkswagen Group has, by and large, decided to dump the diesel engines in favour of petrol. So Skoda too will follow the suit by March 2020. And that means the torquey 1.5 litre TDI engine will no longer be available—it was arguably the best engine in its category.

The 2020 Skoda Rapid BS6 also gets a few very minor updates. The Marco Polo edition gets larger 17-inch alloy wheels. Further, the Rapid BS6 also comes in a new Matte concept. It’s expected to cost Rs 50,000 more than the standard model. The Rapid competes with Honda City, Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, Hyundai Verna and Volkswagen Vento.

The current model has been around for a while and has therefore lost some of its shine. Sales in the last six months have averaged less than 1,000 month which is half what segment leaders Honda City/Maruti Ciaz have managed. In many ways, these numbers indicate a loyal audience that Rapid, and for that matter, Vento have garnered over time. But still, there is only so much loyalty can help.

So, an all-new next-generation Rapid will land in India in 2021. This will be based on the new MQB A0 IN platform that has been developed exclusively for India. It is likely to look like a smaller version of Skoda Octavia. It’ll come as a notchback unlike the current car which is a proper 3-box saloon. In simpler words, it will come with a lift back tailgate a-la-the Skoda Octavia. The new Rapid will co-exist with the all-new Vento, which will get a conventional boot lid but will share its engines and platform with the new Skoda sedan. The Volkswagen Vento will also be launched in 2021, and will get major restyling.

Also Read: Skoda Rapid finally goes turbo petrol: Unveiled at Auto Expo 2020

Hyundai India has just unveiled the 2020 Creta compact SUV at the Auto Expo, ahead of its official launch in March this year. The 2020 Creta is the 2nd generation model of this highly successful compact SUV. Here are pictures straight from the show floor, where Hyundai’s long time brand ambassador and Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan, was at hand, to unveil the 2020 Creta.

The 2020 Creta will compete with the Kia Seltos, Maruti S-Cross, Renault Duster and many other compact SUVs in the Indian market. Already on sale in China as the iX25, the India-spec 2020 Creta has specific changes for the market here. The 2020 Creta gets mild styling changes on the front end: the grille is slightly different from what is offered on the China-spec model while the alloy wheel design are different as well. Under the hood too, changes specific to the Indian market is something the 2020 Creta will feature in ample measure. We’ll get to that in just a bit.

The 2020 Hyundai Creta shares its platform with the hugely successful and recently introduced Kia Seltos. This means that the new Creta is larger than the outgoing version, inside out. The larger dimensions make for more interior room for the passengers as well. However, the SUV continues to remain compact enough for ease of driving and parking on crowded Indian roads.

Along with the platform come the BS6 petrol and diesel engines of the Seltos, which will make the 2020 Creta more powerful than the outgoing version. The three engines that the 2020 Hyundai creta gets are: the 1.5 liter-4 cylinder naturally aspirated petrol with 113 Bhp-142 Nm, the 1.4 liter-4 cylinder turbocharged petrol with 138 Bhp-242 Nm, and the 1.5 liter-4 cylinder turbocharged diesel engine with 115 Bhp-250 Nm.

All three engines get 6 speed manual gearboxes as standard while automatic gearbox options are also available. While the 1.5 liter petrol gets a CVT automatic gearbox, the 1.4 liter turbo petrol motor gets a 7 speed twin clutch automatic. The diesel sticks to a 6 speed torque converter automatic gearbox, just like the outgoing Creta.

The all-new Creta gets a slew of new features including a panoramic sunroof, air purifier, fully revised touchscreen infotainment unit with Android Auto and apple CarPlay, a 360 degree camera and more. The new compact SUV is safety rich, with 6 airbags, ABS+EBD, ESP, traction control, hill hold, cruise control, speed alerts and many other safety features. The new 2020 Creta is likely to be slightly pricier than the outgoing model but the high amount of localization should ensure that Hyundai can price the SUV very competitively.

Also Read: Tata Altroz electric car showcased at 2020 Auto Expo

Skoda showcased its Karoq SUV at the Auto Expo 2020. Karoq should hit the market later in the year with prices starting around Rs. 18 lakh. The Karoq sits in between the larger Kodiaq and the mid-size Kamiq SUVs in Skoda’s line-up. It falls at the premium end of the mid-size SUV segment and will compete with the likes of Jeep Compass, Hyundai Tuscon and Tata Harrier.

Karoq, unlike some of its rivals, will available only with a petrol engine. It will be 1.5 litre turbo powerplant with power rating of 150 PS-250 Nm. 6 speed manual and 7 speed dsg automatic. The new Karoq is based on the MQB platform and will be locally assembled, being brought via the CKD route. This should help Skoda price Karoq competitively.

Karoq’s design is pretty much standard current day Skoda which means its squarish and wide front with family grill and slim headlamps. The side profile is all straight lines that merge into the rear that is quite familiar by now thanks to Kodiaq. In short, it looks quite like a smaller Kodiaq—which is no bad thing.  Inside, the cabin classy with quality soft-touch materials and leather upholstery.

It shuns the bling of its Korean rivals in favour of understated elegance and functionality. Karoq will come loaded with features such as a large touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, virtual cockpit, nine airbags and dual-zone climate control among others. The lower variants get an 8-inch one while the higher end will come with a 9.2 inch infotainment system and wireless charging.

As for space, there is plenty and even with 6-footers in front and back, there should not be any problem. The boot is large and can be expended by folding the rear seats—interestingly, the rear middle seats folds independently allowing you to carry ‘long’ objects along with four passengers.While there is 4X4 version of Karoq that sells in Europe, we are not sure if that will come to India. 4X4 variants typically sell poorly in the Indian market, where affordability and lower running costs matter more.

That will mean Jeep Compass will continue to be the only 4X4 option in the category. Karoq is built around the new MQB platform. It offers a good mix of ride and handling as do other Skodas.  Karoq will sit below Kodiaq and is meant to drive SUV sales for Skoda, at least till the Vision IN becomes a reality sometime in 2021.

Also Read: Tata Altroz electric car showcased at 2020 Auto Expo

Maruti Suzuki showcased the new BS6 compliant S-Cross petrol at the Auto Expo 2020. The car will be formally launched some time in March, that is, in a month’s time.

There are no exterior or interior updates as the S-Cross had already had a major facelift a couple of years back. The only minor update is that it gets a colour MID, which is similar to the one found on the new Ertiga, Baleno and Ciaz. The big change is in the powerplant as Maruti dumps diesel at least temporarily. So, the S-Cross will get the same 1.5 litre, 4-cylinder K-Series petrol engine as the Brezza. It produces 104 Bhp of power and 138 Nm in torque.

The engine is backed by Suzuki hybrid Vehicle system (SHVS) which is a mild hybrid. It takes the load off the alternator and assist engine during acceleration but cannot propel the car on its own. However, it does help cut emissions and improve fuel efficiency. The gearbox combinations will be similar too. There will be 5-speed manual and a 4-speed torque converter automatic. The same engine-gearbox combo is already offered in Ertiga, XL6 and Ciaz. So, it’s a tried and tested combination.

The one advantage of this switch to petrol will be the reduced price. The current diesel S-Cross starts at Rs. 8.8 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi—the new one should be cheaper by Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 1 lakh, making it a very attractive alternative to compact SUVs and even the higher end versions of compact sedan.

The S-Cross has ample ground clearance and is very reliable. These two factors are major driving forces that sells this crossover, which also gets an all wheel drive system in markets abroad. In India, Maruti has chosen to stick to the front wheel drive layout.

While it does not have the cache of a compact SUV—crossovers are yet to take off in India—S-Cross actually offer much more space, a huge boot and even better ride than many. In many ways, the experience is closer to that of a proper sedan that costs a lot more. Meanwhile, Maruti is working on developing a 1.5 litre BS6 compliant diesel in-house to replace the Fiat-sourced 1.3 litre engine that it has been using for quite some time across its range. But our guess is that it will take at least year for the new engine to be ready at which point S-Cross may have a diesel option again. For now, both its SUVs [Vitara Brezza] and the crossover [S-Cross] go petrol.

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MG Motor has just unveiled the 6 seat Hector at the 2020 Indian Auto Expo. It’s called the Hector Plus. Here are the first images of the SUV straight from the show floor at the 2020 Indian Auto Expo.

Apart from adding a three row layout, and slightly revised styling, the Hector Plus is essentially the 5 seat Hector under the skin, and is what the Tata Gravitas is to the Harrier. The actual launch of this SUV will happen in the coming days. Prices are expected to start from about Rs. 13.5 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi, and bookings for the SUV will soon be open at MG Motor dealerships across the country. Deliveries will begin shortly.

Like the Tata Gravitas, the MG Hector Plus gets a three row seating layout, with the first two rows offering captain seats while the third row is a bench seat that will accommodate two adults. The MG Hector Plus is mechanically similar to the Hector. It’s likely to get turbocharged petrol, turbocharged petrol mild hybrid and turbocharged diesel engines. It features a monocoque body, and is front wheel driven.

As is the case with the Hector, there could be 6 speed manual and twin clutch automatic gearbox options available with the turbocharged petrol (non hybrid) engine while the turbopetrol mild hybrid engine is expected to get a 6 speed manual as standard. The diesel engine gets a six speed manual gearbox as standard. All engines offered on the Hector Plus will meet Bharat Stage 6 (BS6) emission norms, and can run on BS4 fuel without any problem. This should come as relief to those worried about BS6 fuel availability.

Like the MG Hector, its Plus version is feature-rich. From a panoramic sunroof and rear AC vents to cruise control, automatic headlamps and wipers, and a massive, Tesla-style infotainment unit dominating the center console, the SUV has quite a few features that will impress most. It also gets a range of connectivity options made possible by on-board internet. Yes, just like the Hector, its Plus version gets ‘internet inside’.

Who is the Hector Plus for?

The newest variant of the Hector is intended for those who need the extra comfort and flexibility that a three row seating layout offers. With the third row of seats up though, luggage space will reduce. Folding down the rear seat when additional luggage space is required or mounting a roof rack/box where luggage can be safely stowed is an option that many people could take.

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Renault is working on making the Duster a lot more desirable. The French automaker has just dumped the 1.5 liter K9K turbocharged diesel engine, not willing to make it Bharat Stage 6 (BS6) emission norms compliant. Instead, Renault plans to stage a fresh attack on the compact SUV segment in India with a turbocharged Duster, riding on petrol power.

You’re reading right, the 1.3 liter-4 cylinder SCe turbocharged petrol engine, which Renault offers on the Duster internationally, will make it to the India-spec SUV’s engine bay. This engine will make 156 Bhp of peak power and 250 Nm of peak torque in the India-spec Duster, suddenly making the compact SUV the most powerful option in its class, beating even the segment-leading Kia Seltos Turbo Petrol’s 138 Bhp-242 Nm power and torque outputs.

While the Seltos Turbo Petrol gets 6 speed manual and 7 speed twin clutch automatic gearbox options, the Renault Duster Turbo Petrol will get a 6 speed manual transmission as standard, and a smooth and easy CVT automatic gearbox option. The 1.5 liter K9K turbodiesel engined Duster variant is on its way out, and sales will stop shortly, ahead of the April 1st 2020 deadline for BS6 compliance.

Renault will continue selling lower trims of the Duster with the naturally aspirated 1.5 liter HR15DE petrol engine but this motor will be offered only with the 5 speed manual gearbox once the new turbo petrol engine is introduced. The Duster with the new engine will make its debut in April 2020, but will not get any other major changes given the fact that Renault has just facelifted the compact SUV.

The Renault Duster desperately needs something new to make it more appealing among compact SUV buyers. Renault has been witness to a gradual tapering off of the Duster’s sales as the SUV is now overwhelmed with new competition. In such a situation, giving the SUV a major power boost may just work, bringing a lot of enthusiasts towards the SUV. However, this is not enough.

Renault needs to quickly bring in the next-generation model as the current Duster is 8 years old. The SUV does have some strengths. Ride quality is one of its strong points, and the current Duster is still the gold standard in its segment when it comes to smoothing out bad roads like they don’t exist. Another strong point is a sturdy build, and compact dimensions. The all wheel drive version was another unique offering in the Duster’s line up but with very few takers for it, Renault is unlikely to bring it back with the turbo petrol trim.

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NEXA, the one-of-a-kind retail car showroom, set a benchmark in India in 2015. The premium car showroom, which provides car buyers across India a unique experience, has grown to become the third-largest automobile retail chain in India.

In just four years, customers have bought more than 1 million cars from NEXA showrooms, a testament to not just to its success but also the trust it has built. To celebrate this achievement, NEXA has kicked off an innovative project.

To celebrate 1 million sales, NEXA has created a beautiful pixel art form with the help of the incredibly talented Sudeepti Tucker. What makes it unique? Sudeepti, created this masterpiece dedicated to the 1 million cars, or in other words, 1 million smiles of the customers.

The digital art uses 1 million pixels and the palette used to create the painting represents all the colours of the NEXA cars customers have chosen. A unique tool was developed to keep track of the number of exact pixels of each colour used by Sudeepti. The result is mesmerizing and surprising at the same time, just like the NEXA experience.

Nexa is a brand for young customers, and nearly 50% of the Nexa car buyers are below 35 years of age. Sudeepti, a 26-year-old artist, strikes a chord with the Nexa customers. She is an independent artist and works on ideas of expression that open dialogues about roots, identity and image of oneself. A Red Elephant award winner, Sudeepti has completed her graphic design studies from the prestigious National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, and was part of the illustration residency at The School of Visual Arts, New York. In the past, she has worked with brands like Google, Times of India, Slack, Elle, and PVR.

The unique artwork commissioned by NEXA is the brand’s way of thanking customers and appreciating their role in helping the brand flourish. It is the NEXA customers who have provided the ingredients for the artwork, and the masterpiece is a brilliant way of making every single customer a part of the celebration. Watch the complete journey behind the masterpiece here.

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Force Motors has unveiled its new BS6 compliant Gurkha at the Auto Expo 2020. It should hit the showrooms in May 2020 this year. With the update, Force has tried make Gurkha a little more mainstream by adding comfort, refinement and meet the new safety norms. The new Gurkha will compete with the newly updated Thar.

While Gurkha retain its Mercedes G-Wagen inspired upright looks, there are little changes here and there that separate it from its predecessor. The front lights now get circular DRLs, more Bentley than G-Wagen though. The bumper and grille too have a new look. The tail lights too get an update but the spare wheel stays where it was. And while the demo piece was three-door one, we expect Gurkha to offer 5-door variants as well.

But its on inside where the changes are really significant. The outgoing Gurkha was as basic as it gets. The centre console gets a touchscreen infotainment system while the dash gets an MID between tacho and speedo. Overall, the finish is much improved.

The new Gurkha gets dual airbags, ABS, rear parking sensors, power windows and LED headlamps with DRLs. And it is a 6- or more accurately 4+2 seater: there are four forward facing seats in two rows followed by two jump seats where the boot would have been. The latter can be pulled out easily to make space for the luggage.

Gurkha continues to be powered by the 2.6 litre diesel engine that has now been made compliant with BS6 norms. The engine which produces 90 bhp—5 bhp more than the outgoing model. A 5-speed gearbox is standard and as with the earlier avatar off-road goodies abound including manual locking differentials with independent front suspension and coil springs at all four corners.

Force claims it has tweaked the chassis and so Gurkha should ride better over regular roads. Further, work has been done on the NVH front as well.  Overall, the new Gurkha appears to be a more well-rounded product that, along with the upcoming 2nd generation Thar, has the potential to appeal to a broader set of buyers. Pricing has not been released yet. The commercial launch of this off-roader is likely to happen before April 1st 2020, which is when the Bharat Stage 6 (BS6) norms will come into place across India. By then Mahindra would have launched the all-new, 2020 Thar. While the Thar is expected to cater to the lifestyle crowd that seeks a modicum of comfort along with off roading chops, the Gurkha buyer is generally the one buying the vehicle for greater off road use.

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Renault joined the electric bandwagon at the Auto Expo 2020 with the unveil of its hugely popular and highly rated [in Europe] Zoe. While Zoe had made appearance in the previous Auto Expo 2018, this time around it is actually slated to come to India. Zoe is likely to be priced in the Rs. 15 lakh to Rs. 20 lakh range. That will make it quite expensive for what is a small hatchback.

While Zoe loses out on the size, it does pack serious range. The claimed range is a whopping 385 kilometres per charge. And while that may be hard to score in real world condition, Zoe does go over 300 km in real world and that is quite impressive.

And Zoe is fast too—when launched, it will be the fastest Renault in India with a 0-100 kph in 9.5 seconds. Zoe has a top speed of 140 kph—you might remember that Tata Motors Nexon EV has its top speed limited to 120 kph.

Renault Zoe will be powered by a 52 KwH battery that would be good for 130 bhp and 245 Nm of torque. The battery should come with a separate—from the car—warranty of 8 years. However, unlike in the previous gen Zoe, where you could buy the battery and car separately, the current gen Zoe comes with integrated power pack.

The current, 2nd gen Zoe, gets plush interiors with 7- or 9.3-inch infotainment screen that is vertically oriented. The driver display too is fully digital 10-incher. The boot however is small and Zoe is really a four-seater.

Generally, Zoe has received good reviews overseas for its handling and that should hold for the Indian version too as it will largely be the same as it will come via completely built route. Given the price, Zoe is more likely to be a brand builder than sales driver. It does trump the much more affordable Nexon EV on range and power but loses out on practicality due to its smaller size.

While the Zoe will be a brand builder for Renault in India, the French automaker also showed the Kwid Electric at the Auto Expo. The Kwid Electric will be priced between Rs. 6-8 lakh, making it quite affordable for most small car buyers seeking an electric vehicle mainly for use on city streets. The Kwid Electric will offer a range of over 200 Kms, and will be heavily localized to keep its price affordable. It’s still a while away from launch though, with Renault only bringing it to India in 2022.

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Kia Motors is all set to launch their second offering for the Indian market in the form of Carnival luxury MPV. Kia is pitching it as a luxury MPV and it sits above Toyota Innova Crysta. Prices of Carnival MPV were revealed at the Auto Expo 2020. The luxury MPV starts from Rs. 24.95 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi, making it a lot pricier than the Toyota Innova Crysta – its chief competitor. We got a chance last month to review the all-new Kia Carnival in Hyderabad and if you want to have a look at the complete review click here. Here we have a detailed video of Kia Carnival which showcases all the features that it offers on the inside and outside.

The video has been uploaded on to Kia’s official youtube channel. The video starts by showing the exterior of the Carnival MPV with its signature Tiger nose grille, projector type headlamps, LED DRLs, skid plate and ice cube shaped LED fog lamps with chrome garnishes around it. The front of the car looks elegant and premium.

The Carnival is a huge MPV in comparison to the MPVs like Toyota Innova Crysta, Mahindra Marazzo etc. Carnival is 5,115 mm long, 1,985 mm wide and has a height of 1,755 mm. The video also showcases the 18-inch sputtering alloy wheels that the top-end Limousine trim gets. Lower variants are equipped with diamond cut alloy wheels. Rear of the car also looks premium with uniquely designed LED tail light with a chrome strip running between the lights. The floating roof design, rear spoiler and the skid plate on the rear bumper all give it a premium, elegant and proportionate look.

On the inside, Kia Carnival offers all the comfort features that one would expect from a car of this size and segment. It is available in multiple seat configurations. It is available in 7, 8, 9 and 7 seater with VIP seats. The VIP seats are available in the top-end Limousine version only. It offers leg support for the second row passengers with two infotainment screens for the passengers. second row passenger also gets a provision to plug in his/her laptop charger inside the car.

Carnival offers ample amount of space on the inside. Passengers can sit comfortably on all-three rows and still offer a boot space of 540 litres. With second row of seats folded, the boot space expands to 1624 litres. Other features that Carnival offers are touch screen infotainment system, cruise control, dual sunroof, ventilated driver side seat, nappa leather seats, tri-zone climate control, UVO connect feature, electrically opening and closing sliding doors and so on.

Kia Carnival is available in a single engine option. The Carnival MPV is powered by a BS6 compliant 2.2 litre turbocharged diesel engine generating 200 Ps and 440 Nm of peak torque which is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission as standard. Kia is also working on a sub-4 meter compact SUV that will go against Maruti Brezza and others in the segment. Kia will also showcase the concept model of the sub-4 meter at the expo along with Carnival.

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