MG Motor has just launched the facelift of the Hector and the Hector Plus. Now both the SUVs get more features than before and some cosmetic upgrades so that they look fresh while they compete in the tough SUV segment. The prices of both the SUVs have also been increased. So, the MG Hector now starts from Rs. 12.89 lakhs ex-showroom and goes up to Rs. 18.32 lakhs ex-showroom. The Hector Plus now starts from Rs. 13.14 lakhs ex-showroom for the 7-seater variant and goes up to Rs. 18.32 lakhs ex-showroom. The Hector Plus 6-seater now starts from Rs. 15.99 lakhs ex-showroom and the top-end variant will cost you Rs. 19.12 lakhs ex-showroom. There are no mechanical upgrades done to any of the SUVs. So, both the SUVs continue to offer the same 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine and the 2.0-litre Fiat-sourced diesel engine. The transmission options also remain the same.

The Hector gets a new tweaked front fascia while the Hector Plus retains its front styling. This could have been done because Hector was launched before, whereas the Hector Plus was launched in the Indian market previous year only. So, the Hector now gets a bolder, more aggressive front grille and it also gets front and rear faux skid plates finished in Gunmetal colour.

Also read: MG Hector Facelift to be launched in 2021

At the rear, the red reflective garnish that connected both the tail lamps is now replaced with a glossy black coloured garnish. Both the SUVs get metallic scuff plates for the front and rear door sills and 18-inch dual-tone alloy wheels which we consider a big addition because the original alloys wheels looked a tad bit smaller on the Hector. The new alloy wheels really help in improving the stance of the SUVs while filling the wheel wells better. The Hector will now also be offered with a Starry Sky Blue colour which was only available with the Hector Plus till now. The Hector Plus now gets some dual-tone exterior colours such as Red plus black roof and White plus black roof. The interior colour of the Hector has also been changed to dual-tone champagne and black colour. This will give the cabin a more premium look and a sense of airiness to the cabin.

The feature list of both the SUVs has also gone up. Both of them now get a wireless charger, front ventilated seats and auto-dimming interior rearview mirror. The Hector on other hand now comes with the Wifi option with the infotainment system, voice search in the Gaana application, 5 days of the weather forecast in Accuweather, Apple watch connectivity, engine start alarm, speed alert customization option in the i-Smart application, door auto lock and unlock and voice alert for low tyre pressure. MG has also extended the thigh support for the rear seat which should help in a more comfortable ride for the rear occupants. Hector now also gets more than 35 Hinglish voice commands. So, now you can give voice commands such as ‘Radio Chalao’, ‘Sunroof Kholo’, ‘Petrol Pump Dhundho’ and much more. These new voice commands will help people to use the voice command feature more as they won’t have to remember specific commands in English.

Both the SUVs are offered with the same set of BS6 compliant engines. The 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine produces 143 PS and 250 Nm. It is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox or a Dual-Clutch Automatic gearbox. If you opt for the 48V mild-hybrid system, you can only get the 6-speed manual gearbox. The 2.0-litre diesel engine produces 170 PS and 350 Nm. It is only offered with a 6-speed manual gearbox. MG Motor is also working on an all-wheel-drive variant for the Hector Plus which will also offer ADAS or Advanced Driver Assistance System features.

These advanced driver aids are currently only offered with the MG Gloster and soon will be making its way to the Hector Plus. This will make the Hector Plus, the cheapest vehicle in India to offer Level 1 autonomous driving technology. If you would like to know more about it, you can click here. MG Hector will compete with the likes of Kia Seltos, Tata Harrier, upcoming Mahindra Scorpio and Hyundai Creta. The Hector Plus will compete against the upcoming 2021 Mahindra XUV500, Toyota Innova Crysta and, upcoming Hyundai Creta 7-seater and the Tata Safari (previously known as Gravitas).

Also read: Upcoming Tata Hornbill HBX micro SUV front & rear in new spy shots

Also read: Upcoming Tata Hornbill HBX micro SUV front & rear in new spy shots

As Skoda is closing in on launching its first car under the India 2.0 program, the brand has announced the official name of the vehicle. Skoda named the concept version of the mid-size SUV as the Skoda Vision IN. The production version of the mid-size SUV will be revealed in March 2021.

This is the first time that a Skoda vehicle will get an Indian name, which shows how important the Indian market is for the brand. As per the official announcement, the name Kushaq is derived from the Sanskrit language. Kushak means ‘King’ or ‘Emporer’. Skoda has derived the name to match the nomenclature of the other SUV names from their line-up in India. All the Skoda SUV names start with a “K” and end with a “Q”. For example, there is the Kodiaq, the Karoq, Kamiq and more.

Also read: Maruti & Toyota to build Hyundai Creta rival for the Indian market: Launch in 2022

Mr Zac Hollis, Brand Director – ŠKODA AUTO India said,

“The new ŠKODA KUSHAQ will offer a compelling combination of the brand’s timeless design ideals, unmatched performance, superior build quality, exemplary value proposition, and enhanced safety and security. It is deemed to be the best seller in its class, setting the benchmark for functionality, practicality, spaciousness, and convenience.”

Skoda Kushaq

Skoda has also released a video that shows the naming of the Kushaq and people from different zones of India saying the name with different accents. The video says that it does not matter in what accent a person speaks the name but the meaning remains the same.

The Kushaq will be the first car to be made specifically for the Indian market from the brand. It also is the first car that will is based on the MQB A0 IN platform. There will be a slew of cars from the Volkswagen Group based on the very same platform in the future. It is a low-cost platform that is derived from the costly MQB platform that is available in the international markets. To keep the cost of the cars competitive and low, the group spawned the new platform for the Indian market.

The all-new Kushaq will go against the likes of Hyundai Creta and the Kia Seltos. Since it is made-for-India and made-in-India product, Skoda is likely to price it very competitive, unlike the other vehicles in its model line-up. The production version of the vehicle will be very similar to the concept version but there will be a few changes to make it cost-effective.

The naming nomenclature of the ŠKODA KUSHAQ derives its origin from Sanskrit, and the word ‘KUSHAK’ denotes KING or EMPEROR. In its stance and mannerism, the powerful new KUSHAQ personifies its moniker and at the same time reflects upon its 125 years of rich history and heritage. pic.twitter.com/CFYwDzsG3z

— Zac Hollis (@Zac_Hollis_) January 7, 2021

The cabin of the all-new Kushaq is also expected to offer a modern feel and look. Skoda will offer features like a digital instrument cluster, panoramic sunroof, automatic climate control system and more. Skoda will keep the localisation to 95% to ensure that the cost of the vehicle is very competitive.

Skoda will use only petrol engine options with the all-new Kushaq. The lower variants will get the 1.0-litre turbocharged, three-cylinder engine that generates a maximum power of around 110 PS. Skoda will offer a manual and a torque converter automatic with this engine option. The more powerful variants will get the 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine that generates a maximum of around 150 PS. If so, the Kushaq will become the most powerful car in the segment.

Also read: All-new 2021 Mahindra XUV500: What it”ll look like

Mr. HVK or Mr. HV Kumar, who is also known as Mr. HiVayKing has covered more than 6 lakh kilometres on his 2005 Mahindra Scorpio. More importantly, he has spent Rs. 60 lakhs doing this. This cost includes various expenses such as fuel, tolls, tyres and maintenance. The Scorpio that we are talking about is a DI Turbo model which used to come before the CRDe model. After CRDe, mHawk was launched and now a new Scorpio is around the horizon. The CRDe model was going to launch soon and HV Kumar knew this. But the DI Turbo model was on heavy discounts and the work project he was involved in required him to get moving immediately. So, he settled for the 2005 Scorpio DI Turbo model and it seems like he does not regret this decision.

It is not like the vehicle did not have any problems during this life span. He has been facing braking issues since he got the vehicle. His shock absorber failed at 1.5 lakh kilometres. Then at 4.2 lakh kilometres, the timing chain tensioner failed which caused a major head and valve damage. Due to this, it had to be rebuild. However, the bore and the rest of the engine was still in a good shape. While doing this HVK found out that the turbocharger was missing/damaged blades and the bearing had taken heavy wear and tear. There was also a lot of carbon residue.

Still, HV Kumar did not replace the turbocharged instead they rebuilt it. When the SUV hit 4.3 lakh kilometres, the rocker arm snapped and caused so much damage to the engine that he had to rebuild the engine again. He has also changed the steering rack and nearly all the components of the air conditioning have been replaced because the AC components are not really made to last so long. Once we have a look at the repairs, it seems fair where some of Rs. 60 lakhs might have been spent.

Also read: Mumbai police cancels 2,000 driving licenses of those who have not paid e-challan fines

He covered two lakh kilometres before heading out for Kashmir and Ladakh. His first drive was with a variety of different Scorpios from all generations. So, there were DI Turbo, CRDe and even some mHawks. Interestingly, it was his DI Turbo that performed the best on steep inclines even after being a two-wheel-drive vehicle. His Scorpio that he purchased in 2005 was unstoppable even at an altitude of 5000 metres. He says that one of the reasons for this impeccable performance was the Geolandar tires that he installed from Yokohama. These tyres offered immense grip on loose surfaces where it was becoming difficult to find traction.

The current Scorpio is powered by a 2.2-litre diesel engine that produces 140 PS of max power and a peak torque output of 320 Nm. It is only offered with a 6-speed manual gearbox. The Scorpio now starts from Rs. 12.42 lakhs ex-showroom and goes all the way up to Rs. 16.27 lakhs ex-showroom. Mahindra is also working on all-new Scorpio that will be launched sometime this year. It has already been spied quite a few times. It will be based on a reworked ladder-frame chassis and will be powered by a new set of engines that we have seen on the 2020 Thar.

Images courtesy HVKForum/Gurushankar Subramanian

Also read: All-new 2021 Mahindra XUV500: What it”ll look like

Maruti Suzuki is the largest car manufacturer in the country with a variety of vehicles in their portfolio. Last year, Maruti Suzuki had started a new initiative where a customer can actually use Maruti car without actually buying. They had started a subscription program called ‘Maruti Suzuki Subscribe’. Just like other manufacturers, Maruti was also offering some of their models to customers after paying an all-inclusive monthly fee that includes complete maintenance, insurance, and roadside assistance. After the successful launch of Maruti Suzuki Subscribe in major cities like Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Mumbai, Chennai and Ahmedabad, Maruti Suzuki has added additional models like S-Cross, Ignis and WagonR under the existing Maruti Suzuki Subscribe offering.

Maruti Suzuki was already offering models like Swift, Dzire, Vitara Brezza, Ertiga from ARENA and Baleno, Ciaz, and XL6 from NEXA dealerships. After including Ignis, S-Cross and WagonR, Maruti now offers a total of 10 models in 8 cities. Subscription has become more affordable with the inclusion of WagonR in Maruti Suzuki ARENA and Ignis in NEXA. Customers will pay an all-inclusive monthly subscription charge starting Rs 12,722 for WagonR Lxi and Rs 13,772 for Ignis Sigma in Delhi (including taxes) for a tenure of 48 months. Maruti Suzuki Subscribe offers these cars in white number plate (registered in the name of customer) in 8 cities.

Also read: Maruti Suzuki to launch 5 new cars in 2021

Maruti Suzuki Subscribe allows a customer to use a brand-new car without actually owning it. The customer needs to pay an all-inclusive monthly fee that comprehensively covers maintenance, 24×7 roadside assistance and insurance for the complete tenure. The plan comes with tenure options of 24, 36, and 48 months, as per the customer’s choice. After the completion of subscription tenure, the customer can also opt to extend, upgrade the vehicle, or even buy the car at market price.

Maruti Suzuki has tied up with Orix Auto Infrastructure Services LTD, which is one of India’s leading leasing brands to provide the leasing options. In order to lease a brand new Maruti vehicle, customer can directly walk into their nearest Arena or Nexa dealership and book it. A certain amount has to be deposited as a security and the amount varies depending upon the model you choose. A subscription booking amount and an advance subscription fee is also charged. Followed by this, a monthly subscription charge needs to be paid.

Once the payment and paperwork is complete, customer will receive their car within 15 days. All customers will be given an option to choose the colour of the car that they plan to subscribe. Maruti Suzuki will also be doing background check and customers who are 25 years old or above it can take benefit of this plan. The customer should also have a valid driving license and a CIBIL score of 700 or above. Maruti Suzuki is offering a subscription plan to regular customers for the first time. It was already offering leasing plans to corporates.

Newly added WagonR, S-Cross and Ignis are all available with a petrol engine only. All the diesel engines on Maruti cars were discontinued in 2020 as they were not BS6 compliant. Maruti is now working on bringing back diesel engines in Ertiga and Vitara Brezza. A BS6 compliant version of Ertiga was even spotted testing few months ago.

Also read: Upcoming Tata Hornbill HBX micro SUV front & rear in new spy shots

Japanese carmaker, Toyota launched the facelifted version of Fortuner in the market recently. Toyota had already launched this facelifted version in international markets last year. Along with regular Fortuner, Toyota has also launched a much more premium Legender version in the market as well. Prices for the all new Fortuner start at Rs 29.98 lakh, ex-showroom and go up to Rs 37.58 lakh, ex-showroom. It is a premium 7-seater SUV that competes with Ford Endeavour and recently launched MG Gloster in the segment. Toyota has now released official TVC for the updated Fortuner and newly introduced Legender version.

The video has been uploaded by Toyota India on their official Youtube channel. The video basically shows how different both SUVs are from one another in terms of looks and the features it offers. Toyota has made changes to Fortuner SUV to give it a fresh look. It now gets a sleeker looking projector LED headlamps setup with integrated LED DRL. The front grille gets a different pattern and the bumper has been redesigned. Fortuner now gets a much more muscular looking bumper with blacked honey comb garnish around the LED fog lamps. Fortuner also comes with silver colour skid plate that adds to the SUVish stance of the vehicle.

Also read: 450 bhp Mercedes CLA 45 AMG sportscar for sale at a price cheaper than Fortuner

The video shows Fortuner being driven through rough roads and off-road sections while the Legender was driven inside the city. The main reason behind that is because, Legender is actually based on the diesel 4×2 automatic Fortuner. It is not available with a 4×4 option like Fortuner. The Legender looks a lot more premium than regular Fortuner. It gets split front grille with gloss black inserts. Most of the chrome elements on the Fortuner have been blacked out, when it became Legender.

It gets different looking LED DRLs, quad LED headlamps, different looking bumper and LED fog lamps with different garnish around it. The lower part of the bumper now gets sequential LED turn indicators too. Coming to the side profile, both Fortuner and Legender have same design and the alloy wheels are also of the same size. The only difference is that Fortuner gets a mono tone colour whereas the Legender gets dual tone paint job.

The design on the alloy wheels are also different of both SUV. Legender gets a multi layered dual tone machine cut alloy wheels and the Fortuner comes with chrome metallic finish alloys. Both SUVs get updated LED tail lamps with roof mounted spoiler and a revised bumper. There is an ‘L’ shaped black insert in Legender’s bumper right next to the reflector lamp which differentiates it from Fortuner.

On the inside, the both SUV gets similar looking cabin. Fortuner gets single tone upholstery whereas the Legender gets maroon and black combination for a premium and sporty touch. Fortuner now gets touchscreen infotainment system that supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, connected car features, ventilated seats, premium 11 speaker system from JBL, differential lock and driving modes. Legender offers features like wireless charging, ambient lighting and other features.

Fortuner is powered by the same set of engines. It is available with a 2.7 litre petrol and an updated 2.8 litre turbo diesel engine. The diesel engine now generates 204 Ps and 500 Nm of peak torque. Both petrol and diesel engines are available with manual and automatic transmission. Only diesel version gets 4×4 option. The Legender is available with the 2.8 litre diesel engine with an automatic transmission.

Also read: Mahindra Alturas gets much cheaper than the Toyota Fortuner thanks to 3 lakh discount

Honda Activa is one of the most popular automatic scooters in Indian market. It was launched in the market back is 2001 and soon after the launch, Activa became popular among customers. Honda Activa has now achieved a milestone that no other two wheeler in Indian market has achieved so far. Honda Activa has become the first scooter in Indian market to touch the 2.5 crore units sales mark. This is the first time in the history of India two-wheeler industry that a manufacturer has achieved this mark. India is also the biggest two wheeler market in the world. Honda Activa is still a very popular scooter in the segment as Honda constantly keeps on updating the scooter to compete with other manufacturers in the segment. Over the years, the Activa has become so popular among customers that it now commands over 50 % market share.

As mentioned above, Honda had launched Activa back in 2001. Within three years after the launch, Honda Activa had become the best selling scooter in the segment. Activa became a trend setter in the automatic scooter segment and the demand for this scooter kept on growing. By 2005-2006 Honda had already sold 10 units of Activa in Indian market.

Speaking on the occasion Atsushi Ogata, Managing Director, President & CEO, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Private Limited said, “Since its launch in 2001, be it the 100-110cc engine, or the new more powerful 125cc engine, the secret of success of the Activa family is leadership that builds trust. Since 20 years, Activa is at the forefront of technological innovation, sometimes even a decade before it became the industry norm. Be it the Honda patented tuff-up tube and CLiC mechanism in 2001, Honda’s Combi-brake system with Equaliser in 2009, revolutionary Honda Eco Technology (HET) for 10 per cent mileage up in 2013, or even the smarter HET PGM-Fi engine powered by eSP and World First Tumble flow in BS-VI era; every generation of Activa brand continued to evolve, revolutionise the scooter segment and Activate India. We are happy to see that India’s love for the legendary Activa continues to reign supreme”

Also read: Honda Activa Special Edition launched to commemorate scooter”s 20th anniversary in India

The Activa when launched in 2001 used a 102-cc engine which was later replaced by a bigger 110-cc engine in 2008. This engine was refined and even offered better fuel economy. Honda kept on making changes to Activa constantly to maintain customer interest. As part of the strategy, they started introducing new technology and features. Honda Activa reached the 1 crore sales mark by 2015 and the next 1.5 crore was achieved in the next 5 years which is actually a proof that people had not lost interest in Activa even after so many years.

Honda introduced features like fuel injection, LED headlamps, HET, seat opener switch, idle start stop switch, silent engine start, side stand indicator and so on. Honda also introduced the BS6 version of Activa (Activa 6G) in the market way before any other manufacturer did. They also expanded their portfolio by launching a 125-cc version of the scooter in the market. Honda celebrated 20 Years of Activa in India and as part of the celebration, they launched Anniversary edition Activa few months ago.

Also read: This Harley Davidson Forty-Eight is actually a 125cc Yamaha Enticer

Jeep launched the facelifted version of Compass SUV in the market earlier today. The price for the facelifted Jeep Compass now starts at Rs 16.49 lakh, ex-showroom and goes up to Rs 24.99 lakh, ex-showroom. American SUV manufacturer had launched Compass in the Indian market back in 2017 and it was an instant hit. Over the years, competition had become stiff and that is why Jeep decided to come up with a facelift. Jeep has made several changes to the exterior and interior of the SUV and here we have a video that clearly shows all the changes and additions that are made to the SUV.

The video has been uploaded by Moter World on their youtube channel. The video starts by showing the changes on the exterior and then moves to the interior. The front end of the SUV has been slightly redesigned. The headlamps now look sleeker and have a LED projectors in it. LED DRL and turn indicator has also been integrated inside the headlight unit. The front grille has also undergone some changes. Moving down, the bumper looks a lot more muscular than before. It has an LED fog lamp and the bigger air intake just above the bumper lip looks good.

Also read: Jeep”s 3 new SUVs for India: What each one will look like!

Moving to the side profile, basic design of the SUV remains the same. The only noticeable change here is the chrome strip that is flowing to the rear and the new set of alloy wheels. Nothing much has changed at the rear. It gets the same split  LED tail lamp as before. Although, the design has not changed much Jeep has added number of features in Compass.  It now offers, powered tailgate and a 360 degree camera.

Moving inside, a lot has changed here. It now looks a lot more premium than before. The dashboard of the Compass now gets tan colour padding and the black portion is also soft touch touch material. The steering wheel has been completely updated. The older unit has been replaced with unit that we have seen in other expensive SUVs from Jeep. It is a multi function steering wheel with audio and cruise control buttons on it.  Jeep also updated the touchscreen infotainment screen in Compass. It is now offered with a 10.2 inch touchscreen that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The instrument cluster has also been updated. Compass facelift gets a fully digital instrument cluster which was not available in the earlier version. Other features like dual zone climate control AC, auto dimming IRVMs, push button start/stop, cornering fog lamps, electronic parking brake are also included. Jeep Compass also gets connected car feature and voice commands which is becoming a normal thing in cars these days.

In terms of engine and transmission, nothing has changed in Compass. It is still powered by the same set of petrol and diesel engines. The petrol is powered by a 1.4 litre turbo petrol engine that generates 163 Ps and 250 Nm of torque. This engine is available with manual and 7-speed DCT gearbox. The diesel version is powered by a 2.0 litre turbocharged engine that generates 173 Ps and 350 Nm of peak torque. It is available with a manual and 6-speed automatic gearbox. Jeep will be soon launching a seven seater SUV in the market which will be based on the facelifted Compass SUV.

Also read: All-new 2021 Mahindra XUV500: What it”ll look like

The Indian roads are one of the most congested and loudest in the world. There are many who love to honk and make the situation even worse for everyone. The high noise pollution on the roads causes a lot of trouble but the cops are not the most vigilant ones when it comes to the loud, illegal horns. Some people love loud horns so much they even get them imported from foreign markets. Here is one such person who has spent Rs 1 lakh to install a train horn on his Mahindra Thar.

This horn system is installed on the old Mahindra Thar and the owner has imported the same from Canada. The sound of the horn is just the train sirens. However, we could not determine the loudness through the video itself. The owner says that it is as loud as an original train horn. An elaborative set-up is used for his horn though. It is a pressure horn and there is much more than it meets the eyes.

Also read: Buying a pre-owned Mahindra Thar is better than buying a new one: 5 reasons

Pressure horn

The horn system apart from using the long bell pipe and the big bell at the front uses a complex network of pipes and a compressor too. This video explains the working of the horn. There is a different button to operate this horn as you would not want it setting off in the crowded places. The compressor is located in the trunk of the Thar. Pipes run through the vehicle to reach the front to power the horn.

The compressor puts air in a tank where it is stored and is ready to be used. Whenever the driver triggers the horn system using the special button, the air tank releases the air and it reaches the horn to blow it as loud as possible. The same air tank is also used to fill the tyres whenever required. Most off-roading spec vehicles carry portable air compressor. As lowering of the air pressure is needed when driving the vehicle in the places where there is less amount of traction available. Lowering the air pressure in the tyres increases the area of contact with the ground and in turn, the traction increases. When the vehicle comes back to the tarmac or better roads, the air is then filled in the tyres for the regular ride.

What do the rules say?

According to the rules, the maximum loudness of a horn cannot exceed 112 dB. While we are not sure about the reading on a decibel meter when it comes to this particular horn but in general, such loud train horns are about 130-150 dB loud, which is quite extreme. But we are not sure about the actual reading from this horn. That data is not available.

In Kerala, the cops are now armed with sophisticated sound meters that can be used to measure the loudness of any horn. If a vehicle’s horn is louder than the permissible limit, the cops issue a challan. Same cannot be said for the other parts of the country where no such checks are done.

However, the off-roading community uses such loud horns in case they get lost in the wilderness. On road, such loud horns are not allowed and are illegal.

Also read: All-new 2021 Mahindra XUV500: What it”ll look like

Tata Motors showcased the Hexa Safari Edition earlier this year at the 2020 Auto Expo. Tata has now confirmed that they will launch the all-new Safari later this month. The all-new Safari is the name given to the Tata Gravitas. When someone asked Tata about the launch of the Hexa Safari Edition, Tata replied saying that they will launch it later this year.

Tata Motors showcased the Hexa Safari Edition at the 2020 Auto Expo. However, Tata did not reveal the exact time when the vehicle will be launched in the market. Tata was expected to launch the Safari Edition Hexa in 2020 April after the official BS6 emission compliance came into effect. However, it did not launch this year.

Tata’s social media team has now confirmed the launch of the Hexa Safari Edition later this year. However, they did not reveal a date of a timeline. While replying to a customer query, Tata Motors on Twitter said – “The Hexa Safari Edition is a concept mode presented at the Auto Expo’20, to give a preview to the shape Hexa would take in the future when launched in BS6 later this year.”

The concept Tata Hexa Safari Edition is a 4X4 version but we are not sure if Tata will bring the same layout in the market. Visually, the Hexa Safari Edition remains largely the similar to the now-discontinued version. However, there are a few tweaks that make it different. These include blacked-out 17-inch alloy wheels and Safari Edition Badging all-over. Tata also blacked0out all the chrome parts in the vehicle to add a sportier look.

Tata Hexa Safari Edition engine

Hi Chethan, thank you for connecting to us. The Hexa Safari Edition is a concept mode presented at the Auto Expo’20, to give a preview to the shape Hexa would take in the future when launched in BS6 later this year. Since it is a concept version and will not be available (1/2)

— Tata Motors Cars (@TataMotors_Cars) January 6, 2021

Powering the Hexa Safari Edition will be the same 2.2-litre VARICOR diesel engine that is available with the current version of the SUV. It is currently available in two states of tune but the upcoming version of the car is expected to get the more powerful output. It will likely to produce a maximum of 154 PS of maximum power and 400 Nm of peak torque. The vehicle will be available with a 6-speed manual transmission and 6-speed automatic options. The 6-speed manual version of the car will also offer an optional AWD system that is also available with the current version of the Hexa. The automatic version of the car will only be available in the 4X2. The 4X2 variants with both the transmission options will offer RWD.

Even the cabin of the Hexa Safari Edition is identical to the regular version of the vehicle. It gets a black-beige theme, which is new and just like the exterior, it also gets Safari Edition badges on the dashboard and many other parts.

Will it be a 4X4?

Tata used to offer the AWD version of the Hexa in the Indian market. However, currently, they do nott offer any AWD or 4X4 vehicles in the market. Tata may bring in the 4X4 Hexa to offer a diverse model line-up. Since the all-new Safari that will launch later this month and will not get a 4X4, Tata may just offer it with the Hexa.

Buying a car is usually a smooth affair these days but getting finance for the car can be cumbersome, and in some cases mind boggling given the sheer number of finance providers lining up to offer you a car loan. To simplify the whole process and to put customer needs at the forefront, Maruti Suzuki has just launched India’s first online, end-to-end car finance platform called Maruti Suzuki Smart Finance. This platform is exclusively available to NEXA customers across 30 Indian cities.

What’s Maruti Suzuki Smart Finance all about?

Maruti Suzuki Smart Finance is an online, one-stop-shop for NEXA customers’ car financing needs. It’s hosted on www.nexaexperience.com and it aims to give every NEXA car buyer access to a pre-approved and customised car loans by multiple financiers in just a few clicks. Key features offered by Maruti Suzuki Smart Finance include,

1. Pre-approved loan offers 2.

Credit score based customised loan offers including customized interest rates and loan tenures

3. Real time loan status tracking that keeps the customer updated at every step of the financing process

4. Multi-financier loan options that allow the customer to compare and choose the best deal from various financers

5. Online document upload process

6. Complete transparency at every stage of the car loan process.

Now, how does it work?

Simplicity and seamlessness are highlights of availing a loan from Maruti Suzuki Smart Finance, and the entire process takes place online. The journey can be divided into four simple steps.

Step 1. Log on to www.nexaexperience.com. Once you’re there, choose Maruti Suzuki Finance from the tabs on top of the screen. Enter your mobile number, receive an OTP, and fill in the details prompted on the screen.You will then be asked to select your favourite NEXA car that you want to buy.

Step 2. Once you’ve chosen your favourite NEXA car, Maruti Suzuki’s Smart Finance kicks into action, and lists out the various loan offers for you. You can compare between multiple financiers in this step, and choose the loan offer that best suits your needs.

Step 3. Once you’ve picked the loan offer that suits you, you then get into the next step that requires you to upload the requisite documents to grant you the loan.

Step 4. After you’re done uploading documents, you need to schedule a home visit at the time and date of your convenience for document verification. The loan provider will get in touch with you to finish the loan formalities. This is basically it. Your Maruti Suzuki Smart Finance car loan for your NEXA car will be disbursed once due process is complete, and you can then go to the NEXA dealer to complete other formalities and drive out in your new car.

Where all can you avail Maruti Suzuki’s Smart Finance for NEXA cars?

Currently, the Maruti Suzuki Smart Finance for NEXA cars can be availed by salaried persons in the following cities: Delhi, Gurugram, Lucknow, Jaipur, Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Bangalore,Hyderabad, Indore, Kolkata, Cochin, Chandigarh, Guwahati, Goa, Bhubaneswar, Bhopal, Coimbatore, Surat, Vadodara, Ranchi, Raipur, Nagpur, Trivandrum, Vishakhapatnam, Udaipur, Kanpur, Vijayawada, and Dehradun.

Helpful tips to get the best loan deal for your favourite NEXA car

Now that you've chosen a NEXA car that suits you to the T, here are a few steps that will help you bag the best finance deal, 1. Figure a budget 2. Downpay as much as you can 3. Go
through every loan offer there is (NEXA gives you a ready platform for this, allowing you to compare lenders) 4. Bring all this together: Downpayment, financier, interest rate, EMI amount
and deduction date, and pick the loan offer that best suits your needs.

It looks like Maruti Suzuki has finally decided to launch the Jimny in India. As per earlier reports CV Raman, engineering head of Maruti Suzuki clearly said that there are no plans to launch the Jimny in India. However, as per new reports, the upcoming Jimny has been codenamed YWD internally. A 5-door version of the Jimny will be launched in India by July 2022. Maruti Suzuki has finalized the drawings and they have also sent the quotation request to their suppliers.

So, how come Maruti Suzuki decided to produce a specific 5-door version for India? Well, the CV Raman said that they will be closely watching the 2020 Thar. If that sells well and the segment shows promise then only they might go ahead and invest in the Jimny. He also said that the investment for the Jimny is too high and the returns are low as the three-door vehicles are too niche for the Indian market. However, the sales of the 2020 Thar are excellent and it looks like that they convinced the manufacturer to go ahead with the Jimny project. But the Jimny is a three-door and has much smaller dimensions when compared to the 2020 Thar. This would have hampered the practicality and usability of the SUV in a very negative way. We assume that Maruti Suzuki will not be increasing the width and the height of the SUV because this will cost them a lot of money as it would require changes to the platform.

Instead, what they might do is just increase the length of the platform which will help in accommodating the rear doors and will also increase the rear legroom. So, four occupants would be able to travel in the Jimny fairly comfortably. The 3-door Jimny measures 3550 mm in length, 1645 mm in width and has a height of 1730 mm. The wheelbase of the SUV is 2250 mm. Maruti Suzuki will be increasing the length of the SUV to upto 3995 mm. Due to which the length will stay under 4 metres and they would be able to take tax advantages. However, with the increase in length, the wheelbase will also increase about which we currently don’t have any information.

Also read: Suzuki Jimny modified to look like Mercedes G63 Brabus 800 looks HOT

The SUV will be powered by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine that we have seen on other Maruti Suzuki vehicles such as Ciaz, S-Cross, Vitara Brezza etc. The engine produces 102 bhp of max power and a peak torque output of 138 Nm. It will be mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 4-speed torque converter automatic transmission. Being an off-roader, it will get a 4×4 drivetrain with a low-range transfer case. Currently, there are 1,200 to 1,500 units of 3-door Jimny being produced at the Haryana plant of Maruti Suzuki. They are producing the vehicle only for exports as the Jimny is in huge demand in international markets and the manufacturer is not able to fulfil the demands. Once launched, Maruti Suzuki Jimny will be competing against the Mahindra Thar and the upcoming Force Gurkha but the Jimny will carry the benefit of trust that is associated with Maruti Suzuki. The other benefits will be a proper 5-door SUV and a lower price tag.

Via Team-Bhp

Also read: Upcoming Tata Hornbill HBX micro SUV front & rear in new spy shots

Electric car maker Tesla’s founder Elon Musk is now the world’s richest man, overtaking Amazon’s Jeff Bezos. Elon Musk’s net worth hit 188.5 billion US dollars at 1015 AM yesterday in New York, when Tesla’s shares rallied by 4.8 %. This pushed Musk’s net worth 1.5 billion US dollar more than that of Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, who has held the world’s richest man position since October 2017. Musk’s reaction to becoming the richest man on the planet was quite typical of him. This is what he tweeted as the new broke out about him beating Amazon’s Jeff Bezos,

How strange

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 7, 2021

In the last 12 months, Musk’s net worth has soared by over 150 billion US dollars as Tesla’s stock price has seen a 750 % increase. Tesla’s stock price has been on an upward swing thanks to strong sales, consistent profits, the company’s Chinese entry, and of course, a lot of retail investors buying the stock and driving prices upwards.

Also read: All-new 2021 Mahindra XUV500: What it”ll look like

What does Elon Musk wants to do with all this money?

Well, he wants to colonize Mars. We’re not kidding. This is exactly what Elon Musk told a Magazine called Axel Springer last month when asked about what he wanted to do with all his wealth. Here’s what he said,

I want to be able to contribute as much as possible to the city on Mars. That means just a lot of capital.

Elon Musk feels that human beings and other species on Earth will have to migrate to Mars eventually, in order to avoid getting wiped out in a cataclysmic event such as a meteor hitting the Earth, or a Pandemic that wipes out human population, or even a world war that destroys the planet.

Coming back to Tesla, and it’s meteoric rise, the electric car maker just builds half a million cars each year. It’s valued much more than fellow American car making behemoths such as Ford Motor Company and General Motors mainly because Tesla is the most popular electric car maker in the world with a significant first-mover advantage. Elon Musk sees Tesla as more of a technology company than a car company.

Tesla is coming to India…

Tesla is all set to enter India, one of the biggest car markets in the world. Tesla’s India entry will happen sometime in the middle of 2021, and the electric car maker is initially expected to import its electric cars as completely built units (CBU). In due course of time, Tesla is expected to set up as assembly facility or even a full fledged manufacturing facility in India.

The Model 3 could be the first Tesla electric car to be sold in India given the fact that many Indians have pre-booked the car a few years ago, when bookings were thrown open. The Model 3 is expected to cost anywhere between Rs. 30-60 lakh depending on import duties, and the mode in which Tesla seeks to brings the car to India. The Model 3 is one of the most affordable cars that Tesla builds, and is also one of the best sellers for the brand.

Also read: Upcoming Tata Hornbill HBX micro SUV front & rear in new spy shots

Mahindra is testing their upcoming vehicles before the launch which have been spied quite a few times. Recently, the upcoming Scorpio and the upcoming XUV500 were spied together on a test on our Indian roads. Both the SUVs are getting major upgrades with a new exterior as well as the interior. With the launch of the 2020 Thar, Mahindra has created a lot of hype around its upcoming vehicles. Everyone wants to see what new the upcoming Scorpio and the XUV500 brings.

When the SUV500 was first launched it brought up many first in segment features which the Indian market had never seen till then. The new XUV500 is expected to do the same. However, it will be more difficult for Mahindra this time because the competition since then has increased exponentially. Back then SUVs were not so much in trend and today everyone wants an SUV. So, the XUV500 have some big shoes to fill.

From the spy shots, we can see a more upright design language increasing the SUV proportions of the XUV500. It gets a newly designed front grille with Mahindra’s six vertical slat design. We can see the new C-shaped LED Daytime Running Lamps and LED headlamps, sculpted bonnet and an overall more aggressive design. From the side, we can see newly designed alloy wheels, a prominent hip and new door handles that sit flush with the bodywork. At the rear, it will get LED tail lamps, rear wiper with washer and new bumpers.

Also read: Mumbai police cancels 2,000 driving licenses of those who have not paid e-challan fines

Mahinda will also offer a panoramic sunroof and dual-tone cabin, which will open up a sense of airiness. It will also get dual screens that will sit in continuation mimicking a look of one big horizontal screen. The design is inspired by the Mercedes-Benz models. Mahindra would have also reworked the monocoque chassis so that the SUV rides and handles better.

Other than this, it will get a new 2.2-litre mHawk diesel engine and a new 2.0-litre turbocharged direct-injection petrol engine. The diesel engine will produce 185 PS while the petrol engine will produce 190 PS. Both the engines will be producing around 380 Nm of peak torque. Both the engines will offer a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. The SUV is expected to get launched in mid of 2021.

On the other hand, we don’t have much information about the new generation Scorpio. What we do know is that it will be based on a reworked ladder-frame chassis. The overall design of the SUV now looks boxier and the dimensions of the SUV has also gone up. It will get dual LED projector headlamps and C-shaped LED Daytime Running Lamps in the lower half of the bumper. It will also get Mahindra’s six vertical slat grille. The front grille and the air intakes now look bigger than the outgoing generation. From the side, we can see a new set of 5-spoke alloy wheels and roof-rails. At the rear, we will still get a side-hinged door and vertically stacked tail lamps. It will also be powered by the 2.2-litre mHawk diesel engine which will produce 150 PS and 320 Nm. Whereas the 2.0-litre mStallion petrol engine will produce 150 PS and 320 Nm. Both the engines will get a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. Mahindra 2021 Scorpio is expected to launch in the second half of 2021.

Via Gaadiwaadi

Also read: All-new 2021 Mahindra XUV500: What it”ll look like

MG Motor India has received 80,000 bookings for their SUVs in 2020. The number includes the bookings for the Gloster, Hector, Hector Plus and the ZS EV. MG also says that they have got 3,500 bookings for their latest SUV, the Gloster, which competes with the SUV like Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour. Due to this, they have to ramp up the production capacity in order to meet the demands.

This seems like a good sales number for a new manufacturer who does not have a lot of vehicles in their portfolio and two of the vehicles were added very recently to the line-up. The Hector Plus was showcased at the Auto Expo 2020 and then launched in July whereas the Gloster was launched on October 8th 2020. Even after the pandemic, MG Motor was able to sell a good number of SUVs. Even the ZS EV which is an electric vehicle got 200 bookings just in December 2020 whereas the Hector got 5,000 bookings in December despite an update which was supposed to launch in January 2021. They recorded a growth of 77 percent in 2020. The manufacturer sold 15,930 units in 2019 whereas in 2020 the manufacturer clocked 28,162 units. While the overall segment saw a decline of 10.2 percent, it was only MG Hector that saw a growth of 63 percent. MG will be increasing the production facility of Halol Plant. The plant produced 30,000-31,000 vehicles in 2020 but it can produce 80,000 units annually.

MG launched its flagship Gloster, which is the first level 1 autonomy vehicle in India. It comes with features like blind-spot detection, automatic emergency braking, front collision warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic parking assist and lane departure warning. MG calls them ADAS or Advanced Driver Assistance System features. It is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine that produces 163 PS and 375 Nm. Then there is the twin-turbo version of the same engine that is capable of producing 218 PS and 480 Nm. This power output makes Gloster the most powerful SUV in its segment. Both the engines are only offered with an 8-speed automatic gearbox. Only the twin-turbocharged version is offered with a four-wheel-drive system. The SUV gets features like panoramic sunroof, PM 2.5 air filter, 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, three-zone climate control, driver electric adjustable seat with memory function and much more. MG Gloster is priced at Rs. 29.98 lakhs ex-showroom.

Also read: MG Hector Facelift to be launched in 2021

More recently MG launched the 2021 Hector and Hector Plus. Both the SUVs got some added features and the Hector got some cosmetic tweaks too. Hector now gets a new more aggressive grille and a skid plate finished in Gunmetal colour. At the rear, the red reflective piece that joined both the tail lamps have been replaced by a gloss black unit. More importantly, both the SUVs now get larger 18-inch dual-tone alloy wheels.

The Hector now also gets a dual-tone cabin with Hinglish commands for the infotainment system, whereas the Hector Plus now comes with a 7-seater option. Both the SUVs now get an auto-dimming interior rearview mirror, wireless charger and front ventilated seats. Powering the SUVs are the same set of 2.0-litre diesel and 1.5-litre turbo petrol engines. The diesel engine produces 170 PS and 350 Nm and the petrol engine produces 143 PS and 250 Nm. MG Hector starts from Rs. 12.89 lakhs ex-showroom whereas the Hector Plus starts from Rs. 13.34 lakhs ex-showroom.

Source: ET Auto

Also read: Upcoming Tata Hornbill HBX micro SUV front & rear in new spy shots

Czech car manufacturer Skoda has launched number of new and updated models in Indian market recently. They had showcased several upcoming models at the Auto Expo previous year. Skoda has been working on launching the all-new Octavia sedan in Indian market. The next-generation Skoda Octavia has been spotted testing on our roads. It was spotted without any camouflage as it is already unveiled in the International markets. Skoda Octavia is a premium sedan and it competes with cars like Hyundai Elantra and Honda Civic (now discontinued) in the segment. Here we have a video that shows next-generation Skoda Octavia inside out.

The video has been uploaded by Stas Como estas on their youtube channel. The video starts by showing the exterior of the all-new Octavia. Just like any other Skoda car, Octavia also has a very sharp design to it. The front grille has been redesigned completely. It is different from regular butterfly grille that we have seen in other Skoda cars. The grille has become a lot more flatter and comes with gloss black garnish on it. The headlights are now a lot more sleeker than before and are all LED. DRLs are also integrated inside the headlight.

Also read: Ford Focus and Focus ST premium, high performance hatchbacks coming to India in 2021

The bumper of the Skoda Octavia is a lot more sharper than the outgoing model. The fog lamps are integrated on the bumper and are LED units. Coming to the side profile, the Octavia has that sharp shoulder line that starts from the headlight and joins the tail light at the rear. Octavia is seen with a new set of dual tone alloy wheels. The test unit spotted in India had a similar design but, it was a single tone silver coloured alloy. The auto folding ORVMs with integrated turn indicators and the sloping coupe like design towards the rear gives it a sporty and premium look.

Skoda Octavia looks quite good from rear as well. There are split  LED tail lights with a Skoda branding on the boot. The Octavia badge is seen on the lower part of the boot. Rear bumper has also been redesigned with reflectors on it. Next-gen Skoda Octavia is based on a revised MQB platform. This has helped Skoda increase the length and width of the sedan. Octavia is now 19mm longer and 15mm wider than the older generation.

As Skoda Octavia is longer and wider than before, it would have directly impacted on the space inside. Octavia is now expected to offer more space on the inside. It will come with features like full digital instrument cluster which Skoda likes to Vitual Cockpit, larger touchscreen infotainment screen that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, electric sunroof, leather upholstery and so on. Coming to the engine options, Skoda is expected to offer Octavia with a petrol engine only.

Like many other manufacturer car manufacturers, Skoda had also announced that they will be concentrating more on petrol and hybrid engine options. The Skoda Octavia in India will be getting a 2.0 litre turbocharged petrol engine. The engine is capable of generating 190 Ps of power. Just like the older version, lower variants of Octavia might be powered by a smaller engine. In this case, it is expected to be a 1.5 litre turbo petrol engine that is seen in Skoda’s Karoq SUV. In this Octavia this engine might be paired with a manual gearbox. Skoda is expected to launch the next-gen Octavia in the market some time later this year.

Also read: New sedans launching in 2021

People in power, all around the world are known to move around with high-security personnel. Because of the extreme power they have, they are bound to face a lot of threat in the outside world. However, their movement is also extremely crucial to the survival of their power and therefore let’s look at what these powerful people use to move around.

Ram Nath Kovind – Mercedes Benz S600 Pullman Guard

Beginning from the most powerful person in our country, Mr Ram Nath Kovind, the president of India uses a stretched Mercedes-Benz S600 Pullman. Since he is counted amongst the most powerful person in the world and holds the highest post of authority in India, he is seen in an armoured version of the vehicle. The S600 is a 21.325 feet long car and is rated as VR10 when it comes to its protective features. This in layman’s language means that the car can endure all everything from the direct bullets from a machine gun to hand grenades. It weighs a massive 5,000 kgs and is powered with a 6.0-litre V12 petrol engine that churns a maximum of 530 Bhp.

Also read: Royal Enfield Classic Metallo Silver & Orange Ember: In Images

Narendra Modi – BMW 760Li High Security

Narendra Modi is a well-known personality in the world and holds the post of Prime Minister for our country. He doesn’t shy away from showing his power off by using the best products available for his disposal. He has recently spotted using a Land Rover Range Rover, however, his official car continues to the BMW 760 Li High Security. It is a flagship model launched by BMW and also gets a VR10 protection rating, making the body heavily armoured. It also comes with run0flat tyres and secure communication lines inside the car for PM’s use on the move. It is powered with a 6.0-litre petrol engine that generates a maximum power of 540 Bhp.

Joe Biden – Cadillac One

The Security for the president of the most powerful country in the world needs to be on top of its game. President Trump’s security detail received an all-new Cadillac One which is the official car for the President’s use. The same vehicle will be handed over to Joe Biden, the newly elected president of USA. It is custom made by General Motors and is based on the CT6 sedan, however, the exterior of the car is mirrored with the design of the Cadillac Escalade SUV. The car is known to be heavily armoured, however exact details are not out for public consumption. It gets its own oxygen supply, secured communication lines and all sorts of essentials to give the president even life support if the need be. Cadillac One weighs a bit over 8 tonnes. Similar 8-10 units of Cadillac One are used by the Secret Service as decoy vehicles.

Xi Jinping – HongQi N501

The Chinese president is proud to move around in the most upgraded version of the HongQi N501. The car is exclusively built for the president and is not available for sale to anyone else in the world. The exact specs are not available anywhere, however, it is known to be heavily armoured with an extremely powerful engine.

Vladimir Putin – Cortege Limousine

Vladimir Putin is an extremely well-known personality in the world and is known to be one of the most outspoken presidents as well. He recently upgraded his car to the locally manufactured Cortege Limousine. It was replaced by the Mercedez-Benz W211 S-Class Pullman. The exact specifications of the car are still unknown, but what we know is that the car was developed by organizations like Porche and Bosch.

British Royal Family – Bentley State Limousine

England still holds its roots to the British Royal Family and seek their guidance in testing times for the country. It is respected all over the world. The Queen along with her family is seen moving around in a wine-coloured Bentley limousine manufactured exclusively by the homegrown manufacturer. It is powered with a twin-turbocharged 6.75-litre V8 petrol engine.

Boris Johnson – Jaguar XJ Sentinel

Theresa May is the president of one of the most resourceful countries, Britain. Her official vehicle is the Jaguar XJ Sentinal. The exclusive car for the president gets a Kevlar and Titanium protective layers on the body of the car. It is also fitted with oxygen tanks and a 13mm steel plate on the floor, to save the passengers from the landmines. It also gets its own ventilation system, unique to the car.

Angela Merkel – Audi A8 L Security

The German Chancellor Angela Merkel is extremely respected all around the world. She uses the Audi A8 L Security as her official car. The custom made Audi A8 L Security is heavily armoured to save the passengers in the car from any kind of firing or grenade hits. It gets the VR7 and VR9 protection rating which is extremely safe.

Pope Francis – Popemobile based on Mercedes-Benz M-Class

The ex-officio state head of Vatican City, commonly known as the Pope moves around in a customized M-Class. The car is also referred to as the popemobile and has been specially made for everyone to be able to see Pope in a glass cabinet while moving between crowds. The glass cabinet is fully armoured and bulletproof. It is an airtight capsule with its own oxygen supply.

Abe Shinzo Lexus LS600h Armoured

The prime minister of Japan, Abe Shinzo is known to be a car enthusiast. He is the prime minister of the land of automobiles and has chosen the Lexus LS600h as his official car. The car is obviously luxurious and therefore extremely comfortable but the Prime Minister’s unit gets heavy steel armour all around. It comes with polycarbonate windows to give extra protection. The Lexus also gets heavy steel plate flooring to save it from mine attacks. The LS600h is powered with a 4.6-litre V8 petrol engine that can churn a maximum of 386 Bhp and 498 Nm of torque. Mr Shinzo is also spotted driving the car himself inside his presidential estate.

Also read: This Harley Davidson Forty-Eight is actually a 125cc Yamaha Enticer

In India, most politicians have a at least one bodyguard with them whenever they go out. The level of security increases depending upon how important the person is. Politicians offer receive threats from different peoples and groups and in order to protect them from threats of any such sort, they are provided with an armoured vehicle. Buying an armoured vehicle from a manufacture directly costs too much and in India we have alternate options for that as well. We have specialists who can install armour on any regular car that has been bought from a dealer. Here we have a video that shows a bulletproof Land Cruiser inside out. The SUV belongs to the Chief Minister of a state.

The video has been uploaded by Turbo Xtreme on their youtube channel. The SUV according to the vlogger had come to them for a conversion work. This is actually a 2009 model Land Cruiser SUV that has been neatly converted into a 2019 model. Vlogger starts by showing the interiors. In terms of design, it look all normal. It has a regular steering wheel with multiple function buttons on it. There is a company fitted infotainment system, The cabin look luxurious and and has automatic climate control, wooden inserts on dashboard and center console.

Also read: Toyota India Urban Cruiser sub-4 meter compact SUV variants explained

You start noticing the difference only when you try to roll down the windows. The switches for power window don’t work anymore because the regular has now been replaced with bulletproof glass. All the windows are now bullet proof. The windows cannot be opened for security reason and also the glass is now too heavy for the power window mechanism to work.

The vlogger then takes the Land Cruiser for a spin. It is not just the glass area that is bullet proof. The panoramic sunroof is also sealed and all the body panels also get armour protection. All the doors get kevlar which makes it bulletproof and quite heavy as well. The under body and the engine bay of the Land Cruiser get a thick metal plating which protects the occupants from an attack.

All these modifications have definitely increased the weight of the SUV. A stock Land Crusier weighs almost 2.2 tons and with the addition of armour plating, the Land Cruiser now weighs over 4 tons. The suspension on the SUV has been modified to bear all this weight and the tyres also gets a sealant which heals the tyre from inside, it is has a small puncture on it.

The added weight has definitely affected the performance of Land Cruise. It is not as quick as the stock version which is expected. Another noticeable change is the amount of body roll. The body roll in the bulletproof version is more in comparison to the regular version. Even though, the Land Cruser weighed almost double its original weight, it never felt too slow. It is powered by a 4.5 litre V8 diesel engine that generates 261 Ps and 650 Nm of peak torque. The vlogger wrongly mentions that it is powered by a 5.7 litre V8 petrol engine. Toyota only offered Land Cruiser in India with a diesel engine. The diesel V8 is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission with full time 4WD system.

Also read: Upcoming Tata Hornbill HBX micro SUV front & rear in new spy shots

A Tata Harrier owner in Kerala has taken to Social Media platform Facebook to thank his vehicle for saving his life in what seems to be a massive rollover crash. According to the Tata Harrier owner – Sajeev Palkunnu – the SUV protected him and his family from serious injuries in a massive accident. The Tata Harrier rolled over multiple times before coming to rest in a stream. Here are some pictures of the Tata Harrier after the accident.

As the images indicate, the accident seems quite serious, and the Harrier has borne the brunt of the impact. Mr. Palkunnu and his family members escaped without injuries, prompting Mr. Palkunnu to profusely thank the Harrier’s sturdy build quality.

This is not the first such accident involving the Harrier, where the SUV has saved lives of its occupants. Multiple Harrier owners have taken to Social Media outlets in the past as well, crediting the SUV’s sturdy build quality for saving their lives in serious accidents.

Also read: Mahindra Scorpio vs Tata Safari in a classic drag race (Video)

Tata Motors is known to build sturdy cars. In fact, the likes of the Altroz premium hatchback and the Nexon sub-4 meter compact SUV have both received 5 star ratings from Global NCAP, and are among the strongest cars in their respective segment. However, Global NCAP has yet to crash test the Harrier, which is Tata Motors’ flagship offering. Considering that the Harrier is the most expensive passenger vehicle sold by Tata Motors, it is likely that the SUV would go quite well in a Global NCAP crash test.

The Harrier gets a slew of safety features. Six airbags (driver, co-driver, seat side and curtain), ABS, EBD, traction control, electronic stability program (ESP), hill hold assist, multiple drive modes, brake disc wiping, cruise control, speed alerts, seat belt reminder, roll over mitigation, cornering stability control, automatic headlamps and wipers and hill descent control are the various safety features offered on the top-end trims of the Harrier. The SUV feels very well built, and is quite heavy. In fact, the Harrier sits on the Land Rover D8 platform, re-engineered to suit Indian conditions.

The Harrier currently sold in India is offered with a single engine option: a 2 liter-4 cylinder Fiat Multijet turbo diesel with 170 Bhp of peak power and 350 Nm of peak torque. This engine is offered with two gearbox options: a 6 speed manual and a 6 speed torque converter automatic sourced from Hyundai. A front-wheel driven vehicle, the Harrier could get a petrol-hybrid engine and an all-electric powertrain in future. Prices of the Harrier start from Rs. 13.84 lakh. Key rivals of the Tata Harrier include the MG Hector, Jeep Compass, Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta and the Mahindra XUV500.

On 26th of January, the Tata Harrier will get a new stablemate in the form of the all-new Safari. The all-new Tata Safari is essentially a 6 seat version of the Harrier, with a new top-hat design and a few other changes. The all-new Tata Safari will share its mechanicals, and much of the feature-set with the Harrier. It’s likely to be priced a lakh or two more than Harrier, and will become Tata Motors’ new flagship vehicle.

Also read: All-new 2021 Mahindra XUV500: What it”ll look like

MG Motor made their debut in the Indian market over an year ago. They entered the market with a mid-size SUV Hector. When launched, it was the most feature loaded SUV in its segment and was the first SUV in the segment to get connected car features. Response from the customer side was welcoming for Hector as it had long waiting periods. At a point, the demand became so high that MG had to literally stop accepting bookings. We had done a proper review of the SUV back in the day when it was launched. We now got back to the Hector once again to find out how the SUV feels like after it has done around 20,000 kms on the odometer.

We took the MG Hector diesel on a road trip to find out how the SUV actually feels like after 20,000 kms. We drove the SUV from Delhi to Manali and then back to Delhi. There were 5 passengers in the car and the boot was loaded to the brim. We started at night and the headlamps on the SUV had a very good throw and had lit up the roads where there was no light at all. This gave us a fair idea about the road and traffic that was ahead of us.

Also read: MG Hector with chrome delete looks SICK!

As mentioned above, the car was fully loaded with passengers and luggage and it even then it returned a indicated fuel economy of 14 kmpl. The economy later dropped to 12 kmpl as we were continuously driving on hilly roads. This is good considering the fact that the car was fully loaded all the time. None of the passengers felt any discomfort during the drive and even the passenger sitting in the middle at the rear found enough space there. This is actually a good thing for Hector.

We had encountered couple of roads that were still under construction. Hector’s suspension was tuned in such a way that it did neither felt too soft nor too hard. It absorbed all the bumps and the occupants do not feel it. Once we reached Manali we even had plans to cross newly built Atal tunnel on the MG Hector but, due to heavy snowfall, the route was temporarily closed. The fit and finish on MG Hector is good. Even after completing 20,000 kms, none of the panels both on the outside and inside were vibrating or out of place.

The NVH levels were also good on this diesel SUV. The engine felt pretty refined throughout the trip and the low end torque helped us drive the Hector over small patches of snow as well. The engine is punchy and at the same time fuel efficient as well. MG Hector diesel is available with a manual gearbox only. It is powered by a Fiat sourced 2.0 litre, turbocharged engine that generates 170 Ps and 350 Nm of peak torque. It is also available with a 1.5 litre turbocharged petrol engine which comes with a manual and DCT gearbox. A petrol hybrid version is also available with a manual gearbox.

Overall, we were pretty impressed with the way Hector had performed throughout the trip, it never felt underpowered and also returned decent amount of fuel efficiency. MG is also working on a facelifted version of Hector and is expected to launch it in the next couple of days. MG is also planning to introduce to a 4WD version on their 7-seater Hector Plus model.

Also read: All-new 2021 Mahindra XUV500: What it”ll look like

American SUV manufacturer Jeep has been in the Indian market since 2017 and their first product Compass SUV was an instant hit in the market. The manufacturer recently launched the revised 2021 version of the Compass SUV. Jeep also offers other expensive SUVs like Wrangler and Grand Cherokee in the Indian market. Jeep is also working on couple of new products for our market. The sub-4 meter SUV segment is quite popular in our market and Jeep is considering to launch a sub-4 meter SUV as well. Jeep India recently revealed that they are planning to expand their product portfolio and the new sub-4 meter SUV will be a part of that. Here we have a new render image that shows how the upcoming compact SUV might look like.

The new render images have been created by KDesign AG. They have created several renders of upcoming vehicles in the past. The compact SUV from Jeep looks inspired a lot from other higher end Jeep models. starting with the front, Jeep’s compact SUV gets bi-projector LED headlamps with a long LED DRL bar running across the front. The LED turn indicators are also integrated inside the headlamps.

The front grille and the headlamp design are similar to Jeep’s Grand Wagoneer luxury SUV. Even the next generation Grand Cherokee SUV is expected to get a similar front end. The compact SUV gets a muscular looking front bumper with LED fog lamps placed on the lower part. There is a mesh pattern in the black garnish around it. There is a wide grille on the bumper which completes the SUV look.

Also read: All-new 2021 Mahindra XUV500: What it”ll look like

Coming to the side profile, the compact SUV like a mini version of Jeep Compass. It will be shorter in length and will have a smaller wheelbase. The space offered on the inside will also be less when compared to regular Compass. On the side profile, Jeep’s upcoming compact SUV gets gloss black multi spoke alloy wheels with red painted calipers. This enhances the look of the SUV altogether.

Moving to the rear, it has a design that resembles a lot with the pre-facelift Jeep Compass. It gets a clear lens LED tail lamp with Jeep badging on the boot. The bumper looks chunky and there is a reflector strip on the lower part of the bumper. There is a black colour skid plate on the bumper as well. In terms of features, it is expected to offer a decent number of them like, automatic climate control, touchscreen infotainment screen, electric sunroof, rear AC vents and so on.

There is a possibility that Jeep’s compact SUV will be offered with a petrol engine only. It is expected to be powered by a 1.0 litre turbo petrol engine. This engine is capable of generating 118 Bhp and 190 Nm of torque. Jeep is also working on a 7-seater SUV based on Jeep Compass. The 7-seater SUV will be based on the facelifted Jeep Compass SUV. Jeep has also announced that they will be launching 4 new SUV in the next two years (including the Compass).

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