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New cars for 2017: Upcoming hatchbacks

2016-12-03T16:00:00.003-08:00

It’s going to be raining new cars for the next 1 year. We bring you a list of the upcoming hatchbacks.

Hatchbacks are hot too in 2017, with Maruti undoubtedly set to lead the pack. India’s largest automaker has big plans for the country with the launch of the new third-gen Maruti Swift and the highly-anticipated Maruti Baleno RS. Chevrolet is set to breathe life back into the Beat with an all-new model, while luxury carmakers such as Volvo and Mini are set to bring in some of their own models.

Featured here are the hatchbacks – new and facelifted – that are heading to our shores soon.

New Maruti Swift

Although it still sells in larger numbers, Maruti’s popular hatchback has lost some steam owing to the bigger, more upmarket Baleno. But next year, Maruti will replace the current model with an all-new car that promises to be even lighter than the bantamweight Baleno. And considering that it will continue with the same engines, its fun factor and fan following are only expected to increase. Suzuki’s 110hp 1.0-litre Boosterjet turbo-petrol from the upcoming Baleno Sport could also be among the engine options.

To keep it distinct from the Baleno, the Swift is likely to be similar in size to the current model. Exterior styling is expected to be sportier, with larger air dams, a big hexagonal grille, and the familiar ‘floating roof’ look. Interiors too will receive a major overhaul, and will continue the sporty theme of the exterior. Highlights include a flat-bottom steering wheel and a hooded instrument binnacle.

Coming: Mid 2017
Price: Rs 5-8 lakh
Engines: 1.0 P, 1.2 P, 1.3 D

New Chevrolet Beat, Beat Activ

Part of Chevrolet’s strategy to bring in ten new cars for India by 2020, is the next-gen Beat that’s expected to arrive in 2017. A major upgrade of the outgoing car, rather than an all-new model, the new Beat will get a more modern-looking face and a premium interior with features like Chevrolet’s MyLink touchscreen infotainment system. Engines are likely to include three-pot motors – the current car’s 1.0-litre diesel and a new 1.0-litre petrol.

A more exciting option is the Beat Activ, which is a jacked-up crossover version of the Beat,
replete with big alloy wheels and body cladding. It is likely to be launched after the hatchback.

Coming: 2017
Price: Rs 4-6 lakh
Engines: 1.0 P, 1.0 D

Maruti Baleno RS

The Baleno is Maruti’s first truly successful premium car. This lightweight hatchback, known for its sprightly manners, will introduce Suzuki’s 1.0-litre, three-pot turbo-petrol engine in India in the RS variant. With 112hp on tap, it’s not a full-on hot hatch, but it will definitely give the Polo GT a run for its money. The added performance and a sporty body kit aside, the RS could get disc brakes on all four corners.

Coming: Early 2017
Price: Rs 8-10 lakh
Engines: 1.0 P

Maruti Ignis

The third product to roll out of Maruti’s Nexa chain of premium showrooms will be the Ignis; a model with which, the carmaker plans to up the ante in the small hatchback-crossover segment.

It will go up against the Mahindra KUV100. However, given its premium positioning, it’s likely to be the pricier one between the two. Design highlights here include the upright, solid stance, big wheel arches and clean lines.

Despite its tight dimensions, it packs quite a spacious interior.

The best part? Unlike recent Marutis that get a majority of their interior bits from a common parts bin, the Ignis will feature a brand new, premium interior with new switchgear, steering wheel, a new instrument cluster and even a Mercedes-Benz-like floating infotainment screen.
Under the hood, you’re likely to find Maruti’s trusty 1.2-litre K12-series petrol which will get the option of an AMT gearbox.

Coming: Early 2017
Price: Rs 5.5-8 lakh
Engine: 1.2 P

Volvo V40 and V40 Cross Country facelift

Changes to the updated V40s are cosmetic. The cars get reprofiled front and rear bumpers, and a new grille that’s flanked by headlights with Volvo’s signature Thor’s Hammer LED treatment. Interiors feature updated upholstery and the infotainment system now connects to Windows phones, besides Android and Apple devices. The current car’s 150hp 2.0-litre diesel and 180hp 1.6-litre turbo-petrol (only on the V40 Cross Country) are likely to be carried forward unchanged.

Coming: End 2016
Price: Rs 25-28 lakh
Engines: 1.6 P, 2.0 D

Mini clubman

Modern Minis are a far cry from the little go-kart that Mr Bean drove and enthusiasts loved. But the upcoming Clubman is not just a longer hatchback than the regular three- and four-door Minis currently sold in India, it also prides itself on being the biggest model from the carmaker yet. Thanks to its size though, it packs even more practicality along with retro-cool style. It should comfortably fit up to five adults and also gobble up a whole lot of luggage. One of the standout features of the new Clubman is its boot, which is accessed via two barn-style doors instead of a conventional hatch.

Coming: End 2016
Price: Rs 30-35 lakh
Engines: 1.5 P, 2.0 P

New cars for 2017: Upcoming SUVs

2016-12-03T15:55:00.001-08:00

Next year promises to be big on new SUVs. Here is a comprehensive list of the upcoming launches.

The year 2017 is set to be big for SUVs in India, with many automakers set to foray into the new or existing segments with all-new or facelifted models. The launch of the Tata Hexa is expected to be the biggest in the first half of the year with the new model carrying forward the brand’s new philosophy that started with the Tiago. Other mainstream models expected include the long-anticipated Tata Nexon, Ford’s facelifted EcoSport and Honda’s Jazz-based crossover, the WR-V.

The luxury segment though won’t be stepping in lightly either, with a large onslaught of SUVs expected from global carmakers. Audi is set to bring its high-performance diesel SQ7 early next year followed by the new Q5. Lexus is set to make its India debut in March with a line-up of two SUVs, and Maserati will attract some eyeballs with its all-new Levante SUV.

Here is a comprehensive list of all the SUV expected over the course of the next 12 months.

Audi Q2

It’s the smallest offering in Audi’s ‘Q’ range of SUVs that’s expected to hit our shores no earlier than mid-2017. Unlike the Q3 and the Q5, which look like shrunken versions of the Q7, the Q2’s beefy, chiselled fascia and raked, almost- hatchback-like rear end give it a unique stance. More importantly, at an expected Rs 27 lakh, what you will get is a luxury SUV for the price of a luxury hatchback.

Plus, the Q2 claims to be a proper five-seater, and it’s got a 405-litre boot too. The Q2 comes with all the goodies offered on bigger Audis. It’s impeccably put-together cabin gets a dash-top-mounted infotainment screen and the all-digital Virtual Cockpit instrument cluster.

While entry-level models will be front-wheel drive, this being a Q, its higher variants will get an all-wheel-drive system. The engine line-up is likely to comprise a 1.4-litre TSI turbo-petrol and a 2.0-litre diesel, both producing 150hp.

Coming: 2018
Price: Rs 27 lakh
Engines: 1.4 P, 2.0 D

BMW X7

It’s the SUV sibling of BMW’s latest 7-series, which it will share underpinnings and tech with. Expected to arrive in 2018, the X7 will be the largest model in the carmaker’s line-up. Unlike the X5 (which can be had in a seven-seat configuration), the X7 is a proper seven-seater and will rival full-fat luxury SUVs like the Mercedes GLS, the Range Rover and the Audi Q7. Motivation for this behemoth is likely to come from six- and eight-cylinder engines like the 3.0-litre diesel, and a 4.4-litre twin-turbo petrol from the 7-series.

Coming: 2018
Price: Rs 1.1-1.3 crore
Engines: 3.0 D, 4.4 P

New Audi Q5

Although the new Q5 looks like a Q7 head on, the rest of the car looks pretty much unchanged. But this Mercedes GLC rival is actually all new, and thanks to its modular underpinnings which it shares with the new A4 and Q7, it’s as much as 90kg lighter than before.

The resemblance to the Q7 continues into the interior too, where fit, finish and equipment levels have taken a huge step up in the new Q5. It gets the de rigueur 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit instrument cluster, an 8.3-inch free-standing screen for the MMI infotainment system. The unit offers Wi-Fi connectivity along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Also, it’s amply spacious for five and comes with a massive 610-litre boot. It’s likely to arrive by late 2017 with 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engines producing 252hp and 190hp respectively. For India, an eight-speed auto ’box and all-wheel drive will be standard too.

Coming: Late 2017
Price: Rs 62 lakh
Engines: 2.0 D, 3.0 D

Audi SQ7

Audi has managed to make turbo lag a thing of the past, and the first proof of this is the SQ7. It packs a 435hp 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 diesel that’s got a neat trick up its sleeve – an electric compressor that forces air into the engine at low rpms, before the turbochargers come into their stride.

The result is a whopping 900Nm of torque on tap at as low as 1,000rpm, or pulling power from get-go! Audi claims that the 2,330kg SQ7 will blitz the 0-100kph dash in 4.9 seconds, and you can buy yourself all that performance for an expected Rs 1 crore.

Coming: January 2017
Price: Rs 1 crore
Engine: 4.0 D

Jeep Compass

During the recent global unveiling of the spanking new Compass, Jeep was quick to declare its plans of assembling this model in India at FCA’s Ranjangaon plant. And so, this small SUV, with an expected price tag of Rs 20 lakh could be the model that gives the company some much-needed traction in India.

The Compass is a Hyundai Tucson-sized SUV that looks like a mini Grand Cherokee. Like the
Grand Cherokee, it features slim headlamps, an upright stance, massive ground clearance and big alloy wheels. It’s likely to come to India with a Fiat-sourced 172hp 2.0-litre turbo-diesel which will send power to the front wheels on base variants via a nine-speed automatic gearbox. Higher variants will get AWD with a locking differential and a low-range gearbox. But for enthusiasts, Jeep is likely to bring in a Trailhawk variant that’s jacked up further by 20mm, and gets off-road tyres, extra body cladding and tougher underbody protection. With all that kit, it’s safe to say that the Compass is sure to be the most capable off-roader in its segment.

Coming: End 2017
Price: Rs 20 lakh
Engine: 2.0 D

Chevrolet Trailblazer facelift

Last year, Chevrolet launched its Fortuner-rivalling Trailblazer in India. A facelifted version of the SUV is on sale in some markets, and will head our way in 2017. It’s got a new face, and new LED tail-lamps, but proportionally remains the same as the outgoing model. The interior too has been revised and features an updated centre console and better quality materials. Its current 200hp 2.8-litre Duramax turbo-diesel and six-speed automatic gearbox though, are likely to be carried over unchanged.

Coming: April 2017
Price: Rs 25 lakh
Engine: 2.8 D

Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe

To take on the BMW X6, Mercedes brought out its own SUV-coupé in the form of the GLE Coupe. Now, Mercedes plans on introducing the coupé body style on the smaller GLC. It shares its running gear with the regular GLC, but chucks the boxy roofline for a swooping, sexier silhouette, that’s sure to ramp up its ability to turn heads. Initially expected to arrive as the petrol-powered GLC Coupe 300, it could also get an AMG-line variant which will give it some go for its show.

Coming: 2017
Price: Rs 55-65 lakh
Engines: 2. 0 P, 2.1 D

Datsun Go Cross

The Go and Go+ hatchback and sub-four-metre MPV haven’t garnered many footfalls for Datsun showrooms. However, one concept that did grab a lot of attention at the 2016 Auto Expo is the Go Cross, a GO+ based compact crossover. You’d hardly notice the link between the two though, and that’s thanks to the jacked up stance, beefy body-cladding, skid-plates and radical front end styling of the concept. So strong was the response to this stylish model, that it’s now slated for an earlier-than-expected launch in 2017. The growing demand for crossovers makes the Go Cross a potential winner for Datsun. However, its success will depend on Datsun’s ability to price it smartly.

Coming: March 2017
Price: Rs 6-8 lakh
Engine: 1.2 P

New land Rover Discovery

This latest Discovery looks more Range Rover than Land Rover, and thanks to its aluminium intensive construction, it’s a massive 480kg lighter. So, expect it to be quicker, more frugal and better to drive. In fact, Land Rover says that this is its most potent off-roader yet. Not too lofty a claim considering the Discovery’s massive 220mm ground-clearance (283mm on models equipped with air suspension) and wading depth of 900mm. Also, it gets a low-ratio transfer case and the latest Terrain Response 2.0 system that should make easy work of any road surface.

Its flexible cabin has space for seven full-sized adults, but if it’s luggage you want to haul, the power-operated seats (controlled via the car’s 10-inch infotainment touchscreen) can be folded away to free up 2,406 litres of loading space.

JLR’s 2.0-litre Ingenium diesel is likely to be the mainstay engine. While base versions will get the engine in its 180hp state of tune, a twin-turbocharged version of the 2.0-litre diesel, producing 240hp will make its debut in the Discovery. A more powerful 3.0-litre turbo-diesel and supercharged petrol will also be offered. All motors will be paired with eight-speed automatic gearboxes.

Coming: Late 2017
Price: Rs 1.5 crore
Engines: 2.0 D, 3.0 D, 3.0 P

Lexus LX

Massive SUVs, wearing the big ‘L’ badge, aren’t rare on our roads. While the models were privately imported until now, with Lexus – Toyota’s luxury brand – entering India, the LX could soon be bought from an official showroom. It’s a rich man’s Land Cruiser that will ferry seven around in the lap of luxury. Initially, the model be fully imported and so, will be pricey. However, unlike the Land Cruiser, you do get the luxury, equipment styling and the Lexus badge.

Coming: March 2017
Price: Rs 1.5 crore
Engines: 5.7 P, 4.5 D

Range Rover Evoque Convertible

If the regular Evoque wasn’t chic enough, Land Rover has attempted to make it more fashionable still by lopping off the roof. Its cloth-top folds away in 18 seconds and it can seat four comfortably. And because it says Range Rover on the nose, know that it can still outperform most other luxury SUVs when you take it off road. Expect it to come with JLR’s new high-tech 2.0-litre Ingenium diesel, and probably a 2.0-litre petrol too.

Coming: Mid 2017
Price: Rs 80 lakh
Engines: 2.0 P, 2.0 D

Renault Kaptur

This is the Renault Kaptur with a ‘K’, not to be confused with the smaller Ford EcoSport-rivalling Captur sold in Europe. True, the two cars do share a lot of the uber-cool crossover styling, but the India-bound Kaptur’s building blocks are closely related to that of the rugged Duster. Along with its underpinnings and all-wheel-drive gear, the Kaptur will share the 1.6-litre petrol and popular K9K 1.5-litre diesel with the Duster. Additionally, it’s likely to get a 2.0-litre petrol with a four-speed automatic too. Being a more premium offering, it will be positioned above the Duster. To be priced at an estimated Rs 16 lakh, it will take on the Mahindra XUV500 along with higher variants of the Hyundai Creta when it arrives here in early 2017.

Coming: End 2017
Price: Rs 16-20 lakh
Engines: 1.5 D, 2.0 P

Lexus RX 450h

This sporty, rather futuristic- looking luxury crossover promises sharp handling and a properly luxurious interior. It has its work very cut out for it thanks to the Audi Q5 and the Mercedes-Benz GLC. However, where its rivals offer either a now-looked-down-upon diesel or a petrol guzzler, the Lexus is an eco-friendly petrol-electric hybrid. Being a hybrid and a full-import will make it expensive, but with local assembly on the cards, expect prices to go down later.

Coming: March 2017
Price: Rs 65-70 lakh
Engine: 3.5 P + electric

Maruti S-cross Petrol

A hefty price tag and hatchback-like looks have weighed the S-cross down. Furthermore, it could only be had with diesel engines – Fiat-sourced 1.3- and 1.6-litre units. Now, however, Maruti plans on introducing a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol motor in its premium crossover. This unit (also likely to power the Ciaz) makes 100hp and 133Nm of torque. Given the slow shift in preference to petrol cars, the addition of the petrol engine in the S-cross will surely make it a more viable proposition. Being a premium offering, how we wish it came with an automatic gearbox too!

Coming: Mid 2017
Price: Rs 8-10 lakh
Engine: 1.5 P

Maserati Levante

Everything from the Renault Kwid to the Bentley Bentayga testifies that SUVs are here to stay. But want one with some Italian flair? No, it’s not a Ferrari, but it’s close. Very evidently a performance SUV, the Levante claims to offer unrivalled handling. It uses the same foundations as the Ghibli and

Quattroporte performance sedans, and will be introduced with a 275hp 3.0-litre V6 diesel. This motor allows the SUV to despatch the 0-100kph run in 6.9sec. Enthusiasts, however, will have to wait for the stronger V6 and twin-turbo V8 petrol versions which are expected to arrive later. All models will get four-wheel-drive and air suspension as standard. Expect it to arrive loaded with everything that comes

in a Rs 1.25 crore car.

Coming: Early 2017
Price: Rs 1.25 crore
Engines: 3.0 P, 3.0 D

Tata Nexon

In the ever-burgeoning sub-four-metre compact SUV segment, Tata’s Nexon is sure to be the most stunning automobile you could treat yourself to. That’s thanks to its muscular stance and that edgy coupé-like roofline; a marked departure from its boxy rivals. Its premium interior too is just as impressive, featuring an eight-speaker audio system and a dash-top-mounted 6.5-inch touchscreen for the Harman-sourced infotainment unit. It will also come with a multi-drive mode system; a class-first feature.

Space has always been a USP of Tata cars, the Nexon being no different. Despite the sloping roof, the cleverly engineered rear seats ensure that even tall passengers have sufficient headroom.

Tata will employ a brand new 1.5-litre turbo-diesel and a turbocharged version of the Tiago’s 1.2-litre petrol on the Nexon – both producing 110hp. Both engines will send power to the front wheels via new six-speed manual or automatic gearboxes.

Coming: End 2017
Price: Rs 7-10 lakh
Engines: 1.2 P, 1.5 D

New Honda CR-V

Honda India is likely to skip the mid-cycle facelift of its petrol-only CR-V SUV, and will instead bring in an all-new model for 2017. It’s a more upmarket offering, made evident by the design language that it shares with models from Acura, Honda’s premium car division. Besides, it’s bigger than the outgoing car too, which should make it more spacious. This extra space has allowed for a seven-seat cabin configuration, which could be offered on the India-bound model. It is still expected to receive petrol engines only. One being the current model’s 2.4-litre unit, and the other a new 1.5-litre turbo-petrol, both making 190hp and mated to CVT automatics.

Expected: Late 2017
Price: Rs 17-20 lakh
Engines: 1.5 P, 2.0 P

New Nissan X-Trail

The latest India-bound X-trail looks more modern and rounded than its blocky predecessor. The bigger difference is that it will come here in a petrol-hybrid avatar, rather than a diesel as the previous-generation car did. We drove the car and found it to be quite refined, spacious and well equipped.

What Indian buyers will surely appreciate its claimed fuel efficiency of 20kpl. However, being a full import, this SUV will be quite expensive for its size.

Coming: January 2017
Price: Rs 35 lakh
Engine: 2.0 P + electric

Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda’s upcoming flagship, the Kodiaq, is a seven-seat luxury SUV that will take on the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Toyota Fortuner. It’s only 40mm longer than an Octavia, but Skoda claims that it’s more spacious than its rivals, especially in the middle-row seats. Speaking of interiors, Skoda has raised its bar for quality and luxury with the use of plush materials all around the cabin. It’s loaded with features too. There’s an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system on higher variants with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a panoramic sunroof, Wi-Fi Hotspot connectivity, wireless phone charging and lots more. Expect a 190hp, 2.0-litre diesel mated to a brand new seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic to be mainstay on the Kodiaq. But there is the possibility of a 2.0-litre petrol as well.

Coming: August 2017
Price: Rs 25-30 lakh
Engines: 2.0 P, 2.0 D

Volvo XC90 Polestar

Last year, Volvo introduced its mighty impressive second-generation XC90. The one area where the big luxury SUV slightly lacked, however, was performance, using a 2.0-litre diesel in a segment full of 3.0-litre six-pots. However, there’s a new version coming that will address that. Volvo’s in-house tuning division, Polestar, has taken the petrol hybrid powertrain from the XC90 T8 and wound it up to 420hp. And with a claimed 0-100kph time of 5.5sec and the fuel efficiency of a hybrid, you can have your cake and eat it too.

Coming: 2017
Price: Rs 1.3-1.4 crore
Engine: 2.0 P + electric

Honda WR-V

Slotted below the BR-V, the WR-V is Honda’s Jazz-based hatchback crossover that will rival the likes of the Hyundai i20 Active and the Fiat Avventura and Urban Cross. A recently unveiled sketch of the car showcases a muscular exterior, replete with aggressive bumpers and body cladding. However, to keep costs in check, the crossover is likely to feature a similar interior as in its premium hatchback sibling. It is also expected to share engine and gearbox options with the Jazz.

Expected: March 2017
Price: Rs 8-10 lakh
Engines: 1.2 P, 1.5 D

Tata Hexa

The Hexa picks up where the poorly received, yet supremely capable Aria left off, and dials up the premium factor to eleven with its aggressive SUV-like styling and features like a Harman-sourced touchscreen infotainment system and a 10-speaker JBL audio system. Not only is it visually rugged, it’s built on a tough ladder-frame chassis. To further enhance its off-roading creds, Tata has even given the Hexa an all-wheel-drive system. This system can be configured via a rotary-knob drive mode selector, much like the one on high-end Land Rover SUVs. The Hexa is loaded on the safety front too, with top-end variants getting six airbags, ABS, EBD, hill hold and hill descent control. Power comes from a 156hp 2.2-litre turbo-diesel that is mated to either six-speed manual or automatic gearboxes.

Coming: January 2017
Price: Rs 12.50-18 lakh
Engine: 2.2 D

Ford EcoSport facelift

The Maruti Vitara Brezza stole the EcoSport’s thunder from right under its nose. In response, Ford now plans on giving its sub-four-metre compact SUV some much-needed sprucing up.
The facelifted EcoSport will get a more aggressive face with a bigger grille, beefier bumpers, reprofiled tail-lamps, and new alloy-wheels. Updates to the interior are likely to include a touchscreen infotainment system – a feature buyers sorely missed in the current model. It’s likely to continue with the same set of potent petrol and diesel engines, and will retain the quirky proportions, the boot-mounted spare-wheel and fun-to-drive manners that made it popular.

Coming: Early 2017
Price: Rs 7-10 lakh
Engines: 1.0 P, 1.5 P, 1.5 D

Volvo XC40

The Chinese-owned Swedish carmaker will resurrect its small car line-up with an Audi Q3-rivalling compact crossover – the upcoming XC40 – that it previewed with the Concept 40.1. Although the concept car shares a lot of its styling cues with the larger Volvo XC90, it will be built on Volvo’s new Compact Modular Architecture(CMA) dedicated to development of its small cars. It will be powered by efficient three- and four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, and is also likely to be offered with hybrid powertrains. The best bit though, is that the production car is likely to look near-identical to the concept. A sedan based on the same mechanicals is also expected later.

Coming: 2018
Price: Rs 25-40 lakh
Engines: 1.5 P, 2.0 D

Volkswagen Tiguan

After the Passat, Volkswagen plans on bringing in the Tiguan to India. It’s a Hyundai Santa Fe rival and will be the first of a slew of SUVs that the VW group plans to launch in India. It will arrive here in the middle of 2017 and is expected to be locally assembled at VW’s Aurangabad plant. However, at an estimated Rs 30 lakh, it will be quite expensive. Its restrained, yet appealing exterior packs quite a spacious and superbly appointed cabin that buyers will appreciate. The mainstay engine, a 2.0-litre diesel, will come with a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic gearbox and an optional all-wheel-drive.

Coming: Mid 2017
Price: Rs 30 lakh
Engine: 2.0 D

Three new models for Nexa early 2017

2016-12-03T15:47:00.001-08:00

Along with Ignis and Baleno RS, the yet-to-be-revealed Ciaz facelift will join Maruti’s premium showroom chain by April.

Nexa dealers are set to begin the new year with a bang. Maruti Suzuki has lined up a salvo of launches for its premium showroom channel, starting with the much awaited Ignis, in January. The introduction of the hatchback-crossover will be followed by the sporty Baleno RS variant in February. Interestingly, the Ciaz facelift will be pulled out from the regular Maruti showroom chains and will exclusively retail through Nexa when it goes on sale around April.

The aggressive introduction of new models through Nexa will give a much-needed fillip to volumes of the premium chain that are largely hinged on the Baleno. Launched towards the end of October 2015, the hatch has been the mainstay of the carmaker’s line-up and a regular among the top 10 best-selling cars in the country. Sales of the S-Cross, however, have mostly remained tepid despite Maruti reducing the price and offering big discounts on it.

The Maruti Ignis will spearhead the company's efforts to expand its presence in the hatchback-crossover segment and will now be the entry car for Nexa. But given its premium positioning, it’s likely to be pricier than rivals like the KUV100.

Interestingly, unlike the recent Marutis that get most of their interior bits from a common parts bin, the Ignis will feature a new, premium interior with new switchgear, steering wheel, instrument cluster and even a Mercedes-Benz-like floating infotainment screen. The Ignis is likely to be powered by a 1.2-litre K12-series petrol engine which also does duty on other Maruti heavyweights such as the Swift, Ritz, Dzire and the Baleno.

Dubbed as a more powerful version of its highly popular Baleno, the Baleno RS is likely to debut Suzuki’s 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine in India with a power figure of 112hp. Other upgrades include a performance and a sporty body kit and disc brakes on all four wheels.

The country’s top-selling carmaker launched Nexa early 2015 and has sold over 1,45,892 cars through the premium channel till October 2016. The Nexa chain of showrooms accounted for 10.37 percent of the company's total passenger vehicle sales in October , up from 5.98 percent during the same month last year.

New cars for 2017: Upcoming sedans

2016-12-03T15:40:00.002-08:00

Here is an exhaustive list of all the new sedans due to be launched next year.

The coming year has it all set for the appearance of some spectacular sedans. Mercedes is set to bring in the new E-class; BMW, the new 5 series, while Honda is set to give its bestseller, the City, a much anticipated facelift. Other notable inclusions include the launch of the all-new Essentia compact sedan from Chevrolet and Tata’s highly anticipated Kite 5 compact sedan.

Here is the longlist of sedans expected in the coming months.

Chevrolet Essentia

Following Volkswagen’s Ameo, it’s Chevrolet that’s now going the made-in-India, make-for-India way with the Essentia. It’s a sub-four-metre compact sedan based on the next-gen Beat hatchback that will arrive in 2017. Positioned half a segment below compact sedans like the Swift Dzire, the Essentia will rival Tata’s upcoming Tiago-based compact sedan. However, despite its compact dimensions, the near production-ready concept showcased at the 2016 Auto Expo revealed how well Chevrolet managed to pull off the sedan shape. More importantly, it packs quite a spacious interior for its size. The carmaker also plans on giving the car a premium interior and upmarket features like its MyLink touchscreen infotainment system.

Besides the underpinnings, the sedan will also share the 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol and diesel engines with the Beat hatchback.

Coming: March 2017
Price: Rs 4.5-7 lakh
Engine: 1.0 P, 1.0 D

New Audi A8

Audi’s next-gen A8 is likely to raise the bar in the big luxury sedan game, especially in terms of looks and tech. It takes much of its low-slung styling from the futuristic Prologue concept, and futuristic really seems to be the theme on the car. The interior features a virtual dashboard with all functions controlled via three highly configurable screens – a digital instrument cluster, a 14.1-inch central touchscreen and a smaller unit for the air-con controls. Engine options are likely to include 4.0-litre V8 and 6.3-litre petrols, a 3.0-litre diesel, a more potent 4.0-litre V8 diesel with the electric supercharging tech from the SQ7, and even a hybrid powertrain. India could even get a 190hp 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel in entry-level variants.

Coming: Late 2017
Price: Rs 1.2-2 crore
Engines: 3.0 P, 3.0 D, 4.0 P, 4.0 D

New BMW 5-Series

The next 5-series is one of many all-new models that its segment will soon witness. It’s features an aluminium-intensive construction akin to the new 7-series, making it as much as 100kg lighter than the current 5, and hence more fuel-efficient. It’s marginally longer, wider and taller too, and much of the freed-up room has gone into making the rear seats more spacious. Besides making it more comfortable and luxurious, BMW has also brimmed the 5-series with autonomous driving aids like steering and lane control assist and crossroads warning, most of which unfortunately, won’t make it to the Indian car. However, we will get tech like the gesture-control and voice-command enabled iDrive infotainment system which is offered on the pricier 7-series.

Coming: Late 2017
Price: Rs 55-65 lakh
Engines: 2.0 P, 2.0 D, 3.0 D

New Audi S5 Sportback

If the new A4 is too buttoned up for you, Audi has something that might just hit the spot. Meet the second-generation S5 Sportback. It’s got all the appeal and practicality of the new A4 – a tech-loaded, superbly appointed and spacious interior, and a 480-litre boot – plus, it comes in a sexier four-door coupé body style. Under the hood, the current car’s 333hp, supercharged 3.0-litre V6 will be replaced by a more potent 354hp 3.0-litre turbo-petrol.

Coming: Mid 2017
Price: Rs 65 lakh
Engine: 3.0 P

New Chevrolet Cruze

The upcoming Chevy Cruze is going to be a quantum leap over the current model in every way. For a start, its aggressive styling, swept-back coupé-like silhouette and large 17-inch alloys (likely for the India-bound model) make it quite the stunner. While it’s lighter, hence more frugal, Chevrolet has also made it larger, which means the interior is more spacious. Space aside, the low-set cabin is quite upmarket and uses high-quality materials. Fully loaded variants are likely to get features like a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and 4G compatibility, in-car Wi-Fi Hotspot connectivity, wireless phone charging and heated leather seats. The current car’s 166hp 2.0-litre diesel engine is likely to be replaced by a slightly less powerful, but more efficient 1.6-litre turbo-diesel. Also, with petrol cars back in vogue, a 155hp, 1.4-litre, direct-injection turbo-petrol is also likely to be introduced here.

Coming: End 2017
Price: Rs 12-15 lakh
Engines: 1.4 P, 1.6 D

Audi A3 facelift

Audi’s nippy junior sedan is soon to receive a nip and tuck. Updates to the car include sportier bumpers, a bigger hexagonal grille, and new A4-like headlamps that can be opted with Audi’s Matrix LED technology. The options list is also likely to include paddle shifters for the new flat-bottom steering and the all-digital Virtual Cockpit instrument cluster. The biggest change will, however, be under the hood – the smaller 1.4-litre TFSI petrol from the new A4 will replace the current car’s 1.8-litre petrol unit.

Coming: Late 2016
Price: Rs 25-30 lakh
Engines: 1.4 P, 2.0 D

Audi A4 diesel

With the latest A4, Audi has perhaps near perfected the recipe for the entry-level luxury sedan. It’s got the ride, the handling, a tech-packed and luxurious interior, and even an impressive ARAI-acclaimed fuel economy of 17.4kpl with the 1.4-litre TSI petrol. And now, it will get a punchy 2.0-litre diesel engine that the VW Group plans to localise in India. The unit produces 190hp and a healthy 400Nm and will be paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. It is also likely to get the option of a more affordable six-speed manual which should be a hit with both, chauffeur-driven owners and enthusiasts alike.

Coming: Late 2016
Price: Rs 39-45 lakh
Engine: 2.0 D

Hyundai Ioniq

With the uncertainty looming over diesel cars, and the government slowly warming up to hybrids, Hyundai plans tobring in its eco-friendly Ioniq to India. Aimed squarely at Toyota’s popular Prius (also coming back to India in a new avatar), the Ioniq for international markets is available with three powertrains – an all-electric, a regular hybrid and a plug-in hybrid. Of these, the latter is being considered for India. This means you can use a regular power outlet to charge the car’s batteries, and if your commutes aren’t too long (the plug-in has a pure-electric range of 50km), you could skip visits to the fuel station altogether. For long-distance trips, there’s a 105hp 1.6-litre petrol, coupled with a six-speed dual-clutch auto, that works in conjunction with the electric motor. To enhance efficiency, it features a super-slippery exterior and aero-efficient wheels that help it cut through the air better. However, how much headway it makes into the finicky Indian car buyer’s list remains to be seen.

Coming: Early 2018
Price: Rs 45-50 lakh
Engine: 1.6 + electric

Honda City facelift

The mid-size City, Honda’s bread-and-butter model in India, has been going strong thanks to timely model changes and a strong fan following. Of late, however, it has been facing stiff competition from the Maruti Ciaz, which has even begun outselling it. And to bring it up to speed with its rivals, Honda plans on putting the City under the knife. Although it will remain mechanically unchanged, the City will get cosmetic tweaks like a new front grille, re-profiled bumpers, updated headlamps with projector units and bigger alloys.

Coming: 2017
Price: Rs 8-10 lakh
Engines: 1.5 P, 1.5 D

New Porsche Panamera

With the new Panamera, Porsche will once again challenge luxury sedans like the new BMW 7-series and the Audi A8. Despite being bigger than its predecessor, its aluminium-heavy modular framework makes it lighter. Also, the Panamera now sports more athletic stance than the humpbacked looks of the last car. The tech-laden interior comes with a touch-sensitive centre console, two hi-res 7.0-inch displays in the instrument binnacle, and also a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. And with the cabin detailed in rich leather and wood trim, it’s got luxury chops as well. India will initially get the 550hp 4.0-litre petrol-powered Panamera Turbo, followed by a 442hp 4.0-litre V8 diesel.

Coming: Mid 2017
Price: Rs 2 crore
Engines: 4.0 P, 4.0 D

New Hyundai Verna

To up its game against the Honda City and the Maruti Ciaz, Hyundai will replace its long-in-the tooth Verna with a new one. It shares the Fluidic 2.0 design philosophy and the big hexagonal grille with the Elantra. It’s longer, wider, and a bit lower, but expect it to be more spacious overall. The interior features a touchscreen on the neatly laid-out centre console, steering-mounted controls for audio and Bluetooth connectivity, climate control and push-button start. Higher variants are even likely to come with bigger alloy wheels and a sunroof. While the Verna is expected to continue with the current car’s 1.4- and 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engines, it will get Hyundai’s mild-hybrid system, which is similar to the SHVS system offered in the Maruti Ciaz.

Coming: Late 2017
Price: Rs 8-10 lakh
Engines: 1.4 P, 1.6 P, 1.4 D, 1.6 D

New Mercedes-Benz E-class

With Mercedes streamlining the design language of its entire sedan range, it could be a bit of a task to tell the all-new E-class from the C-class and the S-class. It’s even built using the same set of mechanical bits as the other two. As a result though, it’s lighter, despite being bigger than the current model it will replace. The highlight of the new E-class is the fact that it will debut tech such as automatic evasive steering, automated parking and a host of driver aids even before they make it into the S-class.

Its interior design too mirrors that of the larger S-class on higher variants. It gets two 12.3-inch TFT displays placed side by side – one for the instrument cluster and the second for the COMAND infotainment system. The car is initially expected to carry over the current car’s petrol and diesel engines, with more advanced 2.0- and 3.0-litre in-line diesel-powered units arriving later. More importantly, India will get the long-wheel-base models only.

Coming: Mid 2017
Price: Rs 55- 70 lakh
Engines: 2.0 P, 2.1 D, 3.0 D

New Toyota Prius

The Prius is lauded for being the car to bring hybrid technology to the masses. While it’s a comfy, eco-friendly car, it’s a bit boring, or at least that’s the popular belief. And that’s precisely what Toyota intends to change with this rather radical-looking latest iteration of it. We drove it recently, and are happy to report that this all-new Prius, built on Toyota’s new modular architecture is a better drive than before. However, the best seat in the house is still at the rear. The deal-breaker, as it’s always been, is the hefty expected ex-showroom price tag of around Rs 40 lakh.

Coming: 2017
Price: Rs 40 lakh
Engine: 1.8 P + electric

Lexus ES 300h

If you are looking for a big luxury car that will mostly be chauffeur-driven, the ES300h, Lexus’ entry ticket into India, is a must have in your list of probables. The ‘h’ in the name stands for the car’s hybrid powertrain – a 2.5-litre petrol paired with an electric motor. It will take on the VW Passat and the Honda Accord hybrids, and like its rivals, the first few models will be CBU imports. However, it shares its hardware with the Toyota Camry –making it easy to build locally – and so, ES300h is likely to be the first Lexus to be assembled in India.

Coming: March 2017
Price: Rs 45 lakh
Engine: 2.5 P + electric

New Volkswagen Passat

The Passat will return to India in an all-new avatar and will get a plug-in hybrid variant in the Passat GTE. Unlike its rivals, the Camry and Accord hybrids, it can be either charged via a regular power socket, or by its 156hp 1.4-litre TSI petrol motor. This powertrain produces a combined 218hp and 400Nm, which makes this sedan quite fleet-footed. For short trips, though, its claimed electric range of 50km alone should serve you well. VW will initially import a small batch of GTEs, likely to cost a lofty Rs 40 lakh apiece. It will be launched with a 1.8-litre petrol and hybrid powertrain, and will get 2.0-litre diesel-powered variants later.

Coming: January 2017
Price: Rs 30-40 lakh
Engines: 1.8 P, 1.4 P + electric, 2.0 D

Tata Kite 5

Tata’s upcoming compact sedan, codenamed Kite 5, is based on the Tiago, and will be showroom-ready by the end of 2016. Nearly identical to the small hatchback up to the B-pillar, the compact sedan features a ‘fast’, coupé-like roofline that terminates in a stubby, yet well-proportioned boot. The silhouette has also allowed the designers to give the sedan a bigger rear door, which should make access to the back seats easier.

The big news on the Kite 5 though, is its 420-litre boot, which is more commodious than what you get on more expensive compact sedans like the Hyundai Xcent and Honda Amaze, and even its bigger sibling, the Tata Zest.

The Kite 5 will take on the Chevrolet Essentia and will replace the Indigo eCS upon its arrival. Besides the three-cylinder 1.2-litre petrol and 1.05-litre diesel engines, and a possible AMT gearbox, the Kite 5 will also share its interior with the Tiago.

Coming: Mid 2017
Price: Rs 4-6.5 lakh
Engines: 1.2 P, 1.05 D

Toyota Vios

Come 2017, the Honda City will get a new rival in the Toyota Vios. Sharing its styling with the bigger Corolla Altis, it’s a more exciting-looking car than the Etios. Its spacious interior is an upmarket affair and comes with features like climate control, steering-mounted audio controls, and a touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone connectivity. Safety too will be a highlight on the Vios, with ABS, ESP and airbags likely to be standard fitment. It will get retuned versions of the Etios’s 1.5-litre petrol and 1.4-litre diesel engine.

Current -gen car used for representative purpose

Coming: Mid 2017
Price: Rs 8-10 lakh
Engines: 1.5 P, 1.4 D

Best new car discounts this month

2016-12-03T15:31:00.001-08:00

Here is a list of some of the most exciting year-end discounts that you can avail at dealerships for the month of December

Buying a new car is always an exciting prospect, and with the start of a new month, there are a host of new and exciting discounts on offer at dealerships across the country. The start of December also means that dealers are looking to clear existing stock, to make way for newer versions for the next model year. Factor in this and you are bound to find some exciting discounts on cars at dealerships. So, before you head to your local dealership, here is a comprehensive list of some of the best new car deals and discounts you can grab.

Hatchbacks

Maruti WagonR Stingray
Save up to Rs 80,000

The stylish WagonR Stingray comes with a cash discount of Rs 35,000, an exchange bonus of Rs 45,000. The cash discount on the AMT version, however, is lower at Rs 20,000. The other benefits remain the same with the exchange bonus standing at Rs 45,000.

Hyundai i10
Save up to Rs 53,000
The i10 is surely old but is still a promising contender in its category. A spacious cabin and a peppy 1.1-litre petrol engine are the car’s USPs. It is also known for its comfortable ride quality, especially on bad city roads. The i10 is available at benefits of around Rs 53,000 across all dealerships.

Nissan Micra
Save up to Rs 85,000
The Nissan Micra petrol is available only with a CVT gearbox while the diesel variant comes with a smooth 1.5-litre K9K engine. It comes with an airy cabin and rivals the likes of the Swift and the Grand i10. Discounts of around Rs 85,000 and free insurance is on offer at most locations.

Hyundai Eon
Save up to Rs 65,000
The small hatchback from Hyundai is available with an 800cc and a 1,000 cc engine option. It gets smart dual-tone interiors but is a bit short on space on the inside. An updated car is around the corner, and in an attempt to clear old stock, dealers are offering benefits of around Rs 65,000 on most variants.

SUVs/MPVs

Maruti Ertiga
Save up to Rs 30,000 off
The Ertiga seats seven, and is compact enough for daily city driving. It comes with dependable petrol and diesel engine options and also gets a CNG variant. The petrol variants get cash discounts of Rs 10,000 and an exchange bonus of Rs 20,000. The CNG variant though loses out on the cash discount, but comes with the exchange bonus.

Hyundai Santa Fe
Save up to Rs 2 lakh
Hyundai’s seven-seater flagship SUV has spacious interiors. It now directly rivals the all-new Fortuner and comes with a refined diesel engine. The carmaker is offering discounts in the range of Rs 2 lakh at most locations, depending on availability.

Renault Duster AMT
Save up to Rs 75,000
The Duster AMT is currently on sale at a discount of around Rs 75,000. It comes with one of the smoothest AMT gearboxes and a refined 1.5-litre diesel engine making it suitable for city driving. The manual versions, however, command lesser discounts. The benefits depend on availability.

BMW X3 M Sport
Save up to Rs 5 lakh
The X3 rivals the Audi Q5 and the Mercedes GLC. It gets special M equipment for the sporty M Sport trim like body kit, unique steering wheel and additional interior bits. It comes with a powerful 255hp 3.0-litre diesel engine that takes good care of performance. Discounts of close to Rs 5 lakh are available on the X3 at most dealerships.

Sedans

BMW 530d M Sport
Save up to Rs 12 lakh

The BMW 530d M Sport comes with a punchy 3.0-litre diesel engine. It rivals the Mercedes E 350 CDI. The sedan gets an aggressive M body kit with special alloys and interior bits. However, it gets a soft suspension that results in a floaty ride. The sporty and stylish sedan is available at discounts of around Rs 10-12 lakh across most dealerships.

Maruti Ciaz
Save up to Rs 55,000

Maruti’s best attempt at the mid-size sedan segment, the Ciaz, has proven to be quiet popular taking the fight to the best-in-segment Honda City with its levels of space, equipment and aggressive pricing. Maruti is offering the Ciaz with a cash discount of Rs 15,000 and an exchange bonus of Rs 40,000 on all variants

BMW 3-Series
Save up to Rs 2 lakh

The updated 3-series sedan gets a strong lineup of petrol and diesel engines. It rivals the likes of the Jaguar XE, the Mercedes C-Class and the new Audi A4. The sporty BMW sedan comes with a discount of around Rs 2 lakh at most dealerships depending on availability.

Hyundai Verna
Save up to Rs 1 lakh

The stylish Verna is now on sale since a long time and a new model is due next year. This Honda City rival comes with two diesel and two petrol engine options. Discounts in the range of Rs 1 lakh are on offer on the slow-selling trims depending on location.

Nico Rosberg retires from Formula 1

2016-12-03T15:26:00.001-08:00

Just days after winning his maiden Formula 1 championship, Rosberg has announced his retirement from the sport with immediate effect

Formula 1 world champion Nico Rosberg has announced his retirement with immediate effect.

The German beat Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton to the title in 2016, sealing the crown in a tense season finale in Abu Dhabi last weekend.

Speaking ahead of Friday's FIA Prize Giving Gala in Vienna, Rosberg announced his retirement from Formula 1.

"I want to take the opportunity to announce that I have decided to end my Formula 1 career in this moment here," said Rosberg. "It's hard to explain, it has been ever since I started when I was six years old, I had a very clear dream and that was to become Formula 1 world champion."

"Now I've achieved that, I've put everything into it for 25 years of racing and with the help of everybody around me, with the help of fans and the help of my team and my family and friends I have managed to achieve that this year.

"So it has been an incredible experience for me that I will remember forever.

"At the same time, it has been very very tough also because the last two years losing to Lewis were extremely difficult moments for me, which fuelled my motivation in a way that I didn't even know was possible to fight back and to achieve my dream finally."

Hyundai unveils i20 Coupe WRC challenger

2016-12-03T15:20:00.002-08:00

The car’s 1.6-litre engine now produces 381hp, significantly more than the 2016 car’s 335hp.

The Hyundai i20 Coupe has been revealed at Italy’s Monza Grand Prix circuit as a successor to the retired i20 WRC. The car will compete in next year’s rejuvenated World Rally Championship and, following Volkswagen’s departure, is a favourite to take the title.

The new three-door model is described as a heavy evolution of the outgoing car, using the same basic structure as 2016’s five-door i20 but conforming to 2017’s less-restrictive engine and aerodynamic regulations. As such, the car’s exterior wears a much larger rear wing and the front bumper works the air significantly harder than before with large, swooping winglets.

The i20 Coupe WRC’s 1.6-litre engine also uses a larger restrictor – up from 33mm to 36mm in diameter – so produces 381hp, significantly more than the 2016 car’s 335hp. Drive is sent to all four wheels through a six-speed paddle shift gearbox like before, but this time the drivers can adjust the percentage of torque sent to each end using a new active central differential.

When asked how much difference the upgraded drivetrain of the 2017 car would have on performance, both the drivers and team leaders said straight-line speed would improve, but it wouldn’t necessarily be noticeable to the naked eye. However, all agreed that the new car’s bigger aerodynamic package would make a large difference to pace, helping the 2017 i20 Coupe WRC to shave around 1sec per kilometre travelled from its stage times.

“We aim to be champion,” added Hyundai Motorsport president Gyoo-Heon Choi. “We are taking this very seriously and want to be at the top. Hyundai Motorsport is investing heavily into making this work, and after three years we feel very strong.”

The Germany-based Hyundai Motorsport team’s 2017 WRC challenger has already completed close to 6,437km of testing. It’ll make its championship debut in the opening round of 2017 at the Monte Carlo rally in January. Three i20 Coupe WRCs will be fielded by Hyundai Motorsport, driven by the same line-up of drivers as before: Thierry Neuville, Haydon Paddon and Dani Sordo, with Nicolas Gilsoul, John Kennard and Marc Marti as their co-drivers.

With 2016 title winner Volkswagen no longer in the picture following the manufacturer’s departure from World Rally, Hyundai’s biggest rivals for the 2017 championship will be Ford, Citroën and Toyota, who is back in WRC for the first time in 17 years.

Passenger vehicles sales mixed in Nov amid demonetisation

2016-12-03T15:15:00.003-08:00

Maruti, Tata and Toyota post double-digit growth on back of advance bookings; Hyundai, Mahindra, Honda lose traction.

Just when India’s automobile sector spanning passenger cars, SUVs, two- and three-wheelers, and commercial vehicles, was beginning to accelerate, it came across a speedbreaker in the form of demonetisation on November 8.

Since then, the government’s ban on old currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 aimed at taking out 86 percent of the currency in circulation in the country, slow issuance of new notes and their lack of widespread availability have dampened market sentiment substantially.

The impact is being felt not only in the automotive sector but also across many others, including FMCG and e-retailing. Footfalls in vehicle showrooms have reduced considerably and the enquiries that come in are not converting into sales. In the coming days, automakers will look to realign production schedules to deal with slower supplies to dealers. The Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) said that the entire auto retail trade has come under severe stress and has urged vehicle manufacturers to reduce inventory at dealerships which are saddled with stock.

Among the carmakers, companies like Maruti Suzuki India and Toyota Kirloskar Motor, which are seeing handsome demand and waiting periods for some fast-moving models, November sales have shown good growth. That’s because they have had a sizeable number of advance bookings in hand. In comparison, UV manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra, which sees a substantial number of its sales coming in from rural India, has seen a big drop in its November sales numbers.

It’s early days yet and overall November 2016 sales numbers may not reflect the real impact of the demonetisation exercise, since the month had opened up in the Diwali festive season which is when most new vehicle buyers take deliveries. Expect automakers to take a relook at their growth forecasts for the fiscal as industry pundits believe it will take a quarter or more before things become normal in the retail automobile sector. Here’s looking at some of the sales numbers carmakers have announced for November 2016.

Maruti

Maruti Suzuki India has announced sales of 135,550 units in November 2016, up 12.2 percent year on year (November 2015: 120,824). This includes 126,325 units in the domestic market (+14%). The entry-level duo of the Alto and the Wagon R sold a total of 38,886 units, up 8.1% year on year (November 2015: 35,981). The Swift/Ritz/Celerio/Baleno/Dzire quintet sold a total of 49,431 units last month, up 10.8% (November 2015: 44.626).

Demand for the Dzire Tour taxi was down at 3,017 units, down 10.3% (November 2015: 3,363). Sales of the premium Ciaz sedan dipped marginally with 5,433 cars going home to new buyers (November 2015: 5,509), down 1.4% YoY. What is giving overall Maruti sales a boost is the consistent and surging demand for the Vitara Brezza which, along with the Gypsy, Ertiga and S-Cross, sold 17,215 units last month, a handsome 98% year-on-year increase (November 2015: 8,688 units).

Hyundai

Hyundai Motor India registered domestic sales of 40,016 units in November 2016, down 8 percent compared to the same month last year when it sold 43,651 units. Hyundai, which is the country's largest passenger cars exporter, shipped 17,077 units in November.

Mahindra & Mahindra

Mahindra & Mahindra has reported sales of 13,217 passenger vehicles, down 32.78% year on year (November 2015: 19,662). Demand from rural India, which accounts for a sizeable number of Mahindra vehicles sales every month, has dropped sharply due to the demonetisation move.

Commenting on the November numbers, Pravin Shah, president and chief executive (automotive), M&M, said, “While we expected an improved auto industry performance on the back of the festive season and other positive parameters such as rural demand and interest rates softening, the sudden announcement of demonetisation has brought in an immediate disruption and uncertainty.”

Tata Motors

Tata Motors passenger vehicles recorded sales of 12,736 units in the domestic market in November 2016, with a growth of 22% compared to 10,470 units sold in the same month last year. The passenger car sales continued its upward momentum with a growth of 26% due to strong demand for the Tata Tiago.

Toyota

Toyota Kirloskar Motor sold a total of 11,309 units in the domestic market, up 10 percent from 10,278 units sold during the same time last year. The Innova Crysta has been well received, clocking more than 50,000 units in just six months of its launch, the company said. To assist customers amid the cash crunch due to demonetisation, the company has introduced 100 percent on-road funding, payments through E-Wallet and Paytm.

Commenting on the monthly sales, N Raja, director and senior VP (sales & marketing), Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “We are overwhelmed by the response to the Fortuner. It has received over 6,200 bookings already. However, demonetisation has had its impact on our sales as it has affected customer walk-ins at dealerships and order bookings.”

Honda

Honda Cars India has announced domestic wholesales of 8,029 units in November 2016, down 45.43% year on year (November 2015: 14,712). The City sedan was the company’s bestseller with 2,658 units, followed by the Jazz with 2,655 units and the Amaze with 1,971 units. Of the two SUVs, the BR-V sold 419 units and the CR-V 21 units. While the Brio went home to 202 buyers, the Mobilio MPV saw 101 units being sold last month. The recently launched Accord Hybrid sold 2 units.

In a bid to improve consumer sentiment amid footfalls and enquiries at the dealerships, the carmaker has squeezed wholesales despatches to avoid stock piling up at the dealerships.

November 2016 passenger vehicle sales
Passenger vehicles	Nov '16	Nov '15	Difference	Growth (%)
Maruti Suzuki India	1,26,325	1,10,599	15,726	14.22%
Hyundai Motor India	40,016	43,651	-3,635	-8.33%
Mahindra & Mahindra	13,217	19,662	-6,445	-32.78%
Tata Motors	12,736	10,470	2,266	21.64%
Toyota Kirloskar Motor	11,309	10,278	1,031	10.03%
Honda Cars India	8,029	14,712	-6,683	-45.43%
Ford India	7,508	10,008	-2,500	-24.98%
Nissan Motor India	6,108	3,246	2,862	88.17%
Volkswagen India	5,534	3,255	2,279	70.02%

Nissan GT-R launched at Rs 1.99 crore

2016-12-03T15:10:00.001-08:00

2017 update brings 570hp to the Japanese 2+2 seat all-wheel-drive supercar

Nissan has launched its flagship car in India at Rs 1.99 crore (ex-showroom, Delhi). Bookings opened on September 1, 2016, for a down payment of Rs 25 lakh. The car will initially be sold through Delhi only.

The Japanese supercar was originally launched in its home country in 2007 and the version released today is the new 2017 model update. It is powered by a hand-built 3.8-litre V6 24-valve twin-turbocharged engine that for 2017 gets a small bump-up in power to 570hp at 6800rpm and 637Nm of torque. All the power is sent to the tarmac via a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission and an all-wheel-drive layout. The engine breathes out through a titanium exhaust system. The carmaker claims a sub-3-second time for the 0-100kmph sprint with a top speed of 315 km/h.

Unlike most cars in its league, the GT-R is a 2+2 seater. The car has a Bose audio system with 11 speakers and a noise cancellation feature to reduce wind and road noise.

The Nissan GT-R has quite a following in India with a few units being officially imported and some being brought in through the grey market. Nissan is not looking for any volumes even by supercar standards but counting on it to give the Nissan brand a much-needed boost in India.

Honda BR-V India review, test drive

2016-04-30T10:34:00.002-07:00

At long last, Honda is ready with its small SUV, the new BR-V. Can it take the fight to the established competition?

What is it?

The BR-V is Honda’s new small SUV for India. It’s an all-new model but comes built on the same platform as the Honda Brio, Amaze and Mobilio models. In case you are wondering, BR-V expands to 'Bold Runabout Vehicle' and Honda has no pretensions in admitting this is a car meant for an urban clientele. Those looking for something with mud-plugging ability had better look elsewhere. Not to say the BR-V is an exception. Rather, it fits right into a market segment where off-road prowess is rarely ever a consideration for buyers. You are probably already familiar with the Hyundai Creta, Maruti S-cross, Renault Duster and Nissan Terrano that the BR-V will take on, so let’s get straight to it and see where and how the Honda hopes to differentiate itself.

The first thing of note is its length. With a length of 4,456mm, the BR-V is the longest of the small SUVs and by quite a margin. For perspective, a Hyundai Creta measures 4,270mm from end-to-end. Second, the BR-V is not immediately identifiable as a Brio, Amaze and Mobilio platform mate, at least when viewed from the front, and that’s a good thing. The BR-V’s squared-out bonnet, angular headlamps and chrome-rich two-part grille has given it a bespoke face and it looks all the better for it. However, see it in profile and you could mistake it for a Mobilio; the upward shoulder line and distinctive kinked window line are shared with the MPV.

Third, the BR-V doesn’t have a classic SUV stance. The roof isn’t all that high, the body looks narrow for all its length and the long rear overhang is, again, more MPV than SUV. That the cabin area past the rear wheels has been used to hold a third row of seats, making the Honda the only seven-seater in its segment, is something we’ll get to in a bit.

There’s the usual dosage of roof rails, scuff plates at the bumpers and cladding on the wheel arches and doors. The 16-inch wheels also standout, as much for their attractive design as for how they look a size small for the BR-V’s large body. As for styling at the tail, it's attractive if a touch on the flamboyant side. There’s a solid chrome shroud for the number plate mount and a reflector that runs the width of the tail to link the smart-looking tail-lamps. Actually, the tail scores for practical reasons rather than for pure aesthetics; the large rear windscreen offers good visibility and the tailgate extends low down which makes loading and unloading luggage easy. What’s also nice is that even with all seven seats up, there’s a decent amount of luggage room in the BR-V. The rearmost seat can also be folded forward and flipped to free up as much as 691 litres of boot space.

What’s it like on the inside?

If there’s a positive to the BR-V’s medium height, it’s that it’s a very easy vehicle to get in and out of. Once inside, you get a feeling of familiarity. That’s because the BR-V uses the same dash as the one you’d find in the updated Honda Amaze which itself looks like a derivative of the Honda Jazz’s dash. The BR-V’s cabin looks quite smart and the all-black theme only helps the impression. Plastic quality is decent though not quite at the Hyundai Creta’s benchmark levels.

What might be a deal-breaker for many buyers, however, is the absence of a touchscreen infotainment system, something that is almost de rigueur for vehicles in this class. The car’s infotainment system does feature Bluetooth for telephony and audio streaming. Automatic climate control, steering-mounted audio buttons, push-button start, electrically foldable outside rear-view mirrors and rear air-con vents are some of the features that will be part of the kit on the top-spec versions. Still, reverse parking sensors should have been offered too. Honda has not revealed the exact variant break-up as yet, but has confirmed dual airbags will be standard across the range. Also what's worth noting is anti-lock brakes will be standard on the diesel BR-V, but will be available only on mid-range and higher versions of the BR-V petrol.

The feel from behind the BR-V’s smartly finished steering wheel is that of sitting in a jacked-up Jazz. The seating position isn’t all that high but visibility is still good, as is comfort. The front seats are well cushioned, and the middle-row seats with adjustable backrests are quite nice as well, notwithstanding the somewhat lack of thigh support. Middle-row legroom is good (the seats can be moved back to create more space) and headroom is aplenty. However, the SUV's cabin simply isn’t wide enough to seat three abreast in comfort and that’s when the last row comes handy. Access to the back is decent and space is not bad either; the large windows help this section of the cabin feel reasonably airy. However, the knees-up seating position means even those who will fit here won’t be happy for too long.

What’s it like to drive?

As expected, the BR-V for India will be available with three powertrain options with power channelled solely to the front wheels. There will not be any all-wheel-drive version. The mainstay of the BR-V range will be the diesel model that comes powered by Honda’s 1.5-litre, i-DTEC engine. While there were indications the engine would be tuned for more power on the BR-V, it continues to make 100hp and 200Nm; same as on the Honda City, Jazz and Mobilio. However, refinement sees an improvement. The engine runs a lot quieter than it does on the other Hondas and the note is also less industrial. That said, the diesel BR-V is still noisier than the Creta and even the Renault Duster.

Performance from the diesel engine is good with plenty of pulling power from very low in the rev band. Where the engine does feel slightly different now, is in its willingness to rev more freely. The engine still doesn’t excite, but there’s more of a powerband to play with. Another nice feature is the smooth-shifting six-speed gearbox that’s allied to a light clutch, both of which help make the BR-V diesel an easy car to drive in town. Diesel BR-V buyers can also expect good fuel economy. The ARAI-tested fuel efficiency figure of 21.9kpl makes this version of the BR-V the most fuel-efficient model among the small SUVs. Before you ask, no, there will not be an automatic version for the diesel.

The other engine of choice will be Honda’s 119hp, 1.5-litre, i-VTEC petrol engine. This engine will be available with both manual and automatic gearbox options. Interestingly, the manual gearbox is a new six-speed unit rather than the five-speed one the petrol City and Mobilio come with. Honda insiders haven't confirmed if this gearbox will make it to the other Hondas as well, but it’s something to expect in the near future. The petrol manual BR-V’s ARAI-tested fuel efficiency is 15.4kpl while the petrol automatic’s figure is slightly higher at 16kpl. The BR-V automatic that is likely to interest urban buyers uses a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Drivers have the option to manually operate the gearbox via steering-mounted paddles which is a first-in-class feature.

The CVT-equipped BR-V does feel nice and responsive for city use. Initial responses are good and pottering around town is a smooth and relaxed affair. But press down hard on the accelerator and you get that rubber-band effect CVTs are notorious for. The gearbox has the engine hold revs until speeds build and this also brings out the engine’s noisiest side. The otherwise smooth engine sounds gruff when this happens, and seems especially thrashy close to the 6,500rpm. Drive with moderate throttle inputs and you’ll like the CVT a lot more. Enthusiasts will like the option of the paddle shifters that work without any delay and let you shuffle between the gearbox’s seven ‘steps’. However, due to the characteristics of the CVT setup, you don’t get the same sort of connect you would with a traditional automatic or dual-clutch transmission.

The BR-V is a long vehicle and you can feel its length from behind the wheel, especially around tighter bends. It’s no corner-carver, but you do get a reassuring sense of security in the bends. What adds to this feeling of confidence is that the steering has little slack and also has a nice weight to it. Straight-line stability is not quite at Duster levels, but is good nonetheless. The BR-V also does well for ride comfort. You do feel a bit of firmness in the setup, but the suspension is absorbent enough at low speeds and contains undue body movements at high speeds too. The BR-V has a generous 210mm of ground clearance that did come handy clearing some rough patches on our test drive.

Should I buy one?

The Honda BR-V is the only model in its class to come with seven seats, something that buyers particularly with large families are sure to be drawn to. Aside from this flexibility, the BR-V also offers a pleasant driving experience. The BR-V’s petrol engine will appeal to buyers for its wide range of abilities, while the diesel one will be suitable for those looking for maximum efficiency. There’s word of keen pricing too.

But for all its strengths, the BR-V doesn’t have the rugged appeal of an SUV and its similarity to the Mobilio MPV, in terms of design, is unlikely to go down too well with image-conscious SUV buyers. Then there’s the matter of the BR-V being down on equipment to rivals too. All said, Honda will have to price the BR-V aggressively if it wants to take the fight to the established competition.

The BR-V goes on sale on May 5, 2016.

Engine

Fuel	Petrol/Diesel
Type	1497cc, four-cylinder, SOHC, iVTEC/ 1498cc, four-cylinder, DOHC, iDTEC
Power	119hp/100hp
Torque	145Nm/200Nm

Transmission

Gearbox

6-speed manual/CVT

Dimensions

Length	4453mm
Width	1735mm
Height	1666mm
Wheel base	2660mm
Ground clearance	210mm

Chassis & Body

Tyres

195/60 R16

Suspension

Front	McPherson Strut, coil springs
Rear	Torsion beam, coil springs

Steering

Type of power assist

Electric

Brakes

Front	Disc
Rear	Drum

Economy

Tank size

42 litres

Toyota Innova Crysta India review, test drive

2016-04-30T07:39:00.004-07:00

The sequel to the most popular MPV in India, the Innova Crysta is bigger, better looking and more luxurious, but will be more expensive too.

What is it?

The current Toyota Innova is over a decade old, but through that time, it has found many happy owners. When it was first introduced to replace the boxy Qualis, many found the hike in price too great and unjustified. However, soon enough, the Innova won Indian buyers over with its space, comfort and, above all, its rock-solid and hassle-free reliability. And, though its prices rose by as much as 60 percent over the years, it never seemed to deter buyers, who kept flocking to the big MPV. Now, history is about to repeat itself, as Toyota is finally replacing the Innova with a new-generation model, and though we don’t have the prices just yet, it will be a good deal more expensive than the outgoing car. But is it worth it? We have driven the India-spec car in Goa to find out just that.

For starters, its name has a new suffix – Crysta – which, as Toyota did with ‘Altis’ for the Corolla years ago, is meant to signify just how new this car is. The first thing you notice is that it’s clearly larger than the outgoing car, both in length and width. And though it has the typical MPV shape overall, the new styling is very dramatic. There’s a huge grille with black slats in its lower section and two chrome bars at the top that really grabs your attention. Flowing out from the chrome bars is a pair of large swept-back headlamps that contain LED running lights and projector elements. 17-inch wheels are standard now (they are alloys on high-spec cars), and what really gives character to the sides of this MPV are the flared wheel arches and the rearmost window glass that kinks up sharply towards the D-pillar. At the back too, the Innova Crysta looks quite attractive with its ‘inverted L-shaped’ tail-lamps.

What’s it like inside?

Space and comfort were hallmarks of the old Innova and the new one simply takes things a step further. The front seats are wide and very well-shaped to offer good support and, crucially, great long-distance comfort. Impressively, the second row’s captain chairs are almost the same, but they aren’t electrically adjustable like the driver’s seat. Toyota knows that many of the MPV’s owners are chauffeur-driven, and has made sure to give utmost prominence to the second row; even the doors here are fancier, with wood trim, unlike the front doors. These chairs can slide back and forth and recline, there are small fold-out tables in the rear of the front seats, and with just one pull of a single lever the seats fold down and tumble forward, giving access the third row. Once you’re in the back, yes, you will find your knees folded up almost to chest height as with most third-row seats, but it’s more comfortable and spacious than the previous Innova, and that itself was better than most of the competition. There’s even a third, three-point seat belt that spools out of a slot in the roof, in case you can fit a third passenger back here. What’s more, luggage space with all seats in place is also better than before (you could get one full-size suitcase in) and it’s easy to split, flip and fold away the third row when it’s not needed. It’s very practical too, with as many as 20 bottle holders spread around the cabin, not to mention several other cubbyholes to stash away small stuff. Our only grouse is that because the car has two separate gloveboxes (one is cooled), they both feel a little small; a single, larger glovebox would have been more useful. The Innova’s main use is long-distance travel for the whole family, and Toyota has made sure the cabin is well-suited to it.

What Toyota's also done, is upped the luxury quotient of the Innova. The cabin no longer looks utilitarian, and the dashboard feels like it’s been plucked out of a Corolla or a Camry. The design is truly unique, featuring one continuous band of silver trim that runs the length of the dash. The dials are big and clear, and in front of them sits a large, thick-rimmed, leather and wood-trimmed steering wheel, with loads of controls, including one stalk for cruise control. There’s a thick slab of dark, glossy wood in the middle of the dash that looks really rich, and the central console, with its two vertical pieces of silver trim, houses the electronic AC controls and a big 7.0-inch touchscreen. This new infotainment system feels modern and has a lot of features, including satellite navigation, various audio and video input options, a detailed fuel and trip computer and a rear-view camera for which it is the display. There are a number of unique touches around the cabin, like the strips of cool-white LED ambient lighting on the ceiling, and the felt-lined door pads to rest your elbows on. There are, of course, dedicated air vents for the second and third rows, but this time, they too have electronic control, like at the front.

This top-spec ‘Z’ variant of the Innova Crysta has a lot of equipment. Aside from the aforementioned stuff, you also get electric folding mirrors, one-touch-operated power windows on all four doors, keyless entry and go, rear parking sensors, electric adjustment for the driver’s seat and automatic headlamps. It’s a shame that for a car with seven seats, there’s just one USB port and only two 12v charging ports; a setback if many want to charge their phones simultaneously, when on the move.

What’s it like to drive?

So the updates to the exterior and interior are both huge improvements, but there’s even more good news in store. The Innova Crysta comes with two entirely new diesel engines, a 2.4-litre with a five-speed manual gearbox, and a 2.8-litre with a six-speed automatic gearbox. The 2.4 manual first, and when compared to the old 2.5-litre engine, there are some similarities. This one too is not very refined, sounding a bit gravelly at start-up and then again at higher revs, and it also doesn’t enjoy being revved a lot, making you want to shift up well before the redline. However, both these aspects are slightly improved from the old car. The Crysta settles into a smooth and relatively silent hum at low to medium revs, and though you’ll still want to shift up early, you get more out of each gear now. The rest is all positive. For one, there’s more power – 150hp is a significant jump in power over the old 102hp, and at 13.1sec, the Crysta is a full 4.4sec faster from 0-100kph than the previous car! It even feels much stronger when you’re overtaking, which is essential when you’re out on the highway with a fully loaded-up car; this is helped by its solid 343Nm of pulling power that’s made as low as 1,400rpm. The old Innova was geared very short, so cruising in fifth on the highway was a noisy affair and the engine sounded strained. The newer car has a much broader torque spread and relatively taller gearing, so it feels a lot more comfortable loping along at high speeds, although we feel a sixth ratio would have made it more effortless still. So it’s a great highway cruiser, but if you find yourself in traffic, you will notice the clutch pedal is on the heavy side and that the short gear lever needs a little more effort. It’s also got three drive modes – Eco, Normal and Power. Eco is best for when you’re in town and want to stretch every last litre of diesel, while Power yields the quickest responses to accelerator inputs. But Normal mode is the best for everyday driving, delivering a good mix of power and efficiency.

What really tells you that the Innova is now a seriously premium car is the availability of an automatic gearbox. The six-speed unit also comes with a larger, even more powerful diesel engine – 2.8 litres with 174hp at 3,400rpm and 360Nm at 1,200-3,400rpm. This car is properly quick, being able to cross 100kph in just 11.5sec, and this is despite the fact it weighs almost 1.9 tonnes! The automatic gear shifts themselves are smooth, but we feel the system is too eager to change gears sometimes, even when not necessary. And while there are no paddle shifters for manual gear control, you can change gears manually with the gear lever itself.

The good news just keeps coming, as the other great strength of the Innova – its comfortable and all-conquering ride – has not been tampered with either. At just about any and all speeds, the big MPV just punishes bumps and potholes into submission. The suspension is tuned a little on the soft side and absorbs all sorts of road irregularities well, and if there is a slight jittery feeling, it’s more down to the relatively large 17-inch wheels than the suspension. In a straight line on the highway, the Innova Crysta stays superbly flat and composed, keeping cabin occupants comfortable throughout. The only disappointment is the steering. Of course, one cannot expect sportscar precision in an MPV, but the Crysta’s wheel feels too heavy at low speeds and requires too many turns, lock to lock, to make a U-turn. Conversely, at higher speeds, it starts to feel loose and inconsistent, and this can get a little disconcerting. You'll also feel a bit of steering shock through the wheel as you drive over sharper bumps. And, expectedly, there’s loads of body roll around corners, and combined with the slow, heavy and mushy steering, this is really not a car you want to drive enthusiastically.

Should I buy one?

When it goes on sale early next month, the Innova Crysta’s price will start at around Rs 13 lakh and the top-spec 2.8 Z automatic variant could cost as much as Rs 22 lakh (ex-showroom). Yes, that puts it out of the realm of conventional MPVs from Maruti, Honda, Chevrolet, Mahindra and Renault and into the realm of seven-seat SUVs and even large executive sedans. When you’re paying this much money, you have certain expectations of space, quality, luxury and comfort, and the good news is the Innova Crysta delivers on just about all of them. Sure, refinement is still not the greatest, and the steering, clutch and gearbox can get a bit tiresome in traffic, but these are minor setbacks in the scheme of things. The Crysta takes all the old Innova’s strengths that customers just love, and amplifies them. Yes, you will have to pay a premium for it, but as most owners of the previous car will tell you, it will be worth it.

Fact File

Price Range (in lakhs)*

Ex-showroom price

Rs 13-22 lakh (est, ex-showroom, Delhi)

Engine

Fuel	Diesel
Installation	Front, transverse
Type	2393/2755cc 4 cyls, turbo-diesel
Bore/stroke	92.0/90.0, 92.0/103.6
Power	150hp at 3400rpm / 174hp at 3400rpm
Torque	343nm at 1400-2800rpm / 360nm at 1200-3200rpm

Transmission

Type	Rear-wheel drive
Gearbox	5-speed manual / 6-speed auto

Dimensions

Width	1830mm
Ground clearance	167mm

Chassis & Body

Construction	Body on frame, MPV
Weight	1855/1870kg
Tyres	215/55R17
Spare	Full size

Suspension

Front	Independent, double wishbone, coil springs
Rear	Non-independent, multi-link, coil springs

Steering

Type	Rack and pinion
Type of power assist	Hydraulic

Brakes

Front	Ventilated discs
Rear	Drums
Anti-lock	Yes

Performance

0-20	0.81(MT) 0.94 (AT)
0-40	2.52, 2.53
0-60	5.34, 4.78
0-80	8.4, 7.68
0-100	13.11, 11.46
0-120	19.03, 16.07
0-140	28.25, 23.90

Acceleration in gear

20-80kph in 3rd gear	10.58 sec /6.70sec
40-100kph in 4th gear	13.08 sec / 8.84 sec

Economy

Tank size

55 litres

Maruti Vitara Brezza vs TUV300 vs EcoSport: Specifications comparison

2016-03-13T00:36:00.002-08:00

Let's take a look at how the Maruti Vitara Brezza fares against rivals on paper.

The Vitara Brezza marks the return of the Vitara name to India following the discontinuation of the Grand Vitara a few years ago. Designed in India, from the grounds up, Maruti has branded its upcoming compact SUV a ‘Create in India’ product with the entire design and engineering aspect executed in the country. Maruti will launch the Vitara Brezza on March 8, 2016 in Mumbai.

Featuring styling cues borrowed from its larger European sibling, the Vitara, the compact SUV will use Maruti’s tried and tested 1.3-litre diesel engine in its more powerful DDiS 200 guise, and will be offered in four trim levels.

Amongst its main rivals is the Ford EcoSport, one of the most popular models in the compact SUV segment. The compact SUV from Ford unlike most of its rivals come swiht the option of both petrol and diesel engines and underwent an update last year which saw the diesel model become more powerful along with addition of new features.

Another rival to the Vitara Brezza is the Mahindra TUV300. Launched in late-2015, the TUV300 is the company’s second foray into the segment following the Quanto. Based on an all-new platform, the TUV gets an upright and rugged stance along with boxy styling cues and is currently one of the newest offerings in the segment.

Here is how all three compact SUVs stack-up on paper.

Dimensions

In terms of dimensions, the EcoSport is the longest of the trio at 3,999mm; a mere 1mm short of 4 meters. While the TUV300 and the Brezza share identical figures of 3,995mm. The widest of the three is the TUV300 at 1,835mm while the EcoSport is the narrowest at 1,765mm. The Brezza has a width of 1,790mm. The TUV300 is the tallest of the lot at 1,839mm followed by the EcoSport at 1,708mm and the Brezza at 1,640mm.

The TUV300 leads again in terms of wheelbase with a length of 2,680mm. The EcoSport at 2,520mm comes in second, with the Vitara Brezza trailing its rivals with a wheelbase of 2,500mm. The TUV300 is also the only SUV in this comparison to get jump seats in the boot.

However, it is the EcoSport that sits highest off the ground at 200mm followed by the Brezza at 198mm and lastly the TUV300 at 184mm.

The TUV300 is the heaviest of the trio at 1626kg for the manual and 1654kg for the AMT equipped model. The Brezza is the lightest compact SUV here with a kerb weight of 1195kg while the EcoSport weighs in at 1297kg.

Dimensions
	Maruti Vitara Brezza	Mahindra TUV300	Ford EcoSport
Length	3995mm	3995mm	3999mm
Width	1790mm	1835mm	1765mm
Height	1640mm	1839mm	1708mm
Wheelbase	2500mm	2690mm	2520mm
Ground clearance	198mm	184mm	200mm
Kerb Weight	1195kg	1626kg/1654kg (AMT)	1297kg

Engines

The Vitara Brezza uses the smallest displacement diesel engine amongst its competitors. Powered by the 1.3-litre DDiS 200 engine seen in the larger S-Cross delivering at 88.5bhp of power and 20.4kgm of torque. The EcoSport and TUV300 on the other hand use 1.5-litre units. The EcoSport’s unit leads with power output at 98.6bhp as against the TUV300 manual and AMT's 82.4bhp and 79bhp. The Mahindra’s engine on the other hand develops more torque with output figures at 23.4kgm as against the EcoSport's 20.9kgm. All three compact SUVs use a five-speed manual gearbox as standard, with the TUV300 getting the option of an AMT gearbox as well.

Engine
	Maruti Vitara Brezza	Mahindra TUV300	Ford EcoSport
Displacement	1.3-litre	1.5-litre	1.5-litre
Power	88.4bhp	82.4bhp/ 79bhp	98.6bhp
Torque	20.4kgm	23.4kgm	20.9kgm
Gearbox	5-speed manual	5-speed manual/ AMT	5-speed manual

Furthermore, the EcoSport is the only model in this list to offer a choice of petrol engines in the form of a 110bhp, 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine and a smaller 123bhp, 1.0-litre EcoBoost turbo-petrol motor paired to a choice of manual or automatic gearboxes.

Features

The Vitara Brezza will be well-equipped model with the top-spec variant getting features such as Maruti’s SmartPlay infotainment system, climate control, cooled glovebox, cruise control, automatic headlamps and rain sensing wipers to name a few. The compact SUV will also come with driver airbag as standard with the lower models getting the option of dual airbags and ABS.

The top-spec Ford too gets a long feature list that includes dual front, side and curtain airbags, automatic headlamps, rain sensing wipers and Ford’s SYNC infotainment system. However, the base variant misses out on airbags and ABS.

The top-spec TUV300 gets an infotainment system with Mahindra Blue Sense app connectivity, voice messaging system, follow-me-home headlamps, dual airbags and ABS and Micro Hybrid technology. Like the EcoSport, the base TUV also misses out on the airbags though it is available as an add-on option along with ABS.

Mercedes-AMG E43 4Matic revealed

2016-03-13T00:34:00.001-08:00

Powered by a 390bhp, 3.0-litre V6 engine; gets all-wheel-drive and a nine-speed automatic gearbox.

Mercedes-AMG will introduce the latest E-class with the ‘E43’ moniker. What that translates to is a high-performance version of the executive sedan. Visually, you would easily mistake the sporty E-class for the regular sedan, the ’43’ differentiating itself only with a subtle body-kit. What gives it away however are the quad-exhausts and the five-spoke gloss-black AMG wheels.

Like in the GLE 450 AMG recently launched in India, this E43 packs a 3.0-litre V6 petrol under its hood, instead of the fire-breathing 4.0-litre, V8 bi-turbo which you’d find on fully-blown AMG models. The V6 though churns out a more than respectable 390bhp (30bhp up on the GLE 450 AMG) and 53kgm. A nine-speed automatic transmission transmits power to all four wheels via Mercedes’ AWD 4MATIC system. All of the hardware in conjunction propels the 1.8-tonne-plus sedan from standstill to 100kph in a sports car-like 4.5 seconds and a top-speed of 250kph.

The sedan also gets and beefed-up brakes and suspension with a three mode (Comfort, Sport, and Sport) adaptive damping to handle the extra fire-power.

World-debuting at the York Auto Show later in March, the E43 will hit European showrooms in September 2016. The fifth-generation E-class is slated for Indian shores in 2017, and given Mercedes’ aggressive strategy for our market, it would be safe to assume the E43’s arrival on our roads soon after.

Honda to expand NSX line-up

2016-03-13T00:32:00.002-08:00

A lighter, more hardcore version of the NSX is being planned under the Type R moniker; NSX convertible also likely.

Honda is considering developing a lighter, more hardcore version of its NSX supercar as a Type R variant. The development of the more track-focused supercar could see the company giving the hybrid setup from the standard NSX a miss, to save weight.

Currently, the NSX is equipped with a 500bhp 3.5-litre, twin-turbo V6 engine in its middle, with a 47bhp electric motor attached to the crank and driving the rear wheels, and a pair of electric motors at the front. A Type R could mean the loss of the front-mounted electric motors and batteries amongst other components, in a bid to reduce hundreds of kilogrammes from the standard car’s kerb weight.

Nick Robinson, Dynamic Development Leader on the NSX project, confirmed at the launch of the standard NSX that, although the Type R project hasn’t officially been signed off yet, there is a huge will within Honda do to it.

All in, the NSX’s hybrid drive system weighs 150kg. Although not all of that would be dispensed to create a Type R – the rear drive motor, which would act as an alternator, starter motor and flywheel would remain – its loss would make a considerable difference to the NSX’s 1,725kg kerb weight.

Intelligent use of other lightweight materials, could reduce the weight further. “There are places weight could be cut out,” said Robinson. “We are Honda, so cost [of exotic materials on the regular car] is a consideration, but for a limited edition? Why not?”

A rear-wheel drive Type R would not be out of the question with the current NSX offering a maintenance mode that shuts down the electric motors. Additionally, the company is using two rear-wheel drive NSX at the Pike’s Peak hill climb, with one being a completely stripped-down car with only the petrol engine and the other to feature electric superchargers to boost power.

Robinson also confirmed that a convertible-roofed version of the NSX is likely to follow the coupé. The body is exceptionally rigid, and losing the roof panel would make little difference; fitting the optional carbon-fibre roof to the standard NSX saves 5kg but makes no discernible difference to torsional rigidity.

Tesla Model S by Brabus revealed

2016-03-13T00:30:00.002-08:00

The tuning company gives the Tesla Model S a new body kit; leaves mechanicals unchanged.

Brabus has taken the green route with its latest undertaking that involves the Tesla Model S. The company, known for converting regular Mercedes into powerful, fire-breathing cars, has now taken on the Model S P90D and given it cosmetic modifications.

The Brabus Model S gets a new aerodynamic package specifically designed in a wind tunnel to help reduce drag and aerodynamic lift. At the front, it gets a carbon-fibre spoiler to reduce front-end lift along with attachments for the air-intakes to optimise airflow. Moving to the rear, there's a carbon-fibre rear diffuser along with an integrated boot spoiler. New 21-inch black-finished Brabus alloys top off the car’s exterior design.

The interiors of the Brabus Model S can be customised with a choice of colours for the leather, Alcantara, wood and carbon-fibre trim used in the cabin. The car also gets a new centre console with cup holders, as well as heating and cooling functions, a wireless smartphone charger and illuminated scuff plates with the Brabus logo.

However, the changes are purely cosmetic and the Tesla Model S' powertrain remains unaltered.

Suzuki SV650 and concept GSX-R1000 to be shown in Japan

2016-03-13T00:29:00.002-08:00

Line-up of concepts and production models to be showcased at Osaka and Tokyo Motorcycle Shows; concept GSX-R1000 will be premiered later this month.

Suzuki Motorcycle Corporation will showcase seven ‘reference exhibits’ and 12 existing, 'production models' at the upcoming Osaka and Tokyo Motorcycle Shows, in an official announcement made today.

The reference exhibits to be put on display at the upcoming 32nd Osaka Motorcycle Show scheduled from March 19-21 and the 43rd Toyko Motorcycle Show from March 25-27 in Japan. The exhibits will also include the latest generation of their popular mid-size twin-cylinder, 645cc SV650 ABS model (a direct rival to Yamaha’s MT-07, Kawasaki’s 650cc street-cum-touring bikes globally), the concept GSX-R1000, GSX-RR (MotoGP model), RM-Z450WS (all-Japan motocross championship model) among other bikes.

It is known that the bike maker had first unveiled the SV650 and concept GSX-R1000 models (world premier) at Milan Show held in Italy in November 2015. While the SV650 will be Suzuki’s new overseas model, the concept GSX-R1000 will see its Japan premier later this month.

The production models to be put on display will mainly include Suzuki’s large displacement sport models, most of which are currently sold in India as CBUs. These would include GSX-S1000 ABS, GSX-S1000F ABS, Hayabusa, V-Strom 1000 ABS and V-Strom 650XT ABS among other models.

It is to be noted that the company currently sells all its global big bike models in India via importing the completely built units (CBU route). According to Suzuki Motorcycle India’s website, it superbike portfolio, which consists of nine models – equal to the number of all small scooter and commuter motorcycle models on sale, includes the twin-cylinder, 805cc Intruder M800 as the model with smallest engine displacement.

The company, which currently does not sell any model in the mid-size category in India, may have specific plans to foray in the near future. Suzuki has a bunch of mid-size 600cc, 645cc, 750cc models across categories in its global portfolio, which could become potential models for the Indian market.

Hyundai launches Free Car Care Clinic service camp

2016-03-13T00:28:00.001-08:00

The 21st edition of the free camp from March 12-21 offers thorough examination of the car mechanics; discounts and schemes also available.

Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) has launched a nationwide ‘Free Car Care Clinic' service camp across all its service outlets. The camp is being held from March 12 to 21, 2016.

The camp offers a free 90-point check-up with for owners’ cars, which covers the vehicle’s mechanicals and electricals. During the 10-day camp, the service centres are offering spare parts, labor charges, accessories and services like extended warranties at discounted rates. Customers can also avail special schemes on exchange of old cars.

Hyundai is also furnishing loyalty discounts and free extended warranties to customers owning vehicles more than four-years-old at the camp. Car owners can book their service in advance via the ‘Hyundai Care’ mobile app, or through the carmaker’s customer care website (www.customercare.hyundai.co.in).

Announcing the Free Car Care Clinic, Rakesh Srivastava, Sr VP-sales and marketing, HMIL said, "Hyundai’s ‘Free Car Care Clinic' is a way forward and has always received an overwhelming response from customers and this year too, we hope to see increased participation in the clinic across the country. Through initiatives like these we fulfill our aim of providing best of products and services to our customers to enjoy a value-added ownership experience."

New cars for 2016: SUVs and MPVs

2016-03-13T00:26:00.001-08:00

Here is a look at upcoming SUVs and MPVs coming to India during the year of

We are just three months into 2016 and there have been quite a few new SUV launches in India already. There are many more new SUVs to come and these range from mainstream models like the Tata Nexon and Hexa and new Toyota Innova to more premium offerings such as the Mercedes GLS, Range Rover Evoque convertible and the Jeep range. Featured here are the SUVs and MPVs expected to head to our shores soon.

Tata Nexon

The Tata Nexon concept from the 2014 Auto Expo is likely to see production by the end of 2016. The sub-four-metre compact SUV will aim straight for the Ford EcoSport which has ruled the roost for quite some time now. The Nexon will be based on a slightly modified X1 platform, which also underpins the Bolt and Zest. Powering the car will be Tata’s new 1.5-litre diesel engine with 110bhp alongside a 1.2-litre petrol motor. Will Tata actually retain the concept’s design cues? Only time will tell.

Coming: End 2016

Est price: Rs 7.5-9 lakh

Engine(s): 1.2 P, 1.5 D

Rivals: Ford EcoSport, Mahindra TUV300

SsangYong Tivoli

Undeterred by the at best average response to the SsangYong Rexton, Mahindra will introduce the Korean brand’s aggressively designed Tivoli SUV, given the steadily growing Indian appetite for rugged- looking vehicles. In true Korean style, the car comes feature-packed. That along with the Tivoli’s contemporary looks, and the option of a 4x4 variant should be sufficient reason to give the Renault Duster and gang something to worry about. To keep prices low, Mahindra could offer the Tivoli with its TUV300’s 1.5-litre diesel engine. In markets abroad, the car is powered by a 1.6-litre, 126bhp, petrol engine. Transmission options include six-speed manual and automatic units. The Tivoli is expected to make for a strong value-for-money proposition.

Coming: End 2016

Est price: Rs 15-18 lakh

Engine(s): 1.6 P, 1.5 D

Rivals: Skoda Yeti, Mahindra XUV500

Honda BR-V

This is Honda’s rather late entrant to the compact SUV segment. The seven-seat Mobilio-based BR-V will rival the Hyundai Creta upon its entry into India in 2016. Powered by the familiar, but more powerful 1.5-litre petrol and diesel motors from the City, the BR-V will get a six-speed manual gearbox, and a CVT automatic option. Besides the raised ride height and body-cladding, the BR-V gets 16-inch alloy wheels to complete the crossover look. The third row of seats, of course, will be its biggest advantage in the segment, and space is meant to be on par with the Mobilio. The other complaint with cars on this platform has been the interior design, but Honda has fixed this by giving the BR-V a much more attractive dashboard.

Coming: Feb 2016

Est price: Rs 8-13 lakh

Engine(s): 1.5 P, 1.5 D

Rivals: Renault Duster, Hyundai Creta, Maruti S-cross

Renault Grand Captur

The car you see here is the Renault Captur but it’s not the car that’s coming to India. Renault is working on a stretched, seven-seat version of it for our market. This premium offering will be positioned above the Duster but will be more affordable than the pricey and slow-selling Koleos. It clearly errs more on the side of crossover than full-on SUV, but the good news is that it will likely get AWD. Can the Duster’s success filter up to the Grand Captur?

Coming: End 2016

Est price: Rs 15-20 lakh

Engine(s): 1.5 D

Rivals: Mahindra XUV500

Tata Hexa

The Aria, Tata’s ambitious bid at a properly premium offering, and a very capable car in its own right, was let down by its MPV looks and tad-too-premium pricing. With the Hexa, Tata has gone a long way to make the car look and feel more appealing. It’s been given a thorough design overhaul, with a rugged exterior that lets it look more like a crossover this time around. Add to that the Land Rover-like Multi-Drive mode selection system, improved overall quality and refinement, improved infotainment, or the all new engine – a 154bhp, 2.2-litre VariCor unit, and you get a significantly improved package. The price will, undoubtedly, remain on the high side, but then so is the desirability level.

Coming: Mar 2016

Est price: Rs 11-17 lakh

Engine(s): 2.2 D

Rivals: Toyota Innova, Mahindra XUV500

Maruti Vitara

Maruti has burnt its fingers twice with the ‘Vitara’ badge in India. But the brand hopes it will get lucky this time with the next Vitara thanks to the growing premium SUV market in India. Expanding its Nexa showroom chain is also a reason to bring more premium offerings to India. The Vitara, to be placed above the S-Cross, will share its 118bhp 1.6-litre diesel engine and six-speed manual gearbox, but will likely get the advantage of Suzuki’s excellent AllGrip AWD system. It won’t be here for a long time, though, it will give Maruti a chance to etch its Nexa premium into the minds of Indian customers.

Coming: Early 2017

Est price: Rs 18-22 lakh

Engine(s): 1.6 D

Rivals: Honda CR-V, Skoda Yeti

Honda CR-V diesel

Finally, the CR-V, one of our favourite crossovers, will get a diesel engine so it can be more competitive here in India. A 1.6-litre i-DTEC engine (from which the familiar 1.5-litre unit was derived) will make its way here. Don’t be put off by the small capacity though; it churns out a chunky 31kgm of torque. It could only be offered with two-wheel drive, but then this has always been a road-biased SUV. The upside, however, should be class-leading fuel economy.

Coming: Mid 2016

Est price: Rs 24-27 lakh

Engine(s): 1.6-litre D

Rivals: Skoda Yeti

New Hyundai Tucson

Thanks to the runaway success of the Creta, Hyundai looks keen on bringing the Tucson badge back to India after skipping a generation. Revealed at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, the new, bigger Tucson slots neatly between the Creta and Santa Fe. The five-seat Honda CR-V rival gets a suite of high-tech engines overseas, including a turbocharged 1.6-litre direct injection petrol engine and 2.0-litre petrol and diesel motors. Gearboxes include a six-speed manual and auto, and a seven-speed dual-clutch option. And yes, AWD is optional too, but it remains to be seen which configuration Hyundai brings to India.

Coming: Early 2017

Est price: From 18 lakh

Engine(s): 1.6 P, 2.0 P, 2.0 D

Rivals: Honda CR-V, Skoda Yeti

All price estimates are ex-showroom, Delhi

New Toyota Fortuner

The Toyota Fortuner has had great success in the SUV-loving Indian market. But now an all-new version is set to replace the ageing giant. The new Fortuner’s design language is more in line with current-gen Toyota off-roaders sold internationally. Although the new Fortuner looks much sleeker, it’s still a traditional body-on-frame SUV under the skin. The other major change will be the introduction of two all-new powerplants – more powerful and efficient 2.4 and 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engines replacing the current 2.5 and 3.0. Things that haven’t changed are its immense road presence and its unflappable ability to be driven just about anywhere under the sun.

Coming: Early 2017

Est price: Rs 25-30 lakh

Engine(s): 2.4 D, 2.8 D

Rivals: Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

Mercedes GLA facelift with AMG

Much like the CLA facelift you would have seen earlier, the GLA will undergo similar treatment a little later on. There will be new headlamps, tail-lamps, bumpers and alloys on the outside, and plusher interiors with a new infotainment system on the inside. The motors should get you a few more kilometres on a tank of fuel, and the crazy AMG GLA 45 is now cranked up to a ridiculous 376bhp.

Coming: Late 2016

Est price: Rs 33-38 lakh

Engine(s): 2.0 P, 2.1 D

Rivals: Audi Q3, BMW X1

SsangYong Rexton facelift

Mahindra-owned Korean carmaker SsangYong is likely to launch a facelifted version of the Rexton early next year. The facelifted version has already been launched in Korea and features a new radiator grille, HID projector headlamps with LED daytime running lights, a new tail-lamp cluster and newly designed alloys. Inside the cabin, the additions include LED cabin lamps, heated seats, a new steering wheel and a new design for the central console. Mechanically the car remains unchanged.

Coming: Early 2016
Est price: Rs 23-24 lakh
Engine(s): 2.7 D
Rivals: Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour

Borgward BX7

This is its first new car in 50 years, and reborn German car brand Borgward is shooting for the premium SUV segment. What that means is an Audi Q5-sized SUV for less than the price of an Audi Q3. Initially imported, local assembly is expected to commence soon after. Its engine is a 222bhp, 2.0-litre turbo-petrol; too bad there’s no diesel for now. It does pack in seven people comfortably though.

Coming: End 2016
Est price: Rs 25-27 lakh
Engine(s): 2.0 P
Rivals: Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour

Mercedes-Benz GLC

Mercedes-Benz will finally have a direct rival to the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 when it launches the GLC here next year. As the name suggests, the new SUV is based on the C-class and resembles it quite closely from the front. The resemblance continues inside, where the cabin looks luxurious and well laid-out with the flowing single-piece centre console, rotary air vents, hooded instrument binnacle, touchpad, and the latest version of the COMAND Online infotainment system. India will initially get two diesel versions, the 220d with 168bhp and 250d with 201bhp, both from Merc’s 2.1-litre four-cylinder engine. A GLC 350 3.0-litre petrol V6 version could come later. Expected to go on sale in the second half of 2016, the GLC will be priced around Rs 50 lakh to rival the Audi Q5 and BMW X3.

Coming: Mid 2016
Est price: Rs 50-60 lakh
Engine(s): 2.1 D
Rivals: Audi Q5, BMW X3

New Nissan X-trail

Versatile as they were, not enough Indians took to the first and second-generation versions of the X-trail, and Nissan discontinued it in 2014. Now Nissan is set to bring back the X-Trail with a stronger product than ever. It’s got a third row of seats and is more of a soft-roader now but does get an AWD system. It’s powered by a new-gen 2.0-litre dCi diesel motor, via a CVT transmission. The car features gadgetry like Active Ride Control, which scans the road ahead and adjusts suspension to suit. Sadly, since it’s a CBU, price will be a hefty Rs 28 lakh or so, but that puts it right on par with its main rival, the Hyundai Santa Fe.

Coming: Jan 2016
Est price: Rs 28 lakh
Engine(s): 2.0 D
Rivals: Hyundai Santa Fe
All price estimates are ex-showroom, Delhi

Range Rover Evoque convertible

The Evoque was never short on style. But lop off the roof and the glam quotient just multiplies. The mechanicals will be carried over from the five-door Evoque, albeit with significant reinforcements to the lower body to compensate for the missing rigid roof. There have been a few drop-top SUVs in the past, but none quite as well executed as this. And being a Range Rover, you can probably ford a stream in it too.

Coming: End 2016
Est price: Rs 70 lakh
Engine(s): 2.2 D
Rivals: None

Jaguar F-pace

Launched at the 2016 Frankfurt Auto Show, the F-Pace marks Jaguar’s first entry into the SUV segment. Strictly speaking, it’s an all-aluminium crossover, and it’s meant to be driven on the road, not off it. The F-Pace borrows the F-type’s 3.0-litre supercharged V6 that is tuned to produce 335bhp or 375bhp, mated to an eight-speed gearbox. Or if you want to be a bit sensible, you can have either a 2.0 or 3.0-litre diesel. You’d think Jaguar didn’t need an SUV when its sister company Land Rover makes nothing but SUVs. But here it is, and it somehow seems just right.

Coming: End 2016
Est price: Rs 65-70 lakh
Engine(s): 3.0 P, 2.0 D, 3.0 D
Rivals: Porsche Macan, BMW X5

Mercedes-Benz GLS

Mercedes’ full-size, seven-seat GL luxury SUV gets a rebadging and a nip-and-tuck job. As per the new nomenclature at Mercedes, the SUV stands alongside the S-class. So luxury will assuredly be top-notch. The current GL’s 3.0-litre diesel V6 engine is expected to continue unchanged, though the seven-speed automatic will be swapped out of a new nine-speed unit, much like in the GLE. Expect improved creature comforts and equipment too as the GLS moves further upmarket into serious luxury territory.

Coming: End 2016
Est price: Rs 90-95 lakh
Engine(s): 3.0 D
Rivals: Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne

Jeep Grand Cherokee & Wrangler

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has been working to bring its all-American SUV brand Jeep to India for over a year now, and finally, early next year, the showrooms will open their doors. It will kick off with two fully imported flagships - the tough, go-anywhere Wrangler and the luxurious Grand Cherokee. Both pack in robust diesel engines beneath their macho body shells and offer a refreshing alternative to the crop of luxury SUVs. But that’s only the start. Jeep plans to bring other, smaller SUVs to India later and they will be assembled here too.

Coming: Feb 2016
Est price: Rs 80 lakh/Rs 40 lakh
Engine(s): 3.0 D/2.8 D
Rivals: Volvo XC90, BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE

Bentley Bentayga

The luxury car marque claims big on its very first SUV. For one, the Bentayga is to be the fastest SUV in the world. Not a lot to boast about when a 6.0-litre, twin-turbocharged 600bhp W12 engine lugs the nearly two-and-a-half tonne behemoth around. Besides, it’s a Bentley. So everything comes covered in wood and leather of the best kind there is. The Bentayga can be had as a two- or three-person rear seat layout, and the company is also working on a seven-seat version.The car goes into production early 2016.You can expect its Indian arrival in the latter half of next year.

Coming: End 2016
Est price: Rs 2.8 crore
Engine(s): 6.0 P
Rivals: Range Rover SVAutobiography

Mahindra Quanto facelift

After a lacklustre run, Mahindra is going to re-launch the Quanto as a fresh new car. It will be completely repositioned and is expected to get a resculpted nose. It will also likely adopt the TUV300’s updated mHawk80 diesel engine and could even get an AMT automatic gearbox option.

Coming: Early 2016
Est price: Rs 7-9 lakh
Engine(s): 1.5 D
Rivals: Maruti Ertiga

New Toyota Innova

Toyota’s Innova quickly rose to the top of the MPV segment in India after it was launched, but has gotten a little long in the tooth, and also quite expensive. The Japanese carmaker will launch a brand new Innova next year with a longer, lighter chassis and a more spacious cabin. The more important change comes in the form of a new 2.4-litre diesel motor producing a solid 148bhp, that will replace today’s 100bhp 2.5-litre diesel engine. And then there’s the radical and edgy styling that’s a big step forward from the mundane look that the current Innova has sported for a decade now. Toyota is finally taking its CEO Akio Toyoda’s words – “No more boring Toyotas” – seriously. It will, however, only get more expensive.

Coming: Apr 2016
Est price: Rs 15-20 lakh
Engine(s): 2.4 D
Rivals: Renault Lodgy

Maruti Vitara Brezza is the most fuel efficient compact SUV

2016-03-13T00:19:00.001-08:00

Maruti’s new compact SUV, the Vitara Brezza delivers 24.3kpl and beats its direct rivals by a fair margin.

Maruti has launched the Vitara Brezza SUV in India. Arguably one of the most anticipated launches of this year, the Vitara Brezza is Maruti's entry to the sub-four-metre compact SUV segment.

Its proportions are what you'd expect from a compact SUV - 3,995mm long, 1,790mm wide and 1,640mm tall, with a 2,500mm wheelbase and an impressive ground clearance of 198mm. Less impressive, however, is its boot capacity, which at 328 litres, is less even than what you get in Maruti's own Baleno hatchback.

The new compact SUV is powered by Maruti’s tried and trusted 89bhp, 20.39kgm 'DDiS 200' 1.3-litre diesel engine from the Ertiga, Ciaz and S-cross, mated to a five-speed manua gearbox. As of now, there's no mention of a petrol engine option, and there won't be one at the time of launch, but the Swift's 1.2-litre petrol and even the all-new 1.0-litre, three-cylinder Boosterjet turbo-petrol could be on the cards for later. There are talks of an AMT-equipped version, but that is expected to join the line-up later. The SHVS mild-hybrid system also won’t be offered on the model.

A leaked brochure has revealed the fuel economy figure of the Vitara Brezza. Maruti’s new compact SUV delivers 24.3kpl. Its direct rivals like the Ford EcoSport diesel deliver 22.7kpl and Mahindra TUV300 does 18.49kpl while the slightly larger SUVs like the Creta 1.4 and the Duster 85ps deliver 21.38kpl and 20.45kpl respectively. This means, the Vitara Brezza not only exceeds its direct rivals but also some of the larger players in the SUV category. It also beats its own big brother, the S-Cross 1.3 (23.45kpl) in the fuel economy race.

While the Vitara Brezza is available in a number of trims with different levels of equipment (detailed below), Maruti also offers it with three different exterior styling themes - namely Glamour, Sporty and Urban - each of which offers different contrasting colours and accessories on the outside and in.

One look at the Vitara Brezza’s styling confirms that it has all the ingredients to achieve the imposing stance of an SUV. Up front, the huge bumper along with a wide air dam takes centre stage. There are prominent housings for turn indicators and round fog lamps in the bumper. There’s a faux skid plate present too. The bold-looking grille is wide and comes with a broad brushed aluminium slat and a large Suzuki logo at the centre. It gets simple headlamps, which will house projector beam units and LED daytime running lights. The model gets a flat bonnet and blackened A-pillar, like the Swift.

Moving on to the sides, the Vitara Brezza sports squarish wheel arches along with BMW-like body cladding which runs along the wheelbase. It gets a strong shoulder line that runs across the sides and top-spec trims will get 16-inch alloy wheels.

The Vitara Brezza comes in six variants – LDi, LDi (O), VDi, VDi (O), ZDi and ZDi+. The base LDi gets power steering, folding rear seat, driver airbag, audio system with Bluetooth, power mirrors, front power windows, manual AC, tilt steering and an engine immobilizer. The Vitara Brezza LDi (O) gets dual front airbag, ABS, EBD and front seat belt pre-tensioner with force limiter.

The VDi model gets rear parking sensors, floating roof treatment (A-B-C-pillars get blackened trims) all four power windows, keyless entry, roof rails, full-wheel covers, an electromagnetic tailgate and gear shift indicator. The VDi (O) gets dual front airbags, ABS, EBD and front seatbelt pre-tensioner with force limiter.

The higher-spec ZDi trim gets standard ABS with EBD, different lights for speedometer, piano black trim for the centre console, 215/60 R16 tyres, dual front airbags, automatic AC, projector headlamps with LED daytime running lights, 16-inch alloy wheels, a 60:40 split rear seat, steering-mounted audio control, driver’s seat height adjust, rear wiper with washer, front fog lamps, a rear centre arm rest and faux skid plate on the front and rear bumpers.

The top-spec Vitara Brezza ZDi+ gets a dual-tone exterior paint, cooled glove box, Maruti SmartPlay infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, navigation and reverse parking camera display, push-button start, cruise control, automatic headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, power folding wing mirrors and a front arm rest. What this means is that a single airbag is standard across all variants, while a second airbag and ABS are optional on all variants. The equipment level on the whole is on par with its main rival, the Ford EcoSport, though each car has a few unique features the other doesn't.

The Vitara Brezza puts Maruti in one of India's most booming segments, which currently has players such as the Ford EcoSport and Mahindra TUV300. However, it will not be sold via Maruti’s Nexa dealerships, but rather from Maruti's regular dealership network, as established dealers simply didn't want to miss out on a piece of this pie.

Tata Tiago bookings open, launch on March 28

2016-03-13T00:17:00.001-08:00

Having cleared the Zica name hurdle, Tata are all set to launch the Tiago with both petrol and diesel engines to take on the Celerio and Hyundai i10.

One of the most anticipated launches from the Tata stable this year, the Tiago hatchback, is likely to hit showrooms on March 28, 2016. The Tiago continues Tata’s brand reinvention in the passenger car segment, following heavily re-engineered models such as the Bolt and Zest. Tata dealers all over the country have started accepting bookings from the customers. The booking amount is set Rs 10,000 which is refundable.

The Tata Tiago will slot in between the Bolt and Nano, effectively replacing the Indica eV2, in a segment dominated by Maruti and Hyundai with the Celerio and i10, respectively. Highlights of the Tiago include a pair of all-new three-cylinder engines – petrol and diesel, a bold new design and a strong suit of features.

The Tata Tiago petrol gets an all-new 1.2-litre three-cylinder DOHC aluminium motor which is a part of Tata Motor’s Revotron family of engines. This motor develops 83.8bhp of power and 11.6kgm of torque. The diesel engine is also an all-new 1.05-litre three-cylinder DOHC unit made of aluminium with a cast iron block. It generates 69bhp of power and 14.2kgm of torque.

Tata showcased the Tiago alongside its upcoming compact sedan sibling, codenamed Kite 5, at the 2016 Auto Expo. Both these models were recently shown at the Geneva motor show 2016 as well. The Kite 5 will slot in below the Zest as a smaller model and will feature a segment-defining feature – its 420-litre boot space. The sedan will share its mechanicals and feature list with the Tiago.

Land Rover says new Defender will not be “retro”

2016-03-13T00:15:00.002-08:00

The new Defender will be available in 2019; to offer a wide range of models, from a stripped-down variant to a premium off-roader.

For 68 years, the Defender held on to its working roots, becoming something of a British, and off-road icon. Finally, on 29 January 2016, the last Land Rover Defender, in its original form, rolled off the production line at Land Rover’s Solihull plant in the UK.

However, the Defender badge will not be buried with its original design, as Land Rover has announced that a new Defender will be made available in 2019. Defender concepts like the DC100 Concept were shown soon after. The radical difference between the original and this concept prompted Autocar India to ask Gerry McGovern, design director and chief creative officer at Land Rover, about the positioning of the new Defender.

The new model, it seems, could have the widest span of all three Land Rover families. It will retain its stripped-down and working roots at the bottom of the spectrum, but will also transition to premium at the top. And much to the dismay of classic fans, the new Defender's design will not be retro. However, the wide span will ensure that the Defender, at least at the bottom end of the spectrum, will be affordable.

By ditching retro for modern in what is decidedly an old-school brand, Land Rover is embarking down a dangerous path. Will the new Defender, with contemporary styling, be able to hold its own against other iconic old-school off-roaders like the Mercedes G-class?

Bajaj Auto's aggressive product game-plan revealed

2016-03-13T00:13:00.002-08:00

Bajaj Auto is looking to bring new models to the adventure-touring, cruiser and multi-purpose urban-touring categories.

Bajaj Auto, the second largest motorcycle manufacturer and the largest exporter from India, has big plans for 2016 and 2017. The company, which made headway into the premium motorcycle segment in 2012 by launching the KTM 200 Duke, kick-started a trend that marked a shift of commuter motorcycle users to the premium end.

With four products under the KTM brand – Duke 200, 390, RC200, RC390 – the company expanded its Pulsar range with the launch of the single-cylinder, 200cc RS200 last year, that came in two variants including one equipped with ABS. While the latter became the most expensive Pulsar model, according to the company, the ABS variant of the Pulsar RS200 sold more than the non-ABS one. This clearly points out that although there is a growing room for premium motorcycles, potential customers are also upgrading themselves in terms of new categories of motorcycles, safety aspects, value-for-money, features and more.

Now, the company is gearing up to take the domestic market a notch higher in terms of creating space for new-value motorcycles. With a solid product strategy in the premium motorcycle segment, Bajaj Auto is looking at possibly opening up the adventure-touring category (with new model(s) lined up under the KTM brand), cruiser segment (possibly with a 375cc cruiser model under the Avenger brand) and multi-purpose urban-touring category (via CS 400 under the Pulsar brand) in the domestic territories.

That said, the upcoming products are also expected to open up new global markets for expanding business under exports. The company is also learnt to have initiated the process of upgrading its Chakan facility for the production of motorcycles under the Husqvarna brand. Multiple sources aware of the developments at Bajaj Auto have confirmed its aggressive product line-up and the ongoing activities at its Chakan plant, where the company currently manufactures the KTM models for domestic as well as the export markets.

Upcoming products

Many sources have pointed out that the upcoming adventure-tourer motorcycle from Bajaj Auto will be from the KTM brand, and will rival Royal Enfield’s recently unveiled single-cylinder, 411cc Himalayan. A source informed our sister publication, Autocar Professional that the commercial launch of the new motorcycle is to happen as early as April-May 2016. Another source aware of the development said that “the company has possibly developed the adventure-touring models under two engine displacements. These are the ones which it already manufactures locally.”

It is known that the company currently manufactures four engines for KTM models that are sold domestically and in the export markets – 125cc, 199cc, 249cc and 375cc – all with a single-cylinder configuration.

Bigger Avenger and Pulsar in the offing

Multiple sources have confirmed that a bigger Avenger and a more premium Pulsar (both potentially using the single-cylinder, 375cc engine) are being readied by the company, and the projects are in the final stages of testing and validation. The Pulsar referred here could be understood as the derivative of the CS 400 concept that was showcased at the 2014 Auto Expo.

Bajaj Auto has found remarkable traction in the market with its Avenger brand. The company saw Avenger sales picking up when the industry sales were declining last year, thanks to the new Street 150 and the 220cc variants of the cruiser.

“The bet on the 150cc cruiser segment has paid off well and Bajaj Auto has successfully found buyers in the affordable category. In terms of now extending the brand to the more premium end (in the league of higher engine displacement) the company could well position a 375cc Avenger (potentially naming it as Avenger 400) in the market to unsettle Royal Enfield’s hold in the midsize segment. This obviously would depend on the product packaging, the feel, sound, pricing and many other crucial factors,” explained a source close to the company.

Talking to our sister publication Autocar Professional in the context of Bajaj Auto’s aggressive product strategy at the premium end, VG Ramakrishnan, managing director, Avanteum Advisors LLP, said: “That’s an area that they have worked hard for and it makes sense if they want to protect their hold on it. The focus on the premium segment allows them to focus on profitability and the consumer shift towards the higher segment. Further, with manufacturing of new KTM models, the exports are also expected to pick up. However, these markets are very different, and we will have to see how this pans out in the near future.”

Chakan – Bajaj Auto’s R&D lab

Rajiv Bajaj, managing director, Bajaj Auto has often referred to the Chakan plant as a research and development laboratory. The plant has occupied strategic importance within Bajaj Auto as it houses the production setup of KTM motorcycles. According to three different sources in the know of the development at the plant, the company is busy upgrading the facility for the production of Husqvarna motorcycles. It can be recalled that Stefan Pierer, CEO, KTM Motorcycles, had already stated during one of the product launches in India, that the company was looking at bringing the models under the Husqvarna brand to the local markets as well.

If a source working on the project is to be believed, the company plans to launch the Husqvarna brand with its product in Q1-Q2, 2017. “Bajaj Auto has shifted the manufacturing of Pulsar motorcycles from the Chakan plant. The facility is being readied for the production of Husqvarna motorcycles. It is following a timeline of March-April 2017 for a commercial rollout of the model(s) under this brand in India,” disclosed a source from the company, who wished to stay anonymous. Analysts speak Giving his perspective on the company, Abdul Majeed, partner, automotive, Price Waterhouse (PWC India), said: “FY15-16 was a challenging year for all two-wheeler companies in India. The export markets were also affected because the economies, which are key markets where two-wheelers are exported, are dependent on oil revenues. Since global oil prices are down, export orders are also down. For Nigeria, a key market for Bajaj Auto, this is not great news at all. For Bajaj Auto, which has its distribution network in place and has the knowledge of Indian consumers, the right products with right pricing will define its prospects in 2016 and 2017. They are not in scooters, so obviously they need to be aggressive on the motorcycles, be it the 110cc, 125cc, 150cc or 250cc class. The company will have to very clearly understand the changing customer preferences in order to continue tapping growth. I believe that Bajaj Auto will see benefits coming from the new launch (V15 model) in the coming months. Whether they will be able to sustain is all about how the word of mouth gets spread and how the product meets the aspirations of its customers.”

On the possibility of a more premium model under the Avenger brand and competing against the likes of Royal Enfield, Majeed added: “It is a brand that is well accepted in the market because of the great features on offer, the looks and other factors. I estimate that the Avenger brand should do well in 2016-17 and hold on to a good growth on its name plate as the company has worked hard on various factors that lead to product packaging. To unsettle Royal Enfield, you need to have a very strong product with a very good pricing. People buy RE bikes because these can be used for pleasure riding as well as daily commutes. Any upcoming product(s) have to be better than what is already there in the market.

Therefore, bringing the right product to the market would be the key. They should be able to put a good fight in the market in 2016-17 against the potential rivals (Harley Davidson, Royal Enfield).”

Expectations from Bajaj V15 While unveiling the V15 in Delhi recently, Bajaj said: “In order to address a problem, we believe a right strategy would be to look for a solution for bigger scale. To address the problems of 125cc, we went to find the answers in the 150cc class.” It is understood that with the V15 model, the company is looking at potential buyers not just from the 150cc class. Further to keep it competitively priced, the company has priced the V15 at Rs 62,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

In this context, Ramakrishnan said, “The Discover brand could not make a dent in the commuter motorcycle segment. The company therefore needed a new narrative to make an impact among the potential customers. The narrative would be a part of this aggressive push (referring to the overall product strategy). You cannot discard the volume segment in its entirety. There are different ways to address the same elements, probably address them with slightly premium level. An effective analogy here could be that of the premium hatchbacks. A premium hatchback costs almost the same as an entry level sedan. However, they are selling a lot in the local markets. Therefore, it is not wrong to understand that there could be a premium end within the commuter motorcycle segment as well.”

Talking about the expectations from the V15 model and the margins of Bajaj Auto, Arun Agarwal, auto analyst, Kotak Securities, said: “Last year it launched a number of models in the commuter bike category which helped grab substantial market share. Margins are overall good for the company despite all challenges they have been able to hold on to the 20 percent EBIDTA. In terms of garnering sales volumes, the key would be the V15 motorcycle this year. We need to see how the V15 performs over the next one year. It could boost the volumes for the company substantially, and if the product is right then it should be able to hold on its own as well even in the foreseeable future. Looking from a long-term perspective we need to understand where exactly the volumes are there in the market.”

New Toyota Fortuner TRD Sportivo revealed

2016-03-13T00:10:00.001-08:00

The SUV is a sportier variant of the new-gen Fortuner; receives mechanical and cosmetic changes to set it apart.

In 2015, Toyota not only revealed a new larger and more premium Innova but also showcased a new generation of its SUV, the Fortuner. Though yet to arrive in India, the SUV is already on sale in international markets and now seems ready to get a sportier avatar as well.

As per the images of the brochure, the Sportivo gets sporty, black-finished 20-inch alloy wheels and new aggressive-looking bumpers. The car also seems to be available with a choice of a dual-tone black and white, and a single-tone black paint scheme. The SUV also features TRD badging on the door sills and the tailgate, along with a new chrome-finished exhaust muffler.

Inside, the Fortuner TRD Sportivo gets dual-tone black and red upholstery to go with its new appearance, along with a revised instrument cluster. Also included is 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, TRD-badged floor mats and a red-finished push-start button.

The Fortuner TRD Sportivo also gets mechanical tweaks to go with its sportier credentials. The SUV is equipped with a revised suspension and brakes. The engine on offer is the 175bhp 2.8-litre 1GD-FTV, as on the standard Fortuner.

The Fortuner SUV is said to head to India sometime next year, and we can expect the TRD Sportivo variant to arrive sometime after the launch.

Volvo readying long wheelbase S90

2016-03-13T00:08:00.001-08:00

The S90L is a long-wheelbase variant of the carmaker's all-new S90 model; spied testing in China.

Volvo's all-new flagship sedan, the S90 was unveiled recently, and the carmaker seems to be already working on a long-wheelbase version of its new sedan.

To be called S90L, test mules of the model have been spotted in China, a number of times. The S90L's appearance is identical to the standard sedan's, but gets a longer rear door for the extra length. Going by the spy pictures, this version of the S90 seems to have a good extension over its already-long 2,941mm wheelbase, and is aimed at chauffeur-driven customers.

Chinese car buyers are known for their preference for extended wheelbase models. To cater to the local demand, many carmakers offer special China-spec 'L' versions of standard models, some of which are even based on SUVs.

Volvo currently sells China-specific, long-wheelbase versions of the S80 and the S60 sedans. When launched, the new S90L will replace the S80L. Its prime rivals include long-wheelbase versions of the BMW 5-series, the Mercedes E-class and the Audi A6.

For now, these extended versions are only for the China market and are offered as left-hand drives. However, Mercedes-Benz is likely to buck the trend and develop a right-hand-drive derivative of its long-wheelbase E-class, and make it available in other markets, including India.

Next-gen Nissan Micra begins testing

2016-03-13T00:06:00.003-08:00

The test mule’s styling seems to be borrowed from the Sway concept; expected to make international debut later this year.

Nissan has started testing a new generation of the Micra. The heavily camouflaged test mule resembles the Sway concept that was revealed by the Japanese automaker at last year’s Geneva Motor Show.

The styling is radically different from the current generation model. The test mule features a sportier stance with a sloping roofline and rear spoiler, as well as an angular rear-end treatment and dramatic design lines down the sides of the car.

There are no mechanical details about the new Micra, though it will be based on the CMF platform shared by the Renault-Nissan alliance. The next-gen car will be produced in France at Renault’s facility in Flins alongside the Clio hatchback and the Zoe EV.

It is unconfirmed whether Nissan will be bringing this new Micra to India or if it will be developing an all-new hatchback – built to a low-cost structure and based on the existing Micra’s ‘V’ platform – specifically for the country.