Porsche is eying to take down BMW X3 and the Audi Q5 with their baby SUV Macan. My blog readerTeddy has managed to film a set of Porsche test mules when they
were tanking up at a fuel station on a highway in Germany. The cars
featured in the film are the new Porsche Cayman which is scheduled for a
Los Angeles debut later this week and a fairly undisguised prototype of
what appears to be the Porsche Macan. The styling cues on the Macan prototype is very close to that of the
Cayenne, so much so that wi am actually convinced that the prototype
was a mid-life facelift of the Cayenne, until i carefully watched the
video over and over to conclude that the test mule is certainly smaller
than the Cayenne. The Porsche Macan is based on the Audi Q5′s platform, but it’s more
than just a Porsche top hat on an Audi platform. The Porsche engineers
have tweaked the suspension and chassis to deliver a driver involvement
that is typical of a Porsche. The baby SUV will be getting new set of specifically engineered engines & transmissions which will include a four cylinder motor down the line. The other video shows the 2013 Porsche Cayman which
will be showcased at the Los Angeles Auto Show that opens its doors
tomorrow. The new Cayman has derived its interior from the new Boxter
and features subtle design changes like the reprofiled tail lamps. Stay tuned to Indian Autos Blog for latest updates from the LA Auto Show.
Audi India has announced that it is planning to assemble the Audi Q3 compact SUV at its facility in Aurangabad, Maharashtra.
The move comes as the entry level SUV is putting up a good show right
from its launch day. The Q3 will play a significant part of Audi
India’s growth this year which is estimated to be in the region of
55-60%. Audi has a dedicated assembly line in the VW group factory which was
initially constructed to cater the manufacturing needs of Skoda. Audi
assembles the A4 and A6 sedans as well as the Q5 and Q7 SUVs. The growing demand for Q series SUVs has prompted the company to
locally assemble its latest kid on the block. With the local assembly,
Audi will be able to reduce the waiting period for the Q3 as well as
improve the profit margin owing to the reduced tariff, if they decide
not to drop the price. Audi India’s boss Mr. Michael Perschke said, “We are planning to
start assembling Q3 in India. We have built a new assembly hall called
hall—C..Now with a single shift in the new hall, our installed capacity
is reaching out between 7,500 and 9,000 units.” Audi is expecting to sell around 8,000 units this year compared to
previous year’s 5,511 units. The German marque has witnessed an
impressive growth in a short span and is currently the second best
selling luxury brand in India, at an arm’s length behind BMW.
Volvo is planning to bring the V40 Cross Country to India by the end of March next year.
Volvo cars are overshadowed by the big three Germans in India and
it’s time that the Swedish manufacturer do something to step up its
game. The awareness of Volvo’s safety credentials are less prone in our
country and the brand doesn’t enjoy the snob value of Mercedes, BMW or
Audi. In order to make some dent in the Indian luxury car market, the
car maker should come up with a product which would undercut all of its
rivals while still offering a rich features list. Volvo is planning to bring the Volvo V40 Cross Country which was showcased at the Paris Motor Show last month. The car entered at company's production plant Ghent, Belgium. The V40 Cross Country became a safety star as the Euro-NCAP crash test results declared that it’s the safest car in its class. The high riding hatchback has few off road add-ons like scruff plates and roof rails. The car has a ground clearance of 173 mm. On the sidelines of inaugurating new dealership (Artemis Cars) at
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, which is one of the Volvo’s biggest showrooms in
the country, Mr. Tomas Ernburg, Managing director of Volvo Cars India
said, that the car could be priced around Rs. 25 lakhs, ex-showroom. On the future targets for India, Mr. Ernburg said, “Volvo India wants
to be No.1 in India in the luxury segment and aims to capture 15 per
cent market share by 2020 and would sell 20,000 cars then. It would
gradually increase to 30,000 in 2025.” Volvo will expand its dealership network to 43 from the current 12 by
2020. Volvo’s current market share is 1% and the car maker is relying
heavily on the V40 Cross Country to bring in the sales numbers.
The
iconic British luxury car firm has really changed the winds in the
recent past. Once on the brink of complete doom, the marque is now
looking to challenge the Germans at their own turf after a sensational
comeback under the ownership of Tata Motors. The sheer bullish nature of Jaguar will be seen at the 2012 Los
Angeles Auto Show this month where the automaker plans to present two
new cars. Jaguar will present the F-Type with an exclusive Black pack
performance trim and the new XFR-S sedan. When done with the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show, Jaguar will get to
work with their ‘all-new’ products which are expected to hit the stands
in the next five years.
Jaguar’s 3 Series rival
First up is the most awaited product from Jaguar’s portfolio – a
small sedan to rival the likes of BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C Class and
Audi A4. Codenamed the X760, it will be a spiritual successor to the
Jaguar X-Type. The mass market (well sort of mass market) sedan will
help Jaguar with numbers. It will use Jaguar’s premium lightweight
architecture (PLA) aluminum chassis with power going to either rear
wheels or all four wheels. It will be available in three body styles –
four door sedan, coupe and station wagon.
Jaguar XF
Jaguar’s most popular sedan is expected to get a makeover come 2015.
Codenamed X260, Jaguar plans to switch to an aluminum body for the new
XF. Jaguar plans to keep the station wagon variant in the future XF as
well. A coupe version is expected in 2015 or 2016.
Jaguar XK
Jaguar has already started work on the all-new XK sports car. To keep
the cost down, Jaguar will present the XK with a modified version of
the existing platform which will get more power/torque and more
equipment levels wrapped in an all new design. It will be larger than
the current model to demarcate it from the current F-Type. The new XK
coupe and convertible hit the stands in 2014.
Jaguar XJ
An all-new flagship sedan is expected in 2017. Codenamed X360, there
will be three versions of the new XJ – a four door sedan, a
long-wheelbase version and a four door coupe.
Jaguar Crossover
Jaguar is still deciding on whether to enter the SUV segment or let
Land Rover do that job alone. The crossover is on the drawing board with
talks of using the an all-wheel-drive platform of the Jaguar’s compact
sedan to compete against the BMW X3, Audi Q5 and Mercedes M Class.
Jaguar C-X75
The halo car of Jaguar will be a production version of the C-X75
concept from the 2010 Paris Motor Show. It will have plug-in electric
motors on the front and rear axles. The engine is being developed with
the Williams F1 racing team and it will use a lightweight carbon-fiber
chassis. Only 250 units will be sold making it a collector’s item. The C-X75 will be priced between $1.2 million and $1.5 million making it a worthy competitor to the Bugatti Veyron. The new products will require a considerable investment from Tata
Motors. Jaguar wants to reduce the cost by increasing platform sharing
with its sister brand Land Rover. Currently both brands have a total of 7
platforms which are completely unrelated. JLR wants to reduce them to
two or three. To implement platform sharing ideas, Jaguar is studying
Volkswagen’s MQB architecture. The new platforms will underpin almost
70% to 80% of the models in the years to come.
As i promised my readers earlier, i bring you the latest happenings in the Aston Martin-for-sale saga. It’s learnt that Indian UV and tractor maker Mahindra is in a fierce
battle with the Italian private equity firm Investindustrial. The latter
reportedly arrived at an agreement with Kuwaiti firm Investment Dar,
the owner of the iconic British brand to acquire 50% of the stake with a
speculated bidding of £200 to £250 million. However it’s said that Mahindra has increased its bid higher than
Investindustrial to emerge as the front runner. While the
Investindustrial is pitching a possible technical partnership with
Daimler AG, Mahindra relies on it’s automotive roots to convince Aston
Martin’s management, investors and shareholders. The operational team of Aston Martin is expected to remain unaltered
irrespective of who becomes the owner. Aston Martin was bought by
Investment Dar from Ford for £479 million and the firm was forced to
restructure its $3.7 billion debt last year. The management of Aston Martin, Investindustrial and Mahindra is
playing the cards very close to their chests and none of them uttered a
word about the fierce battle that is heading for a showdown in a week. Mahindra appears to have the money power to rope up Aston Martin but
it’s unlikely to be benefited by any technical synergy since the gap
between the brands is simply too huge to be bridged. However, the fund
which could be infused into the British supercar maker is Mahindra’s
trump card. No matter who becomes the owner of the legendary 98 year old brand,
i hope Aston Martin continues to make dream machines that fascinates
millions of petrolheads across the globe. Stay tuned!
VW Motorsport is all set to make its entry into WRC, the pinnacle of rallying on January 15th next year.
The team will field two Polo R WRC rally cars which will be piloted
by the French driver Sebastian Ogier who won the previous edition of the
race of champions and the Finn Jari-Matti Latvala. The Polo R in its race trim produces 300 bhp of power and an adequate
350 Nm of torque, courtesy of the 1.6 litre TSI engine. The power is
laid on the grueling rally courses with the help an all wheel drive
system. A road ging version of POLO R is expected to be showcased at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. The Polo R WRC dispatches 0-100 kmph in just 4.1 seconds making it a
worthy competitor. The German hot hatch will face stiff competition from
the Citroen DS3 WRC which is continuing its invincible run in the able
hands of the rally ace Sebastian Loeb. Apart from Citroen DS3 WRC, the Polo R WRC will have to battle it out
with Ford Fiesta RS WRC and the Mini John Cooper Works WRC. However the
Ford and Mini withdrew their factory support to the teams racing their
cars starting from 2013. VW’s venture into the world of rallying with their own team gives a
ray of hope to the sport which has seen manufacturers like Subaru, Ford
and Mini moving out. Moreover, VW would get a lots of technical inputs
from WRC which eventually would find their way into road cars of the
future.
BMW India is planning to launch an entry level petrol variant of the new 3 Series called the 320i.
The new base petrol variant will join the current lineup which includes the turbo-petrol engined 328i. The pricing difference between the range topping petrol variant and the base petrol variant is a mouth watering Rs. 8.5 lakhs.
However, the 320i will skimp on lot of equipment to fit into the tight price target. The driver’s saloon comes with a toned-down iDrive system and the 328i’s 8.8″ widescreen infotainment display goes out in favour of a smaller 6.5″ screen.
The entry level Bimmer sacrifices the in-car data storage and the music system has a single CD player with USB and Aux-in connectivity. It also makes do without the rear parking camera. The leather seats are replaced with faux leather and the Xenon lamps are also omitted. The alloy wheels are downsized to 16″ from 328i’s 18″ and the car will not get the sunroof.
The base petrol variant will be powered by a 2.0 litre 4 cylinder petrol engine that generates a respectable 181 bhp. It’s the same motor that is found on the entry level 520i.
The BMW 320i is priced at Rs. 28.5 lakhs ex-showroom Mumbai making it cheaper than the entry level Mercedes C200 BlueEfficiency (Rs. 32.13 lakhs) and Audi A4 1.8 TFSI (Rs.29.26 lakhs).
After reaching bigger auto markets around the world, Suzuki has launched the facelifted version of the Suzuki Grand Vitara SUV in Malaysia.
Not only India but the entire world recognize Suzuki as a small car specialist and the car maker’s attempt at wooing premium segments did not work out. Suzuki just withdrew from the U.S. market after failing to make profit and now it seems to concentrate on Asian markets. The facelifted Grand Vitara debuted in Japan earlier this year and it’s the second such facelift on the current generation model which received its previous nip and tuck way back in 2008. The honeycomb front grill of the previous version is now replaced with horizontal slats and sports chrome underlining. The new front bumper looks better than that of the previous version. The Vitara facelift gets a new Gaia Bronze Pearl Metallic colour option. The car also gets new 17″ alloy wheels. The interiors remain largely the same except for the new seat fabrics and door inserts and borrows lots of bits from much cheaper siblings like the Swift and the SX4. The Malaysian Grand Vitara is powered by a 2.0 litre petrol engine which churns out 138 bhp and 183 Nm. The engine is mated to a 4-speed automatic gearbox. Maruti Suzuki is reported to be considering local assembly of the Grand Vitara in the future and the facelifted Vitara could come to our shores on a do or die mission. It’s to be noted that Maruti has already stopped inporting the Kizashi sedan and offers a hefty 5 lakh discount on the stocks. Without a diesel engine, i wonder what impact the Vitara facelift can have on the booming SUV market.
BMW India has just unveiled the updated X6 at the launch of a new dealership in Faridabad. The ex-showroom prices have also been announced. *BMW X6 xDrive50i: 93.40 lakhs *BMW X6 xDrive40d: 78.90 lakhs The changes to the BMW X6 include a new kidney-grille with three-dimensional chrome frames and angled slats, repositioned fog lights and new LED tail lamps. On request, the bonnet is fitted with a powerdome
The X6 facelift’s interior is upholstered in Nevada leather, available in a choice of Beige, Black, Oyster/Black, Saddle Brown/Black and Vermillion Red/Black combinations. Besides the non-metallic Alpine White, the X6 can be had in the following paint work options – Black Sapphire, Deep Sea Blue, Marrakesh Brown, Midnight Blue, Space Grey, Orion Silver, Titanium Silver and Vermillion Red
The engine lineup is led by the eight-cylinder petrol engine on the BMW X6 xDrive50i featuring an output of 407 hp and a maximum torque of 600 Nm at 1,750 – 4,500 rpm. 0 – 100 km/hr is reached in 5.4 seconds, and it accelerates on to a top speed of 240 km/h The second option is the six-cylinder diesel on the BMW X6 xDrive40d that delivers an output 306 hp and a maximum torque of 600 Nm at 1,500 – 2,500 rpm. It accelerates from 0 – 100 km/hr in 6.5 seconds on to a top speed of 236 km/hr. Both engines are paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission
BMW offers two exclusive packages – Innovation and Luxury – for the customer desiring extra equipment or individuality. The Innovation Package contains Adaptive Full-LED Headlights, Head-up Display and Apps while the Luxury Package enhances comfort with Comfort Seats with Lumbar Support, Seat Ventilation and Seat Heating
Maruti 800 has the credit of putting India on wheels and the little car has cemented its place high on the Indian automotive history books.
The M800 had been best the selling car in India for many years till around 2004 when Alto took over the title. The sales of the car started declining slowly and with the advent of new and modern small cars, the iconic hatchback hardly gets any attention today.
Maruti had announced that the M800 will be phased out when the BSIV emission norms become standard across India. Right now the car is already phased out in 13 major cities which adhere to BSIV.
Contrary to its Indian sales, the M800 has started to find more homes in Algeria and Egypt. MSIL exported 8,300 units of the car from April to October which is a 57% jump compared to the corresponding period last year. A total of 7,800 units were sold in Egypt and Algeria alone.
Mr. Shashank Srivastava, executive director, international business development, MSIL told Business Standard that, “M800 exports have risen largely because of the boom and demand in markets such as Egypt and Algeria in Africa. The economic and demographic profile of consumers there are similar to the customer base for M800 in India. Our cars have a strong brand appeal there, which translates into strong sales.”
The rise in the export of M800 comes when overall small car exports fell by 25%. MSIL could continue exporting M800 even after phasing it out in India, to markets where the emission norms are not as strict
Porsche India, the new official importer of Porsche cars has started off its retail operations with a record setting month.
The company officially started the delivery of cars in India (previously the Porsches were imported by Precision Cars India ltd.) on the 1st of October.
The Stuttgart based company clocked 117 deliveries for the month and in the process surpassed the previous record of top monthly sales in the sub-continent.
Anil Reddi, Director of Porsche India, stated: “It has been a very exciting past six months for us at Porsche India and i am thrilled with the pace of our network expansion and new model launches in the country.”
Commenting on the model line-up, Mr. Reddi added, “I am pleased to announce the arrival of the new 911 Carrera, the seventh generation of this sports car icon, as well as the new Boxster S which was unveiled globally earlier this year.”
The new Porsche 911 Carrera is available with the world’s first 7 speed manual gearbox or the 7-speed PDK. The legendary sports car could be yours for Rs. 1.14 Cr while the range topping 400 bhp 911 Carrera will set you back by Rs. 1.33 Cr.
The new Boxter S is powered by a 3.4 litre 6 cylinder mid mounted engine which belts out 315 bhp. The soft top convertible retails at Rs. 81.72 lakhs, all prices ex-showroom Delhi
Yes, i refer to the Ford EcoSport which is probably the most eagerly awaited car in recent history. Ford India has been progressively releasing details about the important sub-four metre SUV on its official website and here is some more from a recent update.
The Ford EcoSport is a compact crossover SUV which is based on the Fiesta platform and was designed to tackle the urban jungle with ease, but the mini SUV could manage some mild off-roading, according the stats provided by Ford.
The EcoSport has a ground clearance of 200 mm to survive the omnipresent potholes on our roads. The approach, breakover and departure angles are 25, 25 and 35 degrees respectively.
The crossover has a water wading capability of up to 550 mm which may not enable you to cross a river or a stream but will certainly be a boon during monsoon season flooding.
On the safety front, the EcoSport scores one up against the Renault Duster with side curtain airbags and traction control.
The car will have a cooled glove box, a 60:40 split rear seats and around 20 storage spaces, making the cabin flexible and practical.
The powertrain options include the 1.0-litre Ecoboost turbo petrol motor, 1.5 litre petrol and 1.5 litre diesel engines. Transmission duty will be handled by a 5-speed manual or 6-speed Powershift Dual Clutch automatic transmission. The latter is likely to be offered only with the 1.5 litre petrol engine.
Ford India’s outgoing Managing Director, Mr. Michael Boneham told that the company will launch the EcoSport with aggressive pricing. The car will have the Renault Duster and the Mahindra Scorpio clearly in its sights
Mercedes Benz have uploaded a Youtube video teasing its next launch, the facelift of the E Class. Like most other upcoming Mercedes cars, I have been updated once every few days on the progress of this car while it moved from a thickly camouflaged test prototype to a graceful and mature looking showroom model. The E Class is a refresh meaning there won’t be changes to the underbody. However significant revisions have been made, and many bold decisions have been taken to give it a shot in the arm. One example is the departure from the split headlight unit assembly to a single piece design. I'm also hearing of a newly developed Renault 1.6-liter diesel engine appointed as the range starter in some diesel-driven markets
The video focuses on the full LED lighting which includes the turn signals and adaptive high and low beams. The hood, fascia and grille will all be redesigned. On the sedan, the rear doors and quarter panels are also new. Mercedes sells the E Class in sedan, coupe, convertible and sporty AMG variants. There’s no information on when the new E Class will premiere. Detroit 2013 looks possible, and within 6 months from the time of the international launch, Mercedes Benz India should be ready with the car.
I have been tracking the 2015 Mercedes C Class like the way i track all our German toys developing in the wombs of manufacturers.
I got some more juicy details of the upcoming C Class in a latest posting. The 2014 Mercedes C Class will be an all new model and not facelift. It will be based on the new MRA (Mercedes RWD Architecture). To differentiate the new Mercedes C Class from the upcoming Mercedes CLA, the Stuttgart automaker plans to increase the length by 10 cm. The wheelbase increases by 8 cm and the whole car will be wider by 4 cm. It will come with a completely new floor pan as well as a sophisticated axle design. The styling will be influenced by Concept Style Coupe with the design hints coming from the Mercedes A Class and B Class. It will feature LED technology in both headlamps and tail lamps. A host of new technologies will find their way into the new C Class. These would include – New radar-guided cruise control Automatic Lane change Assist Automatic braking A new touchpad to control the COMMAND functions Mercedes is working aggressively on reducing the overall weight of the car to increase performance and reduce CO2 emissions. Thanks to the alliance with Renault, the Mercedes C Class will benefit from Renault diesel engines and new petrol engines developed in collaboration with the French automaker. There will also be a hybrid version with a 30 km pure electric range. Make sure that you go through our comprehensive product deep dive to know more about the 2014 Mercedes C Class
After launching the Ssangyong Rexton SUV in Mumbai and Delhi last month, Mahindra has stepped up the game and launched the car in seven cities today including Chennai.
Mr. Vivek Nayar, Chief Marketing officer, Mahindra&Mahindra Automotive sector. According to him, the success of Mahindra XUV 500 has given the company the much needed confidence to venture into the premium SUV segment with the Ssangyong Rexton. The RX-5 variant of the Ssangyong Rexton puts out 162 bhp and is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox with Torque On Demand (TOD) four wheel drive system while the RX-7 variant has 184 bhp and comes with automatic gearbox and all wheel drive system. Both the variants are powered by Daimler sourced 2.7 litre 5 cylinder diesel engine. In fact the Rexton itself is a redesigned and improved first generation Mercedes M Class, launched in the late 90′s. Regarding the next Ssangyong vehicle lined up for India, Mr. Nayar said that the company will take a call after gauging the response to the Rexton. He did not confirm the launch of the Korando, the second Ssangyong that Mahindra were studying for a 2013 launch, to be positioned slightly above the XUV500. He also added that there are no plans for setting up a new retain chain for the South Korean brand which will be sold across all the Mahindra personal car dealerships. When asked about the possibility of bring a four wheel drive Quanto, Mr. Nayar said, “We take on board input, input from consumers. Right now we are very happy with the response, we are getting lot of car buyers and hatchback buyers who are now shifting to Quanto which is what we wanted. That was the strategy.” Ssangyong Rexton prices (ex-showroom Chennai): RX-5 – Rs. 18.08 lakhs RX-7 – Rs. 20.12 lakhs Apart from Chennai, the Ssangyong Rexton was launched in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Pune, Ludhiana, Patiala and Chandigarh today
The Honda Brio Amaze is touted to be the game changer for Honda in India and yes i repeat that it has got a diesel engine.
The Brio based sedan is the need of the hour for the Japanese automaker who was taken aback buy India’s sudden paradigm shift in favour of diesel. The Amaze comes in to rescue the company and if the rave reviews from the people who have driven it is anything to go by, then it appears that Honda has a winner in its hands.
A bunch of Indian motoring journalists were in Japan this week to test drive the car and here are the generalized views. Let’s start with the looks. Honda Brio Amaze looks The Amaze despite being a sub-four meter sedan based on a hatchback just like the Swift Dzire, has a well executed boot and a distinctive third box. The Amaze’s front fascia will differ from the hatchback by having a twin chrome slated front grill and a new front bumper. The wheel base of the car is extended by 60 mm which makes the rear door a little longer than the Brio, making the access to the rear bench easier. The sedan also has a strong upward swooping crease which terminated into the tail lamps. Honda Brio Amaze cabin The space of offer inside is terrific and the extended wheel base along with well cushioned seats and flat center tunnel makes sitting in the rear a far more comfortable affair than in the Dzire. The dashboard and the front seats are similar to that of the Brio. Honda Brio Amaze drivetrain Under the hood is a 1.5 litre diesel engine which is a downsized version of the 1.6 litre i-DTEC engine that Honda uses in Europe. The engine breathes via 4 valves per cylinder which are actuated by DOHC technology and is paired to a 5-speed manual gearbox. The engine is refined and responsive with the power coming as early as 1,000 rpm and having a steady build up of torque. The gear shift is slick and clutch is light making Amaze an excellent city car. Honda hasn’t revealed the power and fuel economy figures of the 1.5 litre diesel engine. It’s expected to be somewhere in the vicinity of 75 bhp and 24 kmpl respectively. Honda Brio Amaze handling The steering has more weight than the Brio and the delightful handling character of the chassis hasn’t changed much after adding a boot. Honda Amaze comes out as a very capable and well packaged sub-four metre diesel sedan which makes for a tempting choice. Honda is expected to launch the Amaze in India in April 2013
Chery and Jaguar Land Rover joint venture had laid the foundation stone for a new manufacturing plant in China yesterday. Located at Changsu in Jiangsu province of China, the manufacturing facility will roll out Jaguar Land Rover vehicles and new models under a sub brand specifically for Chinese market. JLR’s joint venture with Chinese automaker Chery was recently approved by Chinese government.
The new plant is a part of 10.9 billion Yuan investment, the other entities of the JV will include a research and development centre and engine production facility. The JV also includes creation of a new sub brand that will manufacture models tailor made for China. Dr. Ralf Speth, Jaguar Land Rover Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Yin Tongyao, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Chery Automobile Company Ltd, said in a joint statement that, “We are delighted to have reached this milestone, achieved thanks to the understanding and foresight of the Chinese authorities and we want to thank them for recognising the potential of our joint venture in the fast-growing Chinese market.” They added, “Together, we will now begin working in close collaboration on our partnership plans to harness the capabilities of our respective companies, to produce relevant, advanced models for Chinese consumers.” They also announced the name of the joint entity – Chery Jaguar Land Rover Automotive Company Ltd. The JV will give JLR a big advantage in pricing their products effectively while Chery will be benefited from strategic development and international expansion. JLR’s sales in China has witnessed a phenomenal growth of 80% in the first 10 months of 2012 and the new JV plant which is expected to be ready by 2014 will further help the Bristish marques to consolidate their position
The most prestigious title of the numero uno manufacturer in luxury segment sure belongs to BMW. And Mercedes has been longing to get BMW for a few years now. The Stuttgart based automaker is coming back from the drawing board with rivals for most of BMW’s successful products. The biggest player for BMW is definitely the X1 crossover which has helped the Indian operations almost double its volumes. Mercedes has been developing a small crossover to rival the X1 for a couple of years and here are the prelimnary details of Mercedes’ turnaround specialist in the sub-30 lakh rupees segment - It was supposed to be called the BLC but due to the new Mercedes nomenclature, was renamed GLA. The GLA will share the MFA (Mercedes Front Wheel Architecture) with the A and B Class models. It will have a length of 4,440mm, width of 1,800mm, and a 1,500mm height. It will have a wheelbase of 2,700mm offering 500 litres of luggage capacity. Mercedes plan to offer the GLA in both FWD and AWD forms. The Mercedes GLA will have softer styling cues to make it look like an urban run-around rather than a dust-rising off roader. Mercedes plans to offer the GLG (baby G-Wagen) which will be a better off-roader. Test mules wear a prominent grille, sweptback headlights and an increased ride height. In addition, the production model will have roof rails and a tailgate-mounted spoiler. Mercedes might offer it in a 3 door and 5 door formats like how Land Rover did with the Evoque.
The engine options list will feature: 1.6 liter gasoline engine with 120 hp or 155 hp 2.0-liter turbo with 210 hp 1.8-liter diesel with 204 hp 2.1-liter turbo-diesel with 170 hp There will also be an AMG version with a 2.0-liter twin-turbo petrol pumping out around 340 bhp in the later stages. The engines will be married to a 6-speed manual or a 7G-DCT dual clutch transmission. Drivers will get to experience the latest COMAND system and Mercedes’ various other safety and telematics technologies. The baby crossover is expected to touch down in late 2013 or early 2014. I am certain that the Mercedes GLA will head to the Indian shores once it is ready. Mercedes-Benz India is planning to capture 30% of market share by 2022 and the GLA Class will be one of the key products that will fuel this strategy
If you thought that the 1,000 bhp Bugatti Veyron was fast, hold your breath for new and mind-blowing details have emerged on the next generation Veyron.
According to a report on British publication Auto Express, Bugatti engineers are working eagerly to produce a totally insane 1600 bhp version of the Veyron, which will hit showrooms by next year. It will be faster than the 1183 bhp Veyron Super Sport, which currently is the fastest Bugatti. 2014 Bugatti Veyron – More power, higher top speed:
The new model is said to have raised the stakes with a top speed of around 290 mph (464 kmph) and can reach 0-100kph in just 1.8 seconds. The new car will also be lighter by around 250kg increasing the power-to-weight ratio figure.
A number of engineering techniques and innovations could be used to keep the weight down. One area where the company is reducing weight is the wheels, which will be constructed entirely from carbonfibre, hence reducing the unsprung mass and improving the car’s dynamics.
Power is said to come from the massive W16 engine, which is the same one used on the current car but with an increase of capacity from 8 litres to 9.6 litres. Hybrid technology is also being considered, an electric motor may be utilized to boost the power output to 1600hp.
“We are working on the next super-sports car. The big challenge will be reducing weight – we are looking at some incredible technologies, such as wheels made entirely from carbon fibre. We’re considering hybrids, too” said Bugatti’s chief vehicle engineer Jens Schulenburg to AutoExpress.
After enjoying good reception in the markets where it has already been launched, the Nissan Sunny says hello to Malaysia and it introduces itself as the Nissan Almera The Nissan Almera sits in a price range of RM 66,800 (around Rs. 11.87 lakhs) to RM 79,800 (around Rs. 14.19 lakhs) including taxes and insurance. It is made available with an optional ‘Premium Navi’ pack which will include touchscreen multimedia system with Bluetooth and rear parking camera. Nissan has also launched the Impul body kit with an array of aerodynamic and visual add-ons which can be had at an additional RM 9,500 (around Rs. 1.69 lakhs)
The Nissan Sunny is being sold in international markets under different names like the Versa in the U.S. and Almera in Australia. Nissan has decided to use the Almera nameplate in Malaysia too. The Nissan Almera has been launched in Malaysia in four variants. The sedan is powered by the same 1.5 litre petrol motor which also powers the Indian Sunny but has marginally better power and torque figures at 102 PS and 139 Nm respectively. The Sunny uses a 1.6L engine that favors power over fuel economy in markets like China and the U.S
I am very much excited about the next generation Mercedes C Class which promises to be a game changer in the 30 lakh rupee premium sedan market
It needs to be an extremely good package because the competition such the BMW 3 Series (F30) have stepped up the game tremendously. Mercedes has definitely understood the need to step up its game and the Stuttgart giant is working late hours to develop the new Mercedes C Class to get it up and running in 2014. I have comprehensively detailed every information that i know in our product deep dive story. But news comes in from America today that the Mercedes management has green lit the development and production of a convertible version of the next generation Mercedes C Class. The current family only comprises of a sedan, coupe and a wagon variant. The convertible version is expected to benefit from the sedan’s petrol and diesel engine lineup. When the new Mercedes C Class convertible sees the light of the day, it will be the cheapest Merc droptop that you can buy. The current cheapest tri-star convertible you can buy is the Mercedes E-Class convertible, which is a bit more expensive. Mercedes believe that the cheaper Mercedes C Class convertible would help draw in Gen-Ys looking to purchase into the luxury brand. It will compete against the Audi A5 and the upcoming BMW 4 Series. Mercedes-Benz is set to add around 11 all-new models by 2020, while refreshing or replacing another 19 models. The image used in the fold is of the Mercedes SLS AMG, and has no relation to the 2014 C Class.
BMW India is not going to upgrade its flagship 7 Series sedan in 2012. The refreshed luxury barge (code – BMW F02 LCI), that comes only in the long wheelbase version, was expected to touch down in 2012, but according to our sources, it is not on the business plan for 2012. BMW began assembling the 7 Series at its Chennai plant earlier this year. The current 7 Series is well received by Indian customers and BMW hopes to impress a wider audience with the refreshed version by March next year.
Apart from the stretched wheelbase, the new car will have a slightly modified front fascia. The new LED headlamps and a modified kidney grill will align the new 7 Series’s looks alongside its modern siblings.
The front bumper too will be reprofiled and the OVRMs now contain the turn indicators at the bottom. The profile will look imposing due to the added length. The rear is also said to undergo few modifications as well. The interior will largely remain the same, save for few minor improvements. Slightly narrow front seats and inclusion of 1200 watt Bang and Olufsen music system are noticeable changes. The leviathan is expected to be powered by the six cylinder 3.0 litre which is tweaked for more power and fuel efficiency. It can propel the 7 Series form 0 to 100 kmph in a scant 6.2 seconds. The refreshed BMW 7 Series will up the ante to take the fresh Audi A8L head on
The Ford EcoSport is one car that i have been tracking religiously since the stage it was conceptualized.
Everyone can’t wait to get their hands on the game changing SUV. Unfortunately, i haven’t been lucky so far (Hello Ford!).
So in the meantime, i am checking out other publications and their opinion on the Ford EcoSport. I came across MotorTrend reviewing the Ford EcoSport and boy do they have some terrible things to say about it.
Here are some key criticisms of the review - >The spare wheel on the tailgate is a design characteristic for people who live in the 1990s. >The front fascia has an uncanny resemblance to a goldfish gasping for air. >The quality of the plastic on the dashboard seems to have taken a small dive from the Fiesta. >The dashboard is very confusing to operate. >The equipment level even on the highest variant was considerably inadequate. >Sluggish throttle response, stupidly long gear ratios, lackluster acceleration, and a sensation of excess weight sloshing around in the nose almost spoils the driving experience. >The electric power steering was considered mild but accurate and reliable.
There were some good points in the review as well such as – >The publication mentions that for a small car it commands a lot of attention on the road. >The tall trunk space is usefully large at 12.8 cubic-feet, increasing to 24.9 cubic-feet with the rear seats folded down. >Those rear seats can recline in two stages, perfect for sleepy rear passengers. >Fiesta’s driving personality has been endowed on the EcoSport as well and it is very infectious.
Please note that IndianAutosBlog.com does not subscribe to any of the above mentioned opinions. I will reserve our criticism until i finally get to drive the little beast. I understand there are three engines and two transmissions at launch (1.5L petrol, 1.5L diesel, 1L Ecoboost, 5-speed MT, 6-speed AT) and the vehicle will reach dealers in March 2013.
[You can check out the complete MotorTrend review of the 147-horsepower 2.0-liter EcoSport variant
Back at the 2012 New York Motor Show, BMW gave one of their most successful models – the BMW X1 – a small facelift as a part of their product revamp strategy.
Subtle changes such as a revised front bumper, redesigned grill, new headlamps and tail lamps were the key highlights of the facelift.
BMW has started rolling out the X1 facelift in different markets of the world. Today news comes from China that the facelifted BMW X1 is all set to be launched on November 12 in the Chinese markets for a price of 260,000 yuan (approx 22.40 lakhs). It will be made by the Brilliance-BMW joint venture that also makes the BMW 3Li and the BMW 5Li.
News also flew in from Malaysia that the BMW X1 facelift has been launched at a starting price of 238,800 Malaysian Ringgit (approximately 42.10 lakhs). BMW has sold more than 1,000 units of the X1 in Malaysia so far and the facelift will only take the number higher.
The facelifted BMW X1 was spotted undergoing its homologation process in the ARAI testing facility way back in June. I have no idea why is it taking so long for BMW India to launch the facelifted X1 in the Indian market. The situation is alarming because the Audi Q3 is capturing the market at breakneck speed. Is BMW not convinced about the market conditions and saving their best for 2013?
BMW India’s next launch will be the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe on November 8. Sure, the BMW 6 Series cannot really bring major volumes to BMW India as it will catch the fancy of just a few.
The BMW X1, on the other hand, has the full potential to extend BMW India’s lead over Audi and Mercedes. Audi has been eating into BMW’s lead since the start of this year. I think it is about time BMW India fights back with the launch of the X1 facelift.
Recently, i brought you a very interesting story on how Mercedes Benz is planning an operation ‘Total Revamp’ to get back its numero uno spot in the luxury car market.
Part of the efforts is to introduce new and innovative products to capture the fancy of the market.
I am thoroughly aware of some of these new products such as the Mercedes CLA, GLA, GLG and the star of this article, the Mercedes MLC Class.
The Mercedes MLC is envisioned as a coupe crossover to rival the successful BMW X6 and the upcoming Audi Q6.
AutoBild.de brings us an exclusive rendering of this upcoming MLC SUV. As you can see, it almost looks like the new ML Class with a steeply raked roofline. In fact, it will be based on the new M Class platform and manufactured at the Alabama plant in the U.S. where the ML Class is manufactured (and shipped as parts to India in a box).
Although it will be offered only with a four wheel drive option, it will not have real off roading capability.
The M-Class variant will get the regular range of fuel efficient engines, including diesels with power starting from 258 bhp and going all the way to a range topping AMG version that belts out 544 hp. It will also benefit from the services of a seven-speed automatic transmission to shift cogs.
The tri-star coupe crossover has been green signaled for production. Start of production is in 2015 at the Alabama plant where Mercedes has hired 400 employees just for the job.
BMW is in the process of revamping its entire product portfolio to keep it competitive for the next few years before all-new models kick into action
The next generation X5 is the first of the successors currently undergoing tests for a 2014 debut, trailed by the all-new 7 Series that should be ready in 2016. These would be followed by successors to the X6, 5 and 6 Series models as they near the end of their 7-8 year lifecycle. The Bavarian czar has already revised the BMW X1, BMW X6 and the BMW 7 Series calling them new LCI models (LCI stands for Life Cycle Impulse). Pretty soon even the current BMW X3 (F25) and 5 Series (F10) will go under the scissors so that they are brought in line with the new family members. In this story, I am going to place the spotlight on the revision to the BMW X3. We are expecting some minor changes such as redesigned bumpers, new headlights & tail lamps, and new side mirrors. i am also expecting new square-shaped exhaust tip at the rear. On the inside, i expect the infotainment system to be updated with a revised menu for the iDrive system. One can also expect voice-activated controls as part of BMW’s ever-expanding ConnectedDrive technology portfolio. The BMW X3 LCI will be available with the same engines carrying small improvements to consume less fuel. There are rumors about a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine added to the lineup, I am not sure about that yet. Look out for a debut of the BMW X3 LCI in March 2013 at the Geneva Motor Show, with sales expected to start by the third quarter of the same year
The Mahindra Reva NXR is going to be launched this year, and with the big day nearing closer, engineers and testers have been working around the clock testing the car in South India.
The car was recently spotted in Delhi, and today spyshots have come in from Chennai and Bengaluru. Our regular reader ‘Action Kumar’ is back on our front page spotting the electric car in one Mahindra service center in Chennai. Action left behind a message describing the NXR’s similarity in size to the Nano, and added that its build and looks are better. The Reva NXR which is said to be renamed as E2O (to be pronounced as E-two-oh) to align itself with traditional Mahindra nomenclature, is in the final phase of testing. Designed by Dilip Chhabria, the car made its public debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show and was also showcased at the New Delhi Auto Expo earlier this year. The NXR a.k.a E2O is powered by a 39.4 bhp electric motor which sources energy from a 48 volt Li-Ion battery pack. A top speed of 105 kmph is possible and it runs out of juice after 160 km on a full charge of battery. The second image comes from Niketh Vishnu, another regular reader from Bengaluru. Niketh spotted the unmistakable green vehicle in ‘Banashankari.’ The E2O is a two door hatchback that can seat two adults in the front and two kids at the back. The car will be built at the newly inaugurated Mahindra Reva factory in Bengaluru. With an estimated price of around Rs. 5-6 lakhs, the electric car is expensive for its size, but it has green credentials to lure the environment conscious buyers and those who wish to make a statement
According to a recent report published on Brazilian website CarPlace Brazil, Volkswagen is pleased with the positive response received from showcasing the Taigun compact SUV in Brazil and has planned for its production
Suzuki has launched a special edition of the Suzuki Swift in South Africa with some distinguishing add-ons and features.
The Suzuki Swift SE (Special Edition) receives a few design cues from the recently launched Swift Sport.
The hatchback has been clocking an average monthly sales of 135 units in South Africa since its launch in April 2011, which is very marginal compared to its Indian sales. With the launch of Special Edition model, Suzuki aims to popularize the brand in South Africa.
The Swift SE comes with a roof spoiler and re-profiled tail lamp elements which are similar to the Swift Sport. Other visual additions that set it apart from the regular models are 16″ alloy wheels and silver door handles. Fog lamps which were missing in the regular SA spec Swifts find a place on the Swift SE.
The silver theme is carried to the interior as well. The new contoured sport seats are covered in silver upholstery and the chunky steering wheel is leather wrapped and gets silver stitching. Further, the Swift SE gets more brownie points owing to the addition of a multimedia system with satellite navigation and USB connectivity.
The car is powered by the 1.4-litre K14B motor which also powers the rest of Swift range in SA. This motor made its Indian debut in the Maruti Ertiga. The power and torque output stand at 94 bhp and 130 Nm respectively.
The Swift SE manual variant retails at R 169,900 (around Rs. 10.42 lakhs) while the automatic version sets South Africans back by R 184,900 (around Rs. 11.34 lakhs). Given the current demand for Swift in India, it’s highly unlikely for Maruti to even think of such a special edition here.
Skoda had invited select European Media to test drive the 2013 Skoda Octavia (called as Laura in India) in Portugal. Of course i would have loved to return to Portugal (i went there in November 2011 to drive the Renault Fluence EV) to drive something new..but maybe next time?
Here are few mentionable points from WhatCar? UK magazine’s report - The media drove the pre-production versions of the new Skoda Octavia. The car is said to be much roomier than the current model, thanks to the increased wheelbase. The car has grown in size to distance itself from the newly launched Skoda Rapid. The new Octavia is the first Skoda to adopt the VW group’s MQB platform. The car is based on the VW Golf Mk7′s version of MQB. The new Skoda employs improved versions of the 1.8 litre TSI turbo petrol and the 2.0 litre diesel engine, both of which are already being used by the current generation car. The petrol motor puts out 178 bhp and is mated to a 7-speed DSG transmission and the diesel engine generates 148 bhp and is paired to a 6-speed DSG. Yes, there is marginal improvement in power. There is a ‘Sport’ button which sharpens the steering and throttle responses which is expected to be standard across variants. The change in the car’s behaviour in Sport mode is noticeable and the steering feels better to use in the diesel model perhaps due to the added weight on the front axles. The high end models come with independent rear suspension setup which is on the stiffer side but not uncomfortably so. The handling traits of the current car is retained. The cabin refinement is decent in highway speeds. The interior quality is at par with the best in class with soft touch plastics being used and the new touchscreen multimedia system is intuitive to use. The legroom on offer at the rear is vast but tall passengers could feel that the rear headroom is a bit tight. The new Octavia gets a cavernous boot which has 590 litres of capacity and can be further enhanced by folding the rear seats. The prices in UK is expected to start at £ 14,000 (around Rs. 12.07 lakhs) for the entry level variant making it an excellent value for money. The 2013 Octavia could go on sale in second quarter of 2013 in Europe and could arrive in India by end of 2013 or early 2014.
Showcasing it at the Sao Paulo show hints that Hyundai is targeting the emerging markets with the concept which is set to give birth to a production model.
It’s needless to say that in India, the production model will charge head on towards the successful Maruti Ertiga and upcoming family vans from Ford (B-Max) and Honda (Brio MPV). The HND-7 Hexa Space would then be the first MPV offering by Hyundai in India and at 2.75 m of wheelbase, it is identical to the Ertiga (2.74 m).
The MPV can seat 8 persons and the Hyundai engineers made it possible by cleverly packaging the second and third row seats in the form of hexagon, hence the name Hexa Space. The seats can be folded to have a completely flat floor for storage and also they can be adjusted for different settings to ensure that all the occupants are comfortable.
The concept MPV’s looks are not in the same page as the ‘Fluidic Sculpture’ Hyundais and that’s actually refreshing since all the modern Hyundais ended up looking almost similar.
The front is characterized by the bold hexagonal grill and the LED headlamps. The side profile remains true to a MPV and has sliding doors for easy access. The boomerang tail lamps define the rear.
The Hyundai concept is powered by a 1.2 litre T-GDI turbo petrol engine which is mated to a 6-speed auto transmission. Hyundai has not yet announced the complete engine lineup for the car which will certainly include diesel motors, neither did they divulge when the production model will be ready. They’ve said nothing about production.
Hey Hyundai, listen. Why don’t you do a Maruti Ertiga and launch the production version of the HND-7 Hexa Space at the 2014 Delhi Auto Expo?
Jaguar has confirmed that the compact sedan which is set to rival the likes of BMW 3 Series in still in the making.
The compact sedan will be the gateway into the British marque and will be positioned below the Jaguar XF. The pet cat will be high on style and luxury like the current Jaguars. The new Jaguar is expected to play the light weight card with aluminum construction which is becoming a norm for new generation JLR vehicles. Jaguar may likely use a 2.2 litre diesel and a 2.0 litre turbo petrol for the new sedan along with new four cylinder powerplants that are being developed jointly by JLR and Tata Motors. Jaguar is also developing a new 9-speed transmission which will be offering high fuel efficiency and calmer high speed cruising. The company confirmed that they won’t consider adding more than 9 gears to the gearbox in the future. The small sedan will also spawn other body styles like the Sportbrake (estate) and even a crossover SUV softroader! A long wheelbase version of the sedan for markets like China is also a possibility. JLR is proving to be a cash cow for the owners Tata Motors and the new entry level sedan will pump the volumes up significantly and let Jaguar close the gap to the Germans.
Volkswagen has not released a timeline or dates for the market launch, but it shouldn’t take very long as the inclusions are purely cosmetic. If you recollect, a similar show-only Polo was displayed at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo. What’s new in the VW Polo SR edition? Black tint on headlights Front lip spoiler Side skirts Rear protector Chrome-lined exhaust tip Roof spoiler Chrome strip on the trunk SR badges
Volkswagen must plan to launch a number of Polo variants for the next two years to keep its model fresh in the face of rising competition.
Hyundai Motor India Limited today evening announced an investment of USD 300 million for setting up a flexible engine plant and a new press shop inside the premises of the existing manufacturing facility in Sriperumbudur, Chennai.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) will be signed with the Government of Tamil Nadu on 5th November 2012, the press release notes.
The press release points out specifically that the flexible engine plant is to offer customers diesel engine options across segments “in the near future.” Hyundai officials in the past have confirmed a diesel option on the next generation i10. This announcement could mean cars smaller than the i10 could get diesel power in the future, however that is yet to be confirmed.
Hyundai would need a fully localized diesel engine like the one Renault-Nissan have (K9K) to price its upcoming products well and boost revenues over time. Currently Hyundai sources diesel engines from Korea for the i20, Verna, Elantra and Santa Fe models. The diesel engines used in India range from 1.4L to 2.2L in displacement.
For a start, I expect to see Hyundai localize the 1.1L CRDi 75PS 3cyl diesel engine, launched on the UK market i20 Blue Drive variant, for application on the next generation i10 (Code – BA) currently undergoing trials and perhaps use the same engine on derivatives of the i10 platform. A successor to the Accent is long overdue, in our opinion. A sub-4 meter sedan on the new i10′s underpinnings with either the new 1.1L engine, or the i20′s 1.4L engine could give the Accent nameplate a second life full of joy!
Mr. Bo Shin Seo, Managing Director, Hyundai Motor India Limited -
This investment will help us meet the growing demand of diesel vehicles in India and reduce the waiting period.
Now that a diesel engine plant is ready, here are the products i am waiting to see roll out Chennai with shiny new diesel motors in the next 2-3 years - All-new i10 Notchback on the i10 platform branded Accent Mini SUV in the sub-4 meter category – and introduce the ‘ix’ name in India (EcoSport slayer) MPV based on the HND-7 Hexa Space Concept (Ertiga rival) Next generation i20 (Code – IB) Facelifts for the Elantra, Eon and Verna
Hyundai’s announcement for a new diesel engine plant was inevitable as the market continues to strongly favor diesel cars.
.jpg)
