Mahindra Aiming Urban Market, Gears up for TUV300 Launch

In the recent times, SUVs are becoming the most popular choice for the buyers because of their tough and strong body structure, whether it is the newly introduced Maruti S-Cross, Hyundai Creta or Ford EcoSport, these robust vehicles have created a commotion in the market. In the very short time span, the compact SUV segment and the compact sedan segment have encountered various add-ons in both the categories.

Mahindra is also prepared to launch the new sub-4meter SUV in the market on 10th of September 2015. Named as TUV 300 which is pronounced as TUV three double ‘O’, the car off course looks promising. With the launch, it will lock horns against Hyundai Creta, Maruti S-Cross, Renault Duster and Ford EcoSport.

Mahindra by introducing the TUV300 is doing the second attempt in the SUV segment as before that, the company launched Bolero in the market which has been a runaway success but its sales only came from rural areas. However, the all new TUV300 is the new car and not the replacement for the older one. The company is now targeting the urban market and is majorly working to make it the modern vehicle with the more stylish and premium looks and more powerful than the Bolero.

The price of the TUV300 will also be competitive to play safe among the other rivals. The main competitor for the TUV300 in India will be the Ford EcoSport. Moreover, the company states that the new SUV will also be a global product and will get the LHD version for the export purpose from India. The all-new compact SUV is made from the scratch in-house at the MRV (Mahindra Research Valley) situated in Chennai, the car is said to be manufactured at the Chakan Plant which is located in Maharashtra.

Talking about the outer profile of the car, the new TUV300 gets the masculine exteriors, it fulfills the one’s requirement for the car which handles like the small vehicle, has a spacious cabin like the C-segment sedan and has the looks like a tough SUV. Mahindra says that the new TUV300 is based on the brand new platform, here arise a possibility that it could be the modified version of Scorpio’s new hydro-formed modular chassis.

The company justifies that the TUV300’s design is inspired by the battle tank but apart from that, the design cues are also taken from Pininfarina. Mahindra is saying that the car is not the replacement for the Bolero but from the front façade, it does show a remarkable resemblance with the latter. The company is calling its car a ‘True Blue SUV’ and the design also justifies the same as it gets the boxy size, front and rear overhangs, and the rear mounted spare wheel for that butchy stance.

Stepping inside, the new TUV300 offer spacious cabin which is expected to be upmarket and more stylish with the incorporation of advanced features. The seats and the upholstery will be same as seen in the Scorpio, it is also expected that the vehicle will be offered with the jump seats at the back that are just like Quanto. The car will likely to come with the touchscreen infotainment system with navigation that is seen in the XUV500 and the new Scorpio.

Under the hood, the TUV300 is said to be powered by the new 1.5 litres mHawk80 engine with improved NVH levels. The company has not revealed any information about the engine but the number 80 denotes the power produced by the motor. The car is expected to get the 4WD option, the mill will come mated to 5-speed manual transmission gearbox and is spied with the AMT gearbox as well.

Coming to the price, the company will surely keep the cost competitive against the rivals, this will be the bad news for the competitors as they already know that the company has a strong dealer network in the country. Mahindra has four most successful cars in its bag viz. Thar, Scorpio, Bolero and XUV500 and one more car of such stature will act as a feather in the cap.

Mr. Pravin Shah, President and the chief Executive, Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd said that the new TUV300 is the most eagerly awaited launch of the year that truly signifies its ‘Make-in-India’ purpose. The company is confident enough that the product will surely create the enthusiasm among the auto buffs.

Royal Enfield to Launch Himalayan Adventure Tourer in November 2015

Royal Enfield is reportedly planning to launch the much awaited adventure tourer, the Himalayan, in November 2015.

According to ZigWheels, the bike is expected to be priced between Rs 1.65 lakh and 1.85 lakh.

The Chennai-based manufacturer is keen on not pricing it over Rs 2 lakh and doesn't want the Himalayan to be at the top of their product line-up. The Himalayan will be positioned below Classic 500 and the Continental GT.

The Himalayan will be powered by a new single-cylinder, 410cc engine that is expected to make around 30bhp and 40Nm of torque. This engine will be mounted on a new double cradle frame designed by the Harris Performance. Currently acquired by Royal Enfield, UK-based Harris Performance has also contributed to the new frame in the Continental GT.

The Himalayan has a rugged design ideal for off-road and on-road use. The Spy pictures indicate an upswept exhaust, fatter rear tyre and petrol tank similar to Continental GT. The new adventure tourer will use many parts similar to that of the Thunderbird and the Continental GT so as to keep its cost low.

The Himalayan is an important launch for Royal Enfield, mainly because the brand is planning to reach the global audience. Thus, you can expect a world-class model. Secondly, the Himalayan is the first motorcycle from the brand after ace designer Pierre Terblanche came onboard. Terblanche was instrumental in shaping Ducati's motorcycle design structure till 2007.

If Royal Enfield prices the Himalyan under Rs 2 lakh, the motorcycle will find the sweet spot between Bajaj Pulsar 200AS and Triumph Tiger series. Since the adventure tourer segment in the country is still in teen stage, an early entry will help Royal Enfield to get maximum market share.

Noise Pollution: Superbikes Made by Royal Enfield, Harley-Davidson, Triumph, Ducati Face Action

Owners of high-end motorcycles manufactured by Harley-Davidson, Triumph, Ducati and the Royal Enfield are in for sum bumpy ride. Transport authorities in Bengaluru are cracking the whip on such motorcycles for causing noise pollution, reports The Economic Times.

The authorities have found a lot of motorcycles having modified exhaust create noise beyond permissible levels.

While the city regulations allows for a maximum of 80 decibels for bikes, these motorcycles (also referred to as superbikes or premium bikes) exceed it and actually go up to 200 decibels.

The report claims that the Joint Commissioner of Transport (Enforcement) Narendra Holkar has begun a drive against such bikes, which interestingly are being sold in large numbers.

Initially, the suspected motorcycle will be fined, but a repeat offence will lead to the bike being seized by the authorities.

It is ironic that such motorcycles are sent for homologation before launch and have to pass the mandatory test of the Union government. As such, the drive to penalise after the vehicles have passed stringent norms has invited criticism on automobile forums.

Holkar, however, has indicated he means business. "We will intensify the drives after the civic polls. Issuing notices to bike manufacturers is not on our agenda, because we do not have time for legal battles. We have a strong weapon called enforcement (and) that is enough," he told the daily.

A dealer for the Tusker Harley-Davidson showroom in the city has also wondered how the bikes could be penalised. "We don't know why the transport department is booking our bikes for noise pollution. It is not clear as to what they are trying to promote, because no bike is sold without statutory approvals," he said.

2015 Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series revealed

Toyota has unveiled a bold new look for its LandCruiser 200 Series before it arrives in showrooms here in October.

As local sales of the LandCruiser pass 900,000 since 1958, the mid-life update to the model released in 2007 includes a raft of changes beyond the bigger grille, new bonnet and redesigned headlights.

The 4.5-litre twin-turbo diesel engine has been retuned to meet new, Euro 5 emissions standards, including the fitment of new injectors and a particulate filter.

Power has increased by a modest 5kW to 200kW while peak torque remains 650Nm. Fuel use has dipped to 9.5L/100km (down from 10.3L/100km), according to the fuel rating label tests done in laboratory conditions. However, real world conditions will likely mean the 2.7-tonne heavy-duty 4WD will return higher consumption figures than the claim.

The 4.6-litre petrol V8, which sells in modest numbers, is still available in three of the four LC200 models and has the same power output as before.

The 4.5-litre twin-turbo diesel engine has been retuned to meet Euro 5 emissions standards
Towing capacity remains unchanged at 3500kg.

Pricing is yet to be announced, but the current model starts at $80,000 drive-away for the base GX diesel.

The flagship Sahara, now $120,000 drive-away, gets safety and technology upgrades.

Radar cruise control, lane departure warning, forward crash alert, and auto dipping high beam are standard on the flagship.

However, autonomous emergency braking that can bring the vehicle to a complete stop and avoid a crash at low speeds is not yet available.

Other creature comforts in the Sahara include air-conditioned seats and a wireless phone charger.

The tailgate has a new panel between the restyled tail-lights
VX and Sahara grades gain a clearer information display panel between the instruments and a larger, nine-inch central touchscreen as part of the navigation unit.

As before the basic GX is a five-seater, the GXL is an eight-seater while the VX and Sahara are seven-seaters.

So you can spot the new one from behind, the tailgate has a new panel between the restyled tail-lights and a wider space for the registration plate.

The updated LandCruiser heads an onslaught of new off-road vehicles from Toyota over the next few months, including the all-new HiLux ute, and its twin under the skin, the Fortuner seven-seater SUV. The Prado will get a new engine. However, despite the changes and new arrivals there is still no plan to introduce a diesel engine for the FJ Cruiser.

The historical sales figures for LandCruiser include the original models imported into Australia to help build the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme in the late '50s and other more recent variants with the LandCruiser badge, including the LandCruiser wagon, Troop Carrier and ute, FJ Cruiser and Prado.

Audi set to rival Tesla's Model X with electric SUV

German automaker Audi is set to rival Tesla's much anticipated Model X with the unveiling of an electric car with a range of over 310 miles.

Described by the car maker as a "sporty SUV" the e-tron quattro concept car will be unveiled at next month's International Motor Show 2015 in Frankfurt, with production scheduled from 2018.

In a release, Audi said that the car – which will have a lithium-ion battery – will have an SUV body and a "flat, coupe-like cabin" with a spacious interior that can carry four people.

Tesla say on their website that their Model X – which will be powered by two independent and digitally controlled electric motors – will combine, "the space and functionality of a seven seat sport utility vehicle with the uncompromised performance of a Tesla."

According to Tesla, the delivery estimate for new reservations of the Model X is early 2016.

Audi's announcement comes hot on the heels of news that Aston Martin is set to launch an 800 horsepower, totally electric version of its four door Rapide car.

Speaking to Automotive News, Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer said that, "If you want to keep making V-12 engines, then you've got to do something at the opposite end of the spectrum."

In terms of the environment, the potential of electric cars is considerable.

The U.S. Department of Energy says that if hybrid or electric vehicles completely replaced light-duty conventional ones, U.S. dependence on foreign oil would fall by 30-60 percent. Plus, carbon pollution from the transport sector would fall by up to 20 percent. 

Endeavour SUV Featured on Ford’s India Website

 Ford India, after launching the Figo Aspire is planning to bring the new Endeavour in to the market. The new SUV is now being showcased on the Ford’s official website, which surely indicates that the company will launch the car soon. The page highlights the various features of the vehicle, this new and fresh car is much advanced in terms of design, interiors and engine as compared to the previous model. New Ford Endeavour SUV was first showcased at the Everest concept in Sydney, Australia in 2013 and the unveiling took place at the Bangkok Motor Show in 2014. The new SUV will give tough competition to the likes in the segment they are Hyundai Santa Fe, Pajero Sport, Fortuner and SsangYoung Rexton.

Things to know about the car

New Generation model: The upcoming Endeavour is the next generation vehicle, the car will feature the new and advanced aspects to make itself stand out of the crowd. The new version gets better design and more space on the inside. The aerodynamic design is the crucial aspect for which the company has specially crafted the front bumper guard while the aero kickers are also fitted at the back with the rear spoiler. The car gets the massive front chrome grille with wide stance along the beefy wheel arches and the 20-inch alloy wheels giving the car a masculine look.

Premium Interiors:
The biggest disadvantage in the previous version was the outdated interiors. Ford has worked on this and the new 2015 Endeavour now gets the better and high-quality interiors. The cabin features the dual tone color scheme while the dashboard witness touch-ups too. It looks more premium while, in the top trims, the seats gets leather upholstery and are very comfortable. The overall inner looks of the car is very impressive.
Engine Specifications:
Ford Endeavour will be powered by 2.2 litre four-cylinder unit that can produce the power output of 160 PS and the peak torque of 389Nm and come mated to manual transmission as well as the six-speed automatic gearbox, but lacks the 4WD system. The higher variant is powered by the 3.2-litre five-cylinder unit that can churn out the max output of 200 PS and the top torque of 470Nm, the engine will come with the six-speed automatic transmission. The older version of the Ford Endeavour is powered by the 2.5 litre and the 3.0-litre diesel engine.
Terrain Management System: The next-gen model of the Ford Endeavour will come with the Terrain management system in the 3.2-litre version. The car gets the total of 4 modes to suit the various driving conditions. So, there is the normal mode, snow, grass and mud mode in the car. And for those who drive on the hill upwards, there is the rock mode for them and the car will get the 4-wheel low and Hill Descent Control as well.

The last car launched by the company was the Fiesta and since its launch no other car was launched in the market, but behind the closed doors, the company plans for something big. Under its strategy, company is to bring 4 new cars in the Indian market this year, out of which one Figo Aspire it has already been launched.

Besides Ford Endeavour, the list of launches includes Ford Figo hatchback that continues to be powered by the 1.4-litre diesel and the 1.2-litre petrol while it’s also expected to get the 1.0 litre Ecoboost mill. The car will be launched in the second half in this year. The next is the performance car Ford Mustang which will be the first right-hand drive version to be launched in India. The car gets three engine options, the 2.3 litre EcoBoost, a 5.0 litre V8 mill and the 3.7-litre V6 engine.

Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV and Spin MPV Unveiled in India

General Motors India today unveiled two of its upcoming vehicles - the Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV and Chevrolet Spin MPV. While the Trailblazer will be launched in October 2015, the Spin MPV might come sometime next year. The company that has been struggling to increase its market share in the Indian market, has also announced to invest USD 1 Billion to consolidate its position here.

To be pitted against the Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour and Hyundai Santa Fe, the Chevrolet Trailblazer will be priced around Rs. 20 lakh - Rs. 25 lakh. The Trailblazer is a full-fledged SUV based on the company's pick-up truck Colorado.

Though the vehicle had first made its debut at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo, it took more than 3 years for the company to finally decide to launch it here. Powering the Trailblazer will be a 2.8-litre, 4-cylinder diesel engine that is good for 200bhp and 500Nm. The premium SUV will be offered with both a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic gearbox, and will have both all-wheel drive (AWD) and rear-wheel drive (RWD) options.

After the failure of Chevrolet Enjoy in the entry-level MPV segment, General Motors will now try its luck with the Spin. There are speculations that the company might even replace the Enjoy with the Spin.

Being a more up-market product than the Enjoy, the Spin will rival Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, Honda Mobilio and Renault Lodgy upon its launch. Unlike the Trailblazer, which will have only diesel engine, the Spin MPV will come with both petrol and diesel powertrains. While the petrol model will get a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder unit (107bhp, 148Nm) that will be mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox, the diesel engine will be a 1.3-litre (89bhp, 200Nm) unit with a 5-speed manual gearbox.

The Dazzling Maserati GranTurismo Has 454 Horses Under The Hood

The Maserati GranTurismo wasn’t made just for tackling the road and its winding turns, but for dominating it and turning heads as you showcase your supercar.
The curvy and stylish Maserati GranTurismo is in the running to compete (at least for its gorgeous and handmade body style) with the likes of the 2015 Ferrari F12 Berlinetta Coupe.

But you won’t get nearly as much horsepower with the Maserati, as it puts out “only” 454 to the Ferrari’s insane 731. If you can stomach the drop in horsepower, you’ll also pay about $180k less for this gorgeous coupe than you would for its faster Ferrari overseer.

Offered in two trim levels, Sport and MC (for Maserati Corse or racing), as you’d expect, the options and features are decadent and lavish. Standard outfitting will get you 20” premium alloy wheels with trademark Brembo brakes. You’ll certainly see all of the road with powerful bi-xenon headlamps. And you’ll be seen by other drivers with integrated LED daytime running lights and LED tail lamps.

Notable features include things like powered, heated and folding side mirrors, adaptive, sport-tuned suspension, front and rear parking sensors, two-zone climate control, premium leather upholstery, heated and powered front seating, voice-activated GPS, Bluetooth/iPod/USB integration and an 11-speaker Bose audio system, to name a few.

Add-ons can also get you more features like electronically controlled, multimode suspension, custom-painted brake calipers, a variety of custom wheel designs, perforated leather seats, custom color combinations and much, much more (for the right price, of course).

The most important thing to note for speed enthusiasts is what’s under the hood. In this case, it’s a beefy and naturally-aspirated, 4.7-liter V8 engine that cranks out 454 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, able to go from zero-to-60 in just 4.7 seconds.

While there are certainly far superior supercars on the road today, the Maserati was more designed to cater to a realistic budget for luxury racecar shoppers. It’s more lucrative price tag means that more people can afford to experience the luxury and thrill of a precision made automobile.

Of course, priced at over $100k means that only a lucky few will still enjoy this car. But that’s still a lot more than those who are able to afford the innately expensive joy of driving Ferraris or Lambos around.

Tata to Launch Hexa SUV in February, 2016

It was in March this year that Tata Motors showcased its new SUV concept - Hexa. Though the company has not said much about the car yet, it has come to our knowledge that it plans to roll out the Hexa in India in February, 2016.

One look at it and one is immediately reminded of the Aria. However, considering the path Tata is taking after having launched HorizoNext, there will be a few changes.

While the overall shape may remind you of the Aria, there are certain design distinctions, like the bulge on the bonnet, which makes it look a bit muscular, although there aren't any flamboyant lines on the sides of the car. There are also the new projector head-lamps, a new honeycomb mesh front grille, newly designed fog-lamps, and a redesigned airdam.

The Hexa is based on the Aria platform and features a 2.2-litre, 4-cylinder, VARICOR diesel unit that is good for 154bhp and 400Nm torque. The car is 4764mm long, 1895mm wide, 1780mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2850mm. While the showcased concept was a 6-seater, expect either 7 or may be 8 seats in the production model.

Changes to the rear include LED tail-lamps, and a new bumper in dual-tone paint scheme amongst others. Tata will launch the car at the 2016 Delhi Auto Expo and it will all come down to how well the company prices the car.

Land Rover Discovery Sport to Launch in India on September 2; Bookings Begin

Land Rover today announced that the first new member of the Discovery family, the new Discovery Sport will be launched in India on September 2 this year. The company also announced that its dealers are now formally accepting bookings for this SUV.

The car was first revealed in September 2014 and then finally made its public debut the following month, but the excitement about it had already started building-up since the 2013 LA Auto Show. The Discovery Sport - a compact SUV - will take on the likes of the BMW X3, Audi Q5 and the Volvo XC60. Since the idea is to be compact and yet offer more, interested folks will be able to pick their Discovery Sport with 7 seats with the option of a 5-seater.

Though built on the same platform as the Range Rover Evoque, the Discovery Sport uses 50% new parts in comparison to the Evoque. The focus of the engineering and design team was to build a car that would be more compact, and yet hold more people and luggage. The new integral multilink rear suspension has allowed for the engineers to give the car the 5+2 seating option. The British carmaker was candid enough to accept that the third row of seats is primarily for kids up to the age of 13.


The SUV will be offered with 3 rather familiar powertrains, i.e. the 2.0 Si4 petrol with a 9-speed ZF automatic gearbox, and the 2.2 TD4 & SD4 diesels - which will come with the optional 9-speed auto or 6-speed manual transmissions.

Considering the Land Rover label, it goes without saying that the SUV has brilliant off-roading capabilities. It can wade through 600mm water, while the updated Terrain Response system helps it drive on different surfaces. Interestingly, the Terrain Response now includes a Dynamic mode (with Adaptive Dynamics) for flatter cornering, and sharper steering. The car's braking system imitates the effect of a torque vectoring differential for improved cornering stability and agility too.


Rohit Suri, President, Jaguar Land Rover India Ltd (JLRIL), said, "It is a perfect vehicle for people with an unstoppable spirit and passion to explore and discover. The launch of new Discovery Sport in September will mark another significant milestone in the expansion of Land Rover's product offering in India."

Nissan unveils X-Trail Hybrid SUV at the GIIAS 2015, India launch soon

Nissan unveiled their latest offering in the SUV segment, with the global debut of the Nissan X-Trail Hybrid on Thursday at the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) 2015.
Nissan India is all set to launch their latest offering in the SUV segment, the second-generation Nissan X-Trail. According to reports, the new version of the SUV will be available in the India market by Diwali or latest before December. Nissan India are bringing back their flagship SUV, launched in 2004, after it was discontinued last year due to poor sales.

Under the hood, the new generation Nissan X-Trail can come with a  1.6 litre in-line4  diesel engine churning maximum power output of 128.7HP and maximum torque of 320Nm, mated to a six-speed CVT gearbox. The second-gen Nissan X-Trail will also come with 4WD system, reports say.

ALSO READ: Reports: Nissan to launch second-gen X-Trail SUV this year
Moreover, the second-generation Nissan X-Trail will come to India with CKD kit, which means that the 7-seater SUV will surely make a hole in the wallet. The new SUV will be available in the Indian market for around Rs 30 lakh- Rs 40 lakh (ex showroom Delhi), say reports.
The new Nissan X-Trail SUV will compete against the likes of Honda CR-V and Hyundai Santa Fe in the Indian market.

Renault-Nissan cuts jobs, output in India as sales slow

Franco-Japanese carmaking alliance Renault-Nissan plans to cut several hundred jobs in India and reduce production at its plant near Chennai, in the country's south, a top executive told Reuters late on Thursday.

The move is in reaction to slowing sales caused by the slow pace of new product launches and growing competition from rivals like Maruti Suzuki India Ltd and Hyundai Motor Co.

"Domestic sales are going through ups and downs ... Today we are in a situation where we need to adapt slightly the workforce for our plant," said Guillaume Sicard, president, Nissan India.

Sicard said a few hundred jobs would be lost but did not commit to a specific number.

The alliance employs 8,000 people at its plant in Chennai, which includes 1,200 temporary workers, some of whom will be laid off, he said.

"In a few months, I hope it will be back up," he said, adding that Nissan would still meet its target of having a 5 percent share of the passenger vehicle market in India by 2020.

New product launches are driving a slow revival in car sales in India, ending years of sluggish growth. But consumers are still holding back from big purchases as they wait for a more robust economic recovery.

Passenger car sales in India rose 5 percent in the year to end-March but global carmakers such as General Motors, Volkswagen AG and Ford Motor Co reported a double-digit decline, industry data showed.

The move by Renault and Nissan follows that by U.S. carmaker GM, that in July said it would stop production at one of its two plants in India following sluggish sales.

The alliance is also facing competition from recent launches by market leader Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai in the sport-utility vehicle (SUV) segment - the main driver of sales for Renault and Nissan in India.

"This is why the rest of the market is taking a small hit," said Sicard, who hopes to recover some lost ground when Renault and Nissan launch new small cars next year.

Renault-Nissan's plant in Chennai can manufacture 400,000 vehicles a year and is operating at 70 percent capacity. It has two production lines which can produce up to 40 cars an hour.

One line will continue full production whereas output on the second line will be scaled back by "a few units per hour", Sicard said. The reduction in output on the second line will be less than 25 percent, he said.

Nissan's domestic sales rose 25 percent to more than 47,000 in the year to end-March from a year ago, giving it less than 2 percent share of the passenger vehicles market, but the growth was mainly driven by its Datsun-branded cars.

Renault's sales over the period fell 24 percent to 43,384 vehicles while its market share fell below 2 percent, data from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) showed.

In comparison, market leader Maruti Suzuki's sales rose 11 percent to 1.17 million vehicles.

Volkswagen Polo GTI unveiled at the GIIAS 2015

The all new Volkswagen Polo GTI made its global debut at the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) 2015 on Friday. Volkswagen India will most likely launch its latest Polo in the country by the end of 2015. Volkswagen India have not yet made any announcements regarding the launch of the much-awaited Volkswagen Polo GTI. But with the Fiat Punto Evo Abarth on its way to the Indian market this festive season, its rival the Polo GTI is not much behind.
The new Volkswagen Polo GTI will most likely come with a 1.8-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine producing maximum power output of 188bhp and maximum torque of 320Nm, mated to a seven-speed DSG transmission, going from 0-100 km/hr in 6.7 seconds, reports say.

The new Volkswagen Polo GTI comes in AWD with all new sports suspension and disc brakes. The car also comes with engine drag torque control, vehicle dynamics function XDS+ and electronic differential lock, say reports.
According to reports, the Volkswagen Polo GTI will come via the CKD-route, reports say. Although, design-wise, the Polo GTI is similar to the previous model, but there are several major changes with the styling of the car. The Polo GTI will come with LED headlights, honeycomb mesh grille, red brake calipers, re-designed bumper and 17-inch alloy wheels.
ALSO READ: Spied: Is the Polo GTI coming to India?
Moreover, the interior of the new Volkswagen Polo GTI comes with sport seats, new upholstery with contrast red stitching, re-designed steering wheel and aluminium pedals, say reports.

Hyundai Grand Avega Limited, Hyundai Grand i10X – GIIAS 2015

Hyundai Grand Avega Limited Edition is priced from Rp. 212,500,000.
At the 2015 Gaikindo Indonesia International Motor Show (GIIAS 2015), PT Hyundai Mobil Indonesia showcased the Hyundai Grand Avega Limited and Hyundai Grand i10X crossover. Both models are exclusive to the Indonesian market, and the latter is manufactured and exported from India.
Hyundai Grand Avega Limited
Hyundai Grand Avega Limited front quarter at the 2015 Gaikindo Indonesia International Motor Show
The Hyundai Grand Avega is basically an hatchback version of the Hyundai Verna sold in India. The Grand Avega Limited edition features an exclusive grille with chrome surrounds, LED DRLs accentuating the foglamps, exclusive 15 inch multi-spoke alloy wheels and a “Limited” badge on the hatch. It is finished in an exclusive “orange-vitamin C” exterior color.
Inside, the Limited edition comes with a leather wrapped steering wheel, tan brown leather upholstery, and a dual tone light grey/dark grey dashboard.
Hyundai Grand Avega Limited interior at the 2015 Gaikindo Indonesia International Motor Show
The Grand Avega is powered by a 1.4-liter CVVT petrol engine that produces a maximum 108 PS at 6,300 rpm and 136.3 Nm of torque at 5,000 rpm. Transmission options include a 6-speed manual and 4-speed automatic.
The Grand Avega Limited M/T is priced at Rp. 212,500,000, while the automatic gearbox-equipped model costs Rp. 225,500,000.

Hyundai Grand i10X
Hyundai Grand i10X front three quarter at the 2015 Gaikindo Indonesia International Motor Show
Launched on June 13, the Hyundai Grand i10X is the company’s first ever sub-compact pseudo-crossover which is manufactured at the plant of Hyundai Motors India Limited (HMIL) in Chennai. It is exclusively sold in Indonesia at Rp 155,500,000.
Compared to the standard Hyundai Grand i10, the Grand i10X features extended black plastic lower bumpers with integrated silver skid plates, foglamps with LED DRL strips, side extensions, a chrome exhaust tip, black panel covering the C-Pillar for a “floating roof” impression, and a roof spoiler. Thanks to the larger tires, the Grand i10X has higher ground clearance, which adds to the rugged appeal.
Hyundai Grand i10X rear three quarter at the 2015 Gaikindo Indonesia International Motor Show
The only exclusive change inside is the silver bezel ornament on the leather-wrapped steering wheel. Otherwise it’s identical to the standard Grand i10, which comes equipped with a console-mounted gear shift lever, 2-DIN MP3 player with 4 speakers, USB and AUX-in ports, driver-seat height adjustment, cooled glovebox and 256 liters of boot space.
Powering the Grand i10X is the same 1.2L Kappa dual VTVT petrol engine from the standard model, generating 83 PS at 6,000 rpm and 116 Nm at 4,000 RPM. It is paired to a 5-speed manual transmission only.

Porsche 911: 52 years of staying true to its roots

The Porsche 911 is a testament to perseverance. Even back in 1963, it was clear that putting the engine behind a car's rear axle entailed compromises over front- or even mid-engined cars—clear to everyone outside of Porsche's Stuttgart base, that is. That was the year the company unveiled its 901 at the Frankfurt auto show. (The name was changed to "911" after Peugeot asserted that its trademark extended to any three-digit number with a 0 in the middle.) The first Porsche 911 went on sale in 1964, and the car has been a cornerstone of the marque ever since. During those 51 years, Porsche engineers have mitigated the problems associated with a rear-engined layout, developing the 911 into one of motoring's greatest living legends.

1964-1968

Rear-engined cars had become a bit of a Porsche family trademark by this point, including the Volkswagen Beetle and Porsche 356. The Porsche 911 of 1964 followed suit. It would be Porsche's largest and most expensive sports car to date, with four seats and a 2l engine. The car's styling was thanks to "Butzi" Porsche, grandson of company founder Ferdinand Porsche (who created the Beetle). Another grandson, Ferdinand Piech, was the engineer responsible for developing the car's new engine: a six-cylinder boxer (two rows of three cylinders, 180 degrees opposed from each other), air-cooled and with overhead camshafts.

OK, the rear seats were (and still are) tiny, so it's more of a 2+2 than a real four-seater. But even the earliest 911s were that marvellous blend of engaging sports car and practical transport. The 128hp (96kW) engine revved to 6800rpm, which was a lot for 1964. With not much weight to move around (~2360lbs/1070kg) it was fast for its time. Early road tests put the 0-60mph time between seven and nine seconds, with a top speed around 130mph (209km/h). By 1966 there were several versions on sale: the regular 911, a more powerful 911S (158hp/118kW), a Targa with a removable roof section, and a more affordable 4-cylinder version called the 912.

 
Legendary motoring writer Denis Jenkinson summed up the early 911 well that year: "Its first-class stability, hard-working engine, perfect gearbox, accurate steering, high cornering propensities, and one-piece feel make it a real GT car, a car that is intended for hard motoring. The harder you drive the more it seems to come alive, and you can almost hear it chuckling to itself as you really begin to use it the way Dr. Porsche meant it to be used."

Jenkinson also went on to say it was an incredibly safe car. "if you make a mistake while driving it fast, it will stay with you and help you to sort things out"—which probably came as news to everyone who went into a corner too fast, lifted the throttle, and then went backwards through a hedge. It's a matter of physics, you see. It has a high moment of inertia, and unsettling the car's weight balance (by lifting or braking in a corner, which transfers weight to the front axle) means the rear tyres lose grip. Instead of following the direction the driver wants, the back end just wants to complete transcribing the arc it was on.

That's not to give the impression that the 911's rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout was worthless. After all, Porsche are still sticking the engine in the back, 51 years later. More weight at the back meant more traction for the rear wheels than a front-engined car, and there were packaging advantages, particularly with an air-cooled engine that needed no radiators. 911 drivers quickly found the car benefited from a particular driving style: turning in early and accelerating even before a corner's apex, trusting the rearward weight bias to good effect.
 
1968-1973

In 1968, Porsche lengthened the wheelbase of the 911 in a bid to tame some of the car's worst handling traits. The 911 was in fact quite comprehensively revised, although you'd be hard pressed to tell just by looking at one from the outside. Many of the updates were thanks to the company's experience racing 911s on track and in rallies, where it proved itself to be an able competitor. In addition to the longer wheelbase, the engines in the 911E (the standard car) and 911S both now featured Bosch fuel injection (the cheaper 911T model, which replaced the 912, kept carburettors). Engine capacity went up to 2.2 litres, and other changes enabled by moving to fuel injection also meant the new engines were more powerful than before, now redlining at 7200rpm.
The new 911 (the C-series) had revised suspension (new struts at the front and longer trailing arms at the rear in particular) and more mod cons in the cabin, including better ventilation and the option of air conditioning. An automatic gearbox was also available in the Sportomatic. Contemporary road tests show that the changes made the car faster (0-60mph between 6.5 and 8.4 seconds) with no significant weight gain over the earlier version.

Racing driver and race engineer Mark Donohue drove the revised car for Car and Driver magazine: "There's no doubt that Porsche has a very successful grand touring car and the design philosophy is terrific. Just the rear engine alone lends to building a better car... you have a low center of gravity, good visibility, a minimum of mechanical losses through the drivetrain and, being air-cooled and light, the combination results in an impressive vehicle."

The long wheelbase 911 was updated a few more times, notably in 1971 when the engines were increased in size from 2.2L to 2.4L. The bigger engine also came with a new five-speed gearbox. The most iconic 911 of this era—and perhaps any, if current values are any gauge—was 1973's Carrera RS. This was a homologation model, where a certain number of road cars had to be built to allow Porsche to use certain parts on the race track. The RS had a bigger engine (2.7L, 210hp/150kW) and was instantly recognisable by its duck-tail rear spoiler. Wider tyres, bigger brakes, a lightweight interior, and uprated suspension all contributed to making the RS a very special road car for its time.

Racing has always been central to Porsche, with the company using its racing program to improve the road cars. The 911 was no exception to this. The early 911 and 911S proved quite capable as race and rally cars, but the first true factory racer was the 911R in 1967. This used lots of lightweight materials where possible (plexiglass windows, panels made of aluminium or fibreglass, and so on).

Next was the 1973 Carrera RSR, based on the Carrera RS homologation special. At least 500 Carrera RSs had to be sold for the car to be legal on the track, although it was actually so in demand that Porsche built more than 1000 of them. The RSR was even more special than the RS, with a larger 2.8L engine that made 300hp (223kW) at a heady 8000rpm, and in 1975 a 3-litre engine appeared.

1973-1977

Compared to the 1973 model, the 1974 model of the 911 (the G series) was a heavily changed car. New US safety regulations had come into effect, and the 911's dainty chrome bumpers were replaced with plastic and rubber "impact bumpers." Not everyone was a fan, but the law said the cars had to be able to survive a 5mph (8km/h) impact unscathed, so they were here to stay.
The new line-up still had three models. The cheapest was the 911, which replaced the old 911T. Then there was the faster 911S, and a new range-topper, the Carrera, which incorporated a lot of features from the '73 Carrera RS. All three used the same size 2.7L flat-six engine, with different amounts of power (911: 150hp/110kW, 911S: 173hp/129kW, Carrera 210hp/150kW). The engines also featured a new kind of fuel injection from Bosch. American buyers of the 2.7 Carrera had to settle for the older engine, however. Stiffer and lighter aluminium castings replaced steel in the suspension, making the cars handle better, and handle corrosion better as well.

Performance continued to be a 911 strong point. 0-60mph was dispatched in under 6 seconds by the Carrera, with the 911S and "cooking" 911 not far behind. Motor magazine even got their test Carrera to 150mph (241km/h), although neither their rivals at Car and Driver nor Road and Track could match that. The cars only needed servicing every 12,000 miles—something we take for granted now, but it was quite rare back then.

All this engineering came at a price, however. Porsches were never cheap, but the 911S was now 31,000 marks (around £7,000 or $11,875)—a lot of money in 1973. High prices and the 1973 oil crisis (along with the economic slump that it caused) saw sales plummet in Germany and abroad, especially in the US, where politicians hastily enacted a 55mph blanket speed limit across the country's vast network of motorways. (New US emissions laws meant that from 1975, Porsche 911s sold there had restrictive exhaust systems that dropped power and made them slower).

Despite Porsche's 1974 sales woes, the company continued development of a project to bring forced induction, or turbocharging, to the 911 road car. Porsche had been enjoying huge success at the track with turbocharged engines, and felt the application was ready for the street. This was launched as the 911 Turbo, instantly recognisable by the large "whale tail" rear spoiler. The turbocharged engine was a 3.3-litre flat-six that made 260hp (193kW). Again, US cars took a hit: their 911 Turbo had a mere 234hp. Internally, the 911 Turbo was known as the "930."

Bigger wheels, tyres, and brakes all came with the 930 Turbo, and the car had a more luxurious interior, a necessity when the turbo was more than twice the price of a 911S (DM65,000). A huge price tag bought huge performance, though. Car and Driver figured it at 4.9 seconds to get to 60mph from a standstill, knackering the clutch in the process. (Road and Track used the same car later and could do no better than 6.7 seconds!) Top speed was the other side of 150mph (241km/h), and in-gear acceleration was fierce, once you allowed for turbo lag (the time the turbine needed to scroll up to speed). The Turbo also went racing in 1976 with the 934, a car relatively close to the road version (unlike the fearsome 935, which looked a bit like the 911 but shared almost nothing with the road cars).

   
1978-1988

By the late 1970s, it was increasingly looking like the 911's day was done. Emissions regulations weren't kind to the car, and Porsche had been working on a series of front-engined cars, the 924 and 928. These more conventional Porsches were, everyone assumed, the company's future, and the 911 a thing of the past. In 1978 the 911 range was simplified. Out went the separate 911 (2.7L) and Carrera (3.0L) models; in came the 911SC. You could buy one with a manual or a Sportomatic gearbox, and as a coupé or Targa. At least, until 1982, when a true convertible was finally available. Dropping the top proved to be the shot in the arm that Porsche sales needed, and in 1989 a Speedster with a low windscreen and rudimentary hood went on sale.

1984 saw yet another subtle revision to the line-up. Now all 911s had the Carrera name, previously reserved for the hottest street models (dating back to the mid-50s). The engine was now 3.2L and 230hp (172kW) in Europe, 207hp/154kW in the US. Better fuel injection technology even meant a 10 percent bump in fuel efficiency. Even though the car was by now a 20-year-old design, it was still impressing road testers and selling well.

in 1983, another homologation car appeared, the 959. This was built to the Group B rules for rallying, and in 1986 a pair of 959s came first and second in the Paris-Dakar rally. Road-going 959s went on sale in 1986, and the cars were like little else on the roads. Extensive use of composite materials like kevlar kept the weight down. It had a complicated all-wheel-drive (AWD) system and automatic ride height adjustment. The engine was a 2.8L twin-turbo flat-six that used water-cooled cylinder heads (the block was still air-cooled), derived from Porsche's IndyCar engine. With 444hp (331kW) the 959 was extremely fast, but it wasn't quite able to break 200mph, much to Porsche's disappointment (and Ferrari's glee, one expects).

At 28 km/litre, Maruti Suzuki's Ciaz Hybrid may be India’s most fuel-efficient car

MUMBAI: Maruti Suzuki, the country's largest car maker, will be launching the Ciaz Hybrid, touted as the most fuel-efficient car in the country at 28 km/litre, thus raising the bar for fuel efficient cars in India.

The new vehicle, which will replace the existing Ciaz diesel, and challenge segment leader Honda City, will also put the spotlight on diesel cars, which were losing the edge to petrol variants
A person close to the company said the technology will be a key differentiator for the company in the bigger car space, where it had a limited presence.

"The mild-hybrid, just like AMT, is an ideal solution for India. It has the potential to be a game changer. Benefits are plenty, fuel efficiency is better, environment is getting better, emission is taken care of — you are able to give a differentiated product to challenge competition," said the person, who didn't wish to be named.
A Maruti SuzukiBSE -1.35 % spokesperson declined to comment on new models and technologies, but said, "Improving fuel efficiency is a continuous process at Maruti Suzuki. Adopting new technologies is one of the several initiatives the company has taken to increase fuel efficiency."

ET has learnt that Ciaz, which will come with a Suzuki Hybrid Vehicle System (SHVS), a mild hybrid system mated with a 1.3 litre diesel engine, is likely to be priced aggressively, which may be at a marginal premium, or Rs 25,000 to Rs 40,000 costlier.

While the technology will be imported, the high import cost will be offset by the incentives given by the government through lower excise duty of 12.5 per cent and subsidy extension of Rs 12,000- Rs 13,000 under electric and hybrid vehicle policy of FAME, which will help the company save over Rs 1 lakh on the ticket price.
The company plans to cross the 30km per litre barrier with the new Swift and Dzire. The same technology will make its way in Ertiga hybrid in October and it may be fitted in all 1.3 litre diesel engine cars of Maruti Suzuki in the future The company has also worked on 1.2 litre petrol hybrid, which will be available with the upcoming Suzuki Baleno, but only in overseas market.


Given the challenge of depleting fuel reserves and emission issue, moving to hybrids is a step in right direction, said Gaurav Vangaal, senior analyst for forecasting at IHS Automotive. But he said "the question remains the same with three A's — Affordability, Awareness and Acceptability".
The company expects almost half the new Ciaz and Ertiga sales to come from diesel hybrid version.

New BMW M4 GTS will be fully road legal

A limited-edition M4 GTS, aimed more at the track than the road, will go on the market in early 2016. A lightly disguised version in the shape of the Concept M4 GTS was recently shown at the Pebble Beach Concours in the USA. The concept vehicle is a showcase for technologies that increase performance and which are intended for production.

Frank van Meel, president of BMW’s M division, said: “The Concept M4 GTS previews an exclusive new model with a keen focus on the race track. Despite its outstanding track ability, it is still fully road legal.”

The engine is the twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre in-line six cylinder and features a new water-injection system that sprays water vapour into the inlet manifold. This cools the air going into the engine, which reduces knock and allows higher boost pressure and earlier injection timing. Engineers claim an 8% increase in power, indicating an output for the M4 GTS of 460bhp, with an equal increase in torque.

Of course, this requires BMW to pay special attention to temperatures, so the cooling system has been reworked with the addition of two radiators and an additional electric water pump with the revised intercooler.

Above the engine sits a plastic bonnet reinforced by carbonfibre, and there is a carbonfibre front splitter and rear wing, allowing the driver to adjust downforce. The upgraded chassis rolls on 265/35 R19 front and 285/30 R20 rear Michelin Sport Cup 2 tyres.

When it goes into production early next year, the M4 GTS will continue a sparkling tradition of special models from BMW’s revered M division.

BMW India Launches New MINI Countryman at Rs. 36.5 lakh

BMW India launched the new MINI Countryman yesterday at a price of Rs. 36.5 lakh (ex-showroom). The new Countryman, that will arrive in India via the CBU route, sports a contoured bonnet, redesigned hexagonal grille, increased ground clearance, short overhangs, xenon head-lamps with LED fog-lamps, and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the new MINI Countryman gets a slightly raised seating position, height adjustable standard Sports Leather Seats, multi-function Sport Leather Steering Wheel, Radio MINI Boost CD, and an optional 10 speaker 640 watt Hi-Fi Harmon Kardon music system.

It is powered by a 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine with an output of 112bhp and a maximum torque of 270Nm. It accelerates from 0-100Km/hr in 11.3 seconds on its way to a top-speed of 185Km/hr. Mated to a 6-speed Steptronic transmission stands, drivers can also take over manual control or gear changes using optional shift paddles.

As far as the new MINI Countryman's standard safety equipment list is concerned, it gets 6 airbags, 3-point seat belts, Dynamic Stability Control including Dynamic Traction Control, Anti-lock Braking System, Brake Assist and Run-flat indicator.


Mr Philipp von Sahr, President, BMW Group India said, "MINI is a style icon for trend-setters and has established itself as a unique brand, associated with tradition and irresistible charm. The new MINI Countryman has pursued its path to success both on and off road. Selective design modifications for the exterior and interior along with innovative equipment features contribute to the more mature charisma and increased appeal of the new MINI Countryman. It is a perfect amalgamation of character, space and the 'go-kart' responsiveness."

Other than the new Countryman's launch, BMW also announced a revised price list for the MINI range in India. The revised prices are:

MINI Cooper D 3-Door : Rs. 28.50 lakh

MINI Cooper D 5-Door : Rs. 31.90 lakh

MINI Cooper S 3-Door : Rs. 31.50 lakh

MINI Cooper Convertible : Rs. 33.90 lakh

MINI Cooper D Countryman : Rs. 36.50 lakh

2016 BMW 7 Series due October

The all-new, sixth-generation 2016 BMW 7 Series will get a fast-tracked Australian launch in late October or early November, less than two months after the Bavarian limo’s world premiere at the Frankfurt motor show.

Expect to see three engine options — the 740i and 730d diesel this year and the 750i in early 2016 — plus both short- and long-wheelbase body-styles (the latter not on the diesel), various styling packages and an almost limitless number of BMW Individual customisation options, with help from subsidiary Rolls-Royce.

Naturally, BMW Australia also hopes its sharpened 7 Series, a rival to the forthcoming new Audi A8 and the rampant Mercedes-Benz S-Class — which dominates sales in the upper echelon segment where these uber-sedans compete, with 40 per cent market share — will make some inroads against key rivals.


“We are very confident with this car we have a fairly good chance in luxury segment to gain back some segment share, but to be honest you don’t want to speak about numbers in that particular segment,” BMW Australia managing director Marc Werner told us.

BMW’s flagship model may sport evolutionary styling on first glance, but it’s a technical tour-de-force as befits its positioning as the headline act in the Bavarian brand’s arsenal, and a significantly different vehicle both outside and inside — on closer inspection.

How do we know? The company’s Australian arm has just flown two re-production cars in from Munich to show to prospective buyers — presumably in mood-lit rooms with nice hors d’oeuvres — across the country’s capital cities, such is the level of demand.


Naturally, after hearing rumours of said amenities, we had to make our way to BMW to see for ourselves. There was an agreement not to take photos, so we’re using stock images here.

Right off the bat, the BMW 7 Series models to be sold in Australia have a notable feather in their cap. The local market has the single highest standard specification level on the new model of any market globally. Remember, it has a three-pointed star-toting rival from Stuttgart to pursue.

All versions will get Nappa leather upholstery and a full leather instrument panel, heated seats front and rear and 19-inch alloys (20s on the 750i and 750Li). Interestingly, the formerly $10,000 M Sport styling package (on the last 7 Series) that was optioned by about 85 per cent of buyers will now be a no-cost option.


Some of the niftiest features we trialled — a large number of which will be standard, though not all — included the rechargeable key with a screen that allows you to check the car’s functions remotely, and control ancillaries, like a phone app (a flat key will still start the car, never fear). As we know, this key will also be used to remotely park the car, though that feature doesn’t arrive here until 2016.

There’s also a 7.0-inch tablet in the rear between the two seats that controls almost every aspect of the car remotely, including the powerful (and optional) massage function, plus the optional 1400W concert surround-sound system by Bowers and Wilkins.

There’s a small projector hidden under the rocker panel that project a welcome light ‘carpet’ that illuminates all around the car, including the walk up to the boot. The Sky Lounge sunroof has 15,000 light points that can be changed to various tones, including a restful purple or a cool blue for hot days.


The 7 Series also premieres gesture controls for key functions to supplement the iDrive, operated by a roof-mounted sensor. Our favourite aspect is the dismissive wave you can flash in front of the screen to reject a phone call. Like. A. Boss. You can also ‘pinch’ and drag-and-drop menus on the screen with mid-air gestures, though something (perhaps the sharp lighting in the studio) last night threw it out somewhat. Hmm.

A few other tidbits: No button in the cabin is finished in plastic coating, but instead gets a metallic surface. With the exception of the heat-repelling piano black plastics dotting the fascia, every surface is either real leather, wood or steel. It’s craftsmanship at least on par with the S-Class, and a big step up for BMW.

The styling may seem derivative, though in the flesh it’s a suitably commanding presence, with a boldly upright kidney grille beset by optional blue-tinged Laser Lights, a prominent crease that wraps all around the car from grille to tail-light, and a chrome line above the rocker panel that kicks up into an air vent.


Despite being 70mm longer than the old 7 Series, the new model’s Carbon Core construction — leverage from BMW’s i sub-brand — helps reduce weight by about 120kg.

Mechanically, you get engine power channelled through a further developed eight-speed Steptronic gearbox with optimised internal efficiency, an increased ratio spread and — most interestingly — a gear-change strategy assisted by navigation data, as is offered in the Rolls-Royce ranks.

There’s also a new-design standard-fitted Driving Experience Control switch now including Adaptive (self-determining) mode. This, plus two-axle air suspension with automatic self-levelling and Dynamic Damper Control (adaptive dampers) as standard.


The 740i versions are powered by an all-new 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six with 240kW of power and 450Nm of torque. The 750i features a heavily revised 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 producing 330kW of power and 650Nm of torque.

On the diesel side of the ledger, there’s a 195kW/620Nm 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six under the bonnet of the 730d. As we know, a new quad-turbocharged diesel engine has been mooted.

The bottom line is, after a quick walk-around and a poke inside, that the new BMW 7 Series now offers the kind of craftsmanship and cabin tech that puts it well and truly in league with the brilliant Mercedes-Benz S-Class. We’ll be driving it in a matter of weeks as the long-lead launch continues.

Hyundai Motors Teases the All New Elantra Sedan

Hyundai Motors India has revealed the first teaser image of the new sixth-generation Elantra sedan. The new Elantra will feature the dynamic style cues with modern looks, the company has not revealed the official launch date of the car but it is expected to be showcased at the Los Angeles Auto Show in the month of November 2015. Talking about the Indian debut, it will surely come on the shores next year, most probably at the Auto Expo 2016.

Based on the impressions that are released, it seems the car maker has decided to move on and make it more upmarket. The car designers have included a series of innovative features that provides the vehicle a unique look. With the launch, the car will give tough competition to Chevrolet Cruze, Toyota Corolla and Skoda Octavia in the country.

On the outside, the all-new Elantra gets the body structure with the ‘Fluidic’ design philosophy, the front sports the redesigned large hexagonal radiator grille along with twin headlights that resembles to that of Jaguar, while the fog light area is finished with the chrome accents. It gets the sporty character lines that run all through the long bonnet, bottom side line and the shoulder line. On the side profile, the car receives the new set of diamond cut alloy wheels that enhances the overall looks of the vehicle.

Coming to the interiors, the new Elantra will be enriched with the advanced features to gives a luxurious feel. The cabin receives all-black color scheme while the seats are covered with the high-quality upholstery and have the cooled/heated functionality. It gets the USB ports and the Infiniti audio unit which supports the Apple Car Play and the Android Auto. The new Elantra gets the dual climate control, start/stop button, panoramic sunroof. On the safety front, the new sedan offers various safety aspects such as Blind spot detection, automatic emergency braking and rear cross traffic alert.

Under the bonnet, the all new Hyundai Elantra is powered by the 1.6 litre T-GDi engine that has the capacity of producing the maximum power output of 175 bhp and is coupled with the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission gearbox. The Elantra’s body is manufactured with 53 % of high strength steel. The vehicle’s drag coefficient stands at 0.27 which makes the car one of the most aerodynamic vehicles in the segment. The car is also expected to produce healthy fuel economy.

Mr. Peter Schreyer, Hyundai’s chief designer said that the new car Elantra is an indication of the Hyundai’s move from the traditional design to the modern styling with the enhanced fashion, comfort and the sporty feel. He also added that the new Elantra’s unique design and characteristics really makes this model class apart.

Recently, Hyundai unveiled the latest G vision car in the country. This new coupe gets the Sportback profile that looks really innovative. The car from outside is quite huge with the long front snout and the coupe roof. The radiator grille is large with huge wheels. The badging carries the Genesis moniker that indicates that this can convert in future coupe variant. Stepping inside the car, the G vision concept uses the wood and leather touches, the self-opening door is among the various features of the car.

Mechanically, the coupe gets the power from the 5.0 litre V8 mill that has the capacity to deliver max output of 420bhp and that’s a massive figure. The car is designed by the team of designers from the USA and the inputs are taken from the car maker’s design studios across the globe.