Nissan’s new Serena ProPILOT technology

ProPILOT :

ProPILOT is a revolutionary autonomous drive technology designed for highway use in single-lane traffic. Nissan is the first Japanese automaker to introduce a combination of steering, accelerator and braking that can be operated in full automatic mode, easing driver workload in heavy highway traffic and long commutes.

Employing advanced image-processing technology, the car's ProPILOT system understands road and traffic situations and executes precise steering enabling the vehicle to perform naturally. ProPILOT technology is extremely user-friendly, thanks to a switch on the steering wheel that allows the driver to easily activate and deactivate the system. ProPILOT's easy-to-understand and fit-to-drive interface includes a personal display showing the operating status.

System Configuration:

The accelerator, brakes and steering are controlled based on information obtained through a mono camera equipped with advanced-image processing software. The ProPILOT camera can quickly recognize in three-dimensional depth both preceding vehicles and lane markers.

Functions:

Once activated, ProPILOT automatically controls the distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle, using a speed preset by the driver (between approximately 30 km/h and 100 km/h). The system also keeps the car in the middle of the highway lane by reading lane markers and controlling steering, even through curves.

 

If a car in front stops:

The ProPILOT system automatically applies the brakes to bring the vehicle to a full stop. After coming to a full stop, the vehicle will remain in place even if the driver's foot is off the brake pedal. When ready to resume driving, ProPILOT is activated when the driver touches the switch again or lightly presses the accelerator.

BMW X2 to launch at the 2016 Paris Motor Show

The BMW X2 SUV will launch at the upcoming 2016 Paris Motor Show in late September. The new addition to the X family – the X2 – will come to market next year and will be priced closer to the X3 than to the X1.

BMW’s X2 will be built on the X1 front-wheel drive platform and will follow the example of the larger X4 and X6 in receiving a uniquely styled steel body. It will feature a five-door layout, with its tailgate set at a more extreme angle than that of the more practical X1 to give it a coupe-like silhouette.

The X2 will separate itself from the X1 by having a higher rear belt line and smaller rear window as well as a more aggressively swept roofline. The interior is expected to be largely shared with the new X1.

BMW X2 is planned to be sold exclusively with three-cylinder and four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, along with the choice of either front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. They will be mated to either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic gearbox in combination with front or four-wheel drive.

The X2 will be produced alongside the new X1 at BMW’s Regensburg factory in Germany.

Production of Jeep 551 (Jeep C-SUV) to start in Jan 2017

Production of the Jeep 551 will commence on January 30, 2017. The Jeep 551, commonly referred to as the Jeep C-SUV, will be first built in Toluca, Mexico. Later on, production will be extended to Brazil as well as the Tata-Fiat JV plant in Ranjangaon, Maharashtra in India. 

The Jeep 551 C SUV is based on the Jeep Renegade and 500X’s front-wheel drive platform. And since the vehicle will be launched in several international markets including India, it will have both right & left hand drive versions. While there is nothing official about its engine options, we expect it to come in both petrol and diesel mills. While the petrol engine could be the 2.0-litre Tigershark, the diesel will be the 2.0-litre Multijet II diesel . Both the engines could get a 6-speed manual and a 9-speed automatic gearboxes.

Kia Picanto 1.2 LS launched in South Africa

The Kia Picanto 1.2 LS is priced from ZAR 139,995 (INR 6.45 lakhs)

Kia Motors South Africa has introduced the Kia Picanto 1.2 LS, which offers the bigger 1.2L four cylinder engine in the LS grade, thus bridging the gap between the base 1.0 LS and 1.2 EX models.

The 1.2 LS is powered by the same motor from the 1.2 EX grade; a 1.2-litre Kappa MPI engine producing 65 kW (87 hp) of power at 6,000 rpm and 120 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. It is paired to a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard, while an automatic transmission is optional.

Tata Xenon Evolve Limited Edition launched in South Africa

Accordion Investments, authorized distributor of Tata Motors in South Africa, has introduced a limited edition Tata Xenon Evolve. It is priced from ZAR 269,995 (INR 12.33 lakhs) for the 4×2 variant, while a 4×4 model is also available, but on a made-to-order basis.

The exterior of the Evolve Special Edition has a number of important, added value features including a roll-over bar behind the cab, side steps, a front nudge bar and a tow bar as well as unique badging and a special decal package. The alloy wheels have been revised as an additional distinguishing feature.

The Xenon range blends modern styling, comprehensive safety features which includes ABS as well asdual front airbags, plus a host of convenience features such as GPS navigation and Bluetooth compatibility. Other items that are standard equipment include electric windows, power steering, an audio system with an MP3 player and a tilt-adjustable steering column.

The Evolve is powered by a new generation 2.2-litre turbo Tata diesel engine with variable valve timing, variable turbine technology and direct injection with a common fuel rail. It develops 110kW of power and a peak torque figure of 320Nm. Double cab variants also benefit from rear diff-lock for those tough situations. 

Volkswagen Ameo launched in Bangalore at INR 5.33 Lakh

 

The VW Ameo range includes three trim levels: Trendline, Comfortline and Highline, priced (before taxes and other on-road costs) at INR 5,33,620, INR 6,10,616 and INR 7,18,450 respectively. Body-coloured bumpers, body-coloured door handles, body-coloured door mirrors with integrated turn indicators, single-folding rear seat backrest, tilt and telescopic adjustable steering wheel, ABS and dual-front airbags are standard features.
The Volkswagen Ameo is powered by a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder MPI petrol engine that produces 74bhp of maximum power and 114Nm of peak torque. This engine comes mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. Volkswagen India also has plans to launch a diesel variant that will be powered by a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder TDI diesel engine. The diesel variant of the car is expected to be launched during the festive period around Diwali. Recently, the diesel variant of the Volkswagen Ameo has been spied while being tested near Pune, Maharashtra.

The Volkswagen Ameo is equipped with first in class features like cruise control, centre arm rest, rain sensing wipers, static cornering lights and anti-pinch power windows. On the safety front, the Volkswagen Ameo comes equipped with ABS and dual front airbags as standard across the variants. Volkswagen has also developed an exclusive app for the Ameo wherein customers can access additional information about the car. The ‘Volkswagen Ameo’ app can be downloaded through the Google PlayStore and the Apple App Store.

Land Rover Discovery Sport now available in petrol

What’s better than a Land Rover Discovery Sport? A petrol-powered Discovery Sport, that’s what. The iconic 4x4 vehicle manufacturer has taken cognisance of the volatile situation surrounding diesel engines and has launched the petrol version of the Discovery Sport. Available only in the HSE trim. As a refresher, the Sport comes in four grades namely: S, SE, HSE and HSE Luxury.

Power will come from a new 2.0-litre inline-four engine capable of pumping out 237bhp with power sent to the wheels via the 9-speed automatic transmission. It will be sold alongside the 2.2-litre HD4 and SD4 diesel units that have been on sale since September 2015.

The Discovery Sport is the most affordable SUV in the company’s Indian lineup. Being the most affordable does not mean that it is not well equipped. For its part, the petrol version is lavished with grained leather seats, panoramic sunroof, rear-view camera, adaptive xenon headlamps and the popular Park Exit & Perpendicular Park feature.

It goes without saying that Land Rover’s renowned “All Terrain Capability” is also present with systems like Hill Descent Control (HDC), Roll Stability Control (RSC), Electronic Traction Control (ETC) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC).