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.

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).

Mitsubishi Montero to be relaunched in September

Mitsubishi Motors is set to bring back its Montero SUV to India in September 2016. Bookings for the SUV are open now and can be made at Mitsubishi dealerships for Rs 10 lakh. 

Deliveries though are expected to start from October, however officials mention that they are striving to advance the date. The car will be brought in via the CBU route which could explain the steep pricing of Rs 70.43 lakh . 

• what’s new on the Montero? The soon-to-be-launched Montero will be the third facelift of the car. The platform and the engine remain the same, but now makes 10hp less than the old motor. The torque figure and the five-speed automatic gearbox remain unchanged.
•  The car's styling is a departure for that of the 2012 model which was sold here. The front bears the most changes, with a new bonnet, chrome grille, reworked headlamps and front bumper which now houses an LED strip too. Besides these modifications, the SUV also gets new alloys, revised side cladding, and a spare wheel mounted on the tailgate.  The Montero’s ground clearance has gone down by 10mm and weight has gone up by 25kg.

Next-Gen Chevrolet Beat Revealed In Its Production Guise

Chevrolet India has released the first images of the new Beat and its sister cars. They provide one with the idea as to how the cars will look in the real world. Though, in its new avatar, the Beat takes up an evolutionary approach rather than a full-blow aesthetic upgrade. Chevrolet plans to bring five cars this year, out of which three will be derivatives of the Beat namely -- the Beat, The Beat Essentia and the Beat Activ. The other two can be the Trailblazer facelift and the next-generation Cruze. 

2017 BMW 3 Series GT

German auto giant BMW updated the 3 Series sedan globally last year and the same was launched in our market at the 2016 Indian Auto Expo. 

It now comes with revised mechanicals and subtle cosmetic changes as well. The updated 3 series GT range will come with three new petrol engines and five new diesel engines internationally. The three new petrol engines’ power outputs will range from 187PS to 330PS whereas the refreshed diesel mills will produce from 152PS to 318PS, depending on the variant you choose. The same will be available with a RWD (rear-wheel ride setup) or BMW’s much famed xDrive all-wheel drive setup. However, we expect the Gran Turismo to be only launched with one diesel and one petrol variant in India.

The new BMW 3 Series GT will also be more efficient than the outgoing model. It will have features like auto start-stop, brake energy regeneration, on-demand operation of ancillary units and the eco pro mode which will help in improving the fuel economy and reducing emissions.

The cosmetic changes start from the updated front grille and the headlamps which come with adaptive LED tech. The front bumper has also been revised and the new GT will also get a new set of chunkier wheels which will most likely sport 17-inch rims. At the rear, the 3 GT will have refreshed taillamps which have been redesigned along with a new sportier rear bumper. On the inside, the 3 GT will come with added chrome accents along with the latest 5.0 version of the BMW iDrive infotainment system with navigation.

We can expect the new BMW 3 Series GT to be launched in India by the end of 2017 and it will be priced close to the 50 lakh rupee mark.

Jaguar XE Prestige launched at Rs 43.69 lakh

Jaguar has added a third petrol variant to its XE sedan line-up in India. Priced at Rs 43.69 lakh.

In terms of features, the Jaguar XE Prestige gets a sliding sunroof, memory function for the driver seat, Taurus leather appointments, a rear-view camera, interior mood lighting option and a 380W sound system by Meridian.

As in the base Pure trim, power comes from a 2.0-litre turbo petrol motor that delivers 197hp and 320Nm of torque. The base trim is priced at Rs 39. 9 lakh, while the top-spec Jaguar XE Portfolio with a more powerful 237hp petrol engine is priced at Rs 47.99 lakh.

The XE rivals the likes of the recently reintroduced BMW 320i petrol and the Mercedes C-class. Jaguar is yet to launch the XE diesel in India. 

BMW to launch M2 Gran Coupé in 2019

BMW is to launch the M2 Gran Coupé and the 2-series Gran Coupé line-up in international markets by 2019.

As for the body style of the new BMW, until recently, senior BMW officials were undecided whether to follow a traditional four-door design as seen on the 4-series and 6-series Gran Coupés or to adopt a more radical five-door liftback proposal for the 2-series Gran Coupé. Insiders admit that the four-door option would be the best choice for structural rigidity. However, they have also confirmed that certain officials are holding out for a liftback format, suggesting it would provide the new BMW with greater practicality than its rivals.  

The wheelbase is set to be halfway between the 2,690mm span of the 2-series Coupé and the 2,810mm of the existing 3-series sedan, to accommodate two conventional front-hinged rear doors and sufficient rear-seat legroom. The 2-series Gran Coupé will also get a new interior that will be adopted by the successors to today’s 2-series Coupé and Cabriolet, which are due in international markets in 2020.

The M2 Gran Coupé will be powered by the same 370.06hp, 3.0-litre, turbocharged, in-line six-cylinder engine as the M2 Coupé. BMW will offer the car with either a standard six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

BMW is also reportedly planning a plug-in hybrid model of the 2-series Gran Coupé that will use its turbocharged 1.5-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine mated to an electric motor mounted within the forward section of a standard eight-speed automatic gearbox. This, in combination with a lithium-ion battery pack, is intended to provide the new 225e Gran Coupé with an electric range of up to 49.88km. 

Skoda Superb to get Dynamic Chassis Control

The all-new Skoda Superb that was launched in February will soon come with DCC or Dynamic Chassis Control in India. The DCC adjusts the Superb's steering weight, its engine responsiveness and gearbox reaction time and also firms-up or softens the car's dampers to suit the desired driving situation. The system enables drivers to choose from three different driving modes – Comfort, Normal and Sport.

The Superb currently sold in India, has the three settings but applicable to the engine, gearbox and steering only. With the India car getting a ‘rough road’ suspension setup with a higher ground clearance, engineering and tuning the specific dampers for adaptive control is an added cost that Skoda had previously avoided. However, Skoda will now introduce the adaptive dampers to complete the DCC suite of controls for the Indian Superb. Fine tuning the suspension system will take some time and thus it may take until 2017 for the tech to roll out.

In India, 

Mercedes C 300 cabriolet India

Mercedes is working towards bringing the C-class cabriolet, which was recently unveiled at the Geneva motor show 2016, to India later this year. The India-bound model will be a fully imported unit.  The cabriolet borrows its styling and much of its dimensions from the C-class Coupe which is sold in international markets, but sits taller than its sibling. 

The C-class cabriolet will be a halo car for Mercedes in India and will rival the likes of the Audi A3 cabriolet. It comes fitted with a fabric roof that can be opened and closed at speeds of up to 50kph and folds into the boot when not in use. The car’s interior is almost akin to the C-class Coupe's, though it uses heat-reflecting leather and gets the addition of a button on the centre console to control the roof mechanism. 

The C-class cabriolet for India will come in the C 300 guise, powered by a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder petrol engine good for 245hp and 370Nm of torque. The cabriolet comes equipped with a nine-speed automatic gearbox as standard, with the option of Dynamic Select which allows the driver to choose from five transmission modes. The C-class cabriolet’s safety package includes an attention assist system, collision warning and autonomous emergency braking with add-on options including 360deg camera, lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control with steering assistance.

The C-class cabriolet is one of  the 12 launches Mercedes has planned for this year, from which a few have been launched already. In the wake of the recent ban on diesel cars in certain parts of the country, the carmaker has been pushing its petrol portfolio with the introduction of a number of petrol-engined models like the recently launched GLC 300.

19 cars debuting at the 2016 New York Auto Show

ACURA MDX

Acura teased the next-gen MDX with an illustration that shows a lot of promise, but beyond that, there isn’t much to go on for this one. The spy shots help to give us a vague idea what the rest of the car might look like, but the interior is pretty much a mystery at this point. However, we do expect a new nine-speed automatic transmission and AWD system, while an update to the existing 3.5-liter V-6 engine isn’t out of the question, either.

MERCEDES-AMG GLC43 4MATIC

This is the first time AMG has offered a pumped-up mid-size SUV, and its job is simple – bridge the gap between the GLA45 and GLE63 with standard issue plus-sized performance. Glossy black and chrome adorn the exterior, while bolstered seats and a flat-bottomed steering wheel sit inside. Most interesting is the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 engine under the hood, which produces 362 horsepower, 384 pound-feet of torque, and launches the GLC43 to 60 mph in less than five seconds.

BUICK ENCLAVE SPORT TOURING EDITION

With every auto show comes the special editions,and first on our list is the Enclave Sport Touring. Unique features found here only change the crossover’s appearance, and include a Satin Black Ice finish applied to the grille, the spokes of the 20-inch wheels, and the interior lighting scheme. The Sport Touring also includes a standard heated steering wheel, 4G Wi-Fi, and a rear backup camera. The 3.6-liter V-6 continues unaltered.

SUBARU IMPREZA

Subaru’s multipurpose and omnipresent Impreza compact has been going strong since 1992, currently sitting in its fourth generation. Now, Subaru has confirmed the fifth gen will appear for the first time in New York. We’ve already had a few glimpses at what’s in store, including the Impreza 5-Door Concept renderings, a teaser image, and a few spy shots of a test mule, and it’s probably safe to assume a new 2.0-liter flat-four engine under the hood with a higher quality build in the cabin, not to mention standard AWD.

MERCEDES-AMG E43

Mercedes dropped the new E-Class sedan in Detroit at the start of the year, which gaveAMG just enough time to perfect the more aggressive E43. Destined to slot below theuber-E-Class AMG E63, the E43 comes with all the traditional trimmings, like a more assertive aesthetic inside and out, sportier adaptive suspension, and a turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 with 396 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. A run from standstill to 60 mph takes 4.5 seconds.

MERCEDES-BENZ CLA

In the three years it’s been on the market, the four-door coupe baby Benz CLA has been quite successful. Now it’s time for a refresh, which means the new model gets tweaked styling with updated bumpers front and back, new trim inside, and a thinner 8-inch infotainment display. U.S. buyers get a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, while diesels and smaller gas powerplants are offered overseas.

MERCEDES-AMG CLA45

 With the release of the new CLA comes its bodybuilding twin – the AMG CLA45. The DTM-inspired exterior gets a lower coefficient of drag, LED headlights are now standard, the thinner infotainment screen is in the cabin, and there are new options for smartphone integration. Meanwhile, the turbo 2.0-liter is unchanged, producing 375 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque, and a 4Matic AWD system is standard.

SCION TC SERIES 10.0

 If you haven’t heard the news, Scion is going away.Toyota is absorbing the youth-oriented brand and moving forward with its model lineup as rebadged Toyotas. To giveScion a proper sendoff, there will be one last special edition tC called the Release Series 10.0, which comes dressed in a new body kit, Barcelona Red paint, and gets red contrast stitching in the interior. The model is also equipped with lowering springs and a new exhaust.

CHEVROLET SONIC

 It’s been six years since we first saw the current-generation Sonic, which means this latest update is most welcome. Chevy is bringing significant changes to the exterior look and interior technology, including a new front and rear fascia for the former, and a 7-inch touchscreen for the latter. However, the drivetrain is unchanged, offering a 1.8-liter four-cylinder with 138 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque.

MAZDA MX-5 HARDTOP

 Mazda has big plans for New York, but it isn’t sharing what exactly it has in mind. Many are guessing a hardtop variant of the new-generation MX-5, or possibly a folding roof version called the MX-5 Roadster Coupe. Of course, those predictions could be wrong, and it’s quite possible the big surprise is a brand new model altogether. Did someone saynext-gen RX-7?

CHEVROLET CAMARO ZL1

Following up on last year’s debut of the sixth-generation Camaro, the Bowtie is gearing up to unleash the new ZL1, and simply put, it’s the most powerful factory-built Camaro ever created. Output is rated at a staggering 640 horsepower and 640 pound-feet of torque thanks to a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8. Throw in a lightened platform and track-ready suspension package, and the ZL1 is surely a force to be reckoned with.

NISSAN GT-R

Earlier this week, Nissan released a teaser image of what appears to be the obscured backend of a GT-R. What it means is anyone’s guess, but there are a few obvious possibilities at play. The first is a refreshed 2017 model year for the Japanese supercar, while the second is some kind of special edition model. While it could be a next generation, it’s unlikely given the current R35’s lifecycle. But, you never know…

TOYOTA 86

With the demise of Scion, the FR-S will now solider on as an official member of theToyota family here in the U.S. With the name change comes a few alterations to the body, with a new fascia, plus LEDs in the daytime running lights and taillights. There are also a few changes to the cabin, and the suspension was refined for better dynamics. Maddeningly, the drivetrain gets a paltry five-horsepower, five-pound-feet upgrade, rather than the turbo boost we’ve all been waiting for.

TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

To help it continue its success in the ultra-competitive crossover segment, Toyota has decided it’s time to update the Highlander. Presently in its third generation, the refresh brings new styling in the front fascia, newly available leather upholstery in the cabin, and a new 3.5-liter V-6. We’re expecting around 290 horsepower and more than 21 mpg combined. Pricing should stay around the $30,000 mark.

Toyota Yaris iA

The Mazda2 Sedan’s North American version, currently called the Scion iA, will be sold as the Toyota Yaris iA starting from the 2017 model year.

Toyota Corolla iM

The second generation Toyota Auris, currently sold as the Scion iM stateside, will be rebadged into the Toyota Corolla iM starting from the 2017 model year.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk

The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk will be the most off-road capable Jeep Grand Cherokee. With an increased ground clearance, grippier tyres and other such enhancements, the Trailhawk variant will be another pillar in the Jeep Grand Cherokee range after the SRT variant.

GENESIS NEW YORK CONCEPT

Hyundai’s luxury brand is bringing a new concept to New York, but you probably guessed as much from the car’s title. All we have at this point is the above teaser image and a short video, but we do know it’ll showcase Genesis’ upcoming design language. Expect a complete look at the four-door next week.

Tata Tiago

Tata Motors has been working on building a replacement for their decade old product, the Indica. Under ‘Project Kite’, Tata has developed a budget hatchback and a budget compact sedan to be positioned under the Bolt hatchback and Zest compact sedan. Tata Motors teased the budget hatch Tiago in the first ad video featuring their latest brand ambassador Lionel Messi, revealing Tata’s big plans for the Tiago.

Exterior

The Tiago hatchback follows Tata’s HorizonNext design language with a wide mesh grille and swept back headlamps that resemble the Tata family face seen in the Bolt and the Zest. Though the side profile is reminiscent of the Indica, the tail is redesigned for modern and fresh looks with horizontal tail lamps.

Sony's Concept N headphones can provide a soundtrack, without isolating you from the crowd

Sony and audio innovation have always been a perfect fit. Nowadays, the pace might have slowed down a bit, but the Japanese giant still has some interesting concepts to offer from time to time, like the new N headphones.

The device more or less follows the neck bracelet form factor, like on the LG Tone or the Samsung Level U. However, the band itself holds speakers that are specifically designed to direct sound upward to the listener. This produces an interesting effect, where the wearer hears the music and also his or her surroundings, while advanced acoustics help keep splash out noise at a level that Sony claims will generally be drowned out easily in most every environment.

This seems to be the primary goal of the Concept N headphones - providing some background music, while still allowing you to be aware of your surroundings on the street, where is is most important or even during a conversation - a personal soundtrack for your life! As an added bonus, Sony has also included a pair of more traditional ear buds that connect to the main device and take the music a little closer to your ears. However, traditional might not be the best term here, as the ear buds feature an odd cone shape with a hole in the middle. The end goal is the same - retain awareness for the surroundings.

​Aston Martin to build a £2 million road car which is quicker than an F1 racer

Aston Martin partnered with Red Bull Racing, to bring hypercar that will match F1 car lap times.

Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer said. “This is a no excuses halo car – the most luxurious car in its class, but also the quickest and the fastest. This car will be able to lap Silverstone as quick as or quicker than an F1 or LMP1 car. But it’s a race car that’s capable of going on the road.”

The two-seater hypercar is likely to feature a version of Aston’s new V12 engine, boosted by an F1-style KERS hybrid system. Although the image gives very little away, it’s expected to look like a radical LMP1 car that’s smaller than a Porsche 919. 

Rebaul Kwid Racer and Climber to be sold as special edition models! Renault Kwid 1.0 launch soon.

Renault showcased two concepts based on the Kwid  the 2016 Auto Expo called the Kwid Racer and Kwid Climber. Now the latest news is that these concepts could be released as special or limited edition models soon. Let’s take a look at what the two concepts have in store.The Kwid Racer concept at the Auto Expo looked stunning to say the least. I was quite surprised by how Renault managed to make an odd looking car like the Kwid into such a brute race machine.

The Renault Kwid Racer concept was shod with 18-inch wheels with ultra-low profile tyres. It even had aerodynamic body kit, race bucket seats and a half roll-cage. The concept’s looks were enhanced by a special metallic blue finish.

The Renault Kwid Racer featured wider air intakes, spoilers and a mean looking diffuser. The Renault Kwid Racer also had interiors wrapped in Alcantara, aluminium and carbon fibre for that sports car feel. Inside the Renault Kwid Racer, you’d also find a telemetry data system, four-point race harness, a digital rev counter and a leather-trimmed steering wheel. Except for the body kit, expect none of the above said features to make it to the production version for cost and practicality reasons.

The Renault Kwid Climber, unlike the Racer, is an out-and-out off roader with higher ground clearance than the standard car. The Kwid Climber also gets a wider track, shorter overhangs and groovy tyres with an off-road tread pattern. With a deep Flame Orange paint scheme and had bigger bumpers, protective moulding on the sides and “diamond-effect” wheels. Most of these changes are likely to be present in the production version. So hurray!

The Renault Kwid is powered by a 799cc three cylinder petrol engine that puts out 54PS of power and 72Nm of peak torque. The engine is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox with a claimed ARAI-certified fuel efficiency figure of 25.7kmpl.