New 2011 BMW X3 Launched

BMW India has launched its all-new X3 SUV. The new X3 is available with a 2.0 184bhp and 3.0-litre 258bhp diesel engines.

The X3 packs BMW’s eight-speed gearbox along with a Dynamic Damper Control and an engine start-stop function as standard. Also standard is BMW’s xDrive four-wheel-drive system which uses an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch to distribute torque between the front and rear axles. 

The new model gets muscular styling as compared to the one it replaces and is 83mm longer and 28mm wider than the model it replaces and it sits on a slightly longer wheelbase. It also weighs 90kgs less than the earlier 2.0 diesel car

Additional features include bi-xenon headlights with LED rings.  The X3 2.0-litre gets 17-inch alloy wheels and a 6.5-inch high resolution display screen while the 3.0 version gets 18-inch alloys and a bigger 8.8-inch high resolution display screen.

Bluetooth connectivity and a USB slot are standard so is the full-size panaromic sunroof. The unique 40:20:40 split rear seats can be flipped down to expand storage space as required.

The new X3 competes with the likes of Audi Q5, Land Rover Freelander and Volvo XC60. 

BMW has priced the 2.0-litre X3 at Rs 41.2 lakh while the 3.0-litre version starts at Rs 47.99 lakh. With Audi recently slashing prices of its Q5 2.0 TDI which now starts at Rs 35.13 lakh, the mid-size luxury SUV competition is sure to heat up

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Nissan Sunny Review, Test Drive

Nissan's all-new Versa is an all-new entry level saloon, built on the same ‘V’ platform as the cute-looking Micra.  The all-new car is a tailor-made assault on the surprisingly similar requirements of car compact saloon buyers in the US, China and even India. Since the Versa name belongs to Maruti in India, Nissan has chosen to badge it the Sunny here.

The Sunny is built to make an impression. It looks quite large, especially when viewed from the rear three-quarters, with its big boot, long wheelbase and massive cabin. It’s closer in size to something like a Civic or a Laura; compact it is not. Although based on the same platform as the Micra, the Sunny looks nothing like it. Only the Nissan badge appears to be common.

‘V’ for Versatile

Clearly, Nissan’s new ‘V’ or versatile platform can accommodate both compact and medium-sized cars. Platform cost saving aside, Alliance partner Renault shared parts, know-how and even helped with sourcing parts for the Sunny. The platform uses 20 percent fewer components and has knocked 100-odd kilograms off the scale.

Style and space

The Sunny doesn’t look boxy or cheap. Long flowing lines, a beautifully crafted nose and an elegant rear section mean the new Sunny actually looks very attractive from many angles. Sure, the stubby nose means some of the proportions are a bit odd. And from the rear it looks like a baby Nissan Teana!

The Sunny boasts of a Corolla Altis-sized wheelbase and that translates into a lot of room on the inside. In fact the comfy backseat has more legroom than a Mercedes E-class! The drooping roofline, however, means that you sit slightly lower than is ideal and the backrest is leant back a bit. And the front seats, if anything, are even more comfortable, with thigh support and side bolstering both very impressive.

Nissan has tried very hard to make the cabin look upmarket as well. The chrome-ringed dials, the silver accents on the steering wheel, and the Micra-like chrome door handles give the ambience a bit of a lift. Overall plastic quality and fit and finish are also up to expectations. A few cheap plastic bits like the air-con controls and window switches do exist. And at 420 litres, the boot is pretty large.

Big-car dynamics

The US-spec Sunny comes with a new-generation 1600cc petrol motor. Producing a useful 109bhp, it makes more than sufficient power, and initial responses to the throttle are very good too. For the Indian market, however, the Sunny will come with a smaller 1.5-litre petrol developing 107.5bhp.

The engine feels nice and smooth and there’s enough performance, there isn’t too much grunt in the midrange. Downshift and you’ll find there’s plenty of punch in the top end, but the motor does get a bit vocal. On the gearbox front, the CVT is surprisingly good, with very little rubber-band effect present and the ability to hold engine rpm in the sweet spot. Meanwhile the five-speed manual has a crisp shift and is both light and effort-free to use.

Despite a bit of pitter-patter at low speed due to stiff damping, the Sunny’s ride quality is excellent especially once the car is up to speed. Road noise is reasonably well contained for a car of this price, bump absorption is first rate and because of the long wheelbase there isn’t too much pitching and bobbing either. It really does ride like a big car.

Also impressive is stability and handling. The Sunny tracked straight and true even at speeds as high as 140kph, with only a light grip needed on the wheel. Nissan has also done an outstanding job with the brakes. The electric power steering is both accurate and well weighted, unlike many such systems. Although, the Sunny is nice to drive and does everything you ask of it, it’s not a car that encourages you to drive it faster. 

The Sunny is a car that has almost everything Indian customers want. It looks large and attractive on the outside, is extremely spacious and comfortable inside, rides, performs and drives well and feels robustly engineered too. Nissan will have a more powerful version of its 1.5-litre diesel that powers the Micra on sale soon. With the right price the Sunny has the potential to shake up the competition. Here’s a car worth waiting for.  

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New Toyota Camry Unveiled

These are the first pictures of the all-new Toyota Camry that is scheduled to go on sale across the globe in 2012. We expect the car to hit Indian shores by early next year.

In the styling department, Toyota has gone in for a far bolder look than the ‘please-all’ styling of the current car. The front comprises of larger, more angular headlights with an elegant kink at the base. Two chrome slats with the Toyota logo in between make the grille look more pronounced than earlier. Larger fog lamps further enhances the new Camry’s front end.

The side profile however, does not carry the drama visible in the front styling on the car – the dull window line playing spoilsport here. The shoulder line that broadens as it approaches the boot is an interesting touch though. Move towards the rear of the new Camry and you could find minute Lexus details on the boot. The new smart two part tail lights looks quite attractive.

While the new car’s dimensions are nearly equal to its predecessor’s, Toyota claims there is slightly more space in the new car, which is great considering the current car itself is quite spacious. The dashboard design is all new and wears a more mature look. A large 6.1-inch multimedia screen dominates the fascia, though it remains to be seen if the Indian-spec Camry will feature it.

However, you can expect the car to come with dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth connectivity, USB and AUX ports and also steering mounted audio controls. Toyota claims that it has further managed to reduce road and wind noise, giving the cabin a relaxing ambience.

While other markets have moved to the new 2.5-litre, four-cylinder VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing with intelligence) engine, the Indian Camry continues to be powered by the older 2.4-litre, four-cylinder VVT-i engine. We expect Toyota to offer the new motor when it launches the car in India next year. The 2.5-litre 16-valve engine produces 169bhp at 6000rpm, a marginal 2bhp more than the current car. But with no diesel engine on offer, the Camry could still find itself at a disadvantage to its diesel-powered rivals like the Skoda Superb and VW Passat.

The Camry destined for USA will be offered with an option of a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission. It is yet to be known however, if the Indian-spec saloon will be upgraded to the new ‘boxes or will stick to the current 5-speed transmission.

The use of higher tensile steel promises added rigidity which should no doubt aid handling. Under the skin, there are no major changes except a slightly tweaked suspension to improve overall comfort. But what’s interesting is that Toyota is now planning to ship the Camry in India via the CKD route and assemble at its Bidadi plant in Karnataka. The current car is imported as a CBU.

Local assembly should bring with it huge savings in costs which will make the Camry a whole lot more affordable and lucrative to D-segment car buyers. If the new Camry can undercut Honda Accord prices, Toyota has a winner on its hands.

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Aston Martin V12 Zagato Revealed

The road car variant of the new Aston Martin V12 Zagato, which will go into production from the middle of next year, it has been revealed.

The hand-built Zagato is based on the V12 Vantage and features a body of aluminium and carbonfibre. The race-bred machine is powered by a 6-litre engine, developing 510bhp and 58kgm of torque.

Developed half a century after the introduction of the iconic DB4GT Zagato, the new V12 Zagato broke cover at the Villa D’Este Concours on Lake Como, Italy, in May. It won the coveted design award for the concept and prototypes class.

Two prototypes were then honed during endurance races at the Nürburgring, including the 24-hour event at the German track in June. The pair of Zagato racing machines will appear on Aston’s Frankfurt motor show display next month, along with the One-77 supercar and the recently launched Virage and Vantage S.

The competition specials have been nicknamed ‘Zig’ and ‘Zag’ by Aston technicians. ‘Zig’ will appear in full racing specification and features a full aerodynamic package including front splitter, dive planes, rear diffuser and spoiler. Whereas ‘Zag’ has been converted back into a road-spec show car to give an indication of how the finished customer cars will look when they are built next year.

Just 150 road-going examples will be built.

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New Porsche 911 Revealed

These are the first official pictures of the all-new Porsche 911.

Known internally as the 991, the new 911 — the sixth truly independent model in an illustrious 48-year history — is set to make its world debut at next month’s Frankfurt motor.

The new 911 will initially be sold in rear-wheel drive Carrera and Carrera S coupé guises. Cabriolet and four-wheel-drive variants will follow in 2012, and pave the way for a range-topping Turbo packing 523bhp in 2013.

Developed under Porsche design boss Michael Mauer, the visual changes are subtle but effective enough to set the new car apart from its predecessor.

The traditional round headlamps are set on the front of a wider, slightly higher front bumper. The lights have been made bigger and house more complex internal graphics than before, and are complemented by new LED daytime running lamps on the leading edge of a reshaped bumper. The rear is distinguished by new, thin LED tail-lamps. They sit underneath a prominent lip that forms the trailing edge of the engine lid and wrap further around the rear bumpers than before.

As with the outgoing 911, the new model has a choice of two standard naturally aspirated, horizontally opposed six-cylinder engines mounted aft of the rear axle line.

The big news concerns the downsizing of the base unit in the Carrera. It drops in capacity from 3.6 litres to 3.4 litres — the same as the Boxster S and Cayman S. But while the Boxster/Cayman S engine delivers 316bhp, the new Carrera packs a sturdier 345bhp at 6400rpm — up by 4bhp over the old 3.6-litre engine. It also has 280lb ft of torque.

The Carrera S continues with a 3.8-litre unit, but it has changes to the induction and exhaust which liberate an extra 14bhp at 394bhp at 7000rpm and this version boasts 324lb ft. At the rear, the Carrera continues to feature two oval exhaust pipes, while the Carrera S gets four round pipes.

The new model receives a new seven-speed manual gearbox — a first for a series production road car.

There have been significant chassis changes as a result of the lengthened wheelbase in the quest to further improve the handling, grip and ride.

Expect the new 911 to reach our shores soon after the global launch.

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Mercedes Allies With Buddh Circuit

Mercedes-Benz has joined hands with the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) with an aim of taking motorsports closer to Indian fans.

The German carmaker has chalked out aggressive plans to provide boost to the ever growing spirit of motoring in India. Mercedes-Benz and JPSI have concluded an agreement whereby Mercedes-Benz cars will be utilized as safety cars for all events taking place at the BIC.

Both partners will jointly set up a Performance Driving Academy by next year to foster potential talent and popularise performance driving. The new academy will offer structured programs, cars, trainers and help groom new talents on the racing circuit. In addition, the company also plans to popularise motorsports through promotional activities, road shows and dealership activations across India. Mercedes-Benz customers will also have exclusive access to use the cars on the race track.

The carmaker will start a nationwide promotional campaign and give motorsport enthusiasts an access to witness the action at the Indian Grand Prix in October. It plans to create Pit Stops at all its dealerships which will put up race tickets and merchandise on sale. Speed Date is another activity planned in the second half of October in Mumbai with participation of over 100 Mercedes-Benz and AMG cars.

Speaking on the occasion, Peter Honegg, MD & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India said, “Mercedes-Benz is a performance brand and our long association with motorsports is a testimony to this fact. It has been our endeavour to enable more people to experience the performance and dynamism of our cars, and we will continue to do so in times to come.”

Commenting on the partnership, Sameer Gaur, MD & CEO, JPSI Sports added, “We are pleased to have Mercedes-Benz as the Official Partners for Buddh International Circuit. Together with Mercedes-Benz, JPSI will play a pivotal role in popularizing motorsport in India. BIC will act as a new platform to create a talent pool of next gen motorsports champions of India”.

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Hard-Top For Ferrari 458 Spider

The new Ferrari 458 Spider will feature a retractable hard-top roof when it breaks cover at next month’s Frankfurt motor show. Although Ferrari has already produced a hard-top convertible in the current California, the 458 Spider will be the first time that it has fitted a folding hard roof to a mid-engined two-seater.

The F430 Spider, released in 2005, was given a soft-top to keep weight down, but Ferrari has made the new machine’s roof using lightweight aluminium, which means the whole roof and its mechanism is 25kg lighter than a soft-top’s would be. Ferrari’s figures give a dry weight of 1430kg for the 458 Spider, making it about 50kg heavier than the Italia.

Packaging considerations also dictated Ferrari’s choice of the hard-top, which can be deployed in 14sec. It was engineered to fit ahead of the engine bay without compromising aerodynamics or performance. The smaller space needed to house the roof means that there is space for a luggage bench behind the seats.

The operation of the retractable roof uses a central pivot, as opposed to the hinge system which is more common on cabriolets. A similar system was used on the Ferrari 575 Superamerica. On the 458 Spider, the buttresses behind each seat are designed to optimise the flow of air to the engine intakes and the clutch and gearbox oil radiators.

The Spider uses the same 4.5-litre, 578bhp, 55kgm V8 powerplant as the 458 Italia. The throttle pedal mapping and multi-link suspension’s damping have been calibrated specifically for this version, and the engine note has been tuned for top-down driving. An electric wind stop is fitted to reduce noise when the roof is retracted, and normal conversation can be sustained at more than 194kph.

Despite the extra weight, the convertible retains the 0-100kph time of under 3.4sec that the 458 Italia has. Top speed will be around 318kph, compared with the 458 Italia’s 325kph.

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New Volkswagen Up Unveiled

These are the first pictures of Volkswagen’s all-new Up hatchback, a model poised to become the company’s biggest seller and a key component in its plans to assume worldwide market leadership by 2018.

Volkswagen will also manufacture the Up for the Indian market however it will be a four-door version and will be positioned below the Polo. Holding true to the look of the original concept, the production Up has a simple two-box silhouette. VW design boss Klaus Bischoff says the layout provides optimal space utilisation within a compact footprint, making the car highly suitable for city driving.

Among the more distinctive design flourishes is a large front bumper featuring a low-set, rectangular grille. This, together with round foglights and large, angular headlights, helps to give the Up a more expressive face than other recent new Volkswagens. The upright stance of the design points to a roomy cabin which will suit Indian families looking for a budget car. Pronounced wheel arch flares are aimed at emphasising the Up’s wide tracks, giving it a confident stance by small-car standards.

VW claims it has been able to provide the new car with class-leading levels of interior space through the use of a wheelbase that provides the Up with ultra-short overhangs. Along with seating for four adults, the Up also offers approximately 251 litres of luggage space, extending to 951 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2007 Up concept used a rear-engined, rear-drive layout, which, according to Volkswagen boss Martin Winterkorn, provided the best possible packaging solution. But the production car has a more conventional transverse, front-mounted engine and front-wheel drive architecture, known as MQB.

Indian-market Up will get an all-new range of fuel-efficient petrol and diesel engines ranging from 1 to 1.2 litre. The biggest challenge for Volkswagen is to price this car competitively, we understand that the German manufacturer is targeting an aggressive Rs  3 lakh price point for the base version.

The Up will make its public-debut at the upcoming Frankfurt motor show and will be launched in India by 2013.

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Mercedes SLK55 AMG Revealed

Mercedes-Benz has revealed its most powerful SLK ever, the Mercedes SLK55 AMG.

Power comes from a naturally aspirated AMG 5.5-litre V8 engine that boasts 415bhp (almost 60bhp more than its predecessor), 55.02kgm of torque and a 0-60mph time of 4.5sec and can take the SLK to a limited top speed of 250kph.

The roadster has an AMG Speedshift Plus 7G-Tronic automatic transmission that features three modes – sport, manual and 'controlled efficiency'. It features AMG performance components including sports suspension with a Direct-Steer system that enhances handling and agility, Torque Vectoring Brakes that provide selective brake actuation at the rear wheel during cornering and a high-performance braking system.

An optional AMG Handling Package comprises sportier suspension with stiffer tuning, an AMG rear axle differential lock, two-piece brake discs at the front and a three-spoke AMG Performance steering wheel finished in premium leather with Alcantara grip inserts.

The front apron of the roadster features large air inlets and AMG-specific LED daytime running lights, while the wide radiator grille is a nod to the SLS AMG sports car. The SLK55 AMG also boasts styling tweaks including light-alloy wheels, body styling with spoiler lip and two chrome-plated twin tailpipes at the rear.

Darkened clear-lens headlamps and darkened bicolor tail lamps come as standard exclusively on the top-of-the-range V8 model. Bi-Xenon headlights with Active Curve Illumination are also available as an optional extra.

The interior design of the SLK55 AMG is reminiscent of the SLS, with four jet-engine style air vents and the centre console finished in brushed aluminium. The car features an AMG Performance steering wheel plus sports seats with the Airscarf neck-level heating system.

The standard retractable hardtop opens and closes in less than 20 seconds. Two other roof variants are available, including one with the Magic Sky Control system, which has glass that can switch from light to dark at the press of a button.

Instead of a standard wind-stop, the car has a new Airguide system. It consists of pivoting transparent plastic wings which are attached to the back of the roll-over bars, meaning no installation or removal is required.

The third generation of the AMG roadster model will be on display at the Frankfurt motor show next month and will go on sale early next year.

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Force One Review And Test Drive

Force Motors, the maker of Traveller minibuses and the Trax utility vehicle, has taken a whole new direction and moved upwards into the passenger car space with its all-new Force One. Here are our first impressions after driving this Scorpio and Safari challenger.

On the looks front, the Force One’s boxy design looks quite outdated and not in synch with the modern shapes customers expect from SUVs these days. Though the overall shape is inoffensive, the small glass area and horizontal lines give it a 1990s look. A quick search on Google further explains that Force One’s design language is inspired by the Explorer III, a Chinese SUV that finds a mention in Guangdong Foday’s product portfolio.

The Force One uses the same body panels as the Explorer III; they are imported directly from China for assembly in Force Motors’ Pithampur factory in Madhya Pradesh. The chassis, however, has been designed completely in-house. It is based on a sturdy-looking C-in-C ladder frame that supports an independent, coil-sprung, double-wishbone setup up in the front and a non-independent, multi-link suspension at the rear. Force Motors roped in Lotus Engineering UK to fine-tune the chassis and even set up the vehicle specifically for the 235/70 Apollo Hawkz all-terrain tyres it comes shod with.

Power comes from Mercedes-Benz’s 2.2-litre, OM611 common-rail engine that meets BS IV emissions norms and makes a Tata Safari-rivaling 139bhp and 32.6kgm of torque. It drives the rear wheels via the Mercedes-Benz G32 five-speed manual gearbox.

At 4.8 metres, it is a considerable 400mm longer than a Scorpio. And with a wheelbase that’s 345mm longer than the Mahindra, the Force One promises to be very spacious inside. Get into the SUV and you will find the driving position very much similar to the Ford Endeavour’s, thanks to the high floor. The second row seats have Skoda Superb-rivaling legroom and good headroom. But the floor is high and so, thigh support is compromised. The third row too has plenty of kneeroom but again headroom here is quite compromised. It has reasonable space for luggage even with all seats up.

Plastic quality is decent but there are quite a few panel gaps. The air-con controls work well and Force Motors is particularly proud of the 76 features the car comes standard with. It also has air-conditioning for all three rows, a trip computer, a service schedule indicator, electric mirrors, remote locking, projector headlamps, daytime running LEDs and an audio system.

Twist the key and the Mercedes-Benz engine settles into a rather refined idle. Peak torque kicks in at 1600rpm and the engine pulls well all the way to its 4150rpm redline. There is a hint of lag but once the turbo kicks in, performance is sprightly. The only issue is with the gearbox, which needs strong triceps to operate and this is something Force Motors desperately needs to improve.

On smooth roads, the Force One seemed well planted with not too much body roll around corners. But it does feel a tad softly sprung, displaying some pitching over the bumps in the off-road section. That said, you can confidently hammer over bad sections and it feels a lot more stable than a Scorpio.

Force Motors has launched the Force One in only one trim level – the fully loaded variant comes for an asking price of Rs 10.65 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Given the long list of features, it may seem like good value and there’s no doubt that the SUV scores well in some key areas. It is big, very spacious and underpinned by an indigenously developed chassis which promises decent ride and handling.

But what Force Motors needs to do now is concentrate on bringing the rest of the car up to speed, especially on the fit-and-finish front. The Force One is a good first attempt but to cut it as a serious Scorpio/Safari rival it still has some way to go.

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Indian GP Tickets Now On Sale

Tickets for the inaugural Airtel Indian Grand Prix are now officially on sale. Prices will start from Rs 2500 and will go up to Rs 35,000.

The Buddh International Circuit (BIC) has a total capacity of about 110,000 spectators and the ticket slabs will ensure entry for students as well as corporate entities. Weekend tickets for the main grand stand (west zone) will cost Rs 35,000.

If you don’t mind watching the drivers battle it out on the 16-corner of the 5.14km track from an open stand, then you should opt for the general admission ticket (south zone) which is priced at Rs 2500. The south stand tickets for the race weekend will cost Rs 2500 and can go up to Rs 12,500 for premium seats.

For F1 enthusiasts, it’s the north and west stands where the real action is going to be, and these stands are priced in the range of Rs 6000-8500 for the three-day race weekend. These stands come with proper seats and TV screens. Only the picnic stands in the north and south zones come without any seats.

The grand stand will have a seating capacity of over 1,10,000 spectators and tickets for the first ever Formula 1 race in India will definitely be sold out in no time.

It is strongly advisable to purchase tickets from the authorised ticketing partner of Buddh International Circuit - Book My Show. Tickets can be purchased via two online channels -www.bookmyshow.com/sport/formula1 and www.jaypeesports.com.

Work on the circuit is ongoing and is reported to be on schedule, with the track expected to open soon. Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone is convinced that the new Buddh International Circuit will be ready in time for the race on October 30.  "I have no doubt in my mind that the circuit is going to be one of the nicest we have and that it's going to be completed on time," said Ecclestone. "We are constantly checking every detail on a daily basis. We are happy that everything is going as per schedule and there are no problems," he added. 

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Skoda’s 24x7 Assistance Initiative

Skoda Auto India announces its 24x7 assistance programme for its new car customers. Called the Skoda Assistance Non Stop Help on the Road, it is a complimentary service to all new Skoda customers for the first two years.

The roadside assistance programme can be availed by new car customers with an effective purchase date starting from March 1, 2011. The services include telephonic assist, roadside assistance, battery related issues, emergency fuel, flat tyre scenario, in case of loss of keys, towing and transportation, and accident co-ordination.

In addition to this, the premium program services also include taxi services, accommodation if required, rental vehicle services and vehicle recovery as well.

Speaking on the initiative, Thomas Kuehl, board member, sales and marketing, Skoda Auto India said, “This is a huge step for us and will further enhance ownership experience for our brand. The latest offering by the company reiterates Skoda's endeavor to provide innovative service to the customers that suits their needs and lifestyle. Skoda believes in value for money products and services.”

Skoda owners can reach the help line department on toll free numbers 1800 209 4646 or 1800 102 6464.

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Updated Jazz Now From Rs 5.5 Lakh

Honda has launched a refreshed version of the Jazz and has also announced a major price cut. The refreshed Jazz is now over Rs 1.5 lakh cheaper than the outgoing model.  

The base Jazz now starts at Rs 5.50 lakh whereas the earlier model was priced at Rs 7.12 lakh. The mid-level Select version is priced at Rs 5.75 lakh (Rs 7.24 lakh earlier) and the top-end Jazz X is priced at Rs 6.06 lakh which was Rs 7.48 lakh for the outgoing model. All prices ex-showroom, Delhi

The updated Jazz features exterior upgrades like re-styled bumpers and lights and a new paint shade while interiors get dual tone (beige and black) shade, a height adjustable driver seat, and power retractable outside rear view mirrors for the top-end version. USB-interface is now standard now on all variants. The Jazz Select and Jazz X gain a new feature for the rear seats that now can be reclined as well.

The powerplant, 90bhp 1.2 litre petrol motor remains unchanged. 

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Jaguar's new C-X16 concept

Jaguar is all set to unveil its all-new C-X16 ‘production concept’ car, at the Frankfurt motor show on 13 September.
The manufacturer says the car is “a precursor to future Jaguar sports cars that will aim to set new class benchmarks in design, vehicle dynamics and technology”.
Jaguar is saying very little about the car ahead of its debut, but Autocar understands that the production version of the C-X16 is based on a shortened version of the next-generation aluminium XK platform.
Although the car will be the same width as the XK, it is expected to be nearly 300mm shorter, with much of the extra length removed from the structure in front of the rear wheels. It’s expected to be sold as a strict two-seater in both roadster and coupé forms.
The front-end styling of the C-X16 willbe a development of the design language that appeared on the C-X75 supercar, with the upright headlamp graphic, the four-sided grille and vertical air intake design.
Ian Callum, Jaguar’s design boss, is quoted as saying, “Great Jaguars havealways been beautiful, innovative and have looked firmly to the future.”
The C-X16 will be launched with a new-generation V6 petrol engine, which should come in both normally aspirated and supercharged versions.
There may be a V8-engined version ofthe car, but sources say that if it arrives, it will be some time after the initial launch. The C-X16 is expected to go on sale at the end of next year. A V6 diesel version of the car cannot be ruled out.

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Stoner Dominates Czech GP

Casey Stoner increased his MotoGP World Championship lead to 32 points over Jorge Lorenzo by winning the Czech Grand Prix at Brno.

The Australian inherited the lead when his Honda team-mate Dani Pedrosa crashed out on lap three, the Spaniard losing the front end of his RCV212 and sliding off into the Turn 4 gravel.

Pedrosa had only hit the front two corners previously, the polesitter overtaking Lorenzo as the world champion had a major slide exiting Turn 1 and lost momentum while exiting the corner.

His exit left Stoner - who also passed Lorenzo after the Yamaha rider's moment - in front, and the 2007 world champion was able to pull out a comfortable 6.5-second margin and take his sixth win of the year.

Lorenzo - the only one of the front-runners to choose the softer of the two front tyres available from Bridgestone – became embroiled in a hectic battle for second with Stoner's team-mate Andrea Dovizioso and Gresini Honda rider Marco Simoncelli.

It didn't last long as after putting up a valiant fight against the pair, he was dispatched by both on lap 11 and quickly fell away from them as Dovizioso came home second and Simoncelli took his maiden podium finish in grand prix racing's premier class.

Fortunately for Lorenzo, the man behind was his team-mate Ben Spies, who dutifully held station for the remainder of the race as the pair finished fourth and fifth.

Valentino Rossi made a poor start from sixth spot, but passed his Ducati team-mate Nicky Hayden to resume the position on lap two. He spent two thirds of the race fending off the determined efforts of Alvaro Bautista, but was given some breathing space when the Suzuki rider crashed out at Turn 14 after a superb ride.

Hayden finished seventh, ahead of Colin Edwards' Tech 3 Yamaha and Hiroshi Aoyama's Gresini Honda. Hector Barbera completed the top 10, the Aspar Ducati rider just denying LCR Honda's Toni Elias the position by 0.113s.

Britain's Cal Crutchlow crashed out early on after losing the front end of his Tech 3 Yamaha while exiting Turn 1.

Karel Abraham was another who failed to make the finish, the Czech rider falling early in his home grand prix and then retiring as plumes of blue smoke appeared from his AB Cardion Ducati at half-distance.

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Suzuki Swift Sport Revealed

Suzuki has revealed a performance variant of its Swift, called the Swift Sport. The Japanese carmaker will unveil the car at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September. 

 

Based on the all-new Swift that will be launched in India very soon, the Swift Sport is powered by a 1.6-litre petrol engine linked to a six-speed manual gearbox, and produces 134bhp at 4400rpm and 16.31kgm of torque.

 

In a brief statement Suzuki revealed the Sport “offers superior cornering stability and brisker, more responsive handling, thanks to struts with internal rebound springs and an exclusive rear-suspension design.”

 

Styling changes include a larger front grille and more aggressive bodywork. Suzuki promises “a cabin (that) combines essential sportiness with a high-quality look and feel, plus design features that heighten excitement about the driving experience.” 

 

The bodywork changes mean it is 40mm longer than the standard Swift, but it is the same width and height as the standard car. Safety equipment includes seven airbags and ESP.

 

Does Maruti have plans to introduce the Swift Sport in India? Well, we certainly hope so! 

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Toyota Innova Crysta Launched

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt Ltd (TKM) has added a new limited edition variant to its Innova lineup called Innova Crysta. According to Toyota, the name ‘Crysta’ is derived from the word ‘Crystal’ which symbolises the car’s premium image. 

 

In addition to the features available on Innova’s top-end VX variant, the Innova Crysta adds  smoked alloy wheels, body graphics, dual-tone leather seat covers, rear spoiler and dark-wood panel inserts to the interior among others.

 

Like all Innova’s the Innova Crysta is powered by a 2.5-litre 102bhp diesel engine. It is available in Euro III and Euro IV.  Since it is limited edition, Toyota will only manufacture 1000 units of the Innova Crysta. It is priced at Rs 13,12,570 (ex-showroom, Delhi). 

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LR Defender Concept For Frankfurt

Land Rover will reveal a Defender concept car at the upcoming Frankfurt show; a ploy intended not only to demonstrate that the company is serious about replacing the 63-year old classic, but also to gather feedback on whether it is heading in the right direction with the replacement.

Producing a successor to one of the world’s best-known vehicles is never easy, and it’s even harder when it must compete in a market that brand director John Edwards describes as ‘cut-throat’.

Despite this, Edwards says that he ‘can’t imagine not producing a successor’ to the 63 year old four-wheel drive that established the Land Rover brand. But, JLR cannot compete on price with the pick-up and utility four-wheel drive offerings of its high volume rivals, so it must configure a Defender that has enough advantages to command higher prices without removing itself from the market.

Edwards is also keen that it should be adaptable to the needs of armies, not least for the highly profitable parts business that these contracts generate. The production version is scheduled for release in 2015, and must sell in annual volumes of 60-80,000 units to be viable.

Land Rover is currently exploring the possibility of using a cost and complication-reduced Discovery chassis or engineering a new, bespoke chassis among other options. Its design must allow for the wide range of body types that the Defender has long offered, and needs to be repairable in remote territory.

Edwards says that Land Rover is keenly watching the progress of the Argentina-built VW Amarok pick-up - some inside JLR argue that VW may struggle to make money because the pick-up market is so competitive. He believes that whatever solution Land Rover finally picks, ‘it won’t please everyone’, because with so many fans and opinions it will be difficult to avoid disappointing some. The challenge is to please most of them and more importantly, attract new buyers to a vehicle of which only 18,000 were made last year.

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New Mercedes SLK Launched

Mercedes-Benz has launched the new 2011 SLK 350 roadster in India.

The new SLK's exterior styling is inspired from the SLS AMG and it continues to eschew a fabric roof for a reworked version of the old model’s folding hard-top.  It now offers the choice of standard aluminum, fixed-tint glass or electro-magnetic variable-tint glass panel. 

Inside, there’s an angular new dashboard, again modeled on that of the SLS, with distinctive vents, reworked instruments, more contemporary switchgear and a new range of trims.

The 2011 SLK made its global debut at the manufacturer’s 125th birthday celebrations in Stuttgart in January this year. It has a new rear-wheel drive platform. The SLK 350 features Mercedes’ new V6. The 3.5-litre direct-injection motor kicks out 306bhp and is paired with a seven-speed automatic gearbox. It offers vastly improved performance and economy.  It competes with the likes of the BMW Z4 and the Porsche Cayman/Boxster and the Audi TT. 

The SLK 350 is priced at Rs 61.90 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

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Hero Moto Reveals Expansion Plans

World number one two-wheeler company, Hero MotoCorp revealed its bold new face and logo, along with one new bike and another scooter at a gala, superstar-studded mega event in London.

Performing on stage were Shahrukh Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, tennis legend Boris Becker, F1 veteran David Coulthard, star Indian music composer, A R Rehman and rap singer Akon.

Hero Honda has over the last few months consistently manufactured and sold an incredible 500,000-odd two-wheelers across India every month -- a new two-wheeler every 18 seconds. And Hero MotoCorp aims at sustaining and expanding this going forward, leveraging its existing infrastructure of a mammoth dealer network spread across India.

Looking ahead, Hero MotoCorp knows it requires to strengthen its R&D capability. In line with that, managing director and CEO Pawan Munjal announced his new company has set aside a budget that exceeds the sum of all investments made so far from the start of theier two-wheeler operations in India, to pump into the business within the next five years. No expense will be spared to buy and bring in new technology from around the world, with new technical collaborations being in the offing in Japan, as well as Europe. Apart from this, Hero MotoCorp plans two new plants in the near future, one in South India and another in Western India. The company aims at a gross sales target of USD $10 billion within the coming five years. It is looking at and will enter upto 30 new markets in the near future, including Africa, as early as within the next quarter.

The new 149.2cc motorcycle is called the Impulse which develops 13.2bhp at 7500rpm. A sign of things to come, the new bike shows us the fresh face of Hero as it treads a bold new path, entering the hot and relatively unexplored on-off road motorcycle segment in India, we’ve often longed to see filled.

An apt motorcycle for Indian roads that remain in terrible condition all year round, Hero MotoCorp’s Impulse sits tall on a long travel telescopic front suspension, with a monoshock rear suspension and spoke wheels, as commonly associated with these rugged, go-anywhere motorcycles. This Hero is tough, with massive body panels including a high floating front mudguard, and large overhangs extending ahead of its big, high set fuel tank. Instrumentation is trendy.

The four-stroke engine is carburreted, with a single cylinder and air-cooling, its silencer and heat shield running the entire right length of this bike under its seat. You get a five-speed gearbox, with a wide powerband tuned for strong low and mid-range performance, while an exposed chain drive system is also standard.

The new bike has a tubular steel frame that includes a single downtube running from the beefy steering column to link to twin tubes under the engine, meeting in a swingarm pivot which extends backwards as a twin-sided, steel box section member.

The new Hero MotoCorp sports a single 240mm front disc, 110mm rear drum brakes configuration and a generous ground clearance of 245mm, with the rear brake lever extending downwards into position ahead of the right footrest, and drum brake operating lever located higher than on conventional Indian motorcycles.

The scooter is called the Maestro, a 109cc model with an automatic gearbox and combined braking. Look out for Autocar India’s detailed story coming up soon.

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SCOOP! Compact Cars Of The Future

Small is the next big thing for saloons and mini-SUVs and almost every manufacturer is planning sub-four-metre cars witha vengeance. We are beginning to see a whole string of compact saloons and UVs lining up over the horizon, and that means plenty of desirable cars, at affordable prices set to be released in near future.

VW and Skoda Up saloon (expected 2013-2014)
Volkswagen will launch the new hatch, the Up. It will be its first attempt at making a car cheaper than the Polo for global markets. Rather than a rear engine and a rear-wheel drive, VW has decided to go for a more conventional front engine and front-wheel drive to reduce costs. The Up hatch may be too expensive to convert into a volume seller in India, which is why the saloon version will be ideal. The Up saloon will still hang on to the well-built feel of a VW, there will be more interior space and technology like the integrated display could be carried forward from the show car too.

It could be powered by an all-new four-cylinder 1.2-litre petrol engine developed for the Indian market, and a one-litre three-cylinder version could be on the cards as well. VW is also planning a three-cylinder 1.2 TDi, a new reduced capacity 1.5 TDi and a super-efficient 800cc turbocharged two-cylinder version that develops approximately 52bhp. VW and Skoda will each have their own versions of the compact saloons on this platform. (See images here)

Honda Brio saloon (expected 2013)
Honda is planning a booted version of the Brio. The Brio saloon will offer more passenger room on the inside, more luggage space and promises to be more practical with all-new interiors. It will be powered by a slightly retuned version of the 1.2 i-VTEC from the Jazz. The diesel engine is expected to be light, free-revving and preppy. A new 1.4-litre diesel engine version should be in showrooms by 2013. (See images here)

New Swift Dzire (expected 2012)
Based on the all-new Swift, the new sub-four-metre compact Dzire is shorter overall in terms of length, but will have more space, comfort, plenty of features and is likely to be easy on the pocket. It will be powered by updated K-series and DDiS motors and there could be an automatic version as well. (See images here)

Mahindra Verito (expected 2011)
Mahindra is set to launch a shorter version of the Logan with the all-new Verito. The existing Logan already has the ingredients for a great compact saloon; it has a huge cabin, an efficient diesel engine and proven dynamics as well. However, Mahindra is looking to improve on the Logan with the all-new shorter, and hopefully more appealing, Verito. (See images here)

Hindustan Ambassador CS (expected 2012)
A shorter, cheaper version of HM’s best seller, the Ambassador CS, is set to release next year. The shortened Amby will sport a re-tuned version of the existing 1.5-litre diesel motor. Expect minor tweaks to the rest of the design and spruced up interiors as well. HM is expected to update the motor significantly to boost performance and, to meet latest emission standards, it is likely to be turbocharged. (See images here)

Tata Manza CS (expected 2012)
The Manza CS will have an extended wheelbase and extra boot space, which will give Vista buyers, who can stretch their budget a little, something to think about. Tata is hoping to make the shorter Manza more competitive with the excise saving it gets. (See images here)

Mahindra Mini Xylo (U203) (expected 2011)
The Mini Xylo will be a little unconventional with a truncated rear section and reduced wheel size but it will offer a lot. The best utilisation of space, an upright seating position, a tough go-anywhere build and it will be powered by a three-cylinder 1.5 diesel motor. It will be Mahindra’s own version of the Wagon R. (See images here)

Ford Eco Sport (B515) (expected 2012)
Built on the same platform as the new Fiesta, this mildly raised and lightly clad mini-SUV will be priced at the same value as an expensive hatch. It will deliver the practicality and fun of a soft off-roader and will be powered by a more powerful version of the Fiesta engine. A four-wheel-drive version of this car however is unlikely. (See images here)

Mahindra S101-S102 (expected 2013)
M&M has a very ambitious target price of Rs 3 lakh for the S101. The S101 will have monocoque construction, front-wheel drive, and a spare tyre mounted on the tailgate. Engine options include a newly developed 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine which should develop around 60-70bhp

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