Author: Lakshya Agrawal

Auto GP: Karthikeyan Handed Maiden Victory at Silverstone

Narain Karthikeyan scored his maiden Auto GP win on Saturday at Silverstone in the UK after on-track victor Kevin Giovesi was given a one-minute post-race penalty. Driving for team Super Nova, Narain had initially crossed the line second behind the race winner Kevin Giovesi. But Giovesi’s Ghinzai Motorsport team was ruled to have made an illegal pitstop on the 14th lap of the race, which happened to be the last. The series’ sporting regulations state that mandatory pitstops can be made only between lap three and the penultimate lap.

Narain, who started on pole in race 1, had Giovesi and teammate Vittorio Ghirelli shadowing him right from the start. As the race progressed, it became a two-horse race as Karthikeyan and Giovesi carved an eight-second gap over the rest of the field by the mid-way mark. But the Indian driver had managed to keep a safe distance while leading the pack, until he pitted for his obligatory tyre change. The team didn’t have the cleanest of pitstops which resulted in Narain conceding the race lead, which he had held for 11 laps, to Giovesi.

Giovesi then pitted on the following lap and as expected, came out of the pits ahead of Karthikeyan. Despite struggling with some front tyre warmup issues, he challenged the Italian GP2 racer for the lead but Giovesi managed to cross the line three-tenths ahead.

This is what a very happy Karthikeyan had to say after the race:

I’m glad I got my first victory in Auto GP. I immediately found a good feeling with the car on a track like Silverstone and I managed to get the most from the package we had at our disposal.

Earlier this year, Narain didn’t have the best of starts to the season racing with the Zele Racing Auto GP team. He encountered reliability issues and many goof-ups during pitstops which robbed him of opportunities to finish strongly in previous rounds. Due to these reasons, Karthikeyan quit the team and later joined the reigning Auto GP champions, Super Nova for the Silverstone round. It proved to be a smart move as the ex-Formula 1 racing driver dominated the sessions on Friday and Saturday, proving his detractor wrong.

[Top Gear]

June 3, 2013
New Nissan Micra Revealed, To Go on Sale In End-2013

Nissan has officially revealed the facelifted Micra which is expected to go on sale worldwide in late 2013. It seems that Nissan has taken inspiration from its compact SUV, the Juke to style the new Micra with some visual tweaks for 2013.

A Juke-style front grille, new front bumper, triangular fog lights and angular headlights are the main changes. The back of the 2013 Micra shows a new bumper, modified tailgate trim and LED taillights. It can be optionally fitted with 16-inch polished alloy wheels, panoramic glass roof, new paint hues and a park assist system.

Inside medium- and top-spec models, you get a new gloss-black centre console with different air vents, and a bigger infotainment screen (up from 5in to 5.8in). You can spec a parking space measurement gizmo that’ll inform the driver if the gap they’re sizing up is big enough to fit the Micra. There’s also standard USB and MP3 player connectivity, and a redesigned instrument cluster. Nissan has announced the mentioned features for European models so we wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of these features never make their way to the Indian market due to cost-cutting.

Two three-cylinder engines are available: a 79bhp 1.2-litre petrol version, or a supercharged, direct-injection model with 97bhp. There will be a choice of five-speed manual or CVT auto transmission. The Nissan Micra hatchback is the company’s big export volume puller in India and contributes a major fraction to its profit margins. At present, Nissan Motor India assembles the Micra car at its Oragadam manufacturing facility based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

June 3, 2013
Peugeot Testing 208 T16 ahead of Pikes Peak Hill Climb [w/video]

Peugeot has released a new video of the 208 T16 undergoing heavy testing at Mont Ventoux in preparation for the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb to be held at the end of this month. The location for one of the most grueling stages of the Tour de France, Mont Ventoux represents the perfect spot to test the car because of its steep terrain and high attitudes which attracted racers as far back as 1902. Using the last six kilometers of the mountain’s summit road, the 208 T16 tested at rather high altitudes for Europe, but with a peak of 6,263 feet, even the barren summit is more than 3,000 feet below the start of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. The finish line sits at 14,110 feet, nearly 5,000 feet above the start.

This is what team technical chief Jean-Christophe Pailler had to say:

Okay, the altitude isn’t as extreme here as it is at Pikes Peak which reaches 4,301 meters, but it’s a valuable intermediate step. It allows us to see the differences in the way the engine functions, although we hope to suffer less from altitude-induced power-loss than our rivals because of the turbochargers we have chosen.

The Peugeot team is very confident that they have a car which can not only win the Hill Climb, but obliterate the competition, and they may be right considering that the mid-mounted 3.2-litre V6 power plant produces 875 bhp. It is connected to a six-speed sequential transmission and an all-wheel drive system that enables the 875 kg race car to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in just 1.8 seconds. If that wasn’t enough, Peugeot have 9-time WRC champion, Sebastien Loeb piloting the 208 T16 up the hill.

Watch the video below to see how Loeb gets along with the 208 T16 at Mont Ventoux.

[youtube id=”6sHlBX4KqBM” width=”100%” height=”300px”]

Enjoy some pictures of the 208 T16 in its Red Bull race livery, as well as the previewed all-black version.

News source: Car Magazine

Image credit: GTspirit.com

June 2, 2013
2014 BMW X5 Revealed

After months of speculation and spy shots, the 2014 BMW X5 has finally been revealed by the Bavaria based manufacturer. Since its launch in 1999, the BMW X5 has gone from strength to strength and established itself as one of the world’s best SUVs. The third generation is more evolution than revolution as it builds on these strengths, but doesn’t bring about any radical changes.

The new grille, bumper and headlamps are in alignment with BMW’s new direction in style and are reminiscent of the current 3-series and 5-series ranges. The bumper is slightly more aggressive than its predecessor too. A prominent character line runs down the side from the newly designed front apron all the way to the taillights. At the back, the new X5 gets a redesigned tailgate, new taillights and a new bumper with reflectors and twin tail pipes.

The BMW X5 will be available with a choice of three engines. The X5 sDrive 35i comes with a 3.0-litre twin turbo straight six petrol unit producing 300 bhp and 406Nm of torque that can power the SUV from 0-100 km/h in 6.2 seconds. For those looking for extra thrust, the X5 sDrive 50i packs a potent 4.4-litre twin turbo V8 petrol motor putting out 445 bhp and 650Nm of torque, which can propel the SUV from 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds. An all new 3.0 litre turbo straight six diesel producing 251 bhp and 559 Nm of torque will also be on offer. All engines will be mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. For the first time ever, BMW is offering the X5 with rear-wheel drive on the X5 sDrive 35i (the one with the 3.0-litre petrol engine), and traditional all-wheel drive systems will be available as well.

The 2014 BMW X5 is a classic case of ‘don’t fix it if it ain’t broken’. BMW seems to have figured out the formula to success in the SUV market and are now working to perfect it rather than reinvent it. The 2014 X5 is a well thought out vehicle and should be a worthy successor to the outgoing model.

June 2, 2013
Mercedes Benz A-class Launched at Rs. 21.93 Lakh

The striking Mercedes Benz A-class has been launched in India in two variants, the petrol A180 CGI and the diesel A180 CDI. Representing the younger face of the German auto giant, the new A-class is a breath of fresh air, bringing with it a revamped design and a new outlook to the market. There has been a lot of hype surrounding the smallest and cheapest member of the Benz family, and when it comes to looks, Mercedes has definitely matched the hype.

The A-class is very easy on the eyes. The low and sloping roofline along with the long hood impart the hatch an athletic stance and the ducted rear bumper as well as the diffuser add character to the well sculpted rear end. The new metallic grille flanked by swooping LED headlights are the cherry on top of a sumptuous little treat.

The A-Class range internationally gives buyers a range of models to pick from, but for now India gets just the A 180CGI and the A180 CDI. The petrol A180 CGI is powered by a 1.6-litre unit producing 122 bhp and the diesel A180 CDI features a 2.2-litre powerplant pushing out 109 bhp. Both engines send power to the front wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The diesel A-class reaches a top speed of 190kph while the petrol tops out at 202kph.

The A 180 CGI comes equipped with a panoramic sunroof, black diamond pattern trim seats, contrasting topstitching on the door centre panels and armrests. The instrument cluster comes with silver-finish dials. The car also has 17-inch smoked grey alloy wheels as standard as well as Bluetooth connectivity, seven airbags, an ECO start/stop function, adaptive brakes, Attention Assist system, ESP, bi-xenon lamps, and USB and iPod connectivity.

The large and imposing hatchback may be the cheapest Benz on offer, but at Rs. 21.93 Lakh for the A 180 CDI Style and Rs. 22.73 Lakh for the A 180 CGI Sport(both ex-showroom Mumbai), it may still be quite heavy on the wallet for most Indians, especially for a hatchback.

[Autocar]

June 1, 2013
New Aston Martin V12 Vantage S Puts Out 565 hp

It was recently announced by Aston Martin that they were discontinuing the V12 Vantage model. However it seems that they’re still making it, kind of. This is the V12 Vantage S. It looks mostly like the outgoing V12 Vantage, however the aluminum grille vanes are swapped for carbon fiber or titanium silver mesh inside a grille shell inspired by the CC100 Speedster concept, there are new ten-spoke, 19-inch alloys, the roof goes black and this is the first time customers can spec black pedals.

At its heart is the new AM28 engine, a more evolved species of the 6.0-liter V12 incorporating features like CNC-machined combustion chambers and hollow camshafts. It produces 565 horsepower, a 50-horse increase over the outgoing model, and 475 pound-feet of torque, a boost of 37 lb-ft. Acceleration from 0-100 kmph is expected to come before the four-second mark (down from 4.2 seconds) and it will go on to an astonishing 329 kmph, up from 304 in the base V12 Vantage. The exhaust note is adapted from the One-77 (which is a great thing) and it is now the fastest car Aston Martin makes. In fact, except for the One-77, it’s the fastest road car in the company’s history.

It also marks the debut of a new transmission from Aston: A seven-speed Sportshift III. Sport shift denotes Aston’s sequential gearboxes, which means that there is no manual transmission option. This transmission is very high tech and is 55 pounds lighter than the six-speed manual it replaces. Yes, it can shift quicker than the manual, but the V12 Vantage’s most unique trait is now gone, which will surely upset die-hard loyalists. Other than that, three-stage adaptive damping confers Normal, Sport and Track modes to the suspension settings and alters the amount of power-assist for the steering. A second, independent Sport setting controls gear selection, throttle response and exhaust note.

Most importantly, it still looks the part.

May 30, 2013
BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupe Unveiled

BMW’s first team-up with Italian styling house Pininfarina, was revealed in full at the 2013 Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza in Italy in the form of the Gran Lusso coupe. The full-bodied V12-powered coupe is a one-off styling concept for now, but shows the direction BMW could take for a new 8-series coupe, to compete with the Mercedes S-Class Coupe and Bentley Continental GT.

The imposing Gran Lusso is a beautiful concoction of the past, present and future of BMW. It maintains the kidney grille and the Hofmeister kink in the rear pillar, but the strong forward rake of the front end resembles the sharknose BMWs of the 70s and 80s. However the fastback shape is very rarely seen in the BMW lineup and is reminiscent of the BMW CS Concept from 2007. The supersized four-door coupe was intended to go into production as the flagship BMW, but BMW were worried about building a high-end model in the wake of the financial crisis. The concept of a four-door coupe lived on as the 6-series Gran Coupe and CS was left as inspiration for new BMWs like the Gran Lusso.

High-quality materials line the interior include black and tobacco brown leather upholstery from Italian company Foglizzo and lots of wooden accents sourced from a single piece of rare kauri wood native to New Zealand.

All in all, the Gran Lusso Coupe is a very bold and handsome design. The long wheelbase, wide stance and short overhangs add to a very well sculpted exterior. What remains to be seen, is whether this could manifest itself into the rumoured return of the BMW 8-series.

May 30, 2013
CC100 Speedster Celebrates 100 Years of Aston Martin

This is the Aston Martin CC100 Speedster Concept, and it was unveiled earlier this week at the Nordschliefe, ahead of the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. The V12 powered one-off car was designed by Aston Martin to celebrate the company’s centenary, and was piloted around the Nürburgring by Aston CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez. Racing royalty, Sir Stirling Moss drove the 1959 Aston Martin DBR1 alongside the CC100, acknowledging the designers who claim that the CC100 was inspired by the Le Mans winning 1959 racecars.

Aston claims that the two-seat CC100 Speedster was created in under six months time. Powered by the British automaker’s well-known naturally aspirated 6.0-liter V12 and six-speed sequential manual paddleshift gearbox, 0-100 kmph should be dealt with in four seconds and it should go on to hit 290 kmph. But we all know that Aston Martins aren’t really about power and flappy paddle gearboxes. To reinforce our point, just look at it.

A polar opposite of Lamborghini’s sharp and angular 50th year celebratory model, the Egoista, the CC100 is elegant, smooth and flowing. The long sloping hood, strong haunches, and even the side-view mirror stalks seem to have sacred proportions. The CC100 Speedster Concept isn’t the fastest or the most outrageous car in the world, what it is, is a throwback to the beautiful racecars of half a century ago. What it is most of all, is an Aston Martin.

May 22, 2013
2014 Mercedes Benz S-Class Revealed
If you’re a CEO or a high-ranking government official, your new ride is here. The 2014 Mercedes Benz S-Class has finally been unveiled, with Merc boss Dr Dieter Zetsche, describing it as “the best automobile in the world”. Packed with stunning technology and a completely revamped design, the best of the Benz sedans has managed to improve upon its predecessor massively, and that’s much easier said than done.

The new S-Class reinforces Benz’s new direction in design, taking cues from the new E-Class and CLA-Class. The front has a new, larger radiator grille, flanked by well-shaped feline-like LED headlights. Reception to the new front-end and the LED headlights has been mixed, but we’re leaning towards the positive side with this one. The front fender reminds us of the A-Class with an aggressive bottom end. Distinct character lines run down the sides and the sloping roofline makes another appearance here, along with sharp taillights. All in all, Mercedes Benz has maintained the elegance of the S-Class with wholesale changes resulting in a pleasing, simplistic design.

As always the new S-Class features the best and newest technology Merc’s engineers have developed over the last few years. With luxury nearing that found in a private jet, and technology like that of a fighter jet, the new S-Class comes with a very fair share of goodies, not limited to the following:
- The cabin gets two 12.3-inch TFT screens for the instrument cluster and the navitainment, a touch-sensitive telephone keypad, rear climate control with two more zones, access to infotainment media from any seat in the car – rear seat passengers can even see the Google Maps display to make sure the driver is going the right way
- Roughly 300 LEDs in the cabin offer seven hues, five dimming levels and four dimming zones will be standard and the LED brake lights dim at night or while waiting at lights so as to be kinder on the eyes of drivers behind
- Five different options in rear seating, the uppermost of which offers a backrest that reclines nearly 45 degrees, does so independently of the bolster, and has calf support and a heel rest. Get the First Class Rear package and avail yourself of a console that allows control of the center console from the rear, and thermally-controlled cupholders
- Magic Body Control that uses stereo cameras to scan the road surface and adjust the suspension in advance of road imperfections
- Massaging seats based on the “hot stone principle” for front and rear using 14 cushions in the backrest and six massage programs
- An Air Balance Package that ionizes and filters the air and emits five choices in fragrance
- Grouped under “Intelligent Drive,” the next generation of features like Active Parking Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Night View Assist Plus, Distronic Plus with Steering Assist, Brake Assist Plus with Cross-Traffic Assist, Pre-Safe Brake with pedestrian recognition
- A Warmth and Comfort package with heated steering wheel and armrests, seats with active ventilation, and power heated rear seats with memory
The 2014 S-Class will be offered with a choice of four engines, including two hybrids – the S 400 petrol and S 300 BlueTEC diesel. The conventional petrol and diesel models badged S 500 and S350 BlueTEC respectively complete the lineup. Powered by a 449bhp 4.7-litre twin-turbo V8, the S 500 is by far the fastest, covering 0-62mph in 4.8 seconds, while the S 300 BlueTEC Hybrid combines a 201bhp 2.1-litre diesel engine with a 27bhp electric motor for a combined fuel economy of 64mpg and CO2 emissions of 115g/km. AMG models are expected to be announced in the coming year as well.

Ever since Daimler-Chrysler announced the discontinuation of the Maybach brand, the S-Class has assumed the mantle of being its most luxurious offering. The 2014 S-Class is really tough to fault, with a majestic presence, efficient German engineering under the hood and the interior worthy of a Rolls-Royce. Everyone may not love the look of the new S-Class, but there’s no doubting that it still is one of the best cars available in the market today.
May 16, 2013
Lamborghini Unveils Single-Seater Egoista Concept

It’s lonely at the top, or so Lamborghini would like us all to believe. In conclusion to Lamborghini’s 50th year celebrations, the Italian manufacturer unveiled the Egoista concept, which literally translates to “selfish” in Italian. Why is it named so? Well, because it only has one seat, that’s why.

The Egoista is very futuristically designed with one seat in the middle of the cockpit and is inspired by an Apache helicopter. Reports suggest that the extremely lightweight car is made entirely out of carbon fibre and the cockpit canopy may be removed to save weight. Power comes from a 5.2-litre V10 engine.

Designer Walter De Silva had this to say about the car, translated from Italian:

This is a car made for a single person, to have fun and to express their own personality. It is designed for people who want the most extreme and most special things in the world. This car represents extremes of hedonism; it is a car without compromise. In a word, it is selfish.

Some of the 350 Lamborghinis gathered at Sant’Agata Bolognese as part of the celebrations

The Egoista was revealed by brand boss Stephan Winkelmann at a dinner held to mark the end of the week-long drive by 350 Lamborghinis through Italy, organised in celebration of the marque’s 50th birthday. Another dramatic announcement was made at the ceremony, about the Lamborghini Urus SUV Concept going into production in 2017.

Lamborghini Urus Concept

At the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, the truly extreme Lamborghini Veneno was revealed as an initial part of the firm’s 50th anniversary celebrations. Three examples of the 740bhp, 221mph road-going racer were sold for around £2 million each.

Lamborghini Veneno

May 13, 2013
Jaguar F-Type Coupe Spotted Testing

While the automotive world is still enamoured with the Jaguar F-Type roadster, the Indian-owned British manufacturer is busy preparing for the F-Type coupe’s expected launch next year. The F-Type coupe was spotted for the first time testing outside the firm’s HQ in Gaydon. Although dressed in heavy camouflage and a black roof, there was no mistaking it for anything other the hard-top version of Jaguar’s stunning convertible.

The coupe’s looks are almost identical to the C-X16 concept, which originally launched the idea for Jaguar’s new F-Type convertible. The on-road testing can only mean that the car should be launched within the next 12-18 months. The F-type coupe is expected to be powered by the same V6, V6 S and V8 S engines as the drop-top versions. Reports also claim that it will be the base for faster R and RS versions as well as a very extreme 600 bhp RS-GT street legal racing version.

Jaguar insiders say that the unusual decision to launch the roadster first was taken because it was perceived to have a large market and deliver a better image for the firm’s halo model. But in our honest opinion, the hard-top F-Type will look just as gorgeous as the convertible, if not more.

May 11, 2013
Chevrolet Launches Enjoy MPV Starting At Rs. 5.49 Lakh

Chevrolet has launched its first MPV model in India. It’s called the Enjoy and it will set you back between Rs. 5.49 lakh to Rs. 7.99 lakh. The compact SUV and MPV segment has really picked up in India of late, with the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and Toyota Innova enjoying runaway success and the Ford EcoSport hitting the Indian market in the summer this year. The Enjoy is Chevrolet’s hope to give the Ertiga competition, and at first glance it seems more than capable of doing just that.

The Enjoy is available with both petrol and diesel engines. The petrol engine is a 1.4-litre unit putting out 103 bhp and 13.25 kgm of torque while the 1.3-litre diesel unit produces 76 bhp and 19.17 kgm of torque. Both engines are mated to a five-speed manual transmission.

The Chevrolet Enjoy has very spacious interiors which can seat 7 or 8 people depending on whether the middle row has a bench seat or captain seats. It comes with simple but comfortable interiors offering power steering, power windows, stereo and air conditioning. Safety features include anti-lock brakes, electronic brake force distribution and dual front airbags. With a straightforward design, the Chevrolet Enjoy surely won’t blow anyone away, but it ticks all the right boxes considering what one would want from an affordable and spacious entry-level MPV, and should ‘Enjoy’ its fair bit of success.

Chevrolet Enjoy variant-vice pricing:

Petrol:

LS (8-seater) – Rs 5.49 lakh
LS (7-seater) – Rs 5.54 lakh
LT (7-seater) – Rs 6.31 lakh
LTZ (7-seater) – Rs 6.99 lakh

Diesel:

LS (8-seater) – Rs 6.69 lakh
LS (7-seater) – Rs 6.75 lakh
LT (7-seater) – Rs 7.42 lakh
LTZ (7-seater) – Rs 7.99 lakh

May 11, 2013
Jaguar Bringing F-Type To India In July

Jaguar is planning on bringing its new convertible supercar, the F-Type, to India in July this year. Creating waves around the automotive world, the E-Type’s spiritual successor is trying to head Jaguar in a new and refreshing direction. Breaking from the tradition of building elegant, luxurious sedans, Jaguar is trying to carve out its place in the sports car segment with the svelte and feline F-Type, promising supercar performance with gorgeous looks.

The F-Type will reportedly be launched in India in two variants. The F-Type S has a 3.0-litre supercharged V6 under the hood producing 375 bhp and 460 Nm of torque. It can get the F-Type from 0-97 kmph in 4.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 275 kmph. The top of the line F-Type V8 S has a massive 5.0-litre supercharged V8 power plant under the hood producing 488 bhp and a tire-shredding 625 Nm of torque. This translates from nought to 100 kmph in 4.3 seconds and on to a 300 kmph top speed. Both models have the engines at the front sending all the power to the rear wheels, and are mated to 8-speed automatic transmissions with paddle-shifters offering manual override. The V6 employs a mechanical limited-slip differential and the V8 an electronic limited-slip differential to manage the F-Type’s raw power most efficiently. The F-Type has a double-wishbone front and rear suspension with adaptive dampers and adjustable suspension settings to allow the driver to tweak ride and handling.

Image Courtesy: Top Gear

The first thing that strikes you about the F-Type however, is surely the way it looks. The F-Type is almost identical to the C-X16 Concept and that’s a good thing because it looks stunning. Beautifully proportioned and quite compact, the F-Type has done away with the oval front grille. The shark gill openings on either flank of the new grille are very modern and give it an edge. The shape of the hood and the taillights resemble those of the iconic Jaguar E-Type. The rear diffuser and integrated tail pipes (dual on the V6, quad on the V8) add to the aggressive looks but with plenty of elegance. A hidden spoiler pops out at speeds over 90 kmph and goes into hiding when speed drops below 60 kmph. The F-Type is built with extreme care and quality, and the interior is very luxurious and tasteful, typical of Jaguar.

There’s no doubt that the F-Type looks the part, and goes like it too. However, it’s expected to lighten your wallet by Rs. 1.3-1.5 crore, and in a highly competitive sports car segment, it remains to be seen if the Jag can hold its own among traditional supercar giants such as the Porsche 911, the Audi R8 and the Aston Martin Vantage. We’ll surely find out in the months to come. Meanwhile, check out some pictures of the F-Type below, as seen by iGyaan at the 2013 New York Auto Show.

May 8, 2013
Honda To Bring New Sedan, MPVs To India Soon

With a flurry of additions to its lineup at the Shanghai Motor Show, Honda is planning on launching some of its new models in India soon. The successful launch of the Amaze shows the Japanese manufacturer’s new direction. Earlier, Honda would stick to a few specific segments and churn out model after model pertaining to the same. However now, Honda is venturing into many new segments and the new Crider is a case in point.

Honda Crider

The Crider is the production version of the Honda Concept C, and is the rare occasion when a production model ends up looking similar to its concept. Smaller than the Accord, and dimensionally similar to the Civic, it aims to spawn a new segment to take on upcoming markets. The sharp lines on the muscular shell house a 4 cylinder 1.8-litre iVTEC engine producing 140 bhp.

Honda M-01 Concept

Honda is mulling a seven-seater multi-purpose vehicle. And we are, at this moment, studying the market whether we have to launch it or not…

– Jnaneswar Sen, senior vice-president, sales and marketing, Honda Cars India

Along with the Crider, Honda unveiled two MPV concepts at the Shanghai Motor Show, namely the Jade and the M-01. The M-01 is a full-size MPV, dimensionally similar to a Toyota Innova. The concept’s styling is not groundbreaking but looks fairly nice with smooth flowing lines and a strong, poised profile. The M-01 should come with diesel engines and a variety of seating options and an expectedly subtler design.

Honda Jade Concept

The second of the MPVs, called the Jade, is much more compact and borrows its styling from the Civic. It does look rather interesting, and seeing its length and low profile, it could perfectly fit into the almost defunct station wagon segment in India. With compact SUVs and MPVs like the Quanto and Ertiga doing rather well, Honda seems to have made a rather good move here. Not much information has been released about the three new models from the Jap manufacturer, keep checking this space for updates.

Image credit: Zigwheels

May 6, 2013
Ford EcoSport Model Range For India Leaked

According to reports, the model range for the Indian version of the much anticipated Ford EcoSport has been leaked. Four trims namely Ambiente, Trend, Titanium and Titanium optional will be on offer. These trims will be available in a choice of 3 engines, a 1.5-litre petrol, 1.5-litre diesel and obviously the center of attraction will be Ford’s much awaited 1.0-litre turbo charged direct-injection EcoBoost petrol. The EcoBoost however will be available only with the top-end Titanium trim.

The Ambiente is expected to be the base trim and comes with a quite a bit of equipment despite it. Tilt and telescopic steering, a music player with Aux-in and Bluetooth, electric wing mirrors, remote locking, a multi-function display, front power windwos and 15-inch wheels make up most of the Ambiente trim. Next up the ladder is the Trend trim, which comes with anti lock brakes, rear power windows, steering-mounted audio controls and driver-seat height adjust over everything that the Ambiente has to offer. Both these trims will be available only with manual transmissions coupled to 1.5-litre petrol or diesel engines.

Further up is the aptly named Titanium trim. The famous 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine is available only with the Titanium trim which also comes with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, 16-inch alloy wheels, climate control, cooled glovebox, roof rails, front fog lamps, reverse parking sensor, and dual airbags. An option pack for the Titanium will also be available, which offers push-button start, leather seats, keyless entry, and side and curtain airbags. The EcoBoost engine is mated to a manual gearbox but an automatic-gearbox-equipped Titanium version will be available with the normal 1.5-litre petrol. There is no diesel version available for the top-spec EcoSport.

The 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines will produce 107 bhp and 88.8 bhp respectively and the new EcoBoost is expected to put out between 95 and 100 bhp. The Ford EcoSport is expected to have a base price around Rs. 7.5 lakh with the top of the line Titanium trim costing upwards of Rs. 12 lakh.

[Autocar]

May 5, 2013