Category: AutoGyaan

Cars, Bikes, Alternative Vehicles, Air Transport et All

Renault launches entry-level Scala RxE Diesel

Renault India has introduced an entry-level diesel variant of its Scala sedan, in order to make its diesel range more accessible to the Indian customers.

The Scala RxE diesel will be powered by the same 1.5-litre k9k diesel assembly as that in the RxL and RxZ variants, producing 84.8 bhp and 20.4kgm of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via a five-speed manual transmission.

Features like a driver airbag, ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, engine immobiliser, music system, rear cooling vents and anti pinch power windows are standard but climate control, passenger airbag and power windows are omitted.

At Renault India, we are constantly endeavouring to offer products that meet the complete spectrum of customer needs. The Scala RxE not only offers the luxury, roominess and excellent ride and handling of the Scala diesel variants, but also delivers a host of features high on safety, comfort and entertainment – all in a price currently unmatched at the entry level of the premium sedan segment.
– Sumit Sawhney, Executive Director, Marketing & Sales, Renault India Pvt. Ltd.

The Renault Scala RXE diesel is priced at Rs Rs. 8.29 lakhs (ex-showroom Delhi). It comes with the Renault Complete car package which offers 2+2 years/80,000km warranty with roadside and navigation assistance.

The Scala is available in six variants with both diesel and petrol options. While the petrol variants are priced between Rs. 7.19 lakhs and Rs. 9.99 lakhs, the diesel variants are available in a price range of Rs. 8.29 lakhs to Rs. 9.68 lakhs (ex-showroom Delhi).

[featured image does not show RxE variant of the Scala]

June 20, 2013
Lamborghini launches limited Gallardo India edition for Rs. 3.06 crore

After launching Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia specific cars, Lamborghini’s 50th year celebrations have now reached India, with the launch of an “India Limited Edition” of the Gallardo LP 550-2.

The Gallardo ‘India Serie Speciale’, as seen on a plate near the driver’s side quarter glass, is mechanically identical to the LP550-2. Powered by a 5.2-litre V10 engine producing 550 hp and 540 Nm of torque, the Gallardo India edition will go from 0-100 kmph in 3.9 seconds and on to a top speed of 320 kmph. The engine is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox sending power only to the rear wheels, which is what the 2 in its LP 550-2 coding refers to.

The Gallardo India edition sports Aranico Borealis, Bianco Monocerus and Verde Ithaca (translated as orange, white and green, representing the Indian flag) stripes running down the center of the bonnet, roof and engine lid. The car will be available in three colours, orange, white and green, unsurprisingly. The tricolore treatment for the Indian edition also extends to the black interiors that are accented with orange white and green stitching on the seat, dash and door trims. Lamborghini’s optional Cordelia wheels are standard on this car.

The India edition car represents a powerful and sophisticated tribute from the house of the raging bull, symbolic of our common ethos in aspiring for perfection. This reiterates our commitment to the India and enthusiasts of Lamborghini.
– Pavan Shetty, head of operations, Lamborghini India

Only six of the Gallardo India Edition cars will be produced, and will retail for an ex-Maharashtra price of Rs 3.06 crore.

[Image courtesy: The Hindu]

June 20, 2013
2014 Aston Martin Vanquish Volante unveiled

If you have saved up to the tune of $300,000 to spend on a top-of-the line Aston Martin, but believe that a roof ruins the experience of driving such a car, congratulations, today is your lucky day! Aston Martin has unveiled the 2014 Vanquish Volante, and unsurprisingly, it is an absolute beauty. It’s the first carbon fibre-bodied convertible in Aston’s history, and like it’s coupe sister, is the ultimate expression of the famous British automaker’s finest technology.

Like the coupe, the Vanquish Volante wears a coat of aggresion albeit with typical Aston Martin elegance and grace. The switch to the carbon fibre body provides an incredible strength-to-weight ratio and allows the shaping of the Volante’s unique rear airfoil, pronounced rear haunches and the dramatic strake towards the lower end of each door. Under the hood, you’ll find the same 6.0-litre V12 engine from the Vanquish, which translates to 565 horsepower, 457 lb-ft of torque and one of the most amazing soundtracks in the automotive world today, made even better by the lack of a roof. The soft top can go down at speeds up to 30 MPH and folds in just 14 seconds.

This is not simply a great-looking car. This is a great car engineered and crafted for the connoisseur by people dedicated to delivering exceptional sports cars with clearly defined characters.
– Ulrich Bez, CEO, Aston Martin

Convertibles always need stiffening up as compared to their coupe counterparts, due to the reduction of rigidity brought about by the removal of the roof. This usually changes the vehicle dynamics and ends up adding a decent amount of weight, both factors being nemeses to a supercar. But thanks to underskin reinforcements to the aluminum VH4 chassis, The Vanquish Volante is 13% stiffer than the droptop DBS it replaces and the stiffest Volante in the marque’s history. It also retains the coupe’s near ideal 51:49 front-to-rear weight distribution. Like the coupe, the Volante features Aston’s ADS Adaptive Damping System that allows the car to offer touring comfort and a fully optimized Track mode. Carbon ceramic brakes with multi-piston calipers ensure that the Volante stops as well as it accelerates.

Pricing starts at US$ 297,995 and the Aston Martin Vanquish Volante is expected to hit the markets early next year.

June 19, 2013
Lamborghini Cabrera spotted, readying itself to replace Gallardo

Facebook user and minor YouTube celebrity, Marchettino was the lucky one who spotted the successor to the Lamborghini Gallardo running out and about on public streets and was kind enough to click a few pictures of the menacing machine. It is rumoured that Lamborghini is all set to show a concept car at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show this September, which will replace the baby Lambo in late 2014. Word also has it, that the new Lamborghini will be called the Cabrera.

Image credit: Marchettino

The vehicle in these photos looks to have abandoned some of the Gallardo’s angular features in favour of smoother lines, though it’s possible body cladding is hiding the car’s true design. Murcielago SV-style sills and side air intakes serve up quite a bit of aggression and the silhouette is reminiscent of its to be big brother, the Aventador.

The Cabrera is likely to ride on the second-generation Audi R8 platform, complete with a composite aluminum and carbon fiber construction to reduce weight as much as possible. It’s expected to be powered by an upgraded version of the 5.2-liter V10 powerplant in the current Gallardo, producing around 600 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque.

Click here for more information on the Cabrera and its alliance with the Audi R8.

[Image credit: Marchettino via Facebook]

June 19, 2013
New Porsche Cayman S launched in India

Porsche has launched the new larger, lighter and more powerful Cayman S in India. The longer wheelbase, a wider track and lighweight mixed aluminium-steel construction are all designed to enhance the drive dynamics of the rear-wheel drive sports car.

Powering the sportscar is a 3.4-litre flat-six engine that puts out 329hp of power and 370Nm of torque. The Cayman S can go from a standstill to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds with the optional seven-speed double clutch PDK gearbox. There is an optional Sport Chrono package that gives the Cayman S launch control and faster, more optimum shift times, allowing it to go from 0-100 km/h in 4.7 seconds and onwards to a top speed of 281 km/h.

The basic design of the new Cayman S remains the same as its predecessor. The front cooling inlets in the bumper have become larger and the fog lamps have been moved around to the corners. Porsche has bought into the new trend of daytime running LEDs as well and the car has shorter overhangs for better handling. At the back, the car retains its twin exhausts, sleek rear spoiler and gets new tail lights and 19-inch wheels come standard.

The cabin gets redesigned interiors and a 7-inch touchscreen. In terms of optional features, the cabin can be specced with a Burmester sound system and bi-colour leather packages amongst others. The new Porsche Cayman S will set you back Rs. 92,27,905 in Maharashtra and Rs 93,99,000 in Delhi.

June 18, 2013
Maruti Suzuki launches Alto 800 in VXi trim

Maruti Suzuki India has silently introduced the Alto 800 in the VXi trim for Rs 3.13 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), or with optional metallic paint for Rs 3.17 lakh. This makes it Rs 13,581 more expensive than the Alto 800 LXi in Delhi, which is not a major difference considering the additional kit which comes with the VXi. The Alto 800 VXi costs Rs. 3.36 lakh in Mumbai.

This additional equipment comprises of central locking, a USB compatible stereo that is hooked to four speakers, left outside rear view mirror and a driver’s side airbag as standard. Cosmetic enhancements include door side mouldings and a rear spoiler. Other equipment aboard the Alto 800 VXi includes, air conditioning with heater, power steering, front power windows, dual tone upholstery, dual trip meter, clock, remote fuel lid and hatch opener, tubeless tyres body coloured bumpers and door handles, etc.

The Alto 800 derives its power from a three cylinder 796cc petrol unit churning out 48 bhp and 67Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. The Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 is also available with a CNG kit option. As compared to the last generation Alto, the new Alto 800 is a little more spacious, in fact the fuel efficiency of the new version too has been improved by 15 per cent.

June 18, 2013
Volvo joins V8 Supercars series in 2014 down under [w/video]

Volvo fans, we have good news for you. It had been a rumour for a while, and now it’s official. Volvo will be joining the V8 Supercars series in Australia with an official team in 2014. Volvo’s own polestar tuning firm and Garry Rogers Motorsport have joined hands to help Volvo create Volvo Polestar Racing.

The Swedish half of the outfit will produce a V8 engine, and will supply it to the Garry Rogers team, for them to get the car ready for the track. Two V8 Supercars will be used by the team, based on the production S60 road car. But considering that the S60 uses a range of transversely mounted engines with four, five or six cylinders (powering either the front or all four wheels) while the new race car will employ a V8 sending about 650 horsepower to the rear wheels, we guess the similarities between the production variant and the V8 Supercar stop at the exterior design.

Volvo claims this is the first factory-backed entry in the V8 Supercars series from a luxury brand. We should note, though, that Mercedes-Benz is represented in the series with an E-Class sedan, but that outfit isn’t quite an official entry from the car’s German parents. With the going away of the Ford Falcon, the addition of the Nissan Altima and now this Volvo S60, V8 Supercars is surely getting very interesting. Watch the teaser video below, to get an idea of what Volvo has in mind.

[youtube id=”PNvH9n90XtQ” width=”100%” height=”300px”]

[Source: Volvo, Polestar Racing via YouTube]

June 18, 2013
Lamborghini Gallardo replacement to be launched in 2014

According to reports, Lamborghini is set to put a cap on its 50th anniversary celebrations with the unveil of one last concept car at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, which will closely preview the upcoming Gallardo replacement. The production version of the new two-seater, is set to go on sale in the UK during the second half of next year and will follow its predecessor in sharing key components, including a lightweight carbonfibre and aluminium spaceframe structure, with the replacement for the current Audi R8, due in 2015.

Rumours suggest that the Gallardo replacement will be called the Cabrera. In keeping with Lamborghini tradition, it refers to a line of Spanish bulls whose lineage can be traced to other famous breeds, including the Miura, Gallardo, Navarra and Veragua.

The Gallardo’s 5.2-liter V-10 will carry over, but with extensive revisions to deliver more power and fewer emissions. Peak output should come in at 592 horsepower, which in metric figures converts to about 600 horses. This means the new car is likely to be an LP 600-4. Note, an engine with these very specs was previewed in the Egoista concept. The engine will be mated to a standard six-speed manual gearbox, while the new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic from the R8 will be available as an option, replacing the current Gallardo’s six-speed automated manual ’box. Lamborghini plans on introducing a rear-wheel drive model as well, apart from the usual range of four-wheel drive variants.

The Gallardo replacement’s design is expected to be a blend of the Sesto Elemento and Egoista concepts. The new car, which carries the internal codename LP724, is said to have grown marginally in length to almost 4500mm, or 16mm longer than its predecessor, with width and height remaining close to the 1900mm and 1165mm respectively of the Gallardo. Together with an edgy new exterior, the Gallardo replacement is set to adopt a new interior layout that, with a slight increase in wheelbase over its predecessor at 2600mm, will offer added levels of accommodation.

Lamborghini had initially planned to base its new car around a contemporary carbonfibre monocoque similar to that of the Aventador, however parent compant Audi has dictated them to follow a more conservative route, keeping in mind the second-generation R8.

Since the R8’s conception, both cars have shared a modular spacefame. This allows them to share vital components, and will therefore continue to be the case. A new, lightweight carbonfibre and aluminium structure weighing 198kg will be used by the Audi. That is 24kg less than the all-aluminium structure used by the current R8.

The new spaceframe structure will be clothed in a body that uses a combination of carbonfibre-reinforced plastic and aluminium panels. The move is aimed at bringing the new mid-engined Lamborghini to the scales at less than 1500kg — the official kerb weight of today’s four-wheel-drive Gallardo.

June 17, 2013
Maruti Suzuki India launches CNG Ertiga called the Ertiga Green

Rumours of Maruti’s plans of launching a CNG variant of the Ertiga have been doing the rounds for a few weeks, and now we can confirm that Maruti has launched India’s first CNG-equipped MPV. The Ertiga Green is available only in the LXi and VXi trims.

Maruti claims that the Ertiga Green has a mileage of 22.80km/kg. Bookings for the car are on for a price of Rs 10,000, with deliveries in 15 to 20 days. The Ertiga Green’s exteriors and interiors remain unchanged.

We continuously work to offer products that are high on fuel efficiency and low on overall cost of ownership. Ertiga Green, with a factory-fitted CNG system, is another step of Maruti Suzuki to meet today’s need of our customers

– Manohar Bhat, Vice-President, Marketing, Maruti Suzuki India

The LXi variant comes with a price tag of Rs 6.52 lakh, while the VXi variant costs Rs 7.30 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The Ertiga has been a success with over 87,000 units sold since its launch in April, 2012.

Ertiga Green is the sixth vehicle from Maruti Suzuki India with factory-fitted CNG kits. Alto, Wagon R, Eeco, SX4 and Estilo are already offered with factory-fitted CNG option. The new vehicle will be available in states with CNG infrastructure, including Delhi NCR, Gujarat, Mumbai, Pune, and parts of Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, the company said.

June 16, 2013
2014 BMW 4 Series Coupe Revealed

Less than two hours after the first images of the 2014 BMW 4 Series Coupe leaked onto the Internet, BMW has gone ahead and revealed the car themselves. The 2014 BMW 4 Series Coupe was first revealed in concept form at the Detroit Motor Show in January, and is a replacement for the 3 Series Coupe.

The midsize coupe is both wider and longer than its predecessor. BMW says the wheelbase on the 4 Series is 50mm longer than the old two-door’s, plus the new car is 26mm longer overall, with the track widened by 45mm at the front and 81mm at the rear. The roofline is also 16mm lower than before, and combined with the lowered suspension, the 4 Series Coupe has the lowest centre of gravity of any BMW currently on sale. That should make it quite nice to drive fast in the corners, better maybe than the current 3 Series. To add to this, BMW has tuned the springs, dampers and camber angles to make the car more responsive, while tweaking the the rear axle as well.

The 4 Series Coupe gets the same lower grille as the dramatic 4 Series concept, which wraps around each of the foglights. The Air Breather mounted on each front wing was something else seen first on the concept before appearing on the 3 GT and new X5. It looks a lot like its 4-door brother, but the width provides a nice stance giving the car well balanced look and feel.

Internationally, BMW will offer the 4 Series with 3 petrol and 3 diesel engine options. Kicking off the diesel range is the 420d, with the same 2.0-litre engine as the 320d saloon. This produces 181 bhp and goes from 0-100 kmph in 7.5 seconds. The 420i is the entry-level petrol model, with the same 181bhp output. Further up the range are the 3.0-litre six-cylinder 430d, with 254bhp, and the petrol-powered 428i and 435i, with 242bhp and 302bhp respectively. A 309bhp 435d model is the flagship, but is only available with the xDrive four-wheel-drive system. The 420i and 420d can also be fitted with four-wheel drive. No information on the engine lineup in India is available right now.

The 4 Series Coupe will be available in three different trim lines – Luxury, Sport and M Sport. The Luxury line focuses more on overall amenities and upscale appearance, while the Sport and M Sport models are meant to offer much more performance-based kit and additions to make for a slightly more aggressive exterior. The M Sport model will offer stiffer suspension and upgraded brakes but an Adaptive M Sport set-up featuring adjustable dampers as well as 18-and 19-inch wheels are options on all models. The cabin doesn’t look all that different from the 3 Series, incorporating the same line of toys and creature comforts, and is offered in a variety of shades.

The new 4 Series goes on sale later this summer, and BMW has already confirmed pricing for some countries. In the US it will start at $41,425 and the range-topping 435i xDrive will set you back $48,925. In the UK, the base model will cost £31,575 and the 435i xDrive Luxury priced at £40,795. Watch this space for updates on its launch and pricing in India!

Image credit: BMW

June 16, 2013
Ford EcoSport Bookings open at Rs. 50,000

Bookings for the highly anticipated compact SUV, the Ford EcoSport, are finally open. While there has been no official announcement, the Ford EcoSport is expected to be launched in the last week of June, and according to the official Ford EcoSport Facebook page, those interested can now book it after paying a sum of Rs 50,000. There’s no word however on the vehicle’s pricing, and there’s a Rs 3,000 cancellation fee in case you change your mind later for whatever reason.

First showcased at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo, the EcoSport is one of the most awaited cars this year. An endless delay in the SUV’s launch has begun to take a toll on customer patience with several angry fans making their opinions heard on the car’s Facebook page, slamming Ford for the lack of clarity on the SUV’s launch date and price. In response, Ford said that prices will be announced in a couple of weeks.

The Ford EcoSport will be the first car in India offering the excellent 1.0- litre EcoBoost engine produced by the American manufacturer. The same engine has won the famed Engine of the Year Award two years on the trot now. The Ford EcoSport will be available in four trims (Ambiente, Trend, Titanium and Titanium Optional) and three engine options: the 1.0-litre petrol EcoBoost, and the 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines from the Fiesta. All three engines come mated to the standard 5-speed manual gearbox also employed in the Fiesta though the 1.5-litre petrol can also be specified with the six-speed Ford PowerShift automatic transmission. Ford claims a fuel efficiency figure of 18.9kmpl for the EcoBoost-powered version.

Read more about the different features of the Ford EcoSport here.

June 15, 2013
2014 S63 AMG ‘unintentionally’ revealed by Mercedes Benz

Just a day after starting production of the 2014 S-Class at its main plant in Sindelfingen, Germany, Mercedes Benz has unintentionally given the world a sneak peek at the 2014 S63 model. An official promotional video showing the production line of cars has gone viral, after it was noticed that one of the featured cars just happened to be the high performance S63 variant.

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

The latest S63 AMG model is yet to be officially revealed, though clearly the cars are already in production. This video, posted up by Czech website Auto Forum, shows the S63 AMG with its front fully revealed.

The enlarged air intakes in the front bar, and bigger AMG-spec wheels are a clear indication of the focus on performance. The V8 bi-turbo lettering on the sides and the S63 badge on the trunk lid leave no doubt that the AMG spec variant of the luxurious sedan will soon hit the markets. Other upgrades such as quad-exhaust pipes, larger brake discs and lowered suspension were quite evident in spy shots released earlier this year.

However, in line with other recently launched AMG models like the 2014 CLA45 AMG and 2014 E63 AMG, the 2014 S63 AMG too seems slightly restrained. None of the visual upgrades seem as aggressive as those of older AMGs. Have no doubt though, the 2014 S63 AMG is still a gorgeous car.

Official details aren’t available yet, but we expect the S63 AMG to pack Mercedes Benz’s twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8 producing about 550 hp in the base model. Like the new E-Class, an S model will likely be offered. The seven speed AMG Speedshift dual-clutch transmission and all-wheel drive will likely be part of the S63 AMG package, too.

[autoforumCZ via YouTube, Motor Authority]

June 15, 2013
Mahi Racing secures double podium finish at Portugal

It’s happy days for MS Dhoni’s Mahi Racing Team India as both its riders, Fabian Foret & Kenan Sofuoglu, finished on the podium in the sixth race of the World Supersport season at Portimao in Portugal. Foret managed to pass two riders in the opening stages after starting from fourth place on the grid and took the lead in the latter half of the race due to the incredible pace of the Mahi Racing bikes. He was overtaken by eventual winner Sam Lowes on Turn 11. Foret tried his best to take back the lead but was unsuccessful in his bid and had to settle for a second place finish.

Reigning champion Sofuoglu had finished the race in third position after qualifying in third place. The Turkish rider however managed to set the fastest lap on lap 12 with a 1: 45.730 minute lap. The result leaves both Mahi Racing riders tied in second place on the championship standings. British rider Sam Lowes leads the table currently with 120 points after four wins on the trot. Nine races remain in the 2013 World Supersport season and both Mahi Racing drivers have enough opportunities to overtake Sam Lowes and win the championship.

June 14, 2013
BMW claims it has 1,00,000 reservations for i3 programme

BMW’s sales boss, Ian Robertson, has said that there are 1,00,000 people around the world who have made reservations for the BMW i3, and a “significant number” of them have made deposits for the car.

Robertson’s interview with Automotive News Europe reports him as also saying that the i3 differs from many of the EVs on the road today because it was developed as an EV from the start, rather than being conventional car with an electric powertrain dropped in.

We are confident that with the i3 and i8 we will shift the [customer demand] needle because we will shape some of this technology.

– Ian Robertson, Chief, Sales & Marketing, BMW

His stance is in contrast with BMW CEO, Norbert Reithofer’s comments from last year, when he said that governments need to pony up more plug-in vehicle support or EVs just won’t be popular.

When asked for the car’s starting price, Robertson said that it would be in the same range as the 3 series, which in Germany is priced between 28,800 and 38,800 Euros for base versions. We will finally get to see the production version of the i3 at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September, 30 months after the announcement of the ‘i’ subbrand, also including the i8 plug-in hybrid supercar. The BMW i3 goes on sale in Europe at the end of the year.

[Automotive News Europe]

June 14, 2013
2013 Tata Nano coming this month

The 2013 Tata Nano is all set to hit the markets next week, however you will be hard pressed to tell the difference between itself and its predecessor. The 2013 Nano comes only with minor cosmetic changes and no significant upgrades.

The 2013 Nano gets new bumpers and strips of chrome both on the front and rear on what is otherwise a largely unchanged exterior. The rear bumper does get bigger air vents though for better cooling of the engine.

The noticeable change on the inside is the addition of a glove box, with the rest of the interior staying largely the same except for some colour, trim and fabric changes. The top-end model however will come with an integrated music system (with both speakers placed on the dashboard) with CD, MP3, Aux-in, USB and Bluetooth capabilities. Such additions may make the Nano more appealing to its customer base.

Other upgrades are largely focused on improving the quality and reliability of the car including a new clutch to replace the highly criticized one on the outgoing model. A few mechanical and electrical upgrades have also been done. The proven 623cc, twin-cylinder engine is carried over from the 2012 model and continues to deliver acceptable performance and impressive fuel economy.

The 2013 Nano is something of a stepping stone for the much awaited power steering and CNG equipped variants, both of which are expected by the end of the year. The power steering would surely help Tata’s sales as the effort required to park this car due to its heavy steering is well accounted in the automotive world. The new Nano is expected to come with a marginal increase in price.

[Autocar India]

June 14, 2013