indian auto afternoon update industry update · mahindra can’t believe tata motors’...
TRANSCRIPT
Indian Auto Afternoon Update Industry Update
09 Oct 2017
MotorTrend India (www.motortrend.in)Upcoming New Maruti launches
Top-end Tata Nexon in demand
Car Wale (www.carwale.com)Next Chevrolet Camaro spotted testing in the U.S
Mercedes-AMG Vision Gran Turismo to star in the upcoming Justice League movie
New Toyota Century to debut at Tokyo Motor Show
Porsche 911 GT3 to be launched in India tomorrow
Hyundai introduces Experience Hyundai campaign
Mercedes-Benz extends its lead in luxury car sales
Toyota reveals two Concepts for Tokyo Motor Show
Next-gen Mercedes-Benz GLS spotted in Germany
2019 Cadillac CT6 spotted testing
Hyundai India launches Tucson 4WD version at Rs 25.19 lakh
Fly-Wheel (www.fly-wheel.com)Team BHP (www.team-bhp.com)
Tata Nano EV to rival Mahindra e2o Plus
M&M enters the road construction segment with RoadMaster G75
Ford unveils new made-in-India 1.5L Ti-VCT petrol engine
Hyundai Tucson AWD launched at Rs.25.19 lakh
Over Drive (www.overdrive.in)2018 Porsche 911 GT3 Launched In India At Rs 2.31 Crore
Gm to sell 2 new all-electric vehicles in 18 months, 20 by 2023
Zf and brakes india launch electric park brake system in india
Carberry Double Barrel 1000 Royal Enfield-Based V-Twin Motorcycle Launched In India At Rs 7.35 Lakh
TopGear India (www.TopGear.com)Launched: 2017 Audi A5
Motor Beam (www.motorbeam.com)India Could Become Production Base Of Suzuki GSX-250R
Top 25 Car Sales In September 2017, Verna Beats City
TVS Apache RR 310S Tyre Hugger Is Unique
Vega To Become World’s Largest Helmet Manufacturer
Mahindra Can’t Believe Tata Motors’ EV Price
Made In India BMW G310 GS Quality Is Top Notch
Hyundai Tucson 4WD Launched, Priced At Rs. 25.19 Lakhs
Rush Lane (www.rushlane.com)Tata Motors reveals the full list of Nexon accessories and its prices
New Mahindra KUV100 NXT arrives at dealership ahead of launch
Mercedes-Benz India and BMW India sales growth for Jan-Sep 2017
Car Dekho (www.cardekho.com)Mahindra KUV 100 Facelift Launching Tomorrow
Launching Tomorrow: Volkswagen Passat
Mahindra KUV100 Facelift To Launch On October 10
Hyundai Tucson Diesel 4WD Launched At Rs 25.19 lakh
Discounts, Gold Coins On Renault Kwid And Duster This Diwali
Attractive Offers On Ford EcoSport Ahead Of Facelift Launch
AutoTech Review(autotechreview.com)Range Rover Velar Gets BorgWarner AWD Transfer Case
'Automotive Industry Must Employ ASDC Certified Candidates,' Says EA, MoSDE
Autocar Pro (www.autocarpro.in)Igus introduces safe energy chain systems for cars
Lamborghini plans all-new four- door model for 2021
How an icy crash led to the invention of electronic stability control
Allison Transmission introduces next-gen advanced tech for fully automatic M&HCV transmissions
Renault to launch 21 new models before 2022
Lightweight BEHICLE EV targets 5-star Euro NCAP rating
Hyundai launches Tucson 4WD at Rs 25.19 lakh
Mercedes-Benz India on a roll, sells 11,869 units in first 9 months of 2017 (+19.6%)
Car Trade (www.cartrade.com)Hyundai launches Experience Hyundai campaign
Mercedes-Benz extends its lead in luxury car sales
Hyundai Tucson 4WD launched in India
Other Sites
MotorTrend India (www.motortrend.in)
Upcoming New Maruti launches Motor Trend India
Maruti is a car-maker that knows how to keep a lead and increase. Its dominance in the Indian car market is unlike any other as oneplayer takes up such a large market share. One of the reasons is its vast product portfolio covering every tiny inch of the market.Here is their list of upcoming launches.
Celerio XAlready this year has seen many launches but more is coming and the next one is the Celerio X which is coming Diwali time. TheCelerio X as you can see is based on the Celerio being a more crossover based car like the Hyundai i20 Active. The styling isrevised and certainly looks more rugged now. It gets increased ground clearance (120mm), black grille, smoked headlamps, blackORVMs, cladding, roof rails all black too. The interiors will have different colour seat covers. It will have the same petrol engine withmanual and AMT option.
Brezza AMTAs we had exclusively reported, currently the car-maker does not have any plans for a petrol Brezza however it will get an AMToption with its diesel engine. Currently the Brezza only offers a 5-speed manual and an AMT will expand its appeal further and it willbe fighting the upcoming AMT Tata Nexon and the automatic EcoSport facelift. The AMT will be offered only on the top-end trimthough later Maruti will also add it in the other trims.
New SwiftThis is a big one and the new gen Swift will debut at the 2018 Auto Expo. This is based on a new platform, new interiors while theengine line-up is still the same with the 1.2 petrol and 1.3 diesel they would be tuned. The new Swift looks sportier plus thanks tonew platform there is a bit of more space along with the interior looks sporty. Unlike its compact sedan sibling- Dzire, the Swift willget an all back cabin but will have the same flat-bottomed steering wheel and touchscreen. The new Swift still retains its fun to driveDNA and would be positioned below the Baleno plus of course sold via Arena showrooms.
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Top-end Tata Nexon in demand Motor Trend India
With all the hype and the aggressive starting price, the Tata Nexon has got off to a great start with dealers quoting big waitingperiod for the top-end Nexon in particular. The Nexon XZ+ is the flagship trim level in the Nexon range and comes with manyfeatures exclusive to this and hence this is what buyers want. The top spec Nexon XZ+ comes with features like projectorheadlamps, DRLs, dual tone roof, 16 inch alloys, rear seat central armrest with 2 cupholders, Rear 60:40 seat split, 6.5" floatingdash-top touchscreen (other variants get a smaller one), 4 Tweeters along with 4 speakers (other variants get only 4 speakers),Android Auto, Voice Command Recognition, Tata Smart Remote App, Park assist with camera (dynamic guideways), Front foglamps, Rear Wiper & Wash, Rear defogger, Smart key with Push-button start, Driver seat height adjustment.
As you can see a lot of the features- many of them the big highlights of the car are packed in the top variant and thus it isunderstandable that buyers are booking that. You will have to wait around 2 months. The top-end Nexon XZ+ is Rs 8.44 lakh for thepetrol, Rs 8.59 lakh for the dual-roof model. The diesel is priced at Rs 9.29 lakh and Rs 9.44 lakh for the dual-tone roof model.Between the XT and XZ+ variant the difference is over a lakh and while that is a big change, the features make it worth it. Thus ifyou buying one, top-end it is, just be prepared to wait for it a bit.
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Car Wale (www.carwale.com)
Next Chevrolet Camaro spotted testing in the U.S Car Wale
The upcoming Chevrolet Camaro has been caught testing on several occasions over the last few months. However, in the recentsighting at Colorado in the U.S, the facelifted Camaro had shed some camouflage which gives away a few details.
External highlights of the facelifted car include the refreshed front fascia, restyled tail lamps, new-design alloy wheels and a newrear diffuser. Although the external updates will be kept to a minimum (since it is a facelift), the biggest change will be to the motor.
Despite the car maker being tight-lipped about the powertrain options, reports state that the current engines will be re-tuned to makeconsiderably more power in the new application. The highlight, of course, would be the new 10-speed automatic transmissionthat’s rumoured to be standard throughout the range.
Meanwhile, sources also expect the facelifted Camaro to get more comfort features and tech-laden functions that will most likely beborrowed from the Camaro's Cadillac ATS sibling. It is believed that the updated Camaro may possibly debut at the Detroit AutoShow before going on sale later in 2018.
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Mercedes-AMG Vision Gran Turismo to star in the upcoming Justice League movie Car Wale
If you have been following the Batman series of movies, you’ll know that he drives some of the swankiest cars and bikesaround which include the likes of the Lamborghini Murcielago, MV Agusta F4 and also an old Aston Martin DB Mark III. However inthe previous ‘Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice’, Bruce Wayne spent the opening sequence behind the wheel ofa Jeep Renegade. And an affordable subcompact crossover just didn’t seem like a fitting mode of transportation for playboyBruce Wayne.
In the upcoming film ‘Justice League’, Bruce Wayne gets a big upgrade. Cars for this movie are being provided byMercedes-Benz rather than FCA, so Bruce traded in his Renegade for a Mercedes-AMG Vision Gran Turismo concept. This radicalconcept was introduced for the 2013 video game Gran Turismo 6 and this is the first functional version of the car. In order to ensure6 foot 4 inch Ben Affleck would fit in the car, they made the whole car 10 percent larger.
So besides all the action, we car enthusiasts have another reason to watch the movie.
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New Toyota Century to debut at Tokyo Motor Show Car Wale
Over the years, Toyota has evolved into a rather budget and, in the last few years, a quirky brand with its new design language. Buthere is one car that carries all of Toyota’s legacy and heritage comfortable on its broad shoulders – the ToyotaCentury.
The Toyota Century is a limousine, an exquisite luxury saloon in the league of the Mercedes S-Class, the BMW 7 Series or theJaguar XJ L. But while these saloons have given in to the modern cues of styling, the Century still harks back to the 20th and sports
a good blend of Cadillac and Rolls-Royce fused together.
The straight cut lines and the almost vertical front grille with the retro-LED headlamps complete the fascia. The profile is a typicalfour-part twin-cab sedan silhouette with the thick C-Pillar stamping status into the design. When you open the doors, the wood andwool interior engulfs you in the classy cabin. Yes. Wool and not leather.
The two seats in the back are adjustable and come with leg-room that would make Yao Ming proud. You have massaging seats,20-speaker music system, a display screen for the rear passengers, a host of AC controls and also a foldable writing table.
Under the hood, instead of the 5.7-litre guzzler of a V8, you have a 5.0-litre V8 mated to batteries and motors to make a greenerpowertrain. It is 2017 and the Century, despite its Elvis looks, is laden with all the modern tech including blind-spot warnings,adaptive cruise control, et al.
It is to make its public debut at the Tokyo Motor Show. So, stay tuned to get more dope on the all-new Toyota Century.
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Porsche 911 GT3 to be launched in India tomorrow Car Wale
Porsche India will officially launch the new-generation 911 GT3 tomorrow in India. The 991 911 GT3 has been priced at Rs 2.1crores. The GT3 is the pinnacle of the German carmaker’s engineering, performance and luxury. And it is also offered with atrue-blue manual transmission.
The all-new 911 GT3 is powered by a 4.0-litre six-cylinder boxer engine, up by the 3.8-litre in the previous generation GT3. Therear-mounted engine produces a whopping 500bhp of firepower and an impressive 540Nm of turning force. But the speciality of thisnew engine is that it can be revved all the way up to a jaw-breaking 9,000rpm. The India-spec GT3 can be had with either asix-speed manual or the Porsche’s seven-speed PDK automatic.
The GT3 wears a dynamic aero package compared to the standard 911. The wheels are massive centre-locking ones. Theheadlights and taillights carry the new LED signature. The highlight is, of course, a massive rear wing to hold the car down in placeas you corner at neck-breaking speeds.
And unlike other hardcore 911s, the GT3 gets all the creature comforts like a leather and Alcantara trim package. You have a wholeload of interior customisation options which vary on the lines of aluminium or carbon fibre at a significant extra cost. There is a largeBose touchscreen system with surround sound as well as climate control adding to the interior design.
In India, the 911 GT3 can only be matched by the new Mercedes-AMG GT R in terms of performance and price. You can read howthey both fare against each other on paper over here. Like the other vehicles in the Porsche range in India, the GT3 too will arrivehere via the CBU route.
And the prospective GT3 customers get a plethora of personalisation options. As we tried our hands on the Porsche configuratorbefore the 911 arrives in the metal.
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Hyundai introduces Experience Hyundai campaign Car Wale
Hyundai Motors India Limited has initiated the ‘Experience Hyundai’ campaign across 418 rural locations in India. Thecountry’s second largest passenger car manufacturer has launched the Pan-India road show campaign during the festiveseason to generate high engagement with potential customers. A Caravan of Hyundai cars will arrive in smaller towns and villagesto help the company connect with the rural markets.
In efforts to reach out directly to the customers, the teams will visit residential colonies, markets, banks, schools and colleges, postoffices and other commercial complexes over the next three months and showcase the range of Hyundai cars. Speaking about thecampaign, Rakesh Srivastava, Director, Sales and Marketing, Hyundai Motor India Ltd. said, “Rural market is a key driver inHyundai’s growth strategy in India as these markets are growing fast with the economy. Our continued focus throughinitiatives such as ‘Experience Hyundai’ campaign has made Hyundai a preferred brand in the growing rural market.We are confident of establishing a strong brand presence for Hyundai offering unparalleled value through global technology andfeature-rich cars to the customers in the rural market.”
Hyundai will also offer test drives and festive schemes to interested customers. Moreover, the company claims that it will also offerfestive schemes, attractive finance and exchange offers along-side various interactive games, quiz, assured gifts and lucky draws.
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Mercedes-Benz extends its lead in luxury car sales
Car Wale
Mercedes-Benz India sales have continued on their growth path in 2017 despite the slow economy. The German car maker hasmanaged to sell 11,869 units from January till September, registering a 19 per cent growth over the same period in 2016.
The last quarter from July to September, had witnessed a phenomenal 41 per cent increase in sales over last year. Mercedes sold4,698 units in the previous quarter as compared to the 3,327 units it sold in the corresponding quarter in 2016.
The sustained rise in Mercedes-Benz sales in India is a result of the three-pointed star’s product offensive. With ten carslaunched in this calendar year, Mercedes has the biggest product portfolio amongst luxury car makers, offering a wide choice to thebuyers. Also, Mercedes has the highest number of service centres in the country which help easing out the ownership experience.
Surprisingly, it is the not the GLA but the GLC which has been the highest selling SUV from the Mercedes stable. Not so surprisingis the Mercedes E-Class’ continued dominance on the sales charts thanks to its long-wheelbase charisma. We can expectMercedes to launch the new C-Class by the end of this year amongst other launches.
Roland Folger, MD and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said that, “We are glad to witness our India strategy working and ourvolume contribution to the luxury car industry on the rise. As inventors of automobiles globally and of luxury wheels in India, weremain bullish on the fast changing dynamics of the Indian automotive industry.”
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Toyota reveals two Concepts for Tokyo Motor Show Car Wale
Toyota will take stage at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show with two all-new Concepts – GR HV Sports and Tj Cruiser. The formeris a targa-top hybrid sportscar while the later is a lifestyle crossover concept.
First, the GR HV Sports concept. The GR HV is assumed to preview the next-generation 86 sports car. Since the layout is typicaltwo-seater front-engine rear-wheel-drive. It is powered by THS-R (Toyota Hybrid System-Racing) hybrid powertrain as seen on theToyota TS050 Hybrid race car. Toyota says the design too is reminiscent of the same WEC race car. Meanwhile the targa top harksback to the original Toyota Sports 800 (famously called as Yotahachi) and the iconic Supra.
The matte black body is complemented by LED headlamps scrounged from the TS050. The aluminium wheels and the reardiffusers too seem to have taken straight out of the hybrid race car. On the inside, there is a switch for automatic gear position islocated in the center cluster. The push button ignition switch is located on the shift knob. The hybrid battery is mounted near thecenter of vehicle. Installing the heavy battery in the center contributes to improved performance, according to the Japanese giant.
On the other hand, the Tj Cruiser is a cross between a cargo van and an SUV. The "T" in Tj Cruiser stands for "toolbox" in referenceto how the car can be used like a toolbox, while the "j" stands for "joy" in reference to the joy of visiting various places by car. The"Cruiser" is traditionally used for Toyota's SUV lineup. The Tj Cruiser is based on the next-generation TNGA platform. Thepowertrain is a 2.0-litre engine coupled with a hybrid system.
The square-ish design approach is coupled with SUV-sized suspension and tyres. The hood, roof and fenders employ scratch anddirt resisting materials. The square-shaped cabin accommodates completely flat reclining seats. There’s enough storingspace for long items up to three meters in length such as surfboards.
In a typical van fashion, the backs of the seats and deck boards include numerous tie-down points. Moreover, the large opening ofthe back door makes for easy loading and unloading of large items. The sliding doors are provided for easy ingress/loading andegress/unloading of cargo and passengers.
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Next-gen Mercedes-Benz GLS spotted in Germany Car Wale
Our spy photographers caught the next-generation Mercedes GLS testing in Germany. Thanks to the mighty dimensions, it lookslarge enough to accomplish its family hauling purpose with ease. However, the unmistakeable boxy stance makes it look far fromstylish, at least at the first glance.
The new GLS rides on Merc’s new MHA platform that promises noticeable weight-saving gains. Plus, it also allows for betterpackaging, which will be obvious through the extra space liberated in the last row of seats. However, the biggest advantage will bethe platform’s compatibility with hybrid powertrains. Additionally, powering the new GLS will be the brand’s new set ofinline-six motors, plus at least two AMG models for those looking to thoroughly enjoy their drive.
Reports also add that the new Mercedes-Benz GLS could get the same Mercedes-Maybach treatment that was offered on theS-Class. The result? Expect that model to go up against the likes of the Range Rover SV Autobiography LWB and the BentleyBentayga. We guess that the new Mercedes-Benz GLS may debut in the international arena sometime in 2019.
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2019 Cadillac CT6 spotted testing Car Wale
We recently caught up to the 2019 Cadillac CT6 during its development testing up in the Rockies. This time around, we caught itwearing less camouflage up front exposing its Escala inspired grille.
Cadillac will give its current flagship sedan a modest update to keep the interest alive. The CT6 will be among the first Cadillacs toadopt styling cues from the 2016 Escala concept. A new grille, horizontal headlights, and new front fascia will be the most prominentchanges. The CT6's rear looks to be mostly unchanged.
Other updates are expected to be light. A high-performance twin-turbo V8 is still rumored, but may not be available until nextdecade. A diesel could be offered by 2019 for international markets. The current 2-litre turbo, 3.6-litre V6, 3-litre twin-turbo V6 andPHEV versions should continue.
We expect Cadillac to unveil the 2019 CT6 sometime next year. It will go up against flagship luxury sedans like the BMW 7 Series,Mercedes S-Class and the Audi A8.
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Hyundai India launches Tucson 4WD version at Rs 25.19 lakh Car Wale
Hyundai India has officially introduced the 4WD version of the Tucson crossover. This more versatile version of the Tucson hasbeen launched with an ex-showroom price of Rs 25.19 lakh. Besides introducing a new version, Hyundai has also added moresafety features in 2WD AT GL trims for both petrol and diesel Tucson.
The 4WD is offered only in 2-litre diesel AT GLS trim. The system comes with on-demand function which sends power to the rearwheels when it detects loss of grip on the primarily driven wheels. It also offers 4WD Lock mode, resulting in a torque split of 50:50between front and rear wheels.
Apart from this, Hyundai has improved the safety quotient in 2WD AT GL trims for both petrol and diesel Tucson. They now getElectronic Stability Control (ESC), Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), hill assist and brake assist as standard.
The Tucson gets two engine options. A 2-litre diesel and a 2-litre petrol making 182bhp and 153bhp respectively. Both engines canbe had with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic gearbox. This newly launched 4WD version of the Tucson goes upagainst cars like the Jeep Compass 4x4 and the VW Tiguan.
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Fly-Wheel (www.fly-wheel.com)
Team BHP (www.team-bhp.com)
Tata Nano EV to rival Mahindra e2o Plus Team-Bhp
Tata Motors is believed to be working on an all-electric version of the Nano. According to a media report, the Nano EV is expectedto be launched later this year.
It has been reported that the Nano EV will be launched for the taxi segment initially, where it will rival the Mahindra e2o Plus. Whilethe final specifications of the Nano EV are yet to be announced, the Nano EV concept displayed at the 2010 Geneva Motor Showused a super-polymer lithium battery which was claimed to offer a range of 160 km.
R&D for future electric powertrains has been taking place at the Tata Motors European Technical Centre in the UK. This is wherethe Bolt EV was developed and more recently, the Tiago-based EV. The latter is reportedly powered by an 85-kW electric motorwhich delivers 200 Nm of torque and has a maximum range of around 100 km per charge.
Tata Motors recently bagged a government contract to supply all-electric Tigor sedans. These will be built at Tata's Sanand facilityand will be delivered in phases over the next 12 months.
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M&M enters the road construction segment with RoadMaster G75 Team-Bhp
Mahindra has entered the road construction equipment segment with its RoadMaster G75 motor grader.
The motor grader is built for small and medium road construction applications and more specifically to aid spreading and grading. Itis powered by a 79 BHP DiTEC diesel engine and comes with a 3-meter wide blade, which is claimed to be 33% better at gradingoperations than conventional motor graders. It is being manufactured at Mahindra's Chakan plant.
The RoadMaster G75 has been designed with operator comfort in mind and uses Mahindra's DiGiSENSE telematics technology. Itwas designed and developed in India after understanding the needs of the Indian road contractors.
The RoadMaster G75 comes with a 1 year / unlimited hours warranty. According to the company, the machine has undergone over6,000 hours of testing in real world scenarios.
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Ford unveils new made-in-India 1.5L Ti-VCT petrol engine Team-Bhp
Ford has unveiled its new 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine. The new power plant will make its debut on the upcoming EcoSportfacelift. It will be manufactured at Ford's Sanand plant and will also be exported to other markets. The engine is 80% localized.
The new 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder, naturally aspirated engine delivers a peak output of 121 BHP and churns out 150 Nm of torque. It usesan aluminium block and has an integrated exhaust manifold that helps reduce emissions.
It also features variable valve timing (Ti-VCT) and optimized bore and stroke ratios. The crankshaft sits offset from the cylindercenterline. The spark plugs are centered for efficient and a coil-on-plug system is used. Ford claims that it delivers bettercombustion and aids for quicker engine starts.
According to Ford, downsizing the 1.5-litre unit from 4-cylinders to 3-cylinders has reduced the overall weight, lowered friction andthe engine's overall volume is down by 10 percent. The company also claims that the CO2 emissions are down by 7%. A variable oilpump helps reduce frictional loses and improves fuel economy.
To lower NVH, the engine's balance shaft uses hydrodynamic bearings and a belt-in oil primary drive system. A valve actuationsystem with hydraulic lash adjusters and roller finger followers reduces friction while an acoustic-isolation system is claimed to cutdown on engine noise even further.
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Hyundai Tucson AWD launched at Rs.25.19 lakh Team-Bhp
Hyundai has launched a 4-wheel drive version of the Tucson. It is only offered in the top-end GLS trim with a diesel engine paired toan automatic transmission. The Tucson 4WD AT GLS is priced at Rs. 25.19 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Hyundai has alsointroduced additional safety features on the GL trim of both petrol and diesel models.
The Tucson 4WD AT GLS replaces the old 2WD GLS variant which was available only with the diesel engine. It is powered by a2.0-litre, 4-cylinder CRDi diesel engine which produces 182 BHP @ 4,000 rpm and 400 Nm of torque @ 1,750-2,750 rpm and ispaired with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
The 4-wheel drive system on the Tucson has an on-demand functioning which automatically sends power to the wheels with themost traction on slippery surfaces or during cornering. The 4WD system can be switched off completely in order to save fuel andreduce wear and tear on the parts. With the 4WD Lock Mode drivers can manually toggle 50:50 torque split between the two axles.Another feature included is the Advanced Traction Cornering Control (ATCC) which helps to transfer torque to the wheels that havethe most grip during cornering.
Tucson's 2WD GL variant now gets safety features like ESC, Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), hill-start assist, downhill brakecontrol and brake assist as standard. Besides this, it gets rear parking sensors with rear view camera but misses out on frontparking sensors. In addition to these features, the new AWD variant gets 6 airbags, ABS with EBD and ISOFIX child seat mountingpoint, etc.
The variant-wise prices of the Hyundai Tucson arePetrol2WD MT - Rs. 18.00 lakh2WD AT GL - Rs. 21.00 lakh
Diesel2WD MT - Rs. 19.96 lakh2WD AT GL - Rs. 22.50 lakh
4WD AT GLS - Rs. 25.20 lakh
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Over Drive (www.overdrive.in)
2018 Porsche 911 GT3 Launched In India At Rs 2.31 Crore Over Drive
Porsche has launched the new 911 GT3 in India at Rs 2.31 crore, ex-India . This is a development over the previous Porsche 911GT3 and not an entirely new car. That said, the new Porsche 911 GT3 features a raft of technological improvements that make thecar a lot more faster and capable than the previous 911 GT3.
The most significant change is the introduction of a brand new, 4-litre, naturally aspirated flat-six engine that develops 500PS and460 Nm of torque. The new motor revs up to 9,000rpm, just like the 3.8 -litre motor in the previous GT3. The big news, however, isthat Porsche will offer the new 911 GT3 with a six-speed manual transmission in addition to the super quick, 7-speed PDKautomatic. Porsche's decision to offer a manual gearbox in the GT3 was taken after many Porsche purists were unhappy about thecompany's decision to offer the previous GT3 with a PDK gearbox only.
Porsche claims the new 911 GT3 with the manual transmission can accelerate from 0-100kmph 3.8 seconds whereas the PDKequipped version is faster, taking 3.2 seconds to cross the 100kph mark from standstill. Additional, it can reach a top speed of318kmph.
Porsche has focused on improving the aerodynamics of the new 911 GT3. There's 20 percent more downforce without any increasein drag, which was achieved by working on the underside of the car. There's a huge spoiler that sits higher and further back than theone on its predecessor.
Handling tweaks include integrated auxiliary springs in the rear suspension from the GT3 RS and rear wheel steering as standard.The Porsche 911 GT3 can booked at any Porsche Centre across the country.
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Gm to sell 2 new all-electric vehicles in 18 months, 20 by 2023 Over Drive
General Motors, American carmaker, has stated that it will begin selling two new electric vehicles within the next 18 months.General Motors states that it will have at least 20 new zero-emission all-electric vehicles in its model lineup by 2023. GeneralMotors chairman and CEO Mary Barra announced in Detroit that the new EVs are part of a new plan to move towards anautomotive world that includes zero emissions, zero congestion, and zero crashes. The two new all-electric cars coming within 18months will be based on technology derived from the Chevrolet Bolt EV electric compact that was introduced with a 380km rangelast year. The vehicles will be plug-in electric vehicles or hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles that have no internal combustion engines.Closer home, GM recently shut domestic operations in India, with its plant in Halol, Gujarat acquired by UK-based MG Motor.
GM's advanced technology spokesperson Kevin Kelly said, "We had said the Bolt EV would be a platform for electric vehicles goingforward. Today, we are showing the next chapter of that." The new vehicles could be SUVs or crossovers rather than standardpassenger cars, he said. The company also said that it is developing a new fuel cell architecture that will allow twin-electric motors,powered by compressed hydrogen, that could drive a heavy-duty truck, delivery vehicle or ambulance.
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Zf and brakes india launch electric park brake system in india Over Drive
ZF Friedrichshafen AG along with Brakes India, a joint venture between ZF-TRW (then Lucas Industries Plc UK) and the TVS groupannounced a made in India as well as India-specific Electric Park Brake technology. The group states that it is for the first time suchtech has been launched in the country. The JV has tied up with a global OEM to develop this Electric Park Brake system. However,the name of the global OEM has not been disclosed yet.
In addition to its regular function of braking, EPB has been integrated with the overall brake system of a vehicle and featuresdynamic actuation, brake pad wear sensing and reduced degradation associated with mechanical systems, states the company.Further, EPB offers all-wheel anti-lock functionality which compared to the standard brake that only engages the rear axle is a moresafer option. EPB is offered in standard, integrated and front-axle only configurations. The integrated EPB negates the need of adifferent ECU since it is integrated with the electronic stability control system whereas the front-axle only is suitable for smallervehicles.
We were the first to market globally with our EPB system in 2001 which pioneered in Lancia, Audi, VW and more recently on the
BMW X4 and BMW i8, Jeep Renagade, Fiat 500X, Ford 150, Honda Accord, Nissan Qashqai, Range Rover Evoque and more. Wehave now produced more than 90 million units and are the world leaders in this technology", commented Manfred Meyer, globalvice-president, braking engineering, ZF.
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Carberry Double Barrel 1000 Royal Enfield-Based V-Twin Motorcycle Launched In India At Rs 7.35 Lakh Over Drive
Carberry Motorcycles, custom Royal Enfield V-twin bike maker, has launched its first India made motorcycle, Carberry DoubleBarrel 1000 at Rs 7.35 lakh (ex-factory). Carberry Motorcycles had shifted operations to India in 2016 and begun work on a new1,000cc Royal Enfield-based V-twin engine, which was launched earlier this year at an ex-factory (local taxes as applicable) price ofRs 4.96 lakh. At the time, in an exclusive chat with OVERDRIVE, Carberry Motorcycles India founder Jaspreet Singh Bhatia hadsaid the motorcycle will feature a BS IV-compliant electronic fuel injection system as well as ABS. While the specifications have notbeen revealed yet, Carberry Motorcycles has stated on its social media page that the first batch of the Double Barrel 1000 willconsist of 29 motorcycles, with a booking amount of Rs 1 lakh. Delivery of the Carberry Double Barrel 1000 could take between 5and 10 months, it said.
The air-cooled, 55-degree V-twin engine displaces 1,000cc and outputs 52.92PS/82Nm. To handle this power and added load, it isunderpinned by a custom double cradle chassis. The engine and motorcycle have been developed by Paul Carberry, who hadfounded the brand in Australia. He had been building Enfield-based custom twins in Australia until 2011. The brand was revived andbrought to India in 2016 by Bhatia through Dream Engines Manufacturers (DEM).
Carberry will produce the engines and motorcycles at their India facility in Bhilai, Durg, Chhatisgarh, where they set up shop inFebruary 2016. The builds will be carried out on a bench assembly line, with one technician building one motorcycle at a time. Thecompany expects to produce 100 motorcycles by the end of 2018, with a large chunk of the sales expected to come from overseas.
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TopGear India (www.TopGear.com)
Launched: 2017 Audi A5 TopGear India
A couple of years ago, Audi introduced the S5 in India, which was a reasonable success. The car, a blend of performance andflashy design have given the team from Ingolstadt the confidence to get a more extended range to India - A5 Sportback, A5Cabriolet and S5.
Launched amidst much fanfare in Mumbai today, the A5 is aimed at someone looking for the practicality of an A4 in a slightly morestylish package. While based on the A4's platform, this one has a coupe-esque roof giving the car a very sporty look. This isn't asedan, but instead has an extended hatch.
The range starts at Rs.54 lakh for the standard A5 with a 2.0-litre diesel engine. This workhorse makes a healthy 188bhp and ahealthier 400Nm of torque. It can take the car from 0-100kph in 7.9 seconds and onto a top speed of 235kph. The engine is matedto a 7-speed DSG 'box. No four-wheel drive for the Sportback.
However, the cabriolet gets Quattro. Which makes it a tenth of a second quicker in the dash to 100kph. The foldable canvas rooftakes 15 seconds to open and 18 seconds to close. It's priced at Rs.67.51 lakh.
However, if sheer performance is your poison, then the flagship S5 can do the trick. It isn't as hairy or as raw as an AMG butpromises a quick drive. The car gets a 3.0-litre V6 with 350bhp and 500Nm, plus Quattro which can take the nimble car from0-100kph in just 4.7s. This is accompanied by a nice exhaust note. In fact, this resonates quite audibly inside the car. The S5 gets aprice tag of Rs.70.60 lakh (ex-showroom, pan-India).
The A5 is arguably one of the smartest looking in the Audi stable now. More commendable are the interiors with the virtualinstrument cluster and multimedia screen. The cabin is elegantly designed and gives a sense of luxury and uniqueness to the A5.
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Motor Beam (www.motorbeam.com)
India Could Become Production Base Of Suzuki GSX-250R Motor Beam
The 2-wheeler arm of Suzuki is looking at replicating the success of its 4-wheeler business in India by focusing on the premium bikeand scooter space. The company is evaluating options of making India the production base for the manufacturing of smallerversions of its GSX motorcycle, for instance, the GSX-250R. But don’t get too excited yet because if it happens, it will befrom the next generation model.
India will be used as a global base for exports. If sources are to be believed, Suzuki is likely to launch a cruiser bike and a 150ccscooter. The company already leads the 125cc scooter market in India. The Japanese giant intends to sell 1 million vehicles perannum by 2020 and take the Suzuki brand’s cumulative business in India to over 3 million units. It hopes to achieve thistarget by more than doubling its volumes over the next 3 years.
To achieve this feat, Suzuki has lined-up an investment of Rs. 1000 crores which will help it to expand capacity and develop newproducts. The Gixxer-maker is currently revamping its existing dealer network and aims to have over 200 dealers revamp theexisting set-up with a new, fresh and premium interface with customers by this year-end.
Meanwhile, Suzuki is also looking at grabbing a 10 percent market share in the segments they are operating.
Production Base Of Suzuki GSX-250R– India likely to become production base of smaller capacity GSX bikes– Suzuki’s share in the 100-110cc (commuter) space has fallen from 66 to 51 percent– The company is focused on the fast-growing scooter and premium bike space
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Top 25 Car Sales In September 2017, Verna Beats City Motor Beam
Maruti Suzuki continues to rule the roost in the Indian car market accounting for over 50 percent of the top 25 car sales list inSeptember 2017. There are a total of 12 Maruti cars in the list and 4 of them occupy the coveted top 4 spots. The month ofSeptember and October play host to various festivities in the Indian calendar and sales are usually on the higher side.
All these months we were reporting Fiat to be the worst-performer, not anymore. Skoda sold only 1735 cars as opposed toFiat’s 2360. The Jeep Compass is literally turning the fortune tables for FCA in India. The entry-level Jeep sold 2151 unitswhile the Punto, Punto Evo and Avventura sold only 168 units. The Polo and Ameo continue to back Volkswagen’s salescharts with sales of 2323 and 1327 units respectively. The recently launched Tiguan sold 120 units in September 2017.
Nissan sold a total of 5003 units with the redi-GO, GO+ and Micra contributing 2650, 684 and 642 units respectively to the sales.The Endeavour, Figo and Aspire sold 460, 1159 and 2208 units respectively in September 2017. The small car, Kwid continues todo the trick for the Renault brand here in India. The Kwid sold 9099 units of the total sales of 10,874 units while the Duster sold just1489 units.
The Toyota Innova sold 6323 units while the Fortuner sold 2185 units. The Toyota Etios Liva and Etios, in comparison, sold 1247and 2183 units in September 2017. Tata’s latest launch, the Nexon sold 2772 units in just 10 days’ time. Looking atthe sales figure, the Nexon could give a tough fight to its competitors. The Tigor and Hexa contributed 1770 and 1245 unitsrespectively to Tata’s September sales.
The City and WR-V continue to sell in high numbers for Honda. The Brio and Amaze sold 504 and 2561 units respectively, while theJazz and BR-V saw sales of 3001 and 1298 units respectively. Over a decade-old workhorses, the Bolero and Scorpio still sell ingood numbers for Mahindra. Meanwhile, the XUV500 and TUV300 sold 3343 and 2727 units respectively in September 2017.
Maruti and Hyundai sold a total of 1,50,521 and 50,028 units respectively. The newly launched Verna has outsold the Honda Cityand Maruti Ciaz.
Top 25 Car Sales In September 2017– Maruti Dzire continues to lead the chart with sales of 34,305 units– The Hyundai Verna has outsold its competition– The Tata Nexon sold 2772 units in September 2017
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TVS Apache RR 310S Tyre Hugger Is Unique Motor Beam
Much has been spoken about the TVS Apache RR 310S. The bike has been spotted testing a number of times on Indian roads andthis time it looks to be in its production-ready form. The recent spy shot also reveals the motorcycle to have a very comfortableriding posture.
The flagship Apache’s arch-rival will be the upcoming KTM RC 250 and considering the riding posture of both the bikes,prospective customers would prefer the Apache due to its comfortable riding position. The KTM, on the other hand, has a sportyriding position which doesn’t make it comfortable for long rides.
The handlebar on the Apache 310 has been placed in close proximity to the rider, while the seating position is upright which will
make this motorcycle a good sports tourer. The bike borrows heavily from its street-fighter sibling, the BMW G310R, including thepowertrain.
The Apache 310 has been spotted for the first-time with a uniquely designed rear tyre hugger that also gets an integrated sareeguard. The tyre hugger comes mounted to the left side of the swingarm.
The Apache RR 310S is powered by a 313cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled motor that produces 34 HP of power and 28 Nm oftorque. The engine comes paired to a 6-speed gearbox. Expect TVS to launch the its first full-faired offering in early 2018.
Apache RR 310S Tyre Hugger– The riding posture on the Apache RR 310S seems to be comfortable– The tyre hugger on the motorcycle is quite unique– The bike is likely to be priced between Rs. 1.75 to 2 lakhs (ex-showroom)– The flagship Apache uses the frame, engine, suspension and brakes from the BMW G310R
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Vega To Become World’s Largest Helmet Manufacturer Motor Beam
The Belgaum based Vega Auto is one of the major helmet manufacturers in the country with a market share of 50 percent in SouthIndia and an overall share of 35 percent in the organised helmet industry in India.
The company currently has 3 production facilities, 2 in Uttarakhand and 1 in Belgaum. The 3 helmet manufacturing plants churn outa total of 12,000 helmets per day. The company is working on one more plant at Belgaum which is expected to go functional by2020. The new plant will see an investment of Rs. 100 crores and will take the production to 20,000-22,000 helmets per day,making Vega the world’s largest helmet manufacturer.
Currently, out of the total production, 40 percent helmets are exported to the USA, Europe and Asian countries. The share of exportis expected to go up when the new plant becomes operational. The total helmet market in the country is worth around Rs. 1000crores but the majority share is of the unorganised sector.
Vega is expecting a 65 percent jump in its turnover in the current fiscal to Rs. 300 crores, despite the hike in rates of taxes forhelmets under GST.
World’s Largest Helmet Manufacturer– Vega is one of the major helmet manufacturers in India– The company is working on a new plant in Belgaum which is expected to start operations by 2020– The new plant will take the production to 20,000-22,000 helmets per day
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Mahindra Can’t Believe Tata Motors’ EV Price Motor Beam
Mahindra, the pioneer in making EVs (electric vehicles) in India couldn’t believe the bid price submitted by Tata Motors,which won the contract to supply 10,000 EVs to the government. “We find the price quoted by Tata Motors hard tocomprehend,” says Mahindra boss Pawan Goenka.
Tata Motors will supply 10,000 units of the Tigor electric in two phases, the first 500 cars will be supplied to EESL in November2017 and the rest 9500 electric vehicles will be delivered in the second phase. The Safari-maker had quoted a price of Rs. 11.2lakhs each including GST and a 5-year warranty, while Mahindra had quoted more than Rs. 13 lakhs.
The first part of the order was for 500 vehicles of which Mahindra had agreed to match Tata’s price to supply 150 cars, or 30percent. The company also had the right to supply 40 percent of the remaining 9500 if it matched Tata’s price.
Mahindra is of the opinion that their product is larger and specifications of the vehicle go beyond the stipulated requirements. Thecompany isn’t aware of the specifications of the Tigor electric. The Scorpio maker has two electric cars in its portolio, thee2oPlus and e-Verito.
Tata Motors is working on a new plant at Sanand where only EVs will be manufactured. It has been over 3 years since the companystarted working on its EV journey. Tata Motors European Technical Centre (based in the UK) revealed the Manza REEV(range-extended electric vehicle) demonstrator vehicle in May 2014. The Tiago EV was recently unveiled and the company is alsoworking on an electric version of the Nano to cater to the taxi market.
The salt to software conglomerate will partner with local startups and enterprises to identify opportunities to localise globaltechnologies to make EVs more affordable.
Tata Motors EV Price– Tata will supply 10,000 EVs to Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL)– Along with Tata and Mahindra, Nissan had also taken part in the bidding process
– Mahindra says the price quoted by Tata was significantly lower than its bid
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Made In India BMW G310 GS Quality Is Top Notch Motor Beam
When the TVS-BMW JV announced that the mass-market offerings like BMW G310R and G310 GS will be manufactured atTVS’ Hosur facility and exported to international markets, there was one question that everyone had in their minds.“Will TVS be able to make BMW quality motorcycles?”
TVS recently started exporting the Made-in-India BMW G310 GS to international markets and we’ve got our answers. Thesehave been the responses of various motoring journalist firms. “Fit, finish and build quality, however, seem above par for itsclass,” says Canada Moto Guide. “Build quality and finish is excellent. This doesn’t look or feel like a cheapmachine. This is no cheap machine with a BMW badge stuck on it. From the high-quality plastics to the deep finish on the steeltrellis frame, it looks solid and well put together,” says Bennetts.co.uk. “BMW’s quality shows up all over themill,” says TopSpeed.
Though there is a dedicated and sealed production area for the manufacturing of BMW motorcycles inside TVS’ Hosur plantwhere BMW’s officials are deputed in Chennai to supervise the entire process of assembling the motorcycles, etc.,TVS’ effort to make the BMW motorcycles reliable and solid machines has to be applauded.
The Apache maker has understood the basic guidelines international manufacturers like BMW have, so it is likely that the futureTVS badged motorcycles too will come with similar levels of quality.
Our wait for the G310R and G310 GS still continues, however, BMW has confirmed that the G310R will be launched sometime nextyear. Meanwhile, the G310R based TVS Apache RR 310S will be launched early next year.
BMW G310 GS Quality– International auto journalists have praised for the quality of the G310 GS– The BMW G310 GS is powered by a 313cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled motor– The 313cc single-cylinder engine produces 34 HP and 28 Nm
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Hyundai Tucson 4WD Launched, Priced At Rs. 25.19 Lakhs Motor Beam
The Hyundai Tucson 4WD variant has been finally launched in India priced at Rs. 25.19 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi). Bookings forthe SUV are open at all Hyundai dealerships across India.
The Tucson 4WD gets no cosmetic changes. The Tucson 4WD comes only in the 2.0-litre diesel AT GLS variant. Hyundai calls the4WD technology as Intellimatic 4WD. The 4WD system comes with ‘On-Demand 4WD Functioning’ whichautomatically implements rear wheel traction control by determining road conditions and maintaining traction on loose, rough andslippery surfaces while improving stability while cornering.
When driving in the 4WD mode, the system determines if there is a need for 4WD functioning based on the terrain and enginedriving and automatically sends power to all the 4 wheels without having the driver to intervene. 4WD SUVs are generally known tobe less fuel-efficient, but not in the case of Tucson 4WD.
The ‘On-Demand 4WD Functioning’ system ensures better fuel-efficiency as the system intelligently switches the4WD on/off by itself leading to better performance and lesser wear and tear of mechanical parts. The Tucson’s 4WD systemalso comes with 4WD Lock Mode and Advanced Traction Cornering Control (ATCC) of which, the former helps in the activation ofthe 4WD system manually based on the driver’s inputs, resulting in a torque split of 50:50 between the front and rear wheels.The ATCC helps in transferring torque to the wheels which have the most grip.
The Hyundai Tucson 4WD comes powered by the same 2.0-litre diesel motor that produces 185 HP of power and 400 Nm oftorque. The oil-burner comes mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission.
The Creta-maker is also offering other safety features like Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Vehicle Stability Management (VSM),Hill Assist Control (HAC), Down Hill Brake Control (DBC) and Brake Assist on all Tucson automatic variants.
Hyundai Tucson 4WD– Hyundai Tucson 4WD is priced at Rs. 25.19 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi)– Is available in only in the top-spec diesel AT variant– The Tucson 4WD gets ‘On-demand 4WD’ function
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Rush Lane (www.rushlane.com)
Tata Motors reveals the full list of Nexon accessories and its prices Rush Lane
Tata Nexon compact SUV has been launched in India. It competes with the Maruti Vitara Brezza and Ford EcoSport and isaggressively priced between INR 5.85 to 9.44 lakhs.
Tata Nexon is offered in four trim levels of XE, XM, XT and XZ+. While the top spec model receive a bevy of factory fittedaccessories, the lower trims are devoid of these features but can be personalized from a long list of accessories according to buyerchoice and budget.
Reverse parking sensors, for the XE and XM trims are priced at INR 4,000. Camera with display is offered at INR 5,700 and withdisplay and sensors at INR 7,600. These are also offered for the XE and XM trims. Buyers can opt for Heads up display and TPMSon all four trims at an additional cost of INR 16,000 and alloy wheels for XE, XM and XT trims are at an extra cost of INR 33,500.
Other accessories according to trim levels are puddle lamps with the Tata logo, illuminated front logo, chrome door handles, chromeaccents on head and tail lamps and illuminated scuff plates. Interior accessories include LED reading lights for all four trims atadded cost of INR 900, mud flaps at INR 710 and rubber matting at INR 2,700. Seat upholstery options, child seat, corner sensorsand camera display for rear view mirror are also a part of the accessories which can be availed for all four variants.
Blaupunkt Video Recorder (dash-cam) is priced at INR 5,000, DRLs at INR 15,000 and a body cover at INR 3,700. Tata Motors isalso offering a special Teflon coating for the Tata Nexon at INR 5,000 which comes with a 1 year warranty. The standard 2 yearwarranty on the Nexon continues even after installation of all these accessories.
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New Mahindra KUV100 NXT arrives at dealership ahead of launch Rush Lane
Spied undisguised at a Mahindra dealership, where the all new KUV100 NXT is on display, ahead of its official launch tomorrow,10th October. From the images, we can see that the updated KUV100 comes with new bumpers at the front and rear, which givesthe compact SUV even more dominating stance. It gets a new front grille, body cladding and distinctive wheel arches as well.
Headlamps and tail lamps also get refreshed with clear lens designs at the rear. Dimensions have also increased with the MahindraKUV100 NXT now measuring 3,700mm as compared to the 3,675mm length seen on the KUV100. It sits on new 15”diamond cut alloy wheels, gets integrated roof rails and a sharper tailgate spoiler. Mahindra will offer the KUV100 NXT in six singletone paint shades and 3 dual tone paint options.
Interiors will sport some design changes as well. It will be exclusively offered in a 6 seater layout though a 5 seater layout could beoffered only on order basis. To be offered in 10 trim levels as against the earlier 24 seen on the KUV100, the NXT lower trims willbe seen with grey interiors and higher trims in all black interiors.
Mahindra KUV100 NXT will also be better equipped where infotainment and safety is concerned. Depending on variants, theKUV100 NXT will boast of a 7.0” touchscreen infotainment system with GPS navigation, maps from MapmyIndia, remotelocking, gear shift alerts, automatic climate controls, steering mounted controls, adjustable driver seat and mood lighting. ABS, EBD,dual airbags and corner braking control will be offered as standard.
Mahindra KUV100 NXT will continue to be powered by the 1.2 liter petrol and 1.2 liter diesel engine offering 82 hp and 76 hprespectively mated to a 5 speed manual gearbox. However, both these engines have been tweaked to offer better fuel efficiency ascompared to its earlier counterpart. NHV levels are also significantly reduced. Price details will be revealed at the official launchevent tomorrow.
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Mercedes-Benz India and BMW India sales growth for Jan-Sep 2017 Rush Lane
Through the year, new BMW 5 Series has registered YTD sales growth of 38% for 2017. BMW India sales during the periodJanuary to September 2017 grew at 17.3%, with 7,138 units sold. Last year, the company sold 7,861 cars.
Mercedes-Benz India reports its best 3rd quarter sales. Mercedes-Benz India registered 41% growth for July-Sep 2017 with 4698units sold up from 3327 units sold in July-Sept 2016. For January-September, the company registered 11869 units sold, up 19.6%(January-September 2016: 9924 units).
For April- June 2017 (Q2) quarter, Mercedes Benz India reported 3521 units sold, up from 2975 units sold in April-June 2016.January-March 2017 (Q1) quarter sales was reported at 3650 units. H1 volumes stood at 7171 units, up 8.7% over January-June
2016 when 6597 units were sold. For June 2017, sales growth is reported at 40% over June 2016. Following GST implementation inbefore Cess adjustment in July 2017, Mercedes-Benz reported sales growth of 20.9% in July 2017.
In fact, Q1-Q3 2017 sales has already surpassed 2014 sales when 10,201 units were sold. Through 2017, the German automakerhas already launched ten products with more launches planned. For the year, the Long Wheelbase E-Class is the highest sellingmodel, followed closely by C-Class. Demand for the former continues to surpass supply even seven months since launch. In thegrowing SUV portfolio, GLC is the most sold SUV, followed by GLE.
Roland Folger, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India commented, “We are glad to witness our India strategyworking and our volume contribution to the luxury car industry on the rise. As inventors of automobiles globally and of luxury wheelsin India, we remain bullish on the fast changing dynamics of the Indian automotive industry. Our market experience, impeccablecustomer trust and proven competitive market advantages, combined with our global competencies makes us uniquely positioned toplay a leading role in defining the luxury automotive space in India. However, it always gives an additional momentum to our growthplans when the policy framework is supportive, given our contribution to the economy.”
Vikram Pawah, President BMW Group India has stated that the company’s commitment to passion, performance andexcellence is what has led them to BMW India sales growth in the premium car segment. The company expects to see this sameperformance with the new 2017 BMW 5 Series, launched here in June 2017.
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Car Dekho (www.cardekho.com)
Mahindra KUV 100 Facelift Launching Tomorrow Car Dekho
With the festivities gaining momentum, carmakers are coming up with special editions and facelifts of their present models. Joiningthe bandwagon, Mahindra and Mahindra is all set to launch the facelift model of its most affordable offering, the Mahindra KUV 100,tomorrow.
Launched in January last year, the announcement of the facelift before the completion of the KUV’s two years comes as asurprise. One big reason for the update is the Maruti Suzuki Ignis’ launch, which constantly pushed its sales down, leavingthe carmaker with no other choice but to update the current model.
With this facelift, Mahindra will be looking to cut down on the grey areas of its baby SUV. For instance, the design, which is tooquirky is likely to be toned down a bit with the newer model. The biggest change expected to make way into the KUV facelift will bethe 7-inch touchscreen unit, recently added to the TUV300 T10 trim.
The engines - a 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder petrol and diesel - are likely to be carried forward in the refreshed KUV as well. However, thesemotors might be retuned to offer improved fuel efficiency this time around. Like the Ignis, Mahindra could offer the AMT in thefacelift, but chances are very slim.
Since the changes will mostly be cosmetic, we expect the prices of the KUV 100 facelift to fall in the same vicinity as that of thepresent model (Rs 4.64- 7.42 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi).
Of late, Mahindra has been aggressive with its launching strategy and is pushing in new variants into its existing lineup to enticebuyers at the most significant time of the year. Last month, it brought in the new stop-spec TUV 300 T10, while a few days back itintroduced a new W9 variant of the XUV 500.
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Launching Tomorrow: Volkswagen Passat Car Dekho
Volkswagen is all set to reintroduce the Passat in the Indian market tomorrow. The all-new eighth-gen Volkswagen Passat willrenew its rivalry with premium sedans like the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and its own sibling, the Skoda Superb. Revealedglobally in November 2014, it went on sale in early 2015 in several markets. So, the new eighth-gen Passat has been on saleinternationally for more than two years now.
Local assembly of the Volkswagen Passat had already commenced at Volkswagen Group’s Aurangabad facility inMaharashtra, the space it shares with the Skoda Octavia, Superb, Kodiaq and the VW Tiguan along with several Audi models. Theeighth-gen Passat is based on the German conglomerate's MQB platform (modular transverse matrix) and like the manufacturingfacility, it also shares the platform with several of the models mentioned above, including the Superb.
Unlike the Skoda Superb, the VW Passat will only be available with a single 2.0-litre diesel engine option with an automatictransmission. Besides this diesel, the Superb also comes with a 1.8-litre turbo petrol with a manual/automatic option.
The VW Tiguan SUV also comes with a single engine option as of now (same 2.0-litre diesel in a detuned form) and is offered in a
couple of variants. The Passat is also likely to follow the same route. Its equipment list is likely to remain similar to that of the Tiguanand the Superb, and it is most likely to be priced in the range of Rs 28-30 lakh.
Vitals Engine: 2.0-litre TDI Power: 177PS Torque: 350Nm Transmission: 6-speed DSG (dual-clutch automatic)
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Mahindra KUV100 Facelift To Launch On October 10 Car Dekho
The Mahindra KUV100 is all set to receive a facelift before this Diwali. Slated for launch on October 10, 2017, the KUV is still shy ofcompleting two years in the market. When launched on January 15, 2016, the KUV100 got off to a fairly decent start but it neverpicked up the pace since then. Although it’s a bit early for a facelift (generally, facelifts are introduced between 2-3 yearsfrom launch), we believe the declining sales figures of the KUV100 post the launch of the Maruti Suzuki Ignis is the reason behindthe upcoming facelift.
This facelift will perhaps give the KUV100 a sales boost as it is likely to come with a relatively toned down styling to attract a widerspectrum of customers. The styling of the outgoing model was quirky at best. Mahindra had updated the KUV100 earlier this yearwith a dual-tone paint option on the top-spec variant and this is likely to continue with the facelift as well. Along with other goodies,the latest update is likely to bring a larger 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that was recently introduced in the TUV300 T10.
The Mahindra KUV100 facelift will carry forward the same set of motors - 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. The petrolengine puts out 83PS/115Nm, while the diesel produces 78PS/190Nm. These engines might get a slight retune for improved overallperformance and fuel efficiency.
Though the TUV300 and the NuvoSport come with an AMT (automated-manual transmission) option, the KUV100 is yet to receivethis option. The KUV100’s arch-rival, the Maruti Suzuki Ignis, comes with an AMT option with both its petrol and dieselengines. However, Mahindra is unlikely to offer an AMT unit with the KUV100 facelift.
Since there won’t be any major changes to the KUV100, we expect the prices of the facelift model to remain the same as theoutgoing version, which is currently priced between Rs 4.63 and Rs 7.40 lakh (ex-showroom New Delhi).
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Hyundai Tucson Diesel 4WD Launched At Rs 25.19 lakh Car Dekho
Hyundai has finally introduced the four-wheel-drive version of its flagship SUV, the Tucson, in India. It is priced at Rs 25.19 lakh(ex-showroom, New Delhi) and is based on the range-topping diesel automatic trim, GLS, of the SUV. The front-wheel-drive dieselGLS auto has now been replaced by this 4WD model. Bookings for the same are now underway.
Prices (ex-showroom, New Delhi) Hyundai Tucson AT GLS (discontinued): Rs 24.71 lakh Hyundai Tucson 4WD AT GLS: Rs 25.19 lakh
So, for a premium of nearly Rs 48,000, Hyundai is offering a 4WD system with the Tucson, which is not bad at all! TheTucson’s arch rival, the Jeep Compass, offers a full-spec diesel 4x4 option for Rs 21.37 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi),which makes it cheaper by over Rs 3.80 lakh. However, the Compass is a manual 4x4 offering and its automatic is expected nextyear but since the window is wide (Rs 3.80 lakh+), the Compass diesel auto 4x4 is likely to have a price advantage as well.
Drivetrain features The 4WD model is pulled by the same 2.0-litre diesel engine (185PS/400Nm) and is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission.Like its rivals, the Tucson comes with an on-demand 4WD system, which automatically sends power to rear wheels by assessingroad conditions to improve traction. There’s a ‘4WD Lock’ mode as well, which splits the torque in a 50:50 ratiobetween front and rear axles.
Besides this, Hyundai now offers additional safety features in the petrol and diesel GL trims, which were earlier exclusive to the GLStrim (not available with the petrol). Both the variants now feature: electronic stability control (ESC), vehicle stability management(VSM), hill assist control (HAC), downhill brake control (DBC) and brake assist.
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Discounts, Gold Coins On Renault Kwid And Duster This Diwali Car Dekho
French automaker Renault is offering a festive bonanza this Diwali on its current lineup, including the now discontinued Scala andPulse, on retails made between October 2 to October 31, 2017. However, its upcoming flagship offering, the Captur, will not beincluded in this festive scheme. So, let’s take a look at the offers, shall we?
Renault Duster The Renault Duster will be available with an interest rate of 7.99 per cent when bought with a loan from Renault Finance andLoan Insurance at Rs 1 from Renault Assured program The SUV attracts a cash discount of Rs 10,000 and you also get a 2gm gold coin. The latter can be exchanged for a cash benefitas well (The rate for a 1gm gold coin has been taken at Rs 3,000) You can avail a Rs 10,000 exchange bonus if you sell your old car through Renault Selection (launched in 2015, it is RenaultIndia’s pre-owned car brand) An additional Rs 7,000 corporate bonus can be availed too
Except for the Duster RXS CVT petrol automatic variant, these offers are applicable throughout the Duster range.
Renault Kwid Renault's bread and butter model, the Kwid, comes with just one offer - an interest rate of 7.99 per cent through Renault Financeand Loan
Renault Lodgy A cash benefit of Rs 30,000 on the Renault Lodgy Standard and RXE variants.
For Lodgy Stepway variants An interest rate of 7.99 per through Renault Finance and Loan Offers a 2gm gold coin which can be exchanged for cash benefits A Rs 10,000 exchange bonus when you sell your old car through Renault Selection Additional corporate bonus of Rs 7,000
Renault Scala and Pulse Renault Pulse: The Nissan Micra-based hatchback attracts a cash benefit of Rs 40,000 or an interest rate of Rs 4.49 per cent (fromRenault Finance and Loan). Moreover, there’s an additional corporate/PSU discount of Rs 6,000.
Renault Scala: The Nissan Sunny-based sedan attracts cash benefits of up to Rs 90,000 along with an additional corporate/PSUdiscount of Rs 6,000.
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Attractive Offers On Ford EcoSport Ahead Of Facelift Launch Car Dekho
To keep its numbers ticking Ford India is offering the current EcoSport with a range of benefits. While we know that the midlifeupdate of the EcoSport will go on sale before the end of 2017, we can’t ignore the offers that Ford has in store forcustomers.
On the whole, one can save a substantial amount of money as the American carmaker is giving a retail cash of up to Rs 28,500, acredit interest rate of 7.99 per cent, an exchange bonus (Rs 20,000 for Ford cars and Rs 15,000 for others) and a loyalty bonus ofRs 11,000, which can only be used to buy an extended warranty for the third year (up to 1 lakh km) and a membership to roadsideassistance.
Ford recently took the wraps off a new 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine that will power the updated EcoSport. The engine is tunedto produce 123PS of peak power and 150Nm of maximum torque. It will be available with a 5-speed manual gearbox and a 6-speedautomatic.
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AutoTech Review(autotechreview.com)
Range Rover Velar Gets BorgWarner AWD Transfer Case AutoTech Review
BorgWarner supplies Jaguar Land Rover with its pre-emptive on-demand transfer case. Already delivering outstanding all-wheeldrive (AWD) performance for Jaguar’s XE, XF and F-PACE models, the leading technology will soon be featured in the newRange Rover Velar SUV. Engineered to significantly improve vehicle dynamics, BorgWarner’s AWD solution offers scalable,high torque capacity as well as high torque transfer accuracy. Featuring a modular design and lightweight aluminium housing, thepre-emptive on-demand transfer case delivers class-leading performance.
“With our highly efficient AWD solution, we offer customers a high-performance product that combines several of our leading
technologies,” said Dr. Stefan Demmerle, President and General Manager, BorgWarner PowerDrive Systems.“Working with Jaguar Land Rover to deliver a leading AWD experience in the new Range Rover Velar, BorgWarner onceagain reaffirms its position as a global leader in clean and efficient technology solutions for all types of propulsion systems,”he said.
BorgWarner’s pre-emptive on-demand transfer case enhances AWD function by connecting to the vehicle’s controlsystems and monitoring signals including but not limited to steering wheel angle, accelerator pedal position and wheel speed.Based on this data, BorgWarner’s patented lightweight centrifugal electro-hydraulic (CEH) actuator distributes the requiredtorque between the two axles by compressing the clutch pack, allowing the AWD transfer case to deliver pre-emptive and preciselinear clutch actuation for immediate response, enhanced vehicle traction and stability control.
Incorporating additional leading BorgWarner technologies such as the durable, high-efficiency HY-VO transfer case chain and aninnovative pumpless design and sump management, the pre-emptive transfer case also improves fuel economy compared withtraditional transfer case designs. In addition, the flexible and scalable design facilitates optimal packaging for space-constrainedapplications.
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'Automotive Industry Must Employ ASDC Certified Candidates,' Says EA, MoSDE AutoTech Review
Lauding the role played by the Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC), Ms Vinita Aggarwal, Economic Advisor to theMinistry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), appealed to industry to increasingly employ manpower trained andcertified by ASDC, as it is certification by their own body. She added that the quality of training and employability of trainedcandidates coming from SSC process was respective Industry sector’s own responsibility. Ms Agarwal was sharing herviews during the ASDC Annual Conclave, held recently in New Delhi.
Ms Aggarwal expressed satisfaction in seeing a large number of delegates from the Auto Industry turning up for the event and sheobserved that signing of several new agreements with Industry Partners was a positive sign indicating ASDC’s Industryconnect. In her address she also appealed to the Industry to take advantage of the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme(NAPS) and scale up the number of apprentices.
ASDC President Mr Jayant Davar, in his welcome address, recounted the journey of ASDC, which started when it became the veryfirst sector council in India. He added that the Indian Auto Industry was confronting multiple challenges in the form of Manufacturing4.0 related transformation on the shop floors as also the push towards electric mobility. However, he said that the Industry wasresilient enough and will continue to grow and create jobs that will require lots of skilled people and he expressed confidence thatASDC will be able to meet the sector’s expectations. He said that ASDC had already laid a solid foundation of the buildingblocks by way of a large number of Qualification Standards, a nationwide network of Training Centres ,700 + Certified Trainers andaround a 1,000 Assessors.
"ASDC is a small organisation, but a huge platform," said ASDC Chief Executive Officer Sunil K Chaturvedi and added that ASDChad been able to obtain a lot of support from Industry and the engagement was only growing deeper by the day. During theConclave, ASDC signed a series of agreements with Industry including with Hero Moto, Yamaha, SIKA, Akzo Noble and alsoannounced future plans with 3M India in skills related to value added services and in car care products.
Skills Olympics are around the corner and ASDC felicitated the three candidates who will be representing India in Automotive Skillsat the forthcoming World Skills Finals that are only a few weeks away and will be held at Abu Dhabi this month. Speaking on thetopic, ASDC Council Member and FADA President, John K Paul congratulated the candidates for having come through a rigorousselection process followed by ASDC and observed that the candidates had been preparing very hard and therefore he expressedoptimism at the prospects of the three candidates at the forthcoming Finals.
In this context, Sunil K Chaturvedi observed that India is predominantly a 2-wheeler country but World Skills format does not havethis category.He announced that ASDC will be launching Indian Competitions for 2-wheeler mechanics. He thanked Indian Yamahaand Hero Moto Corp to support this initiative. He also announced competitions forAuto Glass / Wind Shield fixing Technicians withsupport from SIKA.
At the day long function, ASDC signed several agreements including one with Uttarakhand State Skill Development Mission andanother with United Nations Development Program (UNDP). The UNDP-ASDC alliance is focused on creating skill developmentand livelihood opportunity for girls and women in areas outside the traditional "sewing and packaging" arena.
Industry / Academia disconnect is a topic of concern for the country. In order to take steps towards addressing this issue and withan objective to increase employability of graduating students, ASDC signed MoUs with four major Institutions viz Manipal University,Jaipur, VelTech and SRM Chennai and BM Munjal University, Gurgaon. ASDC CEO Sunil K Chaturvedi observed that the successof Make in India is crucially dependent on what he called as “Think in India” which essentially means skills in highereducation and that is where these four important agreements would play a big role in producing skilled graduates for the AutomotiveSector.
There were three Panel discussions that produced lively debates among Indian and overseas experts. Panel on "Smart Mobility andSmart Manufacturing," was anchored by Tata Motors’ Chief Human Resource Officer, Gajendra Chandel. Industry Leadersincluding Duttatreya Gaur from BoSCH, Suman Bose from Siemens, IV Rao from Maruti Suzuki, Kiran Deshmukh from Sona BLWand Ruediger Heimof Fraunhoferdebated intensely on the topic and concluded that the future would expect all stakeholders to be"super flexible" and there will be a lot more thrust on "digitization".
Another Panel deliberated on Skills required for “Safer & Superior Mobility Experience”.It covered aspects of sales,
after sales service and Road Safety issues.The Panel was moderated energetically by Hella MD Rama Pandey.Joint Secretary inthe Department of Heavy Industry Mr Vishwajit Sahay spoke about the limitation of Regulations and therefore urged the Industry tocome forward and prepare for transition to new technologies.He also spoke about training for safety and mentioned about NATRIPcentre at Silchar. Panellists included Mahesh Rajoria from Maruti Suzuki, Ramki Ramakrishnan from Tata Motors, Ajay Jain from3M, Deepak Sharma of Wuerth India, Birendra Bisht of Intello and Nitin Dossa from WIAA discussed key questions about SaferMobility and dwelt on how prepared the sector was to face the fast changing world and the need and availability of requisiteskillsets.
The Conclave carried the theme of Skilling for Growth and Enabling Livelihoods and appropriately, the third Panel focussed onLivelihoods.Dr Gayathri Vasudevan moderated the session that included Matthew Mac Kracken from the Canadian TradeCommission, Johannes Strittmatter from the GIZ, Germany , Clement Chauvet from UNDP and Vikrant Mohan from AIAWA whodiscussed potential of Automotive Sector in creating Livelihood opportunities.The Panel brought out the large possibility of jobs andlivelihoods in the non formal sector and specially for women. Johannes Strittmatter observed that ASDC would play an importantrole in enabling livelihoods in the non formal domain which could throw up many jobs.
In this context, the MoU signed with HeroMoto was all about Livelihoods. Hero Moto’s CIO & Head CSR, Vijay Sethiannounced that through the agreement 10,000 Mechanics will be trained over the next five years and expect that at least 60% ofthese certified mechanics will have employment and self employment opportunities. Similarly, 3M’s National AutomotiveHead Ajay Jain and Vivek Sahay of Akzo Noble spoke about their respective agreements with ASDC would be enabling Livelihoodsin the Collision Repair and Car Care domain.
The action packed day came to a close with ASDC VP Nikunj Sanghi delivering a vote of thanks. Later in the evening at the ASDCAGM and Governing Council meeting he took over as the President for the next year.
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Autocar Pro (www.autocarpro.in)
Igus introduces safe energy chain systems for cars Autocar Pro
As vehicles globally get more electrified there is an increasing need for energy chain solution that can guide cables safely in seatingsystems, wipers or electric sliding doors, among others. German energy chain systems and polymer component Igus, hasdeveloped energy chain solutions that can guide cables safely even in the smallest of installation spaces. The company showcasedits new offering ‘e-chain E2 micro’ and ‘e-chains of the E2C.10 and E2C.15 series’.
There is a growing need from vehicle owners along with new-trends in autonomous driving and EVs. At the same time, the stress onelectronics in vehicles, for example, is also increasing with car sharing that requires safe and reliable energy supply.
According to Forsa a German market research company’s survey, one in three motorists spends more than an hour in thecar on a business day. It further states that the trend shows that this will continue to increase in the coming years due to increasingmobility.
The consequence is an increasing intelligent electrification of vehicles, whether in window lifters, wipers, tailgates and corneringlights or in seat systems and sliding doors, control systems in the centre console, displays and loudspeakers. Current trends for thefuture, such as autonomous driving and e-mobility, also require more and more cables, along with the need for safe and lightweightenergy supply systems.
New stress on electronic systemsThe electronic systems in the automobile nowadays have to withstand new stresses. In the globally growing car sharing concept, forexample, the door must be unlocked autonomously by means of a chip before each journey. The requirements for autonomous doorsystems are therefore increasing from a standard 200,000 opening and closing cycles to 500,000 cycles. The number of seat andmirror adjustments per day also increases during car sharing and stresses the energy systems. A fail-safe and long-lastingguidance of the moving cables in very small spaces is therefore required.
The company claims that the use of energy chains from igus will be optimal in the above scenarios, due to its ability to protect andguide cables safely even at extreme temperatures. The high-performance plastic from which they are made ensures that they arenot only free of corrosion and lubrication, but also very light.
The ‘e-chain E2 micro’ is designed for minimal installation spaces, and is available in various sizes depending on theapplication. The company claims that with a size of 4.5 millimetre it is the smallest plastic energy chain in the world. While the‘E2C.10 and E2C.15 series’ is resistant to temperatures of -40 up to +80 degrees Celsius and can implementaccelerations of up to 3 m/s².
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Lamborghini plans all-new four- door model for 2021 Autocar Pro
Concept work on an all-new Lamborghini for launch around 2021 is understood to have begun. It is part of Lamborghini bossStefano Domenicali’s plan to set out a roadmap for sustainable growth after the Urus SUV is launched later this year.
A fourth line – beyond the HuracaÌ•n and Aventador supercars, as well as the Urus – has long been the subject ofdebate at the firm. Discussions have centred on how Lamborghini could take advantage of platform developments at theVolkswagen Group to make profitable cars despite its relatively low volumes.
Asked about the possibility of a new model line, Federico Foschini, Lamborghini’s commercial director, said: “Wemust be humble. The Urus is only at the pre-production phase and, while the goal is to double sales volumes over a few years, wehave yet to earn that accolade.
Making sure the brand’s future direction is in line with its heritage “is crucial to everything we do”, according toFoschini. “That’s why we look to LM002 for the Urus, and there are other possibilities in our heritage too,” hesaid.
In order to accommodate production of the Urus, which will launch in December, Lamborghini has already doubled the size of itsproduction site in Sant’Agata Bolognese, including building a state-of-the-art production facility with the capacity for furtherexpansion.
Autocar understands that the frontrunning model for production is currently a front-engined, four-door four-seater. This layout wasevaluated with the Estoque concept that was revealed in 2008, but development of that car was eventually put on hold in favour ofthe Urus due to the global economic crisis, surging global sales of SUVs and the financial benefits of sharing the VWGroup’s MLB Evo platform.
Now, however, the four-door, four-seat concept is seen by some senior figures at Lamborghini as the ideal layout to bridge the gapbetween the Urus and its other two models.
The Urus is expected to double Lamborghini sales and generate the profits required to justify further investment. Crucially, it shouldalso change Lamborghini’s traditional customer demographic and attract more family-oriented buyers. Such a car wouldshare its MSB-derived underpinnings with the new Porsche Panamera and Bentley Continental GT, which is due to launch later thisyear.
“The Urus will change the dimensions of Lamborghini’s customer base completely,” said Foschini. “Werequire completely new standards and we have worked hard to achieve them. The Urus is a game-changer, not just in what it will dofor volumes and profits but also in terms of how it will change our customer base. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for changethat we must grasp fully. It is a car for Lamborghini customers of the past, most of whom have an SUV in the garage among theircollection, and for the future, for customers who love Lamborghini but have always wanted a car they can use every day.”
A car in the mould of the Estoque would offer customers a still practical alternative to the Urus as their families grow up. Fears thatsuch a car could cannibalise Urus sales are said to have been eased by the fact that most Lamborghini buyers today own multiplecars (an average of four for Huraca̕n owners and seven for Aventador owners).
Lamborghini previously built the Espada in the late 1960s, a two-door four-seater that was converted (without factory backing) to theone-off four-seater Frua Faena, created by Pietro Frua. In the same era, it sold the Islero in the US, which became the Jarama– both cars were created with the goal of offering supercar performance in a more practical bodystyle.
However, the Estoque-style car has yet to be signed off because a faction at Lamborghini remains keen to investigate thepossibilities of developing a bespoke, carbonfibre-intensive platform structure that could underpin a three-strong supercar family.Such a move would either position the next-generation Huraca̕n at a lower price level and move the Aventador further up, to createa gap in-between, or allow for an even more extreme model above the Aventador. Either way, the third model is being internallyreferred to as the new Miura, in the hope that its styling and performance would capture the imagination as the iconic 1960s sportscar did.
However, this strategy would require the costly development of the platform technology. This in turn would need to fit withAudi’s plans for the R8 and leave Lamborghini’s fortunes tied to the supercar market - a strategy that the brand hastried to move away from with the Urus.
Last year, Lamborghini sold 3457 cars – the first time it topped 3400 units and a rise of 7% year on year.
What does a Nürburgring lap time prove?
The HuracaÌ•n Performante’s record-breaking 6m 52.01sec Nürburgring lap time set earlier this year has earnedLamborghini new-found cachet for its handling and aerodynamic capabilities, according to Foschini.
“Firstly, everyone understands the value of a lap time – it proves you are the best in one regard,” he said.“But it also proved a point that is important to Lamborghini – having the most acceleration and the most power issomething special; to be the very best in the class, you also need the best ride and handling package.
“The first thing customers look at are the numbers – what can this car do? But the numbers alone don’t revealthe dynamic capabilities of a car, nor the level of innovation that goes into achieving those dynamic capabilities. Our run at the’Ring showed we can lead on both.
“The level of innovation on the HuracaÌ•n Performante is amazing. Sensational. The active aerodynamics are special and anarea where we have brought real innovation. You don’t set a lap time like that without achieving new standards, and forLamborghini to show that capability is really special. Because the ’Ring is so well recognised, it resonates around theworld.”
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How an icy crash led to the invention of electronic stability control Autocar Pro
Stability control has saved countless lives.
The guardian angel that constantly monitors steering wheel angle, tyre grip and the behaviour of cars in corners may be taken forgranted these days, but it is widely regarded as the biggest advancement in road safety since the introduction of the seatbelt. Yetfew of us realise that it was invented literally by accident.
In 1989, a young Mercedes-Benz engineer, Frank-Werner Mohn, skidded off an icy road in the north of Sweden during wintertesting. Sitting in a ditch waiting for a tow truck to be summoned from the nearest town (mobile phones were still an emergingtechnology back then), he had a brainwave.
What if the recently invented anti-lock brake system – which rapidly pulses brake pressure to prevent locking up –could somehow ‘talk’ to an on-board computer that measured in milliseconds the angle of the steering wheel and theslip angle of a car?
The idea: to moderate engine power and/or activate the brakes on each individual corner to help prevent a skid. Supplier Bosch hada similar idea at about the same time, but its system was activated only when the brakes were applied in an emergency.Mohn’s idea was for the system to be active all the time and constantly monitor road conditions and the attitude of the car.This subtle but significant distinction led to Mohn’s idea becoming the basis for all electronic stability control systems usedtoday.
Once back at headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany, Mohn and his team of engineers were given permission to build a prototype totest their theory.
The first challenge was to find a gyro sensor that could measure sideways movement. So they went to a toy shop and bought aremote control helicopter, dismantling it to get this precious part.
Eventually, they proved the theory could work but quickly discovered they needed a gyro sensor with faster processing speeds thanthe one in the toy. So they sourced one from a scud missile - minus the warhead, of course - to make a more durable test car.
In March 1991 – after two years of intensive development by a small but dedicated team whose idea was originally mockedby some colleagues – the technology was given the green light to go into production. That decison came quickly after onetesting session, during which a top Mercedes executive, who was known to be timid behind the wheel, was almost as fast as thecompany’s professional test drivers on an ice lake obstacle course. When the technology was switched off, he barely made itpast the first turn without skidding off course.
“Once they saw this technology could safely prevent a skid while taking a corner, the board approved it at once,” saysMohn. “At the time, this was a revelation.”
Originally, the technology was installed in Mercedes’ S-Class flagship limousine in 1995. But in 1997, Swedish technicalmagazine TeknikensVärld flipped Mercedes’ then-new A-Class hatchback during a swerve-and-avoid ‘moosetest’. Mercedes responded by fitting its new stability control technology – previously reserved for its dearest model– to its cheapest car, before eventually introducing it across the range. “We thank this journalist that he did thisbecause it expedited the roll-out of our technology,” says Mohn.
But there were mixed emotions for the inventor when, soon after, Mercedes handed over the patents to its technology suppliers– and did not charge them one penny for it.
In the automotive industry, car companies own the rights to the inventions of the thousands of engineers they employ. Mercedescould not build the new stability control systems fast enough to keep up with demand, so it gave its know-how to other technologycompanies – and allowed them to sell it to rival car brands. The aim was to reduce the cost of the technology.
However, within 10 years, German authorities began to notice a reduction in single-vehicle fatalities in cars equipped with stabilitycontrol. According to some industry experts, the number of lives saved due to stability control is now in excess of one millionglobally. The technology is compulsory in most developed countries and is fitted to even the cheapest new cars.
To commemorate the technology that so many motorists take for granted – which is working in the background without useven realising it – we’ve come to Sweden to try to find the crash site that changed the course of car safety.
Our journey begins in the middle of an ice lake near Arjeplog, a tiny Swedish village near the Arctic Circle whose population swellsin winter as almost every major car company sets up camp here for cold weather testing.
Every Monday and Friday during snow season, more than a dozen planes full of engineers fly in and out of the small town. Duringthe week, they drive literally in circles to make sure the cars we’ll buy in the future can save us in slippery situations –and from potentially deadly mistakes.
After a demonstration of the technology on a deserted ice lake as large as several suburbs, we head south towards the isolatedtown from which Mohn had to summon help almost 30 years ago.
The town nearest to the crash site is about 180 miles south-west of Arjeplog, but the convoys of slow-moving trucks and snow
ploughs double our journey time to six hours on the icy and undulating single-lane roads. The road surface is so slippery that youcan barely keep your balance when standing on it to take photos of the countless moose warning signs.
With stability control discreetly keeping us on the straight and narrow, we finally make it to Strömsund. However, covered in iceand snow, the roads and terrain in the north and the south of the town look the same.
Thanks to some divine intervention, we find the tow company that came to Mohn’s rescue all those years ago in this smallcommunity of 3500 people. The business has a new owner today, but they know how to find Tommy Bjurstrom, who, as a younglad, went to work with his dad that day in 1989 to retrieve some fancy new Mercedes.
Despite the language barriers between German, Swedish and English speakers, Bjurstrom eventually figures out why we’rehere and what we’re trying to find after we produce the photos of the car from 1989 – and a young Tommy with hisfather and the tow truck. With that, his eyes light up and he ushers us to follow his lead.
We head about 2.5 miles south of the village to a nondescript stretch of straight road. The pavement has long since been redoneand it could be anywhere else in rural Scandinavia.
Bjurstrom stops his car and waves his arm out the window. There is still a large ditch, but the big trees have been cleared from theedge of the road. It’s a reminder that the crash in 1989 could have had dire consequences had Mohn’s car come intothe contact with the local habitat.
Trying to stay warm in sub-zero temperatures, the men get out of their cars and hug awkwardly in their bulky snow jackets. Mohncan’t believe that Bjurstrom has found the exact spot.
The tow truck driver can’t believe what the fuss is all about – until we explain to him what that crash led to and howmany lives have been saved since.
“In my heart, I was wounded because it was my invention and it was given away,” says Mohn. “But, of course, Inow see the best decision was… to make it available to everyone, to spread it out to all cars.”
What Mohn is working on nowMohn is due to retire later this year after 35 years with Mercedes. His final project is working with his fellow engineers onautonomous car technology that we won’t see for years to come.
Ironically, the autonomous tech being developed today would not be possible without his invention of electronic stability control.
As someone who loves driving, Mohn says he understands why some people may be concerned about control being taken awayfrom the driver.
“The driver should always be in control but, as with [stability control] there will be systems that keep you safe without thedriver knowing,” he says. “Without technology, we would not save as many lives as we have already today.”JD
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Allison Transmission introduces next-gen advanced tech for fully automatic M&HCV transmissions Autocar Pro
Allison Transmission has announced its first nine-speed model. The innovative, fully automatic transmission, for medium- andheavy-duty vehicles, will be available globally and is targeted for release in 2020.
“With this new transmission, Allison continues to demonstrate its commitment to help achieve standards regarding fuelefficiency and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions,” said Randy Kirk, senior vice-president of product engineering and productteams with Allison Transmission. “This release coincides with the timing of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)Phase 2 GHG and Fuel Efficiency Standards.”
With its deep first gear ratio and industry-leading ratio coverage, the Allison nine-speed transmission provides significant fuelsavings as the highly-efficient gear train allows the torque converter to lock up early in first gear. Additionally, the nine-speedincludes an integral engine stop-start system that provides immediate transmission engagement and vehicle hold while the engineis restarted. Providing value for a variety of applications, the nine-speed model is ideal for distribution trucks, rental and leasetrucks, and school buses.
“When combined with FuelSense, our software and electronic controls packages, and our other fuel-saving technologies, thenine-speed will set a new benchmark in fuel efficiency and reduced emissions, achieving Greenhouse Gas Emissions Model (GEM)benefits,” said Kirk. “Many OEMs in North America, Europe and Asia have expressed interest and excitement, withprototype evaluations beginning for them yet this year.”
The Allison nine-speed model leverages the proven durability of the Allison 2000 Series six-speed commercial transmissions, whichhave accumulated more than 100 billion miles globally. It’s been designed to utilise the same OEM interfaces as itssix-speed predecessor, providing ease of integration into vehicles currently released with the Allison 2000 Series.
Drivers will experience even better comfort due to smaller steps, allowing for a smoother start. They’ll also enjoy improvedacceleration, which can lead to more productivity.
The company says its transmissions use Continuous Power Technology to smoothly multiply engine torque and deliver more powerto the wheels. Drivers experience better productivity, fuel economy, driver comfort, safety and operational flexibility than those withmanual and automated manual transmissions (AMTs).
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Renault to launch 21 new models before 2022 Autocar Pro
Renault will launch 21 new models by 2022, CEO Carlos Ghosn has announced, as part of the company’s Drive the Futureplan.
Of these, eight will be full electric and 12 will be electrified. Renault is also diminishing diesel's prominence in its line-up –cutting diesel offerings by 50% by 2022 and reducing Renault diesel engines to one family from the three currently offered.
Among the 21 cars, 15 will have a level of autonomy ranging between Level 2 and 4, with B-segment Renault group cars gainingLevel 2 autonomy by 2019.
These will be launched on a bespoke EV platform, shared across the entire Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. The sharedarchitecture will span B- to D-segment electric vehicles, and EVs will showcase the group's autonomous technologies moreprominently than fossil-fuelled cars.
An all-electric, C-segment SUV, first launched in China as one of the first EVs in this new generation, will then spread to othermarkets. It will be one of three new SUVs for the Renault brand launched under the Drive the Future strategy.
Across the Drive the Future plan, £16.1 billion is being spent on research and development, as the group looks to grow further andconsolidate its new position as the world’s largest producer of cars.
By the end of the plan, Renault targets global sales of more than five million units – up from almost 3.5 million in 2016. TheRenault brand will grow to produce 500,000 cars annually by the end of the plan.
This will be achieved through doubling its market coverage, as well as capitalising on growing markets such as Brazil, India andIran, increasing operations in China with partner manufacturer Brilliance, and strengthening its hold on Russia with the Lada brand.
The Renault brand will also increase its prices across the six-year plan, according to executive vice president of sales andmarketing Thierry Koskas, as it sets out to further distance itself from mainstream market rivals such as Ford, Hyundai and Skoda.
Renault will also join the ranks of car makers with retail spaces different to traditional dealerships; 800 spaces are to be launchedacross the plan that are 'closer to customer flow' – for example, in shopping malls.
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Lightweight BEHICLE EV targets 5-star Euro NCAP rating Autocar Pro
In Europe, four-wheeled, lightweight electromobiles (LEM or quadricycles) are the trend for short distances in urban areas. With anaim to offer highly effective safety systems for occupants in these vehicles, global supplier ZF has participated in the EU projectBEHICLE as a system partner for occupant safety. The abbreviation stands for BEst-in-class veHICLE, a claim which is made goodby the speedy three-seater electric vehicles of the same name.
The main objective of BEHICLE is to demonstrate and validate a new integrated urban EV approach which combines powerrequirements and balanced energetic performance for urban environments and fulfills 100 percent safety requirements, according toEuro NCAP crash tests, with highly compatible design.
The BEHICLE project objectives, from a measurable point of view, can be summarised as- Development of a lightweight architecture with a maximum vehicle weight of 550kg with batteries and one occupant.
- 0-100kph acceleration below 10 seconds.
- Average energy consumption of 7 kWh/100km.
- 80 Kwh/km energy consumption in real urban driving conditions.
- At least 150km pure electric range in real urban driving conditions.
- Euro NCAP crash tests results of 4-5 stars.
ZF says it has played a major role in this project as safety specialists that developed and integrated an innovative four-point seatbeltsystem and airbag systems into the vehicle. The German technology provider has also contributed to simulation and testing. As thefirst in its category, BEHICLE is designed to receive five stars according to Euro NCAP’s testing standards. Comparable
vehicles of this class have received no more than two stars up to this point.
The most sought-after vehicles in the growth market of micromobility are city rovers in the category L7e, which provide a maximumof 15 kW and weigh a maximum of 400kg unoccupied (and without batteries). The disadvantage of these ultra-light vehicleshowever, is that in terms of occupant safety, up until now Euro NCAP has not listed a production model that had earned more thantwo stars.
“Our goal to contribute to Vision Zero naturally also covers new vehicle concepts and solutions such as the BEHICLE. Fromthe start of the project, we were able to incorporate our expertise in the area of occupant safety. The overall result is that theBEHICLE is designed to achieve the only five-star EURO NCAP assessment of a vehicle in this class,” says Dr. MichaelBüchsner, vice-president and general manager of ZF’s global Occupant Safety Systems division.
The design characteristics of the vehicle such as a central driver’s seat and having no B-pillars posed a major challenge forthe occupant protection concept. ZF addressed this by developing innovative passive restraint systems: a special four-point seatbelt as well as new curtain and side airbags.
Tailor-made to enhance safetyThe four-point seatbelt – designed as a top belt – can help to further enhance occupant protection in the event of acrash compared to conventional three-point systems. It is uniquely implemented in the BEHICLE: two retractors with integratedtensioners and load limiters are included in the rear roof area.
For buckling up, the two locking tongues extend laterally in front of the driver’s head and are therefore within easy reach forretraction from the headliner. The respective seat belt buckles are located to the left and right of the driver’s seat and areeasy to locate thanks to illuminated technology.
The straps are also equipped with ZF’s production DLT (Dynamic Locking Tongue) technology whereby a small componentin the belt tongue coordinates the restraining forces of the belt in the event of a crash in such a way that the chest and shoulderarea of the occupants is under less strain than the pelvic area.
Additionally, ZF’s new, reinforced side airbags (SABs) help to meet the relevant crash test requirements. In contrast toconventional vehicles, the restraint systems had to be positioned in the aluminum door beam instead of the seat backrest. The SABdesign also takes into account the fact that the central driver’s seat leaves more space between the driver and the door, andthat the airbags no longer adjust lengthwise to the seat.
The company’s curtain airbags (CAB), which are positioned along the A- and C-pillars with external retaining straps, providefurther efficient protection in the event of impact from the side.
ZF says its passive safety systems supplement design safety optimizations implemented by other BEHICLE project partners on thefront structure, passenger cabin and doors.
ZF’s DLT (Dynamic Locking Tongue) ensures that the restraining forces of the belt are lower in the shoulder and chest areathan they are in the pelvic area.
The lateral crash scenario is associated with the highest risk of injury for ultra-small vehicles. BEHICLE has side airbags to protectoccupants.
Innovative passive safety tech in BEHICLE is a 4-point seatbelt with attachment in the roof area, side airbags and curtain airbags.
The BEHICLE is the first lightweight EV designed to receive the five-star rating in the EURO NCAP.
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Hyundai launches Tucson 4WD at Rs 25.19 lakh Autocar Pro
Hyundai has launched a four-wheel-drive version of its Tucson SUV at Rs 25.19 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The new variant is onlyavailable in the top-spec GLS automatic trim with the diesel engine. The previous top-spec trim, the 2WD GLS has beendiscontinued in favour of the four-wheel-drive model.
The 4WD AT GLS is Rs 1.33 lakh dearer that the outgoing 2WD AT GLS trim and Rs 2.7 lakh more than the mid-spec 2WD AT GLvariant.
The four-wheel-drive system on the Tucson is an on-demand one, automatically redistributing power to the rear wheels when itdetects a loss of traction at the front. Hyundai claims that this aids fuel efficiency and minimises wear of the parts. The systemcomes with a 4WD Lock mode that can be activated by the driver; this results in a 50:50 torque split between the front and rearwheels. The system also features Advanced Traction Cornering Control (ATCC) that sends power to the wheel with the mosttraction.
Besides the addition of the 4WD system, the top-spec Tucson GLS is unchanged inside, out and under the bonnet. The SUV carrieson with the 2.0-litre diesel engine that produces 185hp and 400Nm of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
The Korean manufacturer has also updated the mid-spec petrol and diesel 2WD GL variants with more safety technology includingElectronic Stability Control (ESC), Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), Hill Assist Control (HAC), Down Hill Brake Control (DBC)
and brake assist. This has resulted in a price increase of Rs 2,000 over the diesel GL and Rs 9,000 over the petrol GL trim.
At the launch of the SUV in 2016, Hyundai had mentioned it would offer a sunroof and four-wheel drive on the Tucson. However, asof now, it's only AWD that's been added.
The Hyundai Tucson rivals the likes of the Honda CR-V, Jeep Compass and Mahindra XUV500.
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Mercedes-Benz India on a roll, sells 11,869 units in first 9 months of 2017 (+19.6%) Autocar Pro
Despite a tough marketing environment for luxury car manufacturers in India, Mercedes-Benz continues to post new sales records.The German carmaker has sold a total of 11,869 units in the January-September 2017 period, which marks robust 19.6 percentyear-on-year growth.
This performance continues on the strong sales performance right from the beginning of the year. The Pune-based company hadsold 7,171 vehicles in the January-June 2017 period (+8.7 percent), its highest ever half-yearly (H1) volume (January-June 2016:6,597 units). In the year till date, the long wheelbase E-Class sedan is its best-seller, followed by the C-Class. The GLC remains thetop-selling SUV in its portfolio, followed by the GLE.
Best third quarter in Mercedes-Benz's historyMeanwhile, with global sales of 220,894 vehicles in September (+4.5%), Mercedes-Benz has posted its 55th record month insuccession. Between January to September, the German luxury carmaker has sold a total of 1,717,300 cars, 11.7 percent morethan in the same period last year. The past three months were the best third quarter in the company’s history (573,026 units,+7.9%). In September, Mercedes-Benz was the top premium brand in several markets including Germany, France, Italy, Spain,Switzerland, Poland, Austria, Portugal, Japan, Australia, Taiwan, in the USA, Canada, Mexico and Brazil.
“Our customers’ enthusiasm for the SUVs from Mercedes-Benz is a great confirmation of our work. In September, wepeaked again and delivered more than 78,000 SUVs to customers. This means we surpassed our previous best mark by more than7,500 units,” said Britta Seeger, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Mercedes-Benz CarsMarketing & Sales.
Sales by region and marketIn Europe, more than 100,000 customers bought a Mercedes in September (+2.3%), the best monthly sales for the first nine monthsof the year. With 722,972 units sold since January, the prior-year volume was surpassed by 8.0 percent. Of these, 230,980 carswere sold in Germany, 5.7 percent more than in the year-ago period. In the past month, new unit-sales records were set in France,Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, Sweden, Poland, Austria and Portugal.
Mercedes-Benz also achieved best-ever sales in September and the first nine months also in the Asia-Pacific region: 78,891 units (+8.6%) and 661,131 in January-September 2017 (+22.9%). New sales records were posted for September and the first ninemonths of the year also in China, Japan, Australia, Taiwan and India. It is understood the carmaker has sold a total of 11,869 units(+19.6%) in India. Demand in China rose at a double-digit rate with sales of 51,127 units last month and 442,899 units in theJanuary-September period (+29.9%).
In the NAFTA region, Mercedes-Benz achieved a new high in September with sales of 34,698 units, reflecting the strong growth andbest-ever sales figures in Canada and Mexico. In the USA, Mercedes-Benz delivered more than 29,000 vehicles in September and242,250 in the first nine months of this year.
Sales by modelThe E-Class Saloon and Estate posted their next sales record in September, with 32,178 units (+15.1%). Since the beginning of theyear, their unit sales have risen by 57.4%, resulting in best-ever figures also for that period. More than twice as many units as in thefirst nine months of last year were sold of the long-wheelbase version of the E-Class Saloon, which is offered exclusively in Chinaand India.
SUVs posted record sales in September and the first nine months of the year. In the past month, 78,277 SUVs were handed over tocustomers (+14.8%), approximately 7,500 more than in the previous bestselling month for the SUVs. This success was aided bybest-ever unit sales of the GLA, the GLC, the GLC Coupé and the G-Class.
The dream cars of Mercedes-Benz posted an increase of 20.9 percent in September. Total sales of 131,572 of these models sincethe beginning of the year are 27.3 percent above the prior-year level. This September, the E-Class Cabriolet was launched inGermany and the USA and the new S-Class Cabriolet and Coupé were presented to the public for the first time at the FrankfurtMotor Show.
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Car Trade (www.cartrade.com)
Hyundai launches Experience Hyundai campaign
Cartrade.com
In an effort to expand its presence in the rural Indian markets, Hyundai Motors India Limited has launched the ‘ExperienceHyundai’ campaign across 418 rural locations. A Caravan of Hyundai cars will arrive in smaller towns and villages to help thecompany connect with the rural markets. The Pan-India road show campaign during the festive season organized by India’ssecond largest car manufacturer will help the brand indulge in better engagement activity with potential customers.
In efforts to reach out directly to customers, the teams will visit residential colonies, markets, banks, schools and colleges, postoffices and other commercial complexes over the next three months and showcase the range of Hyundai cars. Speaking about thecampaign, Rakesh Srivastava, Director, Sales and Marketing, Hyundai Motor India Ltd. said, “Rural market is a key driver inHyundai’s growth strategy in India as these markets are growing fast with the economy. Our continued focus throughinitiatives such as ‘Experience Hyundai’ campaign has made Hyundai a preferred brand in the growing rural market.We are confident of establishing a strong brand presence for Hyundai offering unparalleled value through global technology andfeature-rich cars to the customers in the rural market.”
Hyundai will also offer test drives and festive schemes to interested customers. Moreover, the company claims that it will also offerfestive schemes, attractive finance and exchange offers along-side various interactive games, quiz, assured gifts and lucky draws.
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Mercedes-Benz extends its lead in luxury car sales Cartrade.com
The German car maker has managed to sell 11,869 units from January till September, registering a 19 per cent growth over thesame period in 2016. The last quarter from July to September, had witnessed a phenomenal 41 per cent increase in sales over lastyear. Mercedes sold 4,698 units in the previous quarter as compared to the 3,327 units it sold in the corresponding quarter in 2016.
The sustained rise in Mercedes-Benz sales in India is a result of the three-pointed star’s product offensive. With ten carslaunched in this calendar year, Mercedes has the biggest product portfolio amongst luxury car makers, offering a wide choice to thebuyers. Also, Mercedes has the highest number of service centres in the country which help easing out the ownership experience.
Surprisingly, it is the not the GLA but the GLC which has been the highest selling SUV from the Mercedes stable. Not so surprisingis the Mercedes E-Class’ continued dominance on the sales charts thanks to its long-wheelbase charisma. We can expectMercedes to launch the new C-Class by the end of this year amongst other launches.
Roland Folger, MD and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said that, “We are glad to witness our India strategy working and ourvolume contribution to the luxury car industry on the rise. As inventors of automobiles globally and of luxury wheels in India, weremain bullish on the fast changing dynamics of the Indian automotive industry.”
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Hyundai Tucson 4WD launched in India Cartrade.com
Hyundai it seems has decided to give the Tucson an extra dose of versatility to help it compete better against the Jeep Compassrange. Available only with front-wheel drive until now, the Tucson has now received a 4WD variant which has been priced at Rs25.19 lakh ex-showroom.
Hyundai says that the 4WD hardware is offered only in 2-litre diesel AT GLS trim. The system comes with on-demand functionwhich sends power to the rear wheels when it detects loss of grip on the primarily driven wheels. It also offers 4WD Lock mode,resulting in a torque split of 50:50 between front and rear wheels.
Besides adding a new variant, Hyundai has updated the lower trim levels with more safety features. In fact, the 2WD AT GL trimsfor both petrol and diesel Tucson now get Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), hill assist andbrake assist as standard.
The Tucson petrol range is priced between Rs 17.99 lakh and Rs 20.99 lakh whereas the diesel range comes in between Rs 19.95lakh and Rs 22.49 lakh.
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