Auto Expo 2016: All you need to know

The Auto Expo 2016 being held from Feb 5 - 9 will feature over 65 exhibitors from the automotive and related industries.

Being jointly organised by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), the latest edition of the Auto Expo which will be held at the India Exposition Mart Ltd (IEML) in Greater Noida from February 5-9, 2016 is expected to be the largest one till date.

We had reported in October than SIAM was preparing enclosed permanent structures at the venue to increase the total air-conditioned permanently covered floor space. The total floor space has been increased by 37,240 sq. metres (six new halls) over and above the already available eight halls, taking the total floor space to around 79,000 sq. metres.

The Auto Expo 2016 is expected to see an increase in visitors with SIAM calculating a 20 per cent rise compared to the previous edition. The number of exhibitors for the event has also risen to over 65 exhibitors from last year's count of 55.

Participating brands

The major automotive brands to be present at the Auto Expo 2016 will include Ashok Leyland, Audi, BMW, Datsun, Fiat, Ford, General Motors, Honda cars, Hyundai, Isuzu, Jaguar Land Rover, Mahindra and Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Renault, Scania Commercial Vehicles, SML Isuzu, Tata Motors, Toyota Kirloskar Motors, VE Commercial vehicles, Volkswagen India and more. From the two- wheeler industry, the major brands to be present include Hero MotoCorp, Yamaha, Mahindra 2-Wheelers, Piaggio Vehicles, Suzuki Motorcycles, Triumph Motorcycles, TVS Motor Company and more. There will also be new entrants such as Abarth, BMW Motorrad, Jeep, DSK Benelli, Indian Motorcycles and many more. However, Bajaj, Volvo and Harley-Davidson will not be a part of this edition of the Auto Expo.

The expo  will also exhibit high-end bicycles, tyres and tubes, oil companies, Automotive Design and Technology, Engineering and IT for automobile companies, institutions, universities, auto insurance companies and media and auto portals/magazines.

There will also be a pavilion dedicated to classic cars and areas for activities such as safety riding and driving simulators.

Accessibility

The venue will be accessible through six entry points with CISF handling the security. There will also be free shuttle services available from the nearest metro station, which is the Botanical Gardens, Noida city centre and Pragati Maidan with as many as 160 DTC busses being pressed into service. Furthermore, there will also be an smartphone app available to help navigate through the various exhibits at the venue.

Network connectivity

The venue will provide Wi-Fi and internet coverage along with telecom companies having being asked to provide special towers to avoid network congestion at the venue.

Tickets and timings

Ticket bookings for the expo are already open on the Auto Expo’s official website www.autoexpo-themotorshow.in and www.bookmyshow.com. The tickets are priced at Rs 300 for general public hours during weekdays (1pm - 6pm), and Rs 400 for weekends (10am - 7pm). For visiting during business hours on weekdays (10am - 1pm), tickets cost Rs 650. However, business hours ticket holders will also be able to enter the venue during public hours, until 6pm.

Free home delivery is offered on bookings of 3 to 10 tickets made before December 31, 2015. Otherwise, home delivery charges of Rs 75 per booking will be levied. Home delivery will not available for tickets booked online after January 25, 2016. Delivery starts from January 15, 2016, or the tickets can  be collected from counters located at parking lots near the venue.

Hospitality

The Auto Expo will also have a food court which gets an extra 1,000 sq. metres over the one at the previous expo. The food court will hold 60 food stalls, 20 kiosks and multiple food trucks offering an assortment of cuisine from international brands and prominent local restaurants and outlets. Two restaurants run by the Taj and Radisson Hotels have also been arranged for at the venue.

Like in 2014, this year's Auto Components Show – one of the biggest exhibitions of automotive components, technology and services – will take place from February 4 -7, at Pragati Maidan.

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Supreme Court bans registration of diesel cars and SUVs over 2000cc in Delhi-NCR

Ban to be in place until March 2016 in Delhi-NCR. Here is a list of all cars affected by the Supreme Court's judgement.

In an attempt to reduce air pollution levels in Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR), the Supreme Court today banned registration of diesel cars and SUV's with engine capacities of above 2,000cc in both the regions till March 31, 2016. 

The move follows the National Green Tribunal’s recent blanket order to curb registration of all diesel cars in Delhi until the next hearing on January 6 and also restrict renewal of registration of such vehicles which are more than 10 years old. The tribunal had also asked central and state government to stop buying diesel cars in Delhi.

The NGT’s order was met with criticism from Delhi-based car dealers, who then filed a plea seeking an alteration of the order claiming that sales of diesel cars manufactured in 2015 should be allowed since the existing stock would become obsolete by next year.

Moreover, homegrown carmaker Mahindra & Mahindra also came out strongly in opposition of the move with its president (Auto and Farm sectors), Pawan Goenka, saying that singling out and stopping registrations of new diesel passenger vehicles in Delhi will not solve the rampant problem of pollution in the city.

Apart from curbing new car registrations, the Supreme Court has also restricted the entry of non Delhi-bound trucks registered before 2005 in the National Capital Region and hiked the pollution cess on commercial vehicles entering Delhi to somewhere between Rs 1,400 and Rs 2,600.

The ban will seriously affect vehicle manufacturers such as Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Motors, as well as luxury carmakers such as Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Jaguar and BMW, which have products with diesel engines over the 2,000cc capacity.

In an official statement issued today, Mahindra acknowledged that the Supreme Court's order will affect sales of some of its products in the NCR region. "The vehicles affected represent about 2 percent of the Company's total monthly sales. The company is in the process of evaluating various options to work within the framework provided by the Honerable Supreme Court," the statement added. 

Here is a list of all cars affected by the Supreme Court's judgement:

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Maruti bags shareholder approval for Gujarat plant

Voting by minority shareholders for the proposal, which was a subject of much debate, took place between November 16 and December 15, 2015.

Maruti Suzuki India has announced that a majority of its minority shareholders have voted in favour of the contract manufacturing agreement (with Suzuki Motor Corp) for the contract manufacturing agreement for production and sale of vehicles from the new Gujarat plant (which will commence production in early 2017). Also approved is the lease deed for leasing land for purposes of implementing the contract manufacturing agreement.

Voting by minority shareholders began on November 16 and ended on December 15. The result of the voting, according to the scrutineer, is that 89.75% have ruled in favour of the resolution and 10.25% against.

RC Bhargava, chairman of Maruti Suzuki India, said: “This is beneficial for Maruti because we do not have to now invest in the Gujarat plant. Maruti can use the money instead for strengthening its R&D and on extending the marketing and distribution network.”

The Gujarat plant is set to get commissioned in early 2017 and will see a total investment of around Rs 18,500 crore with Suzuki bringing in equity of around Rs 8,000-Rs 10,000 crore. With Maruti Suzuki, which currently commands a near 53% share of the passenger car market, running out of production capacity, the upcoming Gujarat plant will give it new momentum.

Given the ongoing diesel dilemma in the Delhi and NCR region, Maruti Suzuki India, with its stable of petrol-engined cars, is well placed to capitalise on future demand.

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Detroit motor show 2016 preview

Here is a look at some of the cars that have been confirmed for the 2016 Detroit motor show.

The Detroit motor show 2016 will commence on January 11, 2016. Also known as the North American International Auto Show, the platform will showcase plenty of new and updated cars and bikes.

Among the new cars being unveiled will be the next-generation Mercedes E-class, the Infiniti Q60 and the all-new Volvo S90 along with a variety of US-specific models from automakers such as Cadillac, Chevrolet and Ford.

However, there are some manufacturers who will be giving the Detroit motor show a miss. British automakers, JLR and McLaren have confirmed that they won’t be present at the show, while Mini is reported to not be attending the event.

Some of the cars to be present at the event are:

BMW M2

The smallest M car from BMW is a replacement for the limited-run production 1M Coupe from 2010. The M2 is powered by a 362bhp 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-petrol engine. When launched internationally, it will rival the likes of the Mercedes-AMG A45 and Audi RS3.

Infiniti Q60

The Infiniti Q60 that has been seen testing on international roads will be unveiled in its production guise at the event. Earlier showcased as the Q60 concept at the Detroit motor show 2015, the production version of the coupé is expected to get styling similar to the concept.

Lexus LF-FC

Lexus is expected to reveal the production version of its LF-FC 2+2 coupe concept from 2010 at the show, with its international launch scheduled for mid 2016. The production LF-FC is expected to become the company’s answer to the Porsche 911.

Mercedes-AMG S65 Cabriolet

If the AMG S63 Cabriolet wasn’t enough, Mercedes-AMG will be unveiling its more powerful V12- powered S65 Cabriolet. Drawing power from a 5.5-litre twin-turbo 621bhp V12, the AMG S65 Cabriolet will sit above the S-class Cabriolet in the line-up when it goes on sale sometime in 2016.

Mercedes E-class

The new E-class will make its debut at the show with subsequent derivative models to follow later. The cars get styling in line with the S-class and C-class, as well as a range of new and revised engines. The car’s interior appears to be a cross between that of the S-class and C-class with digital instrument clusters and large infotainment display provided on top variants.

Mercedes SLC

The recently unveiled facelift of the SLK, the SLC, will be showcased at the event. The car gets styling changes to the exterior, updates to the interior and a line-up of new engines including a range- topping twin-turbo V6 engine for the new AMG model.

Porsche 911 Turbo, Turbo S

Porsche will introduce its facelifted 911 Turbo and Turbo S. Both models get revised styling, updates to the interiors and upgraded versions of the current twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre six-cylinder petrol engine, with as much as 572bhp on tap in the Turbo S.

Volvo S90

The replacement to the ageing S80, the S90 will become the company’s new Mercedes E-class rival. Powering the car will be engines from the new Volvo XC90 including the range-topping T8 Twin Engine hybrid. Also expected on the model is a new downsized hybrid powertrain.

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New Honda Accord, BR-V to be showcased at Auto Expo 2016

The new Accord will be offered with petrol and hybrid powertrain options; BR-V to compete with the Hyundai Creta and the Renault Duster.

The Honda Accord sedan is all set to make its official comeback. To be showcased at the 2016 Auto Expo, the new Honda Accord will be sold in India with petrol-only and petrol-hybrid powertrain options. The current-generation Accord was earlier showcased at the 2014 Auto Expo in its pre-facelifted avatar. The upcoming edition of the show will feature the recently updated model.

To be sold as a CBU in India, the Accord could cost a bit more than its direct rival, the Toyota Camry. The hybrid model will also benefit from the FAME scheme and will be priced slightly higher than the standard car.

Besides the Accord, Honda’s second big unveiling at the Delhi Auto Expo will be its rival to the Hyundai Creta, the BR-V SUV which will be shown in India for the first time.

Although based on the same platform as the Brio, Amaze and the Mobilio, the BR-V looks more angular and rugged. At 2,652mm, the wheelbase is the same as the Mobilio. There will be the familiar 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines on offer, and both are likely to get a slight bump in power. Also, the petrol-powered model is expected to come with a CVT gearbox, which if confirmed will be a segment first.

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BMW to showcase four new models at Auto Expo 2016

The new BMW M2, X1 SUV, 7-series sedan and 3-series facelift will be present at the 2016 Auto Expo.

BMW will unveil three new models and one facelift at the 2016 Auto Expo that'll be held from February 5-9. The line-up includes the new BMW M2, X1 SUV, 7-series sedan and the 3-series facelift. Here are a few details of the models to be showcased.

BMW M2

Unveiled recently, the BMW M2 is a direct successor to the limited-run 1-series M Coupe which was offered on sale internationally. The M2 is the BMW M division’s smallest offering and will sit below the M3 and M4 in the carmaker's global line-up. The M2 draws power from a heavily reworked version of the 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-petrol N55 engine that powered the 1-series M Coupe. In terms of performance, the manual M2 has a claimed 0-100kph sprint time of 4.5 seconds with its automatic counterpart doing the same in 4.2 seconds. Top speed is limited to 250kph but can be raised to 270kph. BMW is likely to launch the M2 in India around April 2016.

BMW X1

The BMW X1 may have been the model that introduced the compact luxury SUV segment in India, but over the years with rivals like the Mercedes-Benz GLA and Audi Q3, the competition has been tough. This new model could just change that. Designed to look more SUV than jacked-up estate, the new X1 is also more spacious on the inside than the outgoing one. The last bit has been made possible by building the X1 on BMW’s new front-wheel- drive platform. While some may mourn the demise of the original’s defining rear-wheel-drive set-up, the carmaker insists the new X1 still drives like a BMW should. For India, the X1 will most likely be available with BMW’s 189bhp, 2.0-litre diesel motor, eight-speed automatic gearbox and xDrive all-wheel drive.

BMW 7-series sedan

The recently unveiled BMW 7-series is a significantly better car than its predecessor. Its evolutionary styling may not seem exciting initially, but its classy interior, high-tech features, improved ride and sharp handling elevate it to a new level of excellence, making it a much more serious rival to the S-class. It's almost as good from the back seat and is much nicer to drive, and that puts the new 7-series back in the game. BMW is likely to launch this model at the Auto Expo 2016.

BMW 3-series facelift

The facelifted 3-series will feature minor cosmetic tweaks to make it look wider than the earlier car. It gets an all-new front bumper with a wider air dam. Select variants get the option of LED headlamps. Also seen is a restyled rear bumper and new LED tail-lamps. In India, we expect the updated 3-series to continue with the 2.0-litre diesel engine that is offered in the current car.

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Picariello and Reddy win in MRF Challenge

The race was red-flagged on lap three when Guiliano Alesi crashed. The final result was based on the combined times of the race.

Indian Tarun Reddy won his first race of the MRF Challenge 2015 after beating Tatiana Calderon in race two of Round 3 of the MRF Challenge 2015 at the Dubai Autodrome.

The race was red-flagged on lap three when Guiliano Alesi crashed. The final result was based on the combined times of the race before the red flag and the last five laps of the race.

While Calderon crossed the finish line in first place after overtaking Reddy, the Indian driver was adjudged the winner after winning the race by 0.260secs. Russian driver Nikita Troitckii got his second podium of the day with a third place finish. Earlier in the day Alessio Picariello continued his great form by winning Race 1 after a three way battle with Pietro Fittipaldi and Troitckii, who finished in 2^nd and 3^rd place.

In Race one, pole sitter Picariello kept his lead into the first corner while Troitckii held on to 2^nd place with Fittipaldi jumping a slow starting Sean Walkinshaw into 3^rd. Female driver Tatiana Calderon had a qualifying session to forget but made up for it with a great start. She hunted down 4^th place man Harrison Newey on lap 2 to move up another place. The battle for the lead was heating up with Picariello unable to shake off Troitckii and Fittipaldi. Fittipaldi took advantage of the battle to pass Troitckii on lap 6 and move into 2^nd place.

Behind them Calderon was 4^th place with fast charging Indian Reddy moving up from 10^th on the grid to 5^th on lap 7 after some good overtaking moves. Picariello crossed the finish line in first place with Fittipaldi and Troitckii in tow, the top three being covered by less than a second. Calderon finished in 4^th place with Reddy in a strong 5^th place, ahead of Max Fewtrell. Harrison Newey finished in 7^thplace, ahead of Nerses Isaakyan, Dylan Young and Giuliano Alesi.

Race two started with Max Fewtrell on reverse grid pole, alongside Reddy. Reddy got the jump on him and moved into first place into the first corner. He was followed by Fewtrell, Troitckii, Calderon and Picariello. Alesi crashed at the end of lap 1 with Sean Walkinshaw also crashing out in a separate incident which brought out the safety car. The race was finally red-flagged on lap 3 to clear the car and fix the barrier. Picariello suffered a steering problem and was forced to pit and start from there for the restart ending his dream run of results. The race was to be restarted and be a 5 lap encounter.

Reddy led from the start and was followed by Fewtrell and a fast starting Calderon. Calderon started putting pressure on Reddy and finally passed the Indian on the penultimate lap. Calderon crossed the finish line in first place with Reddy holding off 4 cars to finish in 2^nd place. He was adjudged the winner by tiniest of margins with Calderon having to settle for 2^nd place. Troitckii finished in 3^rd, followed by Fewtrell, Isaakyan, Fittipaldi and Young.

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Continental to showcase intelligent car windows at CES 2016

The technology called ‘Intelligent Glass Control’ uses special films which changes the transparency of windows through electric control signals.

 

Continental has developed a new technology that can darken car windows at the touch of a button. This new technology called ‘Intelligent Glass Control’ will be showcased in a demo vehicle at the Consumer Electronics Show 2016.

Intelligent Glass Control uses special films which are inserted into the glass and which change their transparency through electric control signals. This production-ready film technology is based on embedded particles that arrange themselves randomly when unpowered and darken the window from outside, while retaining transparency from the inside to the outside. If voltage is applied, the particles systematically align themselves parallelly, so that the window becomes permeable to light in both directions.

Additionally, solar radiation can be reduced more effectively by using these films. Andreas Wolf, head of Continental’s Body & Security business unit explains, “This means that we can keep the heat out of the vehicle and significantly reduce the interior temperature." This also makes it easy on the air-conditioning unit. In addition to the reduced heat in the cabin, the darkening also effectively enhances privacy.

Wolf added that the selective, incremental darkening of the side and rear windows, as well as parts of the windshield also makes driving safer. A typical example is a low sun on the horizon. The driver's hand instinctively goes from the steering wheel to the sun visor. “This results in both impaired visibility and a brief decrease in control of the vehicle," said Wolf.  In the future such situations can be detected in advance, and the windows could darken automatically before the event even occurs.

Engineers at Continental will demonstrate the intelligent activation of what it calls ‘Suspended Particle Device’ film technology for side and rear windows and the windshield for the first time in a test vehicle. While auto-tinting films which can be used for targeted darkening of the window have been available for a long time already, this technology has only been feasible in the roof area for a small number of high-end cars.

The available film still has a slightly blue shimmer, but Continental is expecting a broader range of colours in the future, thus opening up additional design possibilities.

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Audi A3 facelift begins testing

The updated A3 sports cosmetic modifications at the front; could get the addition of a new turbo 1.8-litre engine.

The A3 sedan was globally unveiled in 2013. Although not too much time has passed since then, Audi seems prepared to launch a facelifted version of the sedan. Spy shots of a camouflaged A3 undergoing test runs have been released on the internet and from what it reveals, the car has received quite a few noticeable updates.

At the front, the prominent changes include a new front bumper, a wider grille and restyled headlights that are similar to the ones on Audi A4, that was recently introduced in some global markets. The spy pictures do not reveal any changes at the back, but this being a test mule it’s possible for the production version to receive cosmetic tweaks. On the inside, it will receive a few trim and upholstery updates. The facelift A3 is expected to get a digital instrument cluster along with an upgraded infotainment system.

The updated A3 model is likely to retain the engines from the current car. There's a 177bhp 1.8-litre TFSI direct-injection turbo-petrol motor mated to a seven-speed gearbox and a 141bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine paired to a six-speed automatic gearbox. However, unconfirmed reports suggest that the car could also get a new turbocharged 1.8-litre engine that produces 190bhp and has cylinder-deactivation technology.

Audi hasn’t revealed any details officially, but as per reports the car could be unveiled at the 2016 Paris motor show.

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Bugatti Chiron teased

The Chiron will borrow styling cues from the Vision Gran Turismo concept; 100 orders have already been accepted.

Bugatti has released a teaser image of its upcoming Veyron replacement, the Chiron, prior to its public reveal at the Geneva motor show 2016. The official teaser image shows the car under covers.

Named after Louis Chiron, a former racing driver for the company during the 1920s and 30s, the new car borrows styling details from the Vision Gran Turismo concept which was revealed at the 2015 Frankfurt motor show. Images of test mules have shown styling elements borrowed from the concept, such as thinner LED headlight clusters, a more prominent front grille and flatter bonnet.

Though no details as to the new car’s powertrain were revealed, Wolfgang Dürheimer, Bugatti's president, said: “The development brief for the Chiron can be summarised in one sentence, which is probably the shortest in the history of the automobile: We want to make the best significantly better. The Chiron will set new standards in every respect. We will continue to produce the world’s most powerful, fastest, most luxurious and most exclusive production super sportscar. This is the claim of Bugatti and our customers.”

Bugatti is said to have showcased the Chiron to prospective customers, and is stated to have received orders for 100 units of the car.

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Best car discounts for December 2015

Here is a look at some of the best discounts offered by dealers this month.

A new month brings with it a number of discounts for customers to avail at dealerships. With the year end approaching, automakers are offering some good discounts to clear out existing stock of their vehicles. Here is a run-down of some of the best discounts you can find for the month of December.

Hatchbacks

Tata Bolt

The Bolt makes a good choice of car in the hatchback segment. It's spacious, well-equipped, nice to drive and it’s available with a cash discount of up to Rs 20,000 along with exchange benefits of up to Rs 40,000. Total savings amount to Rs 60,000.

Hyundai i10

On its i10 hatchback, Hyundai is offering benefits like free insurance worth Rs 16,000 along with a cash benefit of Rs 14,000. If you plan to trade-in your current car, Hyundai dealers are offering an additional benefit of Rs 20,000 taking total saving to Rs 50,000.

New Ford Figo

The new Figo is a very capable hatchback with many first-in-class features on offer. Ford is offering benefits such as free insurance and exchange benefits of up to Rs 25,000 on your old car.

Honda Brio

Honda dealers are offering a good deal to those interested in the Brio hatchback. The manufacturer is offering benefits of up to Rs 20,000, depending on the trim level opted for.

  

SUV

Maruti S-Cross

Buyers considering the Maruti S-Cross can avail an exchange or loyalty benefit of up to Rs 30,000 at Nexa showrooms. The crossover from Maruti can be had with either the 1.3- or 1.6-litre diesel engine mated to a five- or six-speed manual gearbox respectively.

Volvo XC60

The XC60 doesn’t have the appeal of a similarly sized German SUV but is one of the safest cars you can buy in the country. Buyers looking for a luxury SUV can consider the XC60 which comes with a flat cash benefit of Rs 6 lakh across all variants.

Ford EcoSport

Buyers interested in the Ford EcoSport can get access to benefits like free insurance and additional benefits of up to Rs 25,000 in exchange of their old vehicles. The EcoSport comes with a choice of two petrols and one diesel engine.

BMW X5

If you are looking at purchasing a big German SUV, the BMW X5 comes with a cash discount of Rs 6.30 lakh if you buy it on-road from the authorised dealer. You also get additional benefits of up to Rs 70,000 on the exchange of your old car taking total benefits up to Rs 7 lakh.

Tata Sumo Gold

The Tata Sumo will get you a flat cash discount of Rs 10,000 across all variants and an additional exchange benefit of Rs 15,000 over and above the value of your old car. This adds to a total benefit of Rs 25,000.

Sedans

Honda Amaze

Honda is offering a flat discount of Rs 40,000 on all models of its spacious compact sedan, the Amaze. The car can be had with a choice of 1.2-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines paired to a choice of five-speed manual or automatic gearboxes.

Maruti Ciaz

The Ciaz is a good choice for buyers looking for a spacious mid-sized sedan. Maruti is offering a discount of Rs 10,000 on the car over and above a loyalty bonus and exchange value of the old car.

BMW 3-series

This might be a good time for buyers looking for an affordable, good-to-drive German compact luxury sedan. BMW dealers are offering a flat Rs 4 lakh cash discount on all the trim levels of the diesel-only 3-series sedan.

BMW 5-series

Buyers looking for a larger and more spacious offering than the 3-series could opt for the larger 5-series diesel sedan. The Bavarian automaker is offering a flat discount of Rs 5 lakh across all trim levels of this large luxury sedan.

Audi A4

Another German company offering a competitive discount on its luxury sedan is Audi. Dealers are offer a flat cash discount of Rs 4 lakh across all trim levels of its A4 sedan, subject to the availability of the vehicle at the dealership.

Volvo S60

Buyers considering a high-on-safety premium sedan could consider the Volvo S60 as dealers are offering a cash discount of up to Rs 5 lakh on all trim levels as per availability of stock.

Hyundai Verna

The Hyundai Verna is one of the best-looking cars in its segment and for buyers considering this car, dealers are offering benefits up to Rs 25,000. The car can be opted for with a 1.4-litre diesel or 1.6-litre petrol engine with a choice of manual or automatic gearboxes.

Mercedes Benz C-class

Mercedes too is offering a discount on its BMW 3-series and Audi A4 rival, the C-class. Buyers can benefit from a flat cash discount of Rs 3 lakh on the Mercedes C-class, on cars in stock. Buyers can choose from one petrol and two diesel models.

Nissan Sunny

Nissan is offering benefits up to Rs 75,000 on the petrol and close to Rs 45,000 on the diesel versions of its mid-sized sedan, the Sunny. The car is available in a petrol and diesel guise with a choice of manual or CVT gearboxes.

The above discounts are subject to change depending on location and dealership.

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New Toyota Innova, first look

The ever-popular Innova grows larger and more premium. Here is a comprehensive first look at its exteriors and interior.

Expected to make its way to Indian shores early next year, the new Innova is longer, wider and taller than the one it will replace. The car features a design that is a big step forward from the one currently on sale here. The minimalist look of current car makes way for a design with dozens of stylistic flourishes. However, it still can  be recognised as an Innova.

Up front, the nose borrows styling cues from more recent models like the Corolla Altis and Camry. The big hexagonal grille is wider and taller, and extends all the way to the base of the nose. The headlamps are double-barrel projector units with integrated LED daytime-running lamps.

From the sides, the van-like shape of the car is unmistakable but Toyota has done much to make the car look more attractive and new. The upward kink in the windowline towards the rear is very different from the current car as is the large, SUV-like front overhang. The two-piece 'inverted seven' shaped tail-lights with LED detailing and large rear windshield further add to the car’s looks.

Like the exteriors, the new Innova's interiors too get a dramatic change. It’s now more upmarket, better equipped, and built to an all-new standard with multiple surfaces, textures and colours used to make the new dash more visually appealing. Toyota has also upped the premium feel by including features like mood lighting, dual-zone climate control, an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation, voice- and gesture-based commands and Bluetooth, along with internet connectivity in some models.

Furthermore, the use of slimmer seats is expected to have upped the space efficiency of the car; adding to the legroom of the second row while the increased length will have freed up more space for the third row as well.

Powering the new Innova will be a new smaller 2.4-litre diesel engine, replacing the existing 2.5-litre unit. Power, however, is up by a huge 45bhp to 147bhp. The engine is paired with either a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic gearbox, respectively. The increase in power is not only expected to improve the car’s specific output compared to rivals but also allow for a more relaxed cruising experience.

While the new car still uses a ladder frame chassis and independent front suspension like the old model, the rear now gets a new four-link setup. Having moved more upmarket, the car also sees the inclusion of more modern systems like ABS, Hill Descent Control and Electronic Stability Control, some of which are likely to be offered on the Indian model.

The use of slimmer seats and larger dimensions is expected to free up leg-room.

When Toyota launches the new Innova in India, it is likely to garner plenty of interest from car buyers looking for an attractive and upmarket MPV. The interiors are clearly a big step up on the current car, while space is also expected to be improved along with performance. However, the premium positioning of the car is expected to reflect on its price as well; the range is expected to start at around Rs 12 lakh for the base version and go all the way up to Rs 16 lakh (all prices, ex-showroom) for the fully loaded model. The automatic version could be even more expensive. Still, we expect buyers to willingly part with the higher amount with the car expected to be substantially better than the current model.

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Benelli TNT 25 launched at Rs 1.68 lakh

Benelli has added its most important bike in India this far, the 250cc single TNT 25.

Italian motorcycle manufacturer, Benelli has just launched the TNT 25, adding yet another option for customers to pick from in the sub-300cc space. The motorcycle is styled quite similarly to the TNT 300, with a small, dual vertically stacked headlamp, and a short wind deflector on top of it. The handlebars are quite flat in profile, and have plush palm grips on each end. The switchgear too, is smartly finished and feels good to use.

The tank looks quite compact, yet aggressive in its design. It has twin flanks on each side, and a black bi-section down the middle. The seat is a split unit, and ends in a smartly finished rear end. An added interesting visual bit is the exposed trellis frame under the tank, which adds to the sporty appeal of the motorcycle.

The engine is a 249cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, four-stroke unit which is good for 28.2bhp of maximum power, and 2.2kgm of maximum torque. This is mated to a six-speed gearbox. With the motorcycle weighing in at 150kg, the power to weight ratio is a healthy 187.7bhp per tonne.

Suspending the motorcycle are upside down forks on the front, and a monoshock mounted on a box section swingarm. The base variant Benelli TNT 25 has 17 inch 12-spoke alloy wheels. There are 110/70 section MRF tyres in front, and 150/60 section at the rear, and you can buy the TNT 25 with better Metzeler tyres as well. Braking is performed by a single 280mm single disc on the front and a 240mm single disc on the rear.

The Benelli TNT 25 is available in two colours, red or white. The motorcycle has been priced at Rs 1.68-1.75 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). 

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Maruti YBA compact SUV ready for launch

Maruti’s compact SUV, the YBA, is in final stages of testing; Auto Expo 2016 launch expected.

Maruti has been testing its direct rival to the Ford EcoSport, the new compact SUV (codenamed: YBA) since a year. The YBA will put Maruti in one of India's most booming segments, which currently has players such as the Ford EcoSport and Mahindra TUV300. It will be positioned below the S-Cross crossover in Maruti’s line-up. However, whether this model will be sold via the “standard” Maruti dealerships or the premium Nexa outlets is yet to be confirmed.

 

The Maruti YBA compact SUV will be under four metres long and, as seen in earlier spy pictures, the exterior styling will make it appear muscular. An older set of spy pics suggests that its styling will be heavily inspired by the Suzuki Vitara SUV sold internationally. It retains the tapering windowline, angular tail-lamps and the ‘open-mouthed’ lower air dam. The new SUV’s grill will get chrome treatment as seen on the S-Cross crossover. Overall, the YBA’s look is a good mix of sporty and rugged. The wheel arches don’t have excessive cladding, the windscreen is steeply raked back and, thanks to a floating C-pillar, the glasshouse gets a cockpit-like look.

On the insides, the YBA will come loaded with features. One can safely expect equipment like Maruti’s SmartPlay system to make its way in the higher trims of the YBA. Also, the top variants will come with stylish 16-inch alloys, which can be seen in the spy pics. The interiors on these test mules was all-black.

 

This new SUV will be powered by Maruti’s existing range of petrol and diesel engines. This could well range from the 1.2- and 1.4-litre petrol engines and the tried-and-tested Fiat-derived 1.3-litre diesel. It was earlier revealed that this new SUV will be the first Maruti to debut with the company’s in-house diesel engine, but this new motor will make its way in the YBA sometime in the future, probably with the model’s mid-cycle facelift which can be expected in two-three years after the launch.

 

There is no confirmation on the new SUV’s real name as of now. Our sources, however, tell us that it could be called the Maruti iV-4 upon launch. As seen on the Baleno, one can safely expect an aggressive price for this compact SUV when it hits Indian shores next year.

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