New cars for 2017: Upcoming sedans

Here is an exhaustive list of all the new sedans due to be launched next year.

The coming year has it all set for the appearance of some spectacular sedans. Mercedes is set to bring in the new E-class; BMW, the new 5 series, while Honda is set to give its bestseller, the City, a much anticipated facelift. Other notable inclusions include the launch of the all-new Essentia compact sedan from Chevrolet and Tata’s highly anticipated Kite 5 compact sedan.

Here is the longlist of sedans expected in the coming months.

Chevrolet Essentia

Following Volkswagen’s Ameo, it’s Chevrolet that’s now going the made-in-India, make-for-India way with the Essentia. It’s a sub-four-metre compact sedan based on the next-gen Beat hatchback that will arrive in 2017. Positioned half a segment below compact sedans like the Swift Dzire, the Essentia will rival Tata’s upcoming Tiago-based compact sedan. However, despite its compact dimensions, the near production-ready concept showcased at the 2016 Auto Expo revealed how well Chevrolet managed to pull off the sedan shape. More importantly, it packs quite a spacious interior for its size. The carmaker also plans on giving the car a premium interior and upmarket features like its MyLink touchscreen infotainment system.

Besides the underpinnings, the sedan will also share the 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol and diesel engines with the Beat hatchback.

Coming: March 2017
Price: Rs 4.5-7 lakh
Engine: 1.0 P, 1.0 D

New Audi A8

Audi’s next-gen A8 is likely to raise the bar in the big luxury sedan game, especially in terms of looks and tech. It takes much of its low-slung styling from the futuristic Prologue concept, and futuristic really seems to be the theme on the car. The interior features a virtual dashboard with all functions controlled via three highly configurable screens – a digital instrument cluster, a 14.1-inch central touchscreen and a smaller unit for the air-con controls. Engine options are likely to include 4.0-litre V8 and 6.3-litre petrols, a 3.0-litre diesel, a more potent 4.0-litre V8 diesel with the electric supercharging tech from the SQ7, and even a hybrid powertrain. India could even get a 190hp 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel in entry-level variants.

Coming: Late 2017
Price: Rs 1.2-2 crore
Engines: 3.0 P, 3.0 D, 4.0 P, 4.0 D

New BMW 5-Series

The next 5-series is one of many all-new models that its segment will soon witness. It’s features an aluminium-intensive construction akin to the new 7-series, making it as much as 100kg lighter than the current 5, and hence more fuel-efficient. It’s marginally longer, wider and taller too, and much of the freed-up room has gone into making the rear seats more spacious. Besides making it more comfortable and luxurious, BMW has also brimmed the 5-series with autonomous driving aids like steering and lane control assist and crossroads warning, most of which unfortunately, won’t make it to the Indian car. However, we will get tech like the gesture-control and voice-command enabled iDrive infotainment system which is offered on the pricier 7-series.

Coming: Late 2017
Price: Rs 55-65 lakh
Engines: 2.0 P, 2.0 D, 3.0 D

New Audi S5 Sportback

If the new A4 is too buttoned up for you, Audi has something that might just hit the spot. Meet the second-generation S5 Sportback. It’s got all the appeal and practicality of the new A4 – a tech-loaded, superbly appointed and spacious interior, and a 480-litre boot – plus, it comes in a sexier four-door coupé body style. Under the hood, the current car’s 333hp, supercharged 3.0-litre V6 will be replaced by a more potent 354hp 3.0-litre turbo-petrol.

Coming: Mid 2017
Price: Rs 65 lakh
Engine: 3.0 P
 

New Chevrolet Cruze

The upcoming Chevy Cruze is going to be a quantum leap over the current model in every way. For a start, its aggressive styling, swept-back coupé-like silhouette and large 17-inch alloys (likely for the India-bound model) make it quite the stunner. While it’s lighter, hence more frugal, Chevrolet has also made it larger, which means the interior is more spacious. Space aside, the low-set cabin is quite upmarket and uses high-quality materials. Fully loaded variants are likely to get features like a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and 4G compatibility, in-car Wi-Fi Hotspot connectivity, wireless phone charging and heated leather seats. The current car’s 166hp 2.0-litre diesel engine is likely to be replaced by a slightly less powerful, but more efficient 1.6-litre turbo-diesel. Also, with petrol cars back in vogue, a 155hp, 1.4-litre, direct-injection turbo-petrol is also likely to be introduced here. 

Coming: End 2017
Price: Rs 12-15 lakh
Engines: 1.4 P, 1.6 D

Audi A3 facelift

Audi’s nippy junior sedan is soon to receive a nip and tuck. Updates to the car include sportier bumpers, a bigger hexagonal grille, and new A4-like headlamps that can be opted with Audi’s Matrix LED technology. The options list is also likely to include paddle shifters for the new flat-bottom steering and the all-digital Virtual Cockpit instrument cluster. The biggest change will, however, be under the hood – the smaller 1.4-litre TFSI petrol from the new A4 will replace the current car’s 1.8-litre petrol unit. 

Coming: Late 2016
Price: Rs 25-30 lakh
Engines: 1.4 P, 2.0 D

Audi A4 diesel

With the latest A4, Audi has perhaps near perfected the recipe for the entry-level luxury sedan. It’s got the ride, the handling, a tech-packed and luxurious interior, and even an impressive ARAI-acclaimed fuel economy of 17.4kpl with the 1.4-litre TSI petrol. And now, it will get a punchy 2.0-litre diesel engine that the VW Group plans to localise in India. The unit produces 190hp and a healthy 400Nm and will be paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. It is also likely to get the option of a more affordable six-speed manual which should be a hit with both, chauffeur-driven owners and enthusiasts alike.  

Coming: Late 2016
Price: Rs 39-45 lakh
Engine: 2.0 D

Hyundai Ioniq

With the uncertainty looming over diesel cars, and the government slowly warming up to hybrids, Hyundai plans tobring in its eco-friendly Ioniq to India. Aimed squarely at Toyota’s popular Prius (also coming back to India in a new avatar), the Ioniq for international markets is available with three powertrains – an all-electric, a regular hybrid and a plug-in hybrid. Of these, the latter is being considered for India. This means you can use a regular power outlet to charge the car’s batteries, and if your commutes aren’t too long (the plug-in has a pure-electric range of 50km), you could skip visits to the fuel station altogether. For long-distance trips, there’s a 105hp 1.6-litre petrol, coupled with a six-speed dual-clutch auto, that works in conjunction with the electric motor. To enhance efficiency, it features a super-slippery exterior and aero-efficient wheels that help it cut through the air better. However, how much headway it makes into the finicky Indian car buyer’s list remains to be seen. 

Coming: Early 2018
Price: Rs 45-50 lakh
Engine: 1.6 + electric
 

Honda City facelift

The mid-size City, Honda’s bread-and-butter model in India, has been going strong thanks to timely model changes and a strong fan following. Of late, however, it has been facing stiff competition from the Maruti Ciaz, which has even begun outselling it. And to bring it up to speed with its rivals, Honda plans on putting the City under the knife. Although it will remain mechanically unchanged, the City will get cosmetic tweaks like a new front grille, re-profiled bumpers, updated headlamps with projector units and bigger alloys.

Coming: 2017
Price: Rs 8-10 lakh
Engines: 1.5 P, 1.5 D

New Porsche Panamera

With the new Panamera, Porsche will once again challenge luxury sedans like the new BMW 7-series and the Audi A8. Despite being bigger than its predecessor, its aluminium-heavy modular framework makes it lighter. Also, the Panamera now sports more athletic stance than the humpbacked looks of the last car. The tech-laden interior comes with a touch-sensitive centre console, two hi-res 7.0-inch displays in the instrument binnacle, and also a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. And with the cabin detailed in rich leather and wood trim, it’s got luxury chops as well. India will initially get the 550hp 4.0-litre petrol-powered Panamera Turbo, followed by a 442hp 4.0-litre V8 diesel.

Coming: Mid 2017
Price: Rs 2 crore
Engines: 4.0 P, 4.0 D

New Hyundai Verna

To up its game against the Honda City and the Maruti Ciaz, Hyundai will replace its long-in-the tooth Verna with a new one. It shares the Fluidic 2.0 design philosophy and the big hexagonal grille with the Elantra. It’s longer, wider, and a bit lower, but expect it to be more spacious overall. The interior features a touchscreen on the neatly laid-out centre console, steering-mounted controls for audio and Bluetooth connectivity, climate control and push-button start. Higher variants are even likely to come with bigger alloy wheels and a sunroof. While the Verna is expected to continue with the current car’s 1.4- and 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engines, it will get Hyundai’s mild-hybrid system, which is similar to the SHVS system offered in the Maruti Ciaz.

Coming: Late 2017
Price: Rs 8-10 lakh
Engines: 1.4 P, 1.6 P, 1.4 D, 1.6 D

New Mercedes-Benz E-class

With Mercedes streamlining the design language of its entire sedan range, it could be a bit of a task to tell the all-new E-class from the C-class and the S-class. It’s even built using the same set of mechanical bits as the other two. As a result though, it’s lighter, despite being bigger than the current model it will replace. The highlight of the new E-class is the fact that it will debut tech such as automatic evasive steering, automated parking and a host of driver aids even before they make it into the S-class. 

Its interior design too mirrors that of the larger S-class on higher variants. It gets two 12.3-inch TFT displays placed side by side – one for the instrument cluster and the second for the COMAND infotainment system. The car is initially expected to carry over the current car’s petrol and diesel engines, with more advanced 2.0- and 3.0-litre in-line diesel-powered units arriving later. More importantly, India will get the long-wheel-base models only.

Coming: Mid 2017
Price: Rs 55- 70 lakh
Engines: 2.0 P, 2.1 D, 3.0 D

New Toyota Prius

The Prius is lauded for being the car to bring hybrid technology to the masses. While it’s a comfy, eco-friendly car, it’s a bit boring, or at least that’s the popular belief. And that’s precisely what Toyota intends to change with this rather radical-looking latest iteration of it. We drove it recently, and are happy to report that this all-new Prius, built on Toyota’s new modular architecture is a better drive than before. However, the best seat in the house is still at the rear. The deal-breaker, as it’s always been, is the hefty expected ex-showroom price tag of around Rs 40 lakh.

Coming: 2017
Price: Rs 40 lakh
Engine: 1.8 P + electric
 

Lexus ES 300h

If you are looking for a big luxury car that will mostly be chauffeur-driven, the ES300h, Lexus’ entry ticket into India, is a must have in your list of probables. The ‘h’ in the name stands for the car’s hybrid powertrain – a 2.5-litre petrol paired with an electric motor. It will take on the VW Passat and the Honda Accord hybrids, and like its rivals, the first few models will be CBU imports. However, it shares its hardware with the Toyota Camry –making it easy to build locally – and so, ES300h is likely to be the first Lexus to be assembled in India.

Coming: March 2017
Price: Rs 45 lakh
Engine: 2.5 P + electric

New Volkswagen Passat

The Passat will return to India in an all-new avatar and will get a plug-in hybrid variant in the Passat GTE. Unlike its rivals, the Camry and Accord hybrids, it can be either charged via a regular power socket, or by its 156hp 1.4-litre TSI petrol motor. This powertrain produces a combined 218hp and 400Nm, which makes this sedan quite fleet-footed. For short trips, though, its claimed electric range of 50km alone should serve you well. VW will initially import a small batch of GTEs, likely to cost a lofty Rs 40 lakh apiece. It will be launched with a 1.8-litre petrol and hybrid powertrain, and will get 2.0-litre diesel-powered variants later.

Coming: January 2017
Price: Rs 30-40 lakh
Engines: 1.8 P, 1.4 P + electric, 2.0 D

Tata Kite 5

Tata’s upcoming compact sedan, codenamed Kite 5, is based on the Tiago, and will be showroom-ready by the end of 2016. Nearly identical to the small hatchback up to the B-pillar, the compact sedan features a ‘fast’, coupé-like roofline that terminates in a stubby, yet well-proportioned boot. The silhouette has also allowed the designers to give the sedan a bigger rear door, which should make access to the back seats easier.

The big news on the Kite 5 though, is its 420-litre boot, which is more commodious than what you get on more expensive compact sedans like the Hyundai Xcent and Honda Amaze, and even its bigger sibling, the Tata Zest.

The Kite 5 will take on the Chevrolet Essentia and will replace the Indigo eCS upon its arrival. Besides the three-cylinder 1.2-litre petrol and 1.05-litre diesel engines, and a possible AMT gearbox, the Kite 5 will also share its interior with the Tiago.

Coming: Mid 2017
Price: Rs 4-6.5 lakh
Engines: 1.2 P, 1.05 D 

Toyota Vios

Come 2017, the Honda City will get a new rival in the Toyota Vios. Sharing its styling with the bigger Corolla Altis, it’s a more exciting-looking car than the Etios. Its spacious interior is an upmarket affair and comes with features like climate control, steering-mounted audio controls, and a touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone connectivity. Safety too will be a highlight on the Vios, with ABS, ESP and airbags likely to be standard fitment. It will get retuned versions of the Etios’s 1.5-litre petrol and 1.4-litre diesel engine.

Current -gen car used for representative purpose

Coming: Mid 2017
Price: Rs 8-10 lakh
Engines: 1.5 P, 1.4 D

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Best new car discounts this month

Here is a list of some of the most exciting year-end discounts that you can avail at dealerships for the month of December

Buying a new car is always an exciting prospect, and with the start of a new month, there are a host of new and exciting discounts on offer at dealerships across the country. The start of December also means that dealers are looking to clear existing stock,​ to make way for newer versions for the next model year. Factor in this and you are bound to find some exciting discounts on cars at dealerships. So, before you head to your local dealership, here is a comprehensive list of some of the best new​ ​car deals and discounts you can ​grab​.

Hatchbacks

Maruti WagonR Stingray
Save up to Rs 80,000

The stylish WagonR Stingray comes with a cash discount of Rs 35,000, an exchange bonus of Rs 45,000. The cash discount on the AMT version, however, is lower at Rs 20,000. The other benefits remain the same with the exchange bonus standing at Rs 45,000.

Hyundai i10
Save up to Rs 53,000
The i10 is surely old but is still a promising contender in its category. A spacious cabin and a peppy 1.1-litre petrol engine are the car’s USPs. It is also known for its comfortable ride quality, especially on bad city roads. The i10 is available at benefits of around Rs 53,000 across all dealerships.

Nissan Micra
Save up to Rs 85,000
The Nissan Micra petrol is available only with a CVT gearbox while the diesel variant comes with a smooth 1.5-litre K9K engine. It comes with an airy cabin and rivals the likes of the Swift and the Grand i10. Discounts of around Rs 85,000 and free insurance is on offer at most locations.

Hyundai Eon
Save up to Rs 65,000
The small hatchback from Hyundai is available with an 800cc and a 1,000 cc engine option. It gets smart dual-tone interiors but is a bit short on space on the inside. An updated car is around the corner, and in an attempt to clear old stock, dealers are offering benefits of around Rs 65,000 on most variants.
 

SUVs/MPVs

Maruti Ertiga
Save up to Rs 30,000 off
The Ertiga seats seven, and is compact enough for daily city driving. It comes with dependable petrol and diesel engine options and also gets a CNG variant. The petrol variants get cash discounts of Rs 10,000 and an exchange bonus of Rs 20,000. The CNG variant though loses out on the cash discount, but comes with the exchange bonus.

Hyundai Santa Fe
Save up to Rs 2 lakh
Hyundai’s seven-seater flagship SUV has spacious interiors. It now directly rivals the all-new Fortuner and comes with a refined diesel engine. The carmaker is offering discounts in the range of Rs 2 lakh at most locations, depending on availability.

Renault Duster AMT
Save up to Rs 75,000
The Duster AMT is currently on sale at a discount of around Rs 75,000. It comes with one of the smoothest AMT gearboxes and a refined 1.5-litre diesel engine making it suitable for city driving. The manual versions, however, command lesser discounts. The benefits depend on availability.

BMW X3 M Sport
Save up to Rs 5 lakh
The X3 rivals the Audi Q5 and the Mercedes GLC. It gets special M equipment for the sporty M Sport trim like body kit, unique steering wheel and additional interior bits. It comes with a powerful 255hp 3.0-litre diesel engine that takes good care of performance. Discounts of close to Rs 5 lakh are available on the X3 at most dealerships.

Sedans

BMW 530d M Sport
Save up to Rs 12 lakh

The BMW 530d M Sport comes with a punchy 3.0-litre diesel engine. It rivals the Mercedes E 350 CDI. The sedan gets an aggressive M body kit with special alloys and interior bits. However, it gets a soft suspension that results in a floaty ride. The sporty and stylish sedan is available at discounts of around Rs 10-12 lakh across most dealerships.

Maruti Ciaz
Save up to Rs 55,000

Maruti’s best attempt at the mid-size sedan segment, the Ciaz, has proven to be quiet popular taking the fight to the best-in-segment Honda City with its levels of space, equipment and aggressive pricing. Maruti is offering the Ciaz with a cash discount of Rs 15,000 and an exchange bonus of Rs 40,000 on all variants

BMW 3-Series
Save up to Rs 2 lakh

The updated 3-series sedan gets a strong lineup of petrol and diesel engines. It rivals the likes of the Jaguar XE, the Mercedes C-Class and the new Audi A4. The sporty BMW sedan comes with a discount of around Rs 2 lakh at most dealerships depending on availability.

Hyundai Verna
Save up to Rs 1 lakh

The stylish Verna is now on sale since a long time and a new model is due next year. This Honda City rival comes with two diesel and two petrol engine options. Discounts in the range of Rs 1 lakh are on offer on the slow-selling trims depending on location.

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Nico Rosberg retires from Formula 1

Just days after winning his maiden Formula 1 championship, Rosberg has announced his retirement from the sport with immediate effect

Formula 1 world champion Nico Rosberg has announced his retirement with immediate effect.

The German beat Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton to the title in 2016, sealing the crown in a tense season finale in Abu Dhabi last weekend.

Speaking ahead of Friday's FIA Prize Giving Gala in Vienna, Rosberg announced his retirement from Formula 1.

"I want to take the opportunity to announce that I have decided to end my Formula 1 career in this moment here," said Rosberg. "It's hard to explain, it has been ever since I started when I was six years old, I had a very clear dream and that was to become Formula 1 world champion."

"Now I've achieved that, I've put everything into it for 25 years of racing and with the help of everybody around me, with the help of fans and the help of my team and my family and friends I have managed to achieve that this year.

"So it has been an incredible experience for me that I will remember forever.

"At the same time, it has been very very tough also because the last two years losing to Lewis were extremely difficult moments for me, which fuelled my motivation in a way that I didn't even know was possible to fight back and to achieve my dream finally."

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Hyundai unveils i20 Coupe WRC challenger

The car’s 1.6-litre engine now produces 381hp, significantly more than the 2016 car’s 335hp.

The Hyundai i20 Coupe has been revealed at Italy’s Monza Grand Prix circuit as a successor to the retired i20 WRC. The car will compete in next year’s rejuvenated World Rally Championship and, following Volkswagen’s departure, is a favourite to take the title.

The new three-door model is described as a heavy evolution of the outgoing car, using the same basic structure as 2016’s five-door i20 but conforming to 2017’s less-restrictive engine and aerodynamic regulations. As such, the car’s exterior wears a much larger rear wing and the front bumper works the air significantly harder than before with large, swooping winglets.

The i20 Coupe WRC’s 1.6-litre engine also uses a larger restrictor – up from 33mm to 36mm in diameter – so produces 381hp, significantly more than the 2016 car’s 335hp. Drive is sent to all four wheels through a six-speed paddle shift gearbox like before, but this time the drivers can adjust the percentage of torque sent to each end using a new active central differential.

When asked how much difference the upgraded drivetrain of the 2017 car would have on performance, both the drivers and team leaders said straight-line speed would improve, but it wouldn’t necessarily be noticeable to the naked eye. However, all agreed that the new car’s bigger aerodynamic package would make a large difference to pace, helping the 2017 i20 Coupe WRC to shave around 1sec per kilometre travelled from its stage times.

“We aim to be champion,” added Hyundai Motorsport president Gyoo-Heon Choi. “We are taking this very seriously and want to be at the top. Hyundai Motorsport is investing heavily into making this work, and after three years we feel very strong.”

The Germany-based Hyundai Motorsport team’s 2017 WRC challenger has already completed close to 6,437km of testing. It’ll make its championship debut in the opening round of 2017 at the Monte Carlo rally in January. Three i20 Coupe WRCs will be fielded by Hyundai Motorsport, driven by the same line-up of drivers as before: Thierry Neuville, Haydon Paddon and Dani Sordo, with Nicolas Gilsoul, John Kennard and Marc Marti as their co-drivers.

With 2016 title winner Volkswagen no longer in the picture following the manufacturer’s departure from World Rally, Hyundai’s biggest rivals for the 2017 championship will be Ford, Citroën and Toyota, who is back in WRC for the first time in 17 years.

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Passenger vehicles sales mixed in Nov amid demonetisation

Maruti, Tata and Toyota post double-digit growth on back of advance bookings; Hyundai, Mahindra, Honda lose traction.

Just when India’s automobile sector spanning passenger cars, SUVs, two- and three-wheelers, and commercial vehicles, was beginning to accelerate, it came across a speedbreaker in the form of demonetisation on November 8.

Since then, the government’s ban on old currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 aimed at taking out 86 percent of the currency in circulation in the country, slow issuance of new notes and their lack of widespread availability have dampened market sentiment substantially.

The impact is being felt not only in the automotive sector but also across many others, including FMCG and e-retailing. Footfalls in vehicle showrooms have reduced considerably and the enquiries that come in are not converting into sales. In the coming days, automakers will look to realign production schedules to deal with slower supplies to dealers. The Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) said that the entire auto retail trade has come under severe stress and has urged vehicle manufacturers to reduce inventory at dealerships which are saddled with stock.

Among the carmakers, companies like Maruti Suzuki India and Toyota Kirloskar Motor, which are seeing handsome demand and waiting periods for some fast-moving models, November sales have shown good growth. That’s because they have had a sizeable number of advance bookings in hand. In comparison, UV manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra, which sees a substantial number of its sales coming in from rural India, has seen a big drop in its November sales numbers.

It’s early days yet and overall November 2016 sales numbers may not reflect the real impact of the demonetisation exercise, since the month had opened up in the Diwali festive season which is when most new vehicle buyers take deliveries. Expect automakers to take a relook at their growth forecasts for the fiscal as industry pundits believe it will take a quarter or more before things become normal in the retail automobile sector. Here’s looking at some of the sales numbers carmakers have announced for November 2016.

Maruti

Maruti Suzuki India has announced sales of 135,550 units in November 2016, up 12.2 percent year on year (November 2015: 120,824). This includes 126,325 units in the domestic market (+14%). The entry-level duo of the Alto and the Wagon R sold a total of 38,886 units, up 8.1% year on year (November 2015: 35,981). The Swift/Ritz/Celerio/Baleno/Dzire quintet sold a total of 49,431 units last month, up 10.8% (November 2015: 44.626).

Demand for the Dzire Tour taxi was down at 3,017 units, down 10.3% (November 2015: 3,363). Sales of the premium Ciaz sedan dipped marginally with 5,433 cars going home to new buyers (November 2015: 5,509), down 1.4% YoY. What is giving overall Maruti sales a boost is the consistent and surging demand for the Vitara Brezza which, along with the Gypsy, Ertiga and S-Cross, sold 17,215 units last month, a handsome 98% year-on-year increase (November 2015: 8,688 units).

Hyundai

Hyundai Motor India registered domestic sales of 40,016 units in November 2016, down 8 percent compared to the same month last year when it sold 43,651 units. Hyundai, which is the country's largest passenger cars exporter, shipped 17,077 units in November.

Mahindra & Mahindra

Mahindra & Mahindra has reported sales of 13,217 passenger vehicles, down 32.78% year on year (November 2015: 19,662). Demand from rural India, which accounts for a sizeable number of Mahindra vehicles sales every month, has dropped sharply due to the demonetisation move.

Commenting on the November numbers, Pravin Shah, president and chief executive (automotive), M&M, said, “While we expected an improved auto industry performance on the back of the festive season and other positive parameters such as rural demand and interest rates softening, the sudden announcement of demonetisation has brought in an immediate disruption and uncertainty.” 

Tata Motors

Tata Motors passenger vehicles recorded sales of 12,736 units in the domestic market in November 2016, with a growth of 22% compared to 10,470 units sold in the same month last year. The passenger car sales continued its upward momentum with a growth of 26% due to strong demand for the Tata Tiago.

Toyota

Toyota Kirloskar Motor sold a total of 11,309 units in the domestic market, up 10 percent from 10,278 units sold during the same time last year. The Innova Crysta has been well received, clocking more than 50,000 units in just six months of its launch, the company said. To assist customers amid the cash crunch due to demonetisation, the company has introduced 100 percent on-road funding, payments through E-Wallet and Paytm. 

Commenting on the monthly sales, N Raja, director and senior VP (sales & marketing), Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “We are overwhelmed by the response to the Fortuner. It has received over 6,200 bookings already. However, demonetisation has had its impact on our sales as it has affected customer walk-ins at dealerships and order bookings.”

Honda

Honda Cars India has announced domestic wholesales of 8,029 units in November 2016, down 45.43% year on year (November 2015: 14,712). The City sedan was the company’s bestseller with 2,658 units, followed by the Jazz with 2,655 units and the Amaze with 1,971 units. Of the two SUVs, the BR-V sold 419 units and the CR-V 21 units. While the Brio went home to 202 buyers, the Mobilio MPV saw 101 units being sold last month. The recently launched Accord Hybrid sold 2 units.

In a bid to improve consumer sentiment amid footfalls and enquiries at the dealerships, the carmaker has squeezed wholesales despatches to avoid stock piling up at the dealerships.

November 2016 passenger vehicle sales
Passenger vehicles	Nov '16	Nov '15	Difference	Growth (%)
Maruti Suzuki India	1,26,325	1,10,599	15,726	14.22%
Hyundai Motor India	40,016	43,651	-3,635	-8.33%
Mahindra & Mahindra	13,217	19,662	-6,445	-32.78%
Tata Motors	12,736	10,470	2,266	21.64%
Toyota Kirloskar Motor	11,309	10,278	1,031	10.03%
Honda Cars India	8,029	14,712	-6,683	-45.43%
Ford India	7,508	10,008	-2,500	-24.98%
Nissan Motor India	6,108	3,246	2,862	88.17%
Volkswagen India	5,534	3,255	2,279	70.02%

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Nissan GT-R launched at Rs 1.99 crore

2017 update brings 570hp to the Japanese 2+2 seat all-wheel-drive supercar

Nissan has launched its flagship car in India at Rs 1.99 crore (ex-showroom, Delhi). Bookings opened on September 1, 2016, for a down payment of Rs 25 lakh. The car will initially be sold through Delhi only.

The Japanese supercar was originally launched in its home country in 2007 and the version released today is the new 2017 model update. It is powered by a hand-built 3.8-litre V6 24-valve twin-turbocharged engine that for 2017 gets a small bump-up in power to 570hp at 6800rpm and 637Nm of torque. All the power is sent to the tarmac via a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission and an all-wheel-drive layout. The engine breathes out through a titanium exhaust system. The carmaker claims a sub-3-second time for the 0-100kmph sprint with a top speed of 315 km/h. 

Unlike most cars in its league, the GT-R is a 2+2 seater. The car has a Bose audio system with 11 speakers and a noise cancellation feature to reduce wind and road noise. 

The Nissan GT-R has quite a following in India with a few units being officially imported and some being brought in through the grey market. Nissan is not looking for any volumes even by supercar standards but counting on it to give the Nissan brand a much-needed boost in India. 

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Honda BR-V India review, test drive

At long last, Honda is ready with its small SUV, the new BR-V. Can it take the fight to the established competition?

What is it?

The BR-V is Honda’s new small SUV for India. It’s an all-new model but comes built on the same platform as the Honda Brio, Amaze and Mobilio models. In case you are wondering, BR-V expands to 'Bold Runabout Vehicle' and Honda has no pretensions in admitting this is a car meant for an urban clientele. Those looking for something with mud-plugging ability had better look elsewhere. Not to say the BR-V is an exception. Rather, it fits right into a market segment where off-road prowess is rarely ever a consideration for buyers. You are probably already familiar with the Hyundai Creta, Maruti S-cross, Renault Duster and Nissan Terrano that the BR-V will take on, so let’s get straight to it and see where and how the Honda hopes to differentiate itself.

The first thing of note is its length. With a length of 4,456mm, the BR-V is the longest of the small SUVs and by quite a margin. For perspective, a Hyundai Creta measures 4,270mm from end-to-end. Second, the BR-V is not immediately identifiable as a Brio, Amaze and Mobilio platform mate, at least when viewed from the front, and that’s a good thing. The BR-V’s squared-out bonnet, angular headlamps and chrome-rich two-part grille has given it a bespoke face and it looks all the better for it. However, see it in profile and you could mistake it for a Mobilio; the upward shoulder line and distinctive kinked window line are shared with the MPV.

Third, the BR-V doesn’t have a classic SUV stance. The roof isn’t all that high, the body looks narrow for all its length and the long rear overhang is, again, more MPV than SUV. That the cabin area past the rear wheels has been used to hold a third row of seats, making the Honda the only seven-seater in its segment, is something we’ll get to in a bit.

There’s the usual dosage of roof rails, scuff plates at the bumpers and cladding on the wheel arches and doors. The 16-inch wheels also standout, as much for their attractive design as for how they look a size small for the BR-V’s large body. As for styling at the tail, it's attractive if a touch on the flamboyant side. There’s a solid chrome shroud for the number plate mount and a reflector that runs the width of the tail to link the smart-looking tail-lamps. Actually, the tail scores for practical reasons rather than for pure aesthetics; the large rear windscreen offers good visibility and the tailgate extends low down which makes loading and unloading luggage easy. What’s also nice is that even with all seven seats up, there’s a decent amount of luggage room in the BR-V. The rearmost seat can also be folded forward and flipped to free up as much as 691 litres of boot space.

What’s it like on the inside?

If there’s a positive to the BR-V’s medium height, it’s that it’s a very easy vehicle to get in and out of. Once inside, you get a feeling of familiarity. That’s because the BR-V uses the same dash as the one you’d find in the updated Honda Amaze which itself looks like a derivative of the Honda Jazz’s dash. The BR-V’s cabin looks quite smart and the all-black theme only helps the impression. Plastic quality is decent though not quite at the Hyundai Creta’s benchmark levels.

What might be a deal-breaker for many buyers, however, is the absence of a touchscreen infotainment system, something that is almost de rigueur for vehicles in this class. The car’s infotainment system does feature Bluetooth for telephony and audio streaming. Automatic climate control, steering-mounted audio buttons, push-button start, electrically foldable outside rear-view mirrors and rear air-con vents are some of the features that will be part of the kit on the top-spec versions. Still, reverse parking sensors should have been offered too. Honda has not revealed the exact variant break-up as yet, but has confirmed dual airbags will be standard across the range. Also what's worth noting is anti-lock brakes will be standard on the diesel BR-V, but will be available only on mid-range and higher versions of the BR-V petrol.

The feel from behind the BR-V’s smartly finished steering wheel is that of sitting in a jacked-up Jazz. The seating position isn’t all that high but visibility is still good, as is comfort. The front seats are well cushioned, and the middle-row seats with adjustable backrests are quite nice as well, notwithstanding the somewhat lack of thigh support. Middle-row legroom is good (the seats can be moved back to create more space) and headroom is aplenty. However, the SUV's cabin simply isn’t wide enough to seat three abreast in comfort and that’s when the last row comes handy. Access to the back is decent and space is not bad either; the large windows help this section of the cabin feel reasonably airy. However, the knees-up seating position means even those who will fit here won’t be happy for too long.

What’s it like to drive?

As expected, the BR-V for India will be available with three powertrain options with power channelled solely to the front wheels. There will not be any all-wheel-drive version. The mainstay of the BR-V range will be the diesel model that comes powered by Honda’s 1.5-litre, i-DTEC engine. While there were indications the engine would be tuned for more power on the BR-V, it continues to make 100hp and 200Nm; same as on the Honda City, Jazz and Mobilio. However, refinement sees an improvement. The engine runs a lot quieter than it does on the other Hondas and the note is also less industrial. That said, the diesel BR-V is still noisier than the Creta and even the Renault Duster.

Performance from the diesel engine is good with plenty of pulling power from very low in the rev band. Where the engine does feel slightly different now, is in its willingness to rev more freely. The engine still doesn’t excite, but there’s more of a powerband to play with. Another nice feature is the smooth-shifting six-speed gearbox that’s allied to a light clutch, both of which help make the BR-V diesel an easy car to drive in town. Diesel BR-V buyers can also expect good fuel economy. The ARAI-tested fuel efficiency figure of 21.9kpl makes this version of the BR-V the most fuel-efficient model among the small SUVs. Before you ask, no, there will not be an automatic version for the diesel.

The other engine of choice will be Honda’s 119hp, 1.5-litre, i-VTEC petrol engine. This engine will be available with both manual and automatic gearbox options. Interestingly, the manual gearbox is a new six-speed unit rather than the five-speed one the petrol City and Mobilio come with. Honda insiders haven't confirmed if this gearbox will make it to the other Hondas as well, but it’s something to expect in the near future. The petrol manual BR-V’s ARAI-tested fuel efficiency is 15.4kpl while the petrol automatic’s figure is slightly higher at 16kpl. The BR-V automatic that is likely to interest urban buyers uses a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Drivers have the option to manually operate the gearbox via steering-mounted paddles which is a first-in-class feature.

The CVT-equipped BR-V does feel nice and responsive for city use. Initial responses are good and pottering around town is a smooth and relaxed affair. But press down hard on the accelerator and you get that rubber-band effect CVTs are notorious for. The gearbox has the engine hold revs until speeds build and this also brings out the engine’s noisiest side. The otherwise smooth engine sounds gruff when this happens, and seems especially thrashy close to the 6,500rpm. Drive with moderate throttle inputs and you’ll like the CVT a lot more. Enthusiasts will like the option of the paddle shifters that work without any delay and let you shuffle between the gearbox’s seven ‘steps’. However, due to the characteristics of the CVT setup, you don’t get the same sort of connect you would with a traditional automatic or dual-clutch transmission.

The BR-V is a long vehicle and you can feel its length from behind the wheel, especially around tighter bends. It’s no corner-carver, but you do get a reassuring sense of security in the bends. What adds to this feeling of confidence is that the steering has little slack and also has a nice weight to it. Straight-line stability is not quite at Duster levels, but is good nonetheless. The BR-V also does well for ride comfort. You do feel a bit of firmness in the setup, but the suspension is absorbent enough at low speeds and contains undue body movements at high speeds too. The BR-V has a generous 210mm of ground clearance that did come handy clearing some rough patches on our test drive. 

Should I buy one?

The Honda BR-V is the only model in its class to come with seven seats, something that buyers particularly with large families are sure to be drawn to. Aside from this flexibility, the BR-V also offers a pleasant driving experience. The BR-V’s petrol engine will appeal to buyers for its wide range of abilities, while the diesel one will be suitable for those looking for maximum efficiency. There’s word of keen pricing too.

But for all its strengths, the BR-V doesn’t have the rugged appeal of an SUV and its similarity to the Mobilio MPV, in terms of design, is unlikely to go down too well with image-conscious SUV buyers. Then there’s the matter of the BR-V being down on equipment to rivals too. All said, Honda will have to price the BR-V aggressively if it wants to take the fight to the established competition.

The BR-V goes on sale on May 5, 2016.

Engine

Fuel	Petrol/Diesel
Type	1497cc, four-cylinder, SOHC, iVTEC/ 1498cc, four-cylinder, DOHC, iDTEC
Power	119hp/100hp
Torque	145Nm/200Nm

Transmission

Gearbox

6-speed manual/CVT

Dimensions

Length	4453mm
Width	1735mm
Height	1666mm
Wheel base	2660mm
Ground clearance	210mm

Chassis & Body

Tyres

195/60 R16

Suspension

Front	McPherson Strut, coil springs
Rear	Torsion beam, coil springs

Steering

Type of power assist

Electric

Brakes

Front	Disc
Rear	Drum

Economy

Tank size

42 litres

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Toyota Innova Crysta India review, test drive

The sequel to the most popular MPV in India, the Innova Crysta is bigger, better looking and more luxurious, but will be more expensive too.

What is it?

The current Toyota Innova is over a decade old, but through that time, it has found many happy owners. When it was first introduced to replace the boxy Qualis, many found the hike in price too great and unjustified. However, soon enough, the Innova won Indian buyers over with its space, comfort and, above all, its rock-solid and hassle-free reliability. And, though its prices rose by as much as 60 percent over the years, it never seemed to deter buyers, who kept flocking to the big MPV. Now, history is about to repeat itself, as Toyota is finally replacing the Innova with a new-generation model, and though we don’t have the prices just yet, it will be a good deal more expensive than the outgoing car. But is it worth it? We have driven the India-spec car in Goa to find out just that.

For starters, its name has a new suffix – Crysta – which, as Toyota did with ‘Altis’ for the Corolla years ago, is meant to signify just how new this car is. The first thing you notice is that it’s clearly larger than the outgoing car, both in length and width. And though it has the typical MPV shape overall, the new styling is very dramatic. There’s a huge grille with black slats in its lower section and two chrome bars at the top that really grabs your attention. Flowing out from the chrome bars is a pair of large swept-back headlamps that contain LED running lights and projector elements. 17-inch wheels are standard now (they are alloys on high-spec cars), and what really gives character to the sides of this MPV are the flared wheel arches and the rearmost window glass that kinks up sharply towards the D-pillar. At the back too, the Innova Crysta looks quite attractive with its ‘inverted L-shaped’ tail-lamps.

What’s it like inside?

Space and comfort were hallmarks of the old Innova and the new one simply takes things a step further. The front seats are wide and very well-shaped to offer good support and, crucially, great long-distance comfort. Impressively, the second row’s captain chairs are almost the same, but they aren’t electrically adjustable like the driver’s seat. Toyota knows that many of the MPV’s owners are chauffeur-driven, and has made sure to give utmost prominence to the second row; even the doors here are fancier, with wood trim, unlike the front doors. These chairs can slide back and forth and recline, there are small fold-out tables in the rear of the front seats, and with just one pull of a single lever the seats fold down and tumble forward, giving access the third row. Once you’re in the back, yes, you will find your knees folded up almost to chest height as with most third-row seats, but it’s more comfortable and spacious than the previous Innova, and that itself was better than most of the competition. There’s even a third, three-point seat belt that spools out of a slot in the roof, in case you can fit a third passenger back here.  What’s more, luggage space with all seats in place is also better than before (you could get one full-size suitcase in) and it’s easy to split, flip and fold away the third row when it’s not needed. It’s very practical too, with as many as 20 bottle holders spread around the cabin, not to mention several other cubbyholes to stash away small stuff. Our only grouse is that because the car has two separate gloveboxes (one is cooled), they both feel a little small; a single, larger glovebox would have been more useful. The Innova’s main use is long-distance travel for the whole family, and Toyota has made sure the cabin is well-suited to it.

What Toyota's also done, is upped the luxury quotient of the Innova. The cabin no longer looks utilitarian, and the dashboard feels like it’s been plucked out of a Corolla or a Camry. The design is truly unique, featuring one continuous band of silver trim that runs the length of the dash. The dials are big and clear, and in front of them sits a large, thick-rimmed, leather and wood-trimmed steering wheel, with loads of controls, including one stalk for cruise control. There’s a thick slab of dark, glossy wood in the middle of the dash that looks really rich, and the central console, with its two vertical pieces of silver trim, houses the electronic AC controls and a big 7.0-inch touchscreen. This new infotainment system feels modern and has a lot of features, including satellite navigation, various audio and video input options, a detailed fuel and trip computer and a rear-view camera for which it is the display. There are a number of unique touches around the cabin, like the strips of cool-white LED ambient lighting on the ceiling, and the felt-lined door pads to rest your elbows on. There are, of course, dedicated air vents for the second and third rows, but this time, they too have electronic control, like at the front.

This top-spec ‘Z’ variant of the Innova Crysta has a lot of equipment. Aside from the aforementioned stuff, you also get electric folding mirrors, one-touch-operated power windows on all four doors, keyless entry and go, rear parking sensors, electric adjustment for the driver’s seat and automatic headlamps. It’s a shame that for a car with seven seats, there’s just one USB port and only two 12v charging ports; a setback if many want to charge their phones simultaneously, when on the move.

What’s it like to drive?

So the updates to the exterior and interior are both huge improvements, but there’s even more good news in store. The Innova Crysta comes with two entirely new diesel engines, a 2.4-litre with a five-speed manual gearbox, and a 2.8-litre with a six-speed automatic gearbox. The 2.4 manual first, and when compared to the old 2.5-litre engine, there are some similarities. This one too is not very refined, sounding a bit gravelly at start-up and then again at higher revs, and it also doesn’t enjoy being revved a lot, making you want to shift up well before the redline. However, both these aspects are slightly improved from the old car. The Crysta settles into a smooth and relatively silent hum at low to medium revs, and though you’ll still want to shift up early, you get more out of each gear now. The rest is all positive. For one, there’s more power – 150hp is a significant jump in power over the old 102hp, and at 13.1sec, the Crysta is a full 4.4sec faster from 0-100kph than the previous car! It even feels much stronger when you’re overtaking, which is essential when you’re out on the highway with a fully loaded-up car; this is helped by its solid 343Nm of pulling power that’s made as low as 1,400rpm. The old Innova was geared very short, so cruising in fifth on the highway was a noisy affair and the engine sounded strained. The newer car has a much broader torque spread and relatively taller gearing, so it feels a lot more comfortable loping along at high speeds, although we feel a sixth ratio would have made it more effortless still. So it’s a great highway cruiser, but if you find yourself in traffic, you will notice the clutch pedal is on the heavy side and that the short gear lever needs a little more effort. It’s also got three drive modes – Eco, Normal and Power. Eco is best for when you’re in town and want to stretch every last litre of diesel, while Power yields the quickest responses to accelerator inputs. But Normal mode is the best for everyday driving, delivering a good mix of power and efficiency.

What really tells you that the Innova is now a seriously premium car is the availability of an automatic gearbox. The six-speed unit also comes with a larger, even more powerful diesel engine – 2.8 litres with 174hp at 3,400rpm and 360Nm at 1,200-3,400rpm. This car is properly quick, being able to cross 100kph in just 11.5sec, and this is despite the fact it weighs almost 1.9 tonnes! The automatic gear shifts themselves are smooth, but we feel the system is too eager to change gears sometimes, even when not necessary. And while there are no paddle shifters for manual gear control, you can change gears manually with the gear lever itself.

The good news just keeps coming, as the other great strength of the Innova – its comfortable and all-conquering ride – has not been tampered with either. At just about any and all speeds, the big MPV just punishes bumps and potholes into submission. The suspension is tuned a little on the soft side and absorbs all sorts of road irregularities well, and if there is a slight jittery feeling, it’s more down to the relatively large 17-inch wheels than the suspension. In a straight line on the highway, the Innova Crysta stays superbly flat and composed, keeping cabin occupants comfortable throughout. The only disappointment is the steering. Of course, one cannot expect sportscar precision in an MPV, but the Crysta’s wheel feels too heavy at low speeds and requires too many turns, lock to lock, to make a U-turn. Conversely, at higher speeds, it starts to feel loose and inconsistent, and this can get a little disconcerting. You'll also feel a bit of steering shock through the wheel as you drive over sharper bumps. And, expectedly, there’s loads of body roll around corners, and combined with the slow, heavy and mushy steering, this is really not a car you want to drive enthusiastically.

Should I buy one?

When it goes on sale early next month, the Innova Crysta’s price will start at around Rs 13 lakh and the top-spec 2.8 Z automatic variant could cost as much as Rs 22 lakh (ex-showroom). Yes, that puts it out of the realm of conventional MPVs from Maruti, Honda, Chevrolet, Mahindra and Renault and into the realm of seven-seat SUVs and even large executive sedans. When you’re paying this much money, you have certain expectations of space, quality, luxury and comfort, and the good news is the Innova Crysta delivers on just about all of them. Sure, refinement is still not the greatest, and the steering, clutch and gearbox can get a bit tiresome in traffic, but these are minor setbacks in the scheme of things. The Crysta takes all the old Innova’s strengths that customers just love, and amplifies them. Yes, you will have to pay a premium for it, but as most owners of the previous car will tell you, it will be worth it.

Fact File

Price Range (in lakhs)*

Ex-showroom price

Rs 13-22 lakh (est, ex-showroom, Delhi)

Engine

Fuel	Diesel
Installation	Front, transverse
Type	2393/2755cc 4 cyls, turbo-diesel
Bore/stroke	92.0/90.0, 92.0/103.6
Power	150hp at 3400rpm / 174hp at 3400rpm
Torque	343nm at 1400-2800rpm / 360nm at 1200-3200rpm

Transmission

Type	Rear-wheel drive
Gearbox	5-speed manual / 6-speed auto

Dimensions

Width	1830mm
Ground clearance	167mm

Chassis & Body

Construction	Body on frame, MPV
Weight	1855/1870kg
Tyres	215/55R17
Spare	Full size

Suspension

Front	Independent, double wishbone, coil springs
Rear	Non-independent, multi-link, coil springs

Steering

Type	Rack and pinion
Type of power assist	Hydraulic

Brakes

Front	Ventilated discs
Rear	Drums
Anti-lock	Yes

Performance

0-20	0.81(MT) 0.94 (AT)
0-40	2.52, 2.53
0-60	5.34, 4.78
0-80	8.4, 7.68
0-100	13.11, 11.46
0-120	19.03, 16.07
0-140	28.25, 23.90

Acceleration in gear

20-80kph in 3rd gear	10.58 sec /6.70sec
40-100kph in 4th gear	13.08 sec / 8.84 sec

Economy

Tank size

55 litres

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