Maruti compact SUV christened Vitara Brezza; official sketch released

All-new compact SUV from Maruti will make its debut at Auto Expo 2016; to directly rival the EcoSport.

Maruti has announced that its upcoming compact SUV for India will be called the Vitara Brezza. The sub-four-metre Vitara Brezza will be launched in the Indian market shortly after its global reveal at Auto Expo 2016 in Delhi. The carmaker has also released a teaser sketch of the SUV highlighting its styling and proportions.  With the Vitara Brezza, Maruti seems to be expanding its renowned Vitara SUV brand, which is available on sale globally. The name Brezza means ‘Fresh Breeze’ in Italian.

As seen in the sketch and earlier revealed spy shots, the compact SUV does feature styling borrowed from its big brother sold overseas. Styling cues include a rising belt line, a sloping roofline and a floating roof design. The production version of the compact SUV will feature squared wheel arches, short overhangs and an upright hood. At the back, the Vitara Brezza will get angular tail-lamps, and an ‘open-mouthed’ lower air dam upfront. The new SUV’s grille will receive chrome treatment as on the S-Cross crossover.

Earlier known as the YBA, the Vitara Brezza 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 in the company’s line-up.

The Vitara Brezza’s cabin is expected to come loaded with features. One can expect equipment like Maruti’s SmartPlay system to make its way to the higher trims of the SUV. The top variants will also come with stylish 16-inch alloys, which can be seen in the spy pictures. The test mules spotted earlier featured all-black interiors.

 This new SUV will be powered by Maruti’s existing range of petrol and diesel engines. This could include 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 would be the first Maruti to be introduced with the company’s in-house diesel engine. But it has now been confirmed that the new motor will be available in the SUV sometime later, probably in the model’s mid-cycle facelift that is expected two to three years after the launch.

The Vitara Brezza will not be sold via Maruti’s Nexa dealerships. However, it will be safe to expect a premium product with aggressive pricing.

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New Maruti Ertiga diesel, Ciaz diesel exempt from Delhi odd-even scheme

Both SHVS tech-equipped diesel models from Maruti are classified as 'hybrids'; also benefit from the government's FAME initiative.

The odd-even scheme which was implemented recently in Delhi-NCR has impacted car owners in the capital. However, this radical scheme will not be applicable to CNG, electric and hybrid vehicles, women-only cars and those belonging to top politicians. This means, a majority of the mainstream new car buyers will have to shift to CNG-powered models or hybrid cars, such as the Prius, which are not really mass market or affordable.

 

Maruti recently launched its fuel-saving SHVS tech in India and the first model to benefit from it was the Ciaz sedan equipped with the 89bhp 1.3-litre diesel engine. The carmaker also added this feature in the facelifted Ertiga diesel which also comes with the same engine. Since these two models come with Maruti’s SHVS system that includes a start-stop mechanism and other upgrades (See below), they qualify as 'hybrids' and hence fall in the exempted list. Apart from this, both these models also qualify for the subsidy extension of around Rs 13,000 under the Government of India’s electric and hybrid vehicle policy also known as the FAME scheme.

 

What is Maruti’s SHVS tech?

 

As reported earlier, the SHVS system comes with a start-stop technology uses an integrated starter generator (ISG) that functions as a battery charger during braking and acts as the starter motor when the stop-start technology is in use. The car also gets an electric boost via the Engine Power Assist system where the ISG supplements the engine’s power during acceleration. This happens at around 2,500rpm. The car also comes equipped with a gear shift indicator. Vehicles equipped with this system get a new high-capacity battery. 

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Royal Enfield introduces nine new colours to its line-up

The new colour options will be available at the same price as the other models in Royal Enfield's range; bookings open now.

Royal Enfield has added nine new colours to their existing product line-up. The nine colours include four new paint schemes for the retro Classic, three for the Bullet and one colour each for its Thunderbird cruiser and the Continental GT café racer. 

 

The Classic 500 gets a new 'Chrome Green' and 'Classic Chrome Grey', while the 350 comes in Mint and Chestnut. Speaking about the new colour options, Rudratej Singh, President Royal Enfield said, “ The new colours of the Classic have been carefully chosen to bring alive the authenticity of the Classic’s post-war design. The Classic is a well-loved motorcycle and every iteration of it has been eagerly anticipated. We had to be very careful with the colours as just any old shade of green or chestnut wouldn’t have been good. So we chose a very vintage-y mint green and similarly the chestnut with an old patina”. The Classic Chrome will be available at a price of Rs. 1,92,063.

 

A ‘GT Green’ has been introduced for the Continental GT café racer. The GT Green will be available at Rs. 2, 16,246, like the GT Red, GT Yellow and GT Black variants.

 

The oldest motorcycle in continuous production, the Bullet 500 now offers the option of 'Marsh Grey'. This unique paint-scheme comes with copper-coloured Madras pinstripes. The Bullet 350 Electra gets maroon and blue, in addition to the regular silver, red and black. The Bullet 500 is priced at 

Rs 1,69,688 and Bullet 350 is available for Rs. 1,32,788.

 

A new 'Asphalt' variant has been introduced on both the Thunderbird 350 and 500 cruiser bikes. Royal Enfield says that the new colour has been inspired by the long, winding highways. The Thunderbird 350 costs Rs. 1, 53,598 and the Thunderbird 500 Rs 1, 95,498.

 

Bookings for the motorcycles in the new colour schemes are open, and the models come at the same price as its corresponding models.

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New car launches in the coming months

Here's a look at some of the new car launches and unveilings in the coming months.

The new year brings with it a line-up of cars, some all-new and some updated, that will be launched in our market as the months roll by. The beginning of the year will see exciting models such as the Mercedes GLE 450 AMG Coupe, the new Ford Endeavour, the all-new Mahindra KUV100 and the Tata Zica. Here is a list of cars expected to go on sale in 2016.

Mercedes GLE 450 AMG Coupe (January 12)

Mercedes will be introducing the GLE Coupe in India in its performance 450 AMG guise. However, it is not a pure AMG model, as the GLE 450 AMG coupe is powered by a 362bhp 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 in place of the GLE 63 Coupe's full-blown 550bhp 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8. Power is sent to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic gearbox which offers five driving modes – Comfort, Slippery, Sport, Sport+ and Individual. The 2.2-tonne SUV is capable of being propelled from 0-100kph in 5.7 seconds. The interior is carried over from the standard GLE with the addition of a carbon-fibre trim, a sport steering wheel, sport seats and stainless steel pedals.

Mahindra KUV100 (January 15)

Mahindra's all-new compact SUV, the KUV100, is set to be offered in four variants – K2, K4, K6 and K8 – with a choice of petrol and diesel engines. The powerplants are part of an all-new family of engines with the petrol and diesel units being 1.2-litre three-cylinder motors. All variants of the KUV100 will be equipped with ABS and a bench-style front middle seat, making the compact SUV a legal six-seater.

New Ford Endeavour (January 20)

Now in its third generation, the new Endeavour rivals the likes of the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, Chevrolet Trailblazer and the Toyota Fortuner. The new Endeavour will be available in two trim levels – Trend and Titanium – along with the choice of a 2.2-litre four-cylinder or a 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo-diesel engine. The 2.2-litre motor will be to a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox with power sent to either the rear or all-four-wheels. The larger 3.2-litre powerplant will get all-wheel drive and automatic transmission as standard. The all-wheel drive Endeavour will also get Ford’s Terrain Management System, which is similar to JLR's Terrain Response System.

Jeep Grand Cherokee (January)

FCA’s off-roading brand Jeep is set to launch its models in India this month. The brand will make its entry with three models, out of which two will be Grand Cherokees. The first of the two is the standard Grand Cherokee diesel SUV powered by a 3.0-litre 237bhp motor paired to an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox. To be available in top spec only, the SUV will be equipped with features such as panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated seats, sat-nav, parking sensors, reversing camera, an electric tailgate, bi-xenon adaptive headlamps and 20-inch chrome alloy wheels.

Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT (January)

With the launch of the Grand Cherokee SRT, Jeep will be introducing its performance brand, SRT,  in India. The SRT is set apart from the standard model by darkened styling elements across the front fascia, revised bumpers and darkened SRT alloy wheels. On the inside, it gets many SRT-specific tweaks to the cabin such as bespoke leather, flat-bottomed steering and carbon-fibre inserts. The biggest differentiator is the engine, a massive 6.4-litre 475bhp Hemi V8 capable of taking the SUV from 0-100kph in 5 seconds. The SRT also comes equipped with the standard Grand Cherokee’s all-wheel-drive system.

Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (January)

Jeep will be introducing the long-wheelbase four-door version of its Wrangler SUV in India. The rugged SUV will be powered by a 197bhp 2.8-litre diesel motor paired to a five-speed automatic gearbox with four-wheel drive. The Wrangler is the most hardcore off-roader model from the brand and will also be the most affordable of the trio.

Jaguar XE (February)

Jagaur is set to launch its all-new BMW 3-series rivalling sedan, the XE, in India at the 2016 Auto Expo. The car will be powered by a choice of JLR’s new 161bhp 2.0-litre Ingenium diesel engine or 2.0-litre petrol motor. The two engines may be joined by a V6 powerplant as well. Transmission duties will be handled by an eight-speed automatic gearbox. At the Auto Expo, the XE will be on display alongside the new XF and the all-new F-Pace SUV.

Tata Zica (February)

Tata takes a step towards brand reinvention with the Zica, as it is the carmaker's first all-new model since the introduction of the Vista; the Bolt and Zest being heavily re-engineered versions of the Vista. Designed by Tata’s European Technical Centre, the Zica follows the manufacturer's newly introduced  Impact design language. Sharing its platform with the Indica, the car is styled unlike any other Tata.The model will be powered by Tata’s all-new in-house developed 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine and a new 1.05-litre three-cylinder diesel motor. The car will be offered with a five-speed manual gearbox as standard with an AMT unit expected to be introduced sometime in the future.

Nissan X-Trail (February)

Nissan is set to reintroduce the X-Trail in India in its latest iteration. Discontinued in early 2014 due to lack of sales, the new X-trail is based on the company’s CMF platform and gets styling more in line with Nissan’s current generation of international crossovers like the Qashqai and Juke. Unlike the previous model which was offered with a diesel powertrain, the new X-Trail is set to be launched as a petrol-hybrid only. Power will be sourced from a 2.0-litre petrol engine paired to an electric motor. The car will make its way to India as a CBU import only and as per sources, the pricing could be somewhere around the Rs 35 lakh mark.

Ford Mustang

Ford will be bringing the iconic Mustang to our shores shortly with the car set to be showcased at Auto Expo 2016 in February. The current car is the sixth-generation model, unveiled in 2014 to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The new-generation model will be lighter and stiffer, with more space in the cabin that benefits from a major quality upgrade. Internationally, the Mustang is available in three engine options – a 306bhp 2.3-litre, four-cylinder EcoBoost engine, a 296bhp 3.7-litre V6, and a 437bhp 5.0-litre V8 – and two body styles, coupé and convertible. The Mustang headed to India is expected to be the hard-top coupé avatar powered by the 437bhp 5.0-litre V8 mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox with paddle shifters. Expect prices to be somewhere around Rs 80 lakh.

Chevrolet Cruze facelift

Prior to the introduction of the all-new model in 2017, Chevrolet is set to give the Cruze a facelift. As part of the facelift, the car is expected to get revised bumpers, new fog lamps, LED daytime running lamps and other minor tweaks to the exterior. Inside, expect to see the introduction of the Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system on the higher trim levels. Mechanically, the car will carry on using the 163.7bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine mated to a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox.

Volkswagen compact sedan

Volkswagen will reveal its Polo-based compact sedan at Auto Expo 2016, with the launch expected to follow later this year. A rival to the Maruti Dzire, Tata Zest and Hyundai Xcent, the compact sedan from VW – codenamed ICS – is expected to sit at the top of the segment when launched and borrow all the mechanicals, such as the 1.2-litre MPI and TSI petrol engines and the 1.5-diesel unit, from its hatchback sibling.

New Skoda Superb

Skoda is expected to bring the all-new Superb to India early this year. The new Superb is bigger and lighter than before, with aggressive styling and a sleeker profile as compared to the current model. At the time of launch, the new Skoda is expected to carry over the engines of its predecessor mated to six- or seven-speed DSG gearboxes. Skoda is also expected to launch the top-end Laurin & Klement trim which is expected to get features such as 18-inch alloys, umbrellas stowed in the front doors, electric adjust front seats with lumbar support and memory function, three-zone climate control and an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

BMW 3-series facelift

Another facelifted BMW heading to India is the 3-series with prototypes already undergoing testing in the country. For international markets, the facelifted car has been given styling tweaks along with a range of new engines. However, for India the engines are expected to remain unchanged.

New Toyota Innova

The next generation of the Innova has already been launched in international markets, and is expected to arrive on Indian shores early this year. Positioned as a more premium model than the previous generation model, the new car is larger than its predecessor. It is powered by a smaller but more powerful 2.4-litre diesel engine developing 147bhp – a power gap of 45bhp from the current model’s 2.5-litre unit that makes 102bhp. Styling is more in line with the new Corolla Altis and Camry with a large front grille, LED daytime running lamps and sculpted bumpers. Inside, there’s a more upmarket dashboard with a touchscreen infotainment system and new materials.

New BMW 7-series

The new 7-series will be making its way to India this year. Having been revealed at the Frankfurt motor show, the new car gets an evolutionary design language with a more prominent grille, new headlamps and fog-lamps, redesigned bumpers and a new interior. Lighter than the older generation, the new 7-series will come to India powered by a 3.0-litre 261bhp straight-six turbo-diesel or a 4.4-litre V8 turbo petrol developing 444bhp. The new car also comes loaded with technology such as optional laser headlamps, the new generation iDrive with touch and gesture control, night vision and fuel-saving technology such as engine start/stop function.

Expect most of the cars listed here to be showcased at the Auto Expo in February.

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Maruti Alto 800, K10 get driver airbag as add-on

The option pack is offered across all trim levels of the Alto 800 and Alto K10, making it the only model in the segment to offer this feature.

The Alto has joined the list of Maruti cars bringing safety features as add-ons, with the Indian manufacturer offering driver airbag as an option across all variants of the Alto K10 and Alto 800. Models such as the WagonR, WagonR Stingray, Swift, Dzire and Celerio are offered with the option pack which includes dual airbags and ABS as add-ons.

The Alto will be the only model in the segment to offer the option of a driver airbag across all variants, as competitors like the Renault Kwid and the 800cc Hyundai Eon only offer this feature on the top variant. Earlier, only the top VXi (O) trim of the Alto K10 came fitted with a driver airbag, while the top VXi trim of the Alto 800 offered the same as an add-on option. Other features remain unchanged.

The Alto 800 is powered by a 796cc three-cylinder engine that develops 47.3bhp and comes with the factory-fitted option of a CNG kit. The larger Alto K10 uses the 998cc K10 engine – also used in the WagonR and Celerio – and gets the factory-fitted CNG option. The engine is capable of developing 67.1bhp and 58.2bhp in the petrol and CNG guise respectively. Both cars use a five-speed manual gearbox with the Alto K10 additionally getting the option of an AMT gearbox.

Prices of the airbag-equipped variants of the Alto are as follows:

Maruti Alto 800 STD(O): Rs 2.62 lakh

Maruti Alto 800 LX(O): Rs 2.99 lakh

Maruti Alto 800 LXi(O): Rs 3.21 lakh

Maruti Alto 800 LXi CNG(O): Rs 3.78 lakh

Maruti Alto K10 LXi(O): Rs 3.46 lakh

Maruti Alto K10 VXi AGS(O): Rs 4.11 lakh

Maruti Alto K10 LXi CNG(O): Rs 4.08 lakh

(All prices ex-showroom, Delhi)

At Rs 2.62 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), the Alto becomes the cheapest car to get the driver airbag feature in India.

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GM launches updated Chevrolet Beat at Rs 4.28 lakh

The refreshed Beat gets added safety and convenience features; top variant gets a new LTZ nomenclature.

General Motors India today launched an updated version of the Chevrolet Beat hatchback at a starting price of Rs 4.28 lakh going up to Rs 5.55 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The hatchback now comes with improved interiors and added safety equipment.

In terms of the safety features, the LT variant gets the addition of a driver side airbag. Moreover, the top trim, which follows a new LTZ nomenclature, comes with passenger and driver side air bags, anti-lock brakes (ABS) and electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD).

On the exterior, the Beat’s glass headlamps get black accents, body-coloured door handles, while the tail-lamps now sport a combination of coloured and clear glass. Other features include fog lamps with chrome surrounds, a newly designed rear spoiler with LED inserts and a restyled dual-tone rear bumper with sporty reflectors.

Inside, the car gets steering-mounted audio controls on some variants, a height-adjustable driver seat and silver interior highlights. The refreshed Chevrolet Beat also comes with remote keyless entry with a foldable key.

The Beat, which is available with a petrol and diesel engine, has an ARAI-certified fuel economy of 25.44kpl for the diesel engine and 17.8kpl for the petrol engine.

Mechanicals, however, remain unchanged and the Beat continues to be powered by the
1.2-litre, four-cylinder petrol unit developing 79bhp and 10.9kgm of torque. The diesel variants come with a three-cylinder unit developing 58.5bhp and 15.2kgm of torque. Transmission duties are carried out by a five-speed manual gearbox.

“The Chevrolet Beat, one of GM India’s best-selling models, raises the bar in the country’s fast-growing compact car segment. The new version was developed by carefully listening to our customers and enhancing it with smart new features and stylish looks,” Hardeep Brar, vice-president – Sales, General Motors India said in a company statement.

The updated Beat also gets the addition of two new colours, red and steel grey.

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Volkswagen emissions scandal: Renault factories raided by police

Several Renault factories and sites have been raided by police in a move understood to be in connection with the ongoing emissions scandal

Police have raided several Renault facilities in France, in a move understood to be in connection to the Volkswagen emissions scandal.

The raids, which took place last week, were first reported by local unions but have since been confirmed by Renault. In a statement, Renault said that investigators wanted to check the equipment used at its factories.

Several computers belonging to company directors are said to have been seized.

In a statement, the CGT Renault union suggested that the raids “are linked to the consequences of the Volkswagen rigged-engines affair,” and confirmed that the raids had targeted engine control units.

Renault was one of a number of vehicle manufacturers to welcome more stringent test procedures in the wake of the emissions scandal, which broke last September.

At the time, the company confirmed that it had not used so-called ‘defeat devices’ in the past. A spokesman said: “We invite all those legislations and framework in markets we operate in, we don’t have defeat devices in any of our cars and we welcome the improvements that are proposed in Europe for the NEDC [New European Driving Cycle] side of it.”

Shares in the French car maker fell sharply this morning as the first reports of the raids surfaced, with stock prices dropping by as much as 20%.

A further statement from Renault is expected shortly.

Volkswagen has been subjected to the most scrutiny under the emissions scandal, but it's known that authorities would be looking into more vehicle manufacturers. German officials from the KBA said late last year that they would be investigating 23 different marques.

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Auto Expo 2016 to see unveiling of 80 new vehicles

Over 1,500 exhibitors from over 20 countries expected at the expo's 13th edition; to be the largest Auto Expo yet.

The thirteenth edition of the Auto Expo is set to be held in February and will be the largest iteration yet. While the Motor Show will be held from February 5-9, 2016 at India Expo Mart, Greater Noida, the Components Show will be held from February 4-7 at Pragati Maidan.

Auto Expo 2016 will witness the unveiling of 80 new vehicles and over 1,500 exhibitors from over 20 countries are expected to participate in the event. This year, the expo will focus on electric vehicles and hybrids, especially after the implementation of the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid and) Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme in April 2015 and also the recent thrust by the government towards reducing vehicular pollution in the country.

Nearly twice the size of the 2015 Tokyo motor show, the organisers expect to cross the footfall of 1.2 lakh visitors per day – the figure recorded at the 2014 Auto Expo. The gross indoor exhibition space at the show has increased to 73,000 sq m, from the previous edition's 69,000 sq m. The existing eight permanent halls are joined by six newly constructed ones with an additional carpet area of 37,240 sq m.

The Component show 2016 will be spread across 80,000 sq m in 18 halls, and 50 companies among the 1,500 participating exhibitors are new entrants. The companies include 900 Indian companies and 600 international exhibitors.

Moreover, seven exclusive international pavilions from China, Canada, Germany, Japan, Taiwan (ROC), South Korea and the U.K. are set to display an array of components.

The organisers, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), will equip the venue with three-layer security manned by the CISF.

“Auto Expo has conventionally been one of the most sought after platforms for the automobile industry. We believe that Auto Expo gives the much needed thrust to the industry in totality and ensures that the participating brands get noticed at a global level,” Vinod Dasari, President, SIAM, said in a statement today.

A food court will be set up at the venue with over 60 stalls and kiosks, and a facility to make payments will be provided by means of RIFD (Radio Frequency Identification) cards organised by BookMyShow.

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Refreshed Toyota Corolla leaked ahead of unveil

Toyota Corolla to get a mid-cycle refresh soon; styling inspired by the Japanese-spec Corolla Hybrid.

The current-generation Corolla was unveiled globally around two years ago and is in line to receive a mid-cycle refresh. Toyota sells the Corolla in various international markets, and the sedan gets distinct styling tweaks based on the market it is sold in. 

Spy pictures of the sedan, that have surfaced in Australia, show two versions of the yet-to-be-unveiled facelifted Corolla. The car seen on the left is likely to be the one that will head to North America. This version features restyled headlamps, a wide grille and bolder styling up front. The overall look on this version brings it more in line with the all-new Prius and the North American-spec Camry sedan which also gets a similar front styling.

 

India is likely to get the model seen on the right. This Corolla gets a re-profiled front styling and sees the addition of more chrome. There's also LED DRLs, a twin-bar chrome grille and recessed fog lamp inserts. The rear styling of the updated Corolla features new bumpers and restyled tail lamps as well.

 

On the engine front, we expect the Corolla Altis in India to be available in the 1.8-litre petrol and the 1.4-litre diesel guise. 

 

Toyota currently sells both these models in hybrid guise in the Japanese market. The India-spec car is expected to receive styling similar to that seen on the Corolla sold in Japan.

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Honda confirms BR-V, Accord for Auto Expo

The BR-V SUV and Accord sedan will be Honda's prime exhibits at Auto Expo 2016; Project 2&4 concept and Jazz racing concept to also be displayed.

Honda has revealed its line-up for the 2016 Auto Expo. The carmaker will showcase the new BR-V SUV, the Accord sedan, the Project 2&4 concept and the Jazz racing concept at the upcoming expo. 

 

The new BR-V will mark Honda’s entry into the popular small SUV segment that includes the Hyundai Creta, Renault Duster and Ford EcoSport. The new BR-V will also rival the upcoming Maruti Vitara Brezza which will make its world premiere at Auto Expo 2016.

 

Although based on the same platform as the Brio, Amaze and Mobilio, the BR-V looks more angular and rugged. At 2,652mm, the wheelbase is the same as the Mobilio's, but there is a possibility of the engines getting an update. The familiar 1.5-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engine will be on offer.

The carmaker has worked on giving the BR-V SUV-like design cues, such as the butch cladding that goes around the car, the rising beltline, the pronounced wheel arch flares and the roof rails. The BR-V gets an all-new dashboard which looks much similar to the one in the Honda City and Jazz. It will feature three rows of seats, and is expected to be similar to the ones seen on the Mobilio. The Honda BR-V for India will be manufactured at Honda's Tapukara facility in Rajasthan.

The carmaker is likely to begin production for this small SUV around April next year.

 

The next big reveal by Honda at the Auto Expo will be the Accord sedan which is making its comeback to the Indian market.  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 Accord. To be sold as a CBU in India, the sedan 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.

 

In addition to these models, the carmaker has announced that it will showcase the Jazz racing concept at the Auto Expo and a single-seat track-focussed automobile concept called the Honda Project 2&4.

 

Revealed internationally earlier, the Honda Project 2&4 is designed to give the driver the feel of riding a bike with four wheels. On the outside, the car seems to have a blend of carbon fibre and aluminum with pictures showcasing Ohlins adjustable dampers. The idea of a dashboard has been completely striked out as the Project2&4 features a display screen for the information.  The steering wheel includes the engine starter button, switches for the trip computer’s stopwatch operation and toggles that are likely to adjust the car's engine and traction control modes.

 

The engine used is a MotoGP RC213V 999cc V4 which produces 212bhp and 12.08kgm of torque at 14,000rpm, mounted in place of the passenger seat. Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission controlled via paddles behind the steering wheel. The car weighs just 405kg; 115kg lighter than the two-seat Atom.

 

The carmaker will also showcase the McLaren Honda MP4-30 Formula 1 car, the Goldwing and the Asimo at the expo. 

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