AUTHENTIC CARS

Suzuki will reveal its new S-Cross concept at the Paris motor show in September.   No details have been revealed, but the firm describes the new C-segment crossover concept as a model that embodies "emotion, quality and aerodynamics".   Seen here for the first time in this official sketch, the five-door S-Cross hatchback will feature a distinctive beltline, plus protective body mouldings all round and a skid plate under the car’s front.   A production version of the Suzuki S-Cross could replace the current SX4 in international markets towards the end of 2013.

Rolls-Royce has announced a special edition of its Phantom Coupé. The Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupé Aviator Edition will be unveiled at this weekend’s Pebble Beach Quail gathering in California. The Phantom Coupé Aviator Edition features a matte window and grille surround and bonnet. Inside, changes include a Thommen aviation clock with blood orange needles. The mahogany veneer lower fascia carries Sapele highlights and polished stainless steel trim. Rolls-Royce will build 35 Aviator Edition models. They have been inspired by keen aviator and Rolls-Royce co-founder, Charles Rolls and the Supermarine S6B, which competed in the Schnider Trophy, an air race held near Rolls-Royce’s factory between 1931 and 1933. Other S6B-inspired features include an anodised aluminium transmission tunnel with exposed torx bolts and swage lines that echo the oil cooling veins on the plane’s fuselage.

Following BMW’s striking BMW Zagato Coupé concept at the Villa d’Este Concours in May, the Bavarian marque has now unveiled a one-off roadster version at the 2012 Concours d’Elegance. Based on the BMW Z4 sDrive35is drivetrain, power for the new roadster (and preceding coupé model) is derived from BMW’s turbocharged 3.0-litre, six-cylinder engine. It receives increased boost pressure, an altered exhaust system and modifications that increase power from 335bhp in standard guise to 400bhp. The Zagato roadster has been designed and hand-built in just six weeks, and it shares much of the coupé’s detailing, which includes its sculpted bonnet with integrated cooling ducts and low-set kidney grille with z-design grating.  Also akin to the coupé concept is the roadster’s bumper and 19-inch alloy wheel design, plus prominent cooling ducts in each front wheel arch. At its rear, Zagato has given the roadster a slightly revised version of the coupé’s bumper and tweaked the design of the ...

The Bentley Mulsanne range will grow to include a convertible model if potential customers give the seal of approval to a dramatic concept version. The Mulsanne Convertible Concept, depicted here in these official sketches, was shown behind closed doors to existing and potential Bentley customers at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California last weekend. An insider described the open-top Mulsanne as “a logical expansion” of the Mulsanne range given Bentley’s rich history of creating luxurious four-seat convertibles. There has been no such car in Bentley’s line-up since the Azure went out of production in 2010. The concept is described as “not just whim and fancy” by our insider, and is “quite a long way towards being production viable” despite its conceptual appearance in these sketches. The Pebble Beach reveal is significant, as North America — and even more specifically California — has traditionally been the key world market for cars in the luxury four-seat convertible...

This is the first official image of the all-new next-generation Range Rover. It is set to make its public debut at the Paris motor show in a month’s time before going on sale early next year. For the first time in 42 years, however, styling and dynamic ability are not the most important parts of the new Range Rover story. The bombshell news — perhaps the most significant change in the model’s 42-year history — is the adoption of a new all-aluminium monocoque body/chassis that carves up to 420kg off the current Range Rover’s kerb weight. This will bring unprecedented benefits in fuel economy, emissions, performance and agility. The new model becomes the world’s first aluminium monocoque SUV, utilising techniques already developed for the aluminium XK and XJ of sister brand Jaguar. In future, almost all of Jaguar Land Rover’s higher-value models are likely to be made this way. According to Land Rover, the new model’s performance improvement is much more than merely incremental. Gl...

Mercedes has added a diesel variant to its R-Class MPV lineup, the R 350 CDI (Long wheel-base). It is priced at Rs 58.9 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi). The petrol variant of the R-Class was launched last year. Thanks to styling cues borrowed from the company’s saloon and SUV models, the ambiguously shaped R-class MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle) does not crouch into the rather dreary minivan territory like the earlier model but makes its own luxury MPV segment with no other car to share space with. The fully loaded version comes with bi-xenon headlamps, steel spring suspension in front and AIRmatic (Adaptive Intelligent Ride control) system featuring self-leveling air suspension in the rear to aid comfort and improve driving dynamics. The R 350 CDI is powered by a 2987cc V6 diesel powerplant. The interiors is where the R-class scores; the highly flexible interiors can seat up to seven in various seating combinations. The third row is the most impressive – even better than the...

Jaguar India launches new XKR special edition models in both coupe and convertible forms. Priced at Rs 1.27 crore (ex-showroom, Mumbai), these models come equipped with a host of new features that make an already plush ride even more opulent. The exterior changes feature convertible hood colours including black, grey, blue and brown, a new 20-inch Orona alloy-wheel design with a polished finish and adaptive front lighting. The special edition models will include new ‘Artisan’ interiors that utilise scraffito grain leather on the seats, instrument binnacle, door and rear quarter casings, and Poltrona Frau leather headlinings. To further pamper the occupants, there are 16x16-way heated front seats, a 525W Bowers and Wilkins sound system, a seven-inch touchscreen, unique treadplates and stainless steel pedals. Standard on all models for the XKR is a 5.0-litre direct-injection V8 petrol engine with 503bhp, variable adaptive damping, an electronically controlled active differential a...