AUTHENTIC CARS

Suzuki has revealed the first few images of the new S-Cross crossover concept. This will in future form the base of the next-gen SX4 hatch, which is sold in international markets. It may also come to India later in a saloon form, just like the current car. The S-Cross concept gets bold styling with LED headlamps and huge chrome wheels. It also gets LED DRLs in front. Rear styling looks a bit Audi-inspired, especially in the design of the tail lamps. There are no details on engines yet. Suzuki will officially unveil this concept at the ongoing Paris Motor Show 2012.

Bentley will take on the likes of McLaren, Porsche, Mercedes and Aston Martin in sportscar racing with the new Bentley Continental GT3, which has been unveiled in concept form at the Paris motor show. After months of speculation, the Crewe-based marque has confirmed that it will officially return to motorsport next year, a decade on from its most recent victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours. Based on Bentley’s fastest-ever road car, the Continental GT Speed, the GT3 racing version replaces the road-going machine’s all-wheel drive system with a rear-wheel drive layout. It has revised aerodynamics including a carbonfibre front splitter and rear diffuser, as well as a race-spec rear wing to produce extra downforce. Bentley hasn’t revealed details of the engine’s specification, but a race-tuned version of the GT Speed’s turbocharged W12 seems likely to power the new car. The Continental GT3 is being developed by a dedicated motorsport team at Crewe under the guidance of Bentley’s di...

Mercedes-Benz has kicked off a high stakes battle for electric performance car supremacy with the unveiling of the definitive production version of its SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive at the Paris motor show.   Described as the world’s most powerful series production electric car, the new two seater shares its exterior styling, including signature gullwing doors, with the more conventional combustion engine-propelled SLS AMG, first introduced to the Mercedes-Benz line-up back in 2009.   But underneath its familiar looking bodywork the SLS Electric Drive adopts a hi-tech driveline consisting of four synchronous electric motors placed at each corner where they drive the individual wheels, providing it with permanent four-wheel drive.   Together, the four electric motors, each weighing 45kg, deliver a total of 740bhp – 177bhp more than the standard rear-wheel-drive SLS AMG’s 6.2-litre V8 petrol engine.   The electric-powered Audi R8 e-tron, which is ti...

Porsche has provided the clearest hint yet that its long held plans to expand the Panamera line-up to include a sporting estate have already progressed past the crucial decision-making stage and into the realms of new model development, with the unveiling of this production realistic concept car, the Panamera Sport Turismo The up-market five-door, which showcases a development of the existing Porsche petrol-electric hybrid system complete with plug-in capability for the first time, is one of at least three new Panamera-based models Zuffenhausen bosses have been mulling over since the introduction of today’s liftback model to the line-up back in 2009. Visual changes over today’s liftback include an extended roofline, longer glasshouse and angled tailgate that opens at bumper height. The unveiling of the Audi A6 Avant and Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake rival in concept car form at the Paris motor show is set to proceed an official announcement from Porsche boss, Mathias Muller...

McLaren has taken the wraps off its P1, the company’s all-new 'ultimate supercar' ahead of its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show. The P1 is a design study with one simple goal in mind – to be the best driver’s car in the world, on road and track. Sources close to the company have revealed that the new model is likely to produce around 960bhp with the help of a Formula 1-style Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS). The P1 is not designed to outrun a Bugatti Veyron, say insiders; it is more about exceptional lap times. The P1 will have a limited production run of 500 models, and it may be sold out to existing McLaren clients and high-profile collectors without going on general public sale. The final production version of the P1 will be shown next year, but it is expected to look almost identical to the car pictured here. Its arrival will coincide with the 50th anniversary of McLaren. The P1 is described as taking much of its “technological and spiritual inspirat...

Mercedes-Benz has launched the B-class in India with a starting price tag of Rs 21.49 lakh for the base B 180 petrol variant.   The B-class is the first offering from Mercedes to sit on the new front-wheel-drive (MFA) platform. This platform is used in the new A-class, and will also do duty in the upcoming A-class-based saloon and in a compact SUV as well.   A four-cyl in-line, 1595cc, direct-injection, turbo-petrol motor powers the B-class mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch ’box. A 1.8-litre diesel motor will join the petrol unit later next year.    As expected, the Mercedes B 180 BlueEfficiency comes loaded with features like a start-stop system, airbags, attention assist, hill-start- and brake-assist, and a panoramic sunroof as standard. While the B 180 gets 16-inch alloys, the B 180 Sport (priced at Rs 24.87 lakh) comes with 17-inch alloy wheels. In addition, the Sport model gets twin chrome slats on the grille, twin-pipe exhausts, sporty pedals, a sporty leather-wr...

The government has finally bitten the diesel bullet. The cabinet has taken a decision to increase prices by Rs 5 per litre or 12 percent. The hike is effective midnight September 13, 2012. This is the first time the government has increased diesel prices in the last two years. In June 2010, the government had de-regulated petrol prices and differed a decision on doing the same for diesel because of its political implications. The decision to increase diesel prices is part of the government’s plan to rein in its burgeoning subsidy bill.

Porsche has confirmed long running rumours that it will add a second diesel model to its Cayenne global line-up as part of efforts to further boost its sales potential in the face of increased luxury SUV competition. Pictured here for the first time ahead of a planned world premiere at the Paris motor show at the end of September, the new Cayenne S Diesel runs the latest evolution of Audi’s 4.2-litre V8 diesel engine. With twin variable vane turbochargers and the latest in piezo valve guided common-rail injection technology, the 90-degree unit kicks out 377bhp and 86.5kgm – an increase of 140bhp and 30.5kgm on the existing single turbocharged 3.0-ltire V6 diesel engine found in the popular Cayenne Diesel. According to Porsche’s own performance figures, the added reserves are sufficient to haul the four-wheel-drive Cayenne S Diesel from standstill to 100kph in 5.7sec and to a top speed of 253kph. As with rival BMW and its new twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder die...

Volkswagen India may price the New Touareg at around Rs 58.4 lakh (ex-showroom, Maharashtra). According to company sources, the new Touareg will officially be launched very soon. While the new Touareg has a low profile like its predecessor, it is 40mm longer and about 200kg lighter than the model it replaces. Power comes from a 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel engine that churns out 236bhp and 56.08kgm of torque, and is mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The Touareg comes equipped with a Bluetooth audio system, fully-powered seats with memory, a touch-screen audio system that doubles up as a screen for the reverse camera, and a dual-zone climate control system. It also comes with keyless entry and go, a panoramic sunroof, switches in the boot to both lower the rear suspension for easy loading, and drop the rear seats for more boot space. Surprisingly, it does not come with paddle-shifters for its eight-speed gearbox, and the steering reach/rake adjust is manual. Automat...

Volkswagen has released images and details of the upcoming Golf Mk7 prior to the car’s public unveiling at the Paris motor show. This all-new design is said to be lighter, roomier, safer and more economical than the outgoing model. The earlier generation Golf Mk6 had failed to make it to Indian shores. The German carmaker had conducted feasibility studies and even tested the car in Indian conditions, but was unsure of whether to bring in its premium upmarket hatchback via CKD or SKD. This, coupled with a change in duty structure for cars in India, saw the German carmaker put the Golf’s Indian debut on hold - it would have been very difficult to make money. However, with the recent change in market trends and the upcoming launches of premium upmarket hatchbacks in India like the Mercedes A-class, which will share a platform with the B-class and is built to take on the VW Golf and the BMW 1-series, VW is looking to revive its India game plan, thus bringing in the new Golf Mk7 to our...

Volkswagen has launched refreshed versions of its Polo hatch and Vento saloon with added features to boost its sales volumes. The new Polo and Vento now get black inserts in the headlights and new alloy wheel design. Upgrades to the cabin are more prominent and include leather-wrapped steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake lever, a new music system with USB, Bluetooth connectivity, speed sensing volume control and steering wheel-mounted audio controls. In addition to these, the Vento also gets a new navigation system with a rear-view camera. Commenting on the occasion, Arvind Saxena, MD, Volkswagen Passenger Cars said, “Introduction of new features in the Polo and the Vento will further excite the customers as both the models will offer more value now.” Surprisingly, the top-end variants of the Polo and the Vento models are now cheaper by around Rs 40,000 and Rs 30,000 respectively. The Trendline and Comfortline variants of both models are dearer by Rs 11,000-22,000. The new ...

Maruti Suzuki have been going through a lot lately. The Manesar plant saga has affected output quite significantly, sales have flagged, but with not much happening on the products front and the Manesar issue now solved, MSIL have deemed today as the right day to launch the face-lifted Ritz Diesel (The petrol variant stays unchanged, for now). Maruti state that the Ritz Diesel has received a sum of 52 changes, which include a fresher, more angular front-end with sharp-edged headlamps, new front grille, bumper and rear spoiler. The insides of the updated Ritz feature a new dual-tone interior with red highlights (which are exclusive to the VDi and ZDi variants) and improved lumbar support for the rear seats. This time, the Ritz will also be available in ZDi guise, as opposed to the earlier model which was only available in base and mid-level trims if you were buying a diesel-engined Ritz. The ZDi sees added features like alloy wheels, steering-mounted audio controls, dual airbag...

Hyundai is readying the replacement for the i10 and proof of this comes from the first-ever spy pictures of the car being tested on Indian soil. Though heavily disguised, it looks longer and wider than the current car and the silhouette of the grille behind the cladding suggests the new i10 follows Hyundai's ‘Fluidic’ design theme. Other clues pointing to this are the swept-back headlights, the low, elongated chin and the rising shoulder line. Top-end variants could get alloy wheels and rear parking sensors as well as fog lamps as standard equipment. Hyundai is also developing a new 1.1-litre common-rail diesel for use in this new i10. There will also be a new 1.0-litre Kappa petrol engine which will be more fuel efficient than the current 1.1-litre Epsilon motor. The modern, 79bhp, 1.2-litre VTVT motor will continue alongside the new engines. This new car, codenamed BA, will be officially revealed at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show and will be launched in India thereafter.