AUTHENTIC CARS

JLR launched the all-new Range Rover in India on November 30. The all-new Rangie has been re-engineered to become more competitive as a genuine luxury car on-road as well as becoming more capable off-road. The new model is lighter, more frugal, more spacious and significantly more refined, according to Land Rover. The company says it is the world’s first SUV with all-aluminium monocoque construction and the new car is 180kg lighter than the previous model. A 40mm longer wheelbase gives the new Rangie improved rear cabin space. It has been benchmarked against luxury cars such as the Bentley Flying Spur and Mercedes S-Class for ride quality and tyre and wind noise. The latest Range Rover’s new-generation Terrain Response 2 system now includes an ‘auto’ setting, which analyses the terrain and can switch automatically between the five off-road settings. The new Range Rover will be available in India with a 4.4-litre V8 twin-turbo diesel engine that makes 334bhp as wel...

BMW is testing the market for a sportier-looking, three-door coupé version of its battery-powered i3 electric hatch with the i3 Concept Coupé, which has broken cover ahead of the Los Angeles motor show. The BMW i3 Concept Coupé is lower and wider than the five-door i3 hatch due on sale in international markets next year and is distinguished by a more steeply sloped roofline, deeper rear side windows and a slightly more angled tailgate. Otherwise, it shares the basic styling treatment, 2750mm wheelbase and carbon fibre-reinforced plastic body construction — the so-called Life Module structure — with the i3 five-door. Although the three-door has yet to be signed off for production, senior BMW officials say that cost and production feasibility studies have been carried out. And it has emerged that a soft-top version of the three-door i3 is also awaiting sign-off, suggesting the i-car line-up could eventually support up to five models — three i3 hatch-derived mod...

The renewal of Porsche’s sportscar line-up continues apace with the unveiling of a larger and lighter second-generation Cayman at the Los Angeles motor show. The new mid-engined coupé adopts a redesigned platform offering improved weight distribution as well as a series of weight-saving measures that are claimed to result in a lighter car than its predecessor. Sister car to the Boxster, which it will be built alongside at Porsche’s Zuffenhausen factory (and eventually the old Karmann factory in Osnabruck), the new Cayman receives slightly different proportions in a move that serves to stretch its silhouette and provide the basis for a larger cabin. Length is up by 35mm, width extends by a scant 1mm while height drops by 10mm over its predecessor at 4380mm, 1801mm and 1295mm, respectively. The Cayman once again shares its styling with the Boxster. Distinguishing features include daytime running lights and indicators housed within a round unit, more pronounced...

The world’s largest maker of petrol engines, Honda, didn’t take easily to making diesels. Despite clear indications and global trends, the Japanese motorcycle and car manufacturer shied away from ‘dirty oil burners’ for years. Honda culture, you see, was all about petrol engines. Built on the bedrock of motorsport, high-revving petrol engines and driving pleasure, diesels were an anathema. But the skyrocketing price of fuel and a loss of marketshare in certain markets has forced Honda’s hand. The new i-DTEC diesel engine is the first small capacity diesel to be launched by Honda. Known as Earth Dreams Technology, this new 1.6 engine will make its introduction at the beginning of 2013 and offers a potentially class-leading combination of 118bhp and 30.5kgm torque.    “The key focus of our Earth Dreams Technology philosophy is to balance environmental efficiency with the dynamic performance expected of a Honda,” says Suehiro Hasshi of Honda. “It is impor...

Mercedes has revealed a first set of images of the new Ener-G-Force SUV concept. This new Mercedes-Benz G-class-based concept may be the first indication of the carmaker’s plans to launch a direct rival to the Range Rover. The Ener-G-Force concept SUV is an imposing seven-seater that, in kitted-up highway patrol vehicle guise, is also Mercedes' entry into the annual Los Angeles Auto Show Design Challenge at next week’s LA motor show. Sources claim the Ener-G-Force is the forerunner to a new three strong line-up of Land Rover-rivalling off-roaders set to join its line-up in coming years, based around existing platforms and driveline combinations, including a long-awaited replacement for the iconic G-class in production since 1979 and a Range Rover rival. “The Ener-G-Force invokes the genes of the G-class,” said Mercedes' design Chief Gorden Wagener. “It could also be a clue about a new beginning for the off-road design idiom of Mercedes,” he added...

Aston Martin’s majority shareholder is seeking to sell its stake and has approached potential buyers, according to online reports. Bloomberg claims the Kuwait firm Investment Dar Co, which owns 64 per cent of Aston, has hired financial advisory firm Rothschild to advise on the sale and several buyers have already been approached, including Indian firm Mahindra & Mahindra. Autocar is awaiting an official comment from Aston Martin on the reports. Investment Dar was part of a consortium fronted by Prodrive’s David Richards that bought Aston from Ford five years ago. Richards became chairman of the famous British sports car maker, which has been led by CEO Ulrich Bez since 2000, after the takeover. Bloomberg claims a sale of Aston is proving difficult, as a buyer willing to pay the $800 million (£640m) Investment Dar is seeking for its stake is not forthcoming. The report also claims Toyota conducted a one-week study around two months ago into the feasibility ...

This is the new Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster, a 690bhp V12 open-top hypercar that is, the Italian firm claims, “the most exciting Lamborghini ever built”. The Aventador Roadster uses a Targa-style two-piece carbon fibre roof, which weighs just 6kg. It can be removed by hand in “a few seconds” and stored in the front luggage compartment when not in use. The carbon fibre roof is made using Lamborghini’s own Forged Composite tech, which creates a material stronger than titanium but less dense. The hard-top for the Aventador Roadster addresses the main problem with its open-top Murcielago predecessor. With that car’s fabric roof raised, its top speed was limited to 160kph. The roof was also tricky to remove and store. Just like the coupé, the Aventador Roadster uses a normally aspirated 6.5-litre V12 featuring cylinder deactivation technology, stop-start and a seven-speed automatic gearbox. With the roof off, the new Roadster can hit a cla...

Mercedes-Benz has revealed its new 622bhp 6.2-litre V8-powered SLS AMG Black Series ahead of the powered-up gullwing coupé’s debut at the Los Angeles motor show later this month. Sporting a series of aerodynamic and mechanical developments brought over from the SLS AMG GT3 race car, the headlining AMG model is the fifth in a series of limited production Black Series models. As tradition dictates, the SLS AMG Black Series is outwardly distinguished by series of exterior styling changes that serve to provide it with a distinctly brawnier appearance than the standard SLS AMG – all in keeping with its circuit bred lineage. Carbonfibre is used extensively for the more aggressive bodywork, including the deep front spoiler, bonnet and rear diffuser. An aerodynamic package is optional, which includes a lathe fixed rear wing. The rear bulkhead and centre tunnel are also fashioned from carbonfibre, changes which help shed the Black Series' kerb weight by 70kg over the standard SL...

BMW has launched the new 6-series Gran Coupe priced at Rs 86.40 lakh, ex-showroom India. It joins the existing two-door coupe and convertible models in an expanded range of 6-series models aiming to attract buyers who place greater emphasis on outright style than practicality. Under the hood sits BMW's 3.0-litre, twin-turbo, six-cylinder diesel, powering the rear wheels. Making 309bhp and 64.3kgm of torque, the motor comes mated to the standard eight-speed, torque-converter automatic gearbox. Flat out, the Gran Coupe will hit 100kph in a claimed 5.4sec. The Gran Coupe is identical to the 6-series coupe and convertible from its forward-leaning kidney grille through to the upper trailing edge of its windscreen. However, it adopts a longer and flatter roof structure, substantial B-pillars and two conventionally front-hinged rear doors. To help provide the Gran Coupe with an added touch of coupe-like style, all four doors are frameless. Despite its stylistic links to the two...

It’s that time of the year again. Along with bright lights and celebrations, the festive season brings with it some of the best deals when it comes to buying cars. Once again, carmakers are offering tempting discounts that let customers make most of their budgets and aspirations. So let’s find out what’s on offer this year. BMW is offering Rs 1 lakh off on the on-road prices of all 3-series models till November 13. Other models like the 520d and 525d have Rs 3 lakh off, while the 730d comes with a discount of Rs 5 lakh. The X3 comes with a Rs 75,000 discount, while the X5 and X1 (Corporate Edition) diesels will be offered with discounts of Rs 2 lakh and Rs 4 lakh respectively. Mercedes is offering around Rs 2 lakh discount on the C-Class petrol and a petro card worth Rs 1.5 lakh and on the C-Class diesel, there's a discount of Rs 1.5 lakh. On the E 220D, there's a discount of around Rs 3.5 lakh and on the E 250 diesel there's an offer of around Rs 2 lakh off. Che...

BMW has revealed that it will be bringing its 1-series hatchback (codename: F20) to India late next year. The current-generation model has been on sale in international markets since September last year. The 1-series is the smallest and most affordable car in the BMW range, which is why the company sees great potential for the five-door hatchback in the Indian market. Encouraged by the booming sales of the X1, and also possibly in response to Mercedes’ plans to launch the A-class hatchback – a direct rival for the 1-series – in India, BMW hopes the 1 will carve out a new niche for itself here as a powerful, premium, rear-wheel-drive hatchback. The car will be locally produced at the BMW plant in Chennai, so expect prices to be in the range of around Rs 18-20 lakh. The design is striking, if not classically attractive – the shark-nose treatment with the forward-leaning kidney grille, the clamshell bonnet and the large, recessed headlights, give it a premium look, and you can’...

Audi has started production of the Q7 luxury-class SUV at its Aurangabad plant. Up to 1,000 of the Audi Q7 will be built there each year to supply the Indian market. Following on from the A4, A6 and Q5, the Q7 is the fourth model to be built in India by the Ingolstadt carmaker. The Q7 will be produced in a newly constructed hall at the group plant of Skoda Auto India. Production of the Q3 in the new Audi hall, which covers a floor area of 20,000 square metres, is also planned from mid-2013. "Local production of the Q7 means Audi India is now building a second Q model locally. That will reduce waiting times for our customers and we will be able to offer a wider range of versions in the market," explained Michael Perschke, head of Audi India. Local production of the Q7 SUV is a part of Audi’s long-term growth strategy for the Indian market which it feels is one of the most promising auto markets in the world. Increasing demand from Indian customers for the Audi Q3,...

Maserati has taken the wraps off its new Quattroporte, the first and the flagship of a trio of new models. The new sixth-generation Quattroporte will be revealed at the Detroit motor show in January and will be followed by a smaller BMW 5-series-rivalling saloon called Ghibli later in the year. A new SUV called Levante will crown the new expanded Maserati line-up, which will include diesel engines for the first time in early 2014. Maserati is not divulging any official details on the new Quattroporte ahead of its Detroit unveiling, but Autocar understands that the latest model is longer but lighter than the current four-door saloon. The next-gen Quattroporte is believed to be based on a new steel monocoque chassis. The new underpinnings mean it should grow to around 5200mm in length, up from the current 5052mm. Much of the increase is understood to have been in the wheelbase, to improve legroom for rear passengers, something that’s crucial if Maserati is to make an impress...

General Motors India has launched the new Chevrolet Sail U-VA at Rs 4.44 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The new Sail U-VA is the first model in India from the GM-SAIC joint venture. While styling may not be ground-breaking, the Sail is quite pleasing to look at. Linking the Sail to the rest of the Chevy range is the split grille with the bowtie emblem. The Sail looks quite smart from the rear, thanks to its near-vertical tail section. Also, its 2465mm wheelbase means space inside is quite good. Like the exterior, the cabin is neat too but does not really stand out in terms of design. The Sail U-VA will be powered by a 79bhp 1.2-litre petrol engine and a 1.3-litre Fiat-sourced diesel motor. The company's claimed fuel efficiency figures for the Sail are 18.3kpl for the petrol and 22.1kpl for the diesel motor. The base trim-level comes with power steering, front power windows, power mirrors, tilt steering, a digital tachometer, engine immobilizer and a 12V power outlet. The L...