AUTHENTIC CARS

The Volkswagen Jetta facelift will reach Indian showrooms soon . The facelift, although minor, comes a little more than two years after the second-generation Jetta was launched (August 2011) in India. The refreshed Jetta is expected to get new headlights, similar to the ones seen on the current Passat, with LED daytime-running lamps, and new alloy wheels. On the inside, all variants of the Jetta will be equipped with automatic climate control, which is a good addition considering the current Jetta doesn’t have it as an option even on the higher variants. As for the mechanicals, they’ll carry over unchanged, which means it’ll get the familiar 2.0-litre TDI engine and the 1.4-litre TSI petrol. Both come mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, while the diesel engine also comes with the option of a six-speed auto ’box. Volkswagen will no doubt be aiming to put up a better fight against the new Skoda Octavia and the current segment leader, the Hyundai Elantra. It...

Mercedes-Benz is planning an all-out assault in the coming year with three all-new models and a fourth to follow soon after. Leading the charge will be Eberhard Kern, Mercedes-Benz India MD and CEO, who stated he was happy with the acceptance of the new-generation cars and believes that there is a lot of potential in the sub-Rs 30 lakh segment in India. The carmaker registered a 58 percent year-on-year sales growth for the July to September 2013 period, selling 2,696 units as against 1,703 units for the same period last year. In comparison, rival Audi sold 2,545 units in the same period – pointing to the fact that Mercedes has momentum on its side. And it plans to keep this momentum going with a new model blitz. The flagship S-class saloon will be the first to debut in its range-topping  449bhp V8 S 500 guise. The carmaker will introduce this car in India via the CBU route and some dealers in Mumbai have already started taking bookings. This high-tech luxury sal...

For those of you who've been waiting for a good time to seal the deal on a new car, now's the best time. Because with Diwali just around the corner and the market still going through a lull, car dealers will be desperate to sell as many cars as possible to meet targets. That translates to big discounts and deals for customers on a number of models. Here's what we've found this month: Browse car discounts by model Luxury saloons Audi A4 Audi A6 Audi A8 BMW 3-series BMW 5-series Mercedes C-Class Volkswagen Passat Hatchbacks Honda Brio Hyundai i10 Volkswagen Polo Toyota Etios Liva   SUVs / MPVs Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Tata Aria AUDI A8 We got to know from an Audi dealership in Mumbai that you can get a sizeable discount on the Audi A8, a saloon known for its unmatched space and comfort. So, as per this benefit, you can avail of uptoRs 15 lakh on this luxury saloon depending on the stock that’s available. A...

Land Rover has unveiled the first stretched-wheelbase Range Rover for 22 years. Due to go on sale in March next year, the new model will make a simultaneous debut at the Los Angeles and Guanzhou motor shows next month. The company has also revealed a new Autobiography Black range-topping version of the Range Rover, which will be available in long-wheelbase form only. This new 5.2m-long model will be the most expensive Range Rover yet sold.  A hybrid version, due later next year. Land Rover says the LWB Range Rover has an extra 140mm of rear legroom, with the bodyshell being extended in front of the rear wheels. Subtle modifications to the styling — including stretching the rear door — have ensured that the extra length hasn’t resulted in odd proportions. The rear seats of the LWB model can be specified as either a traditional bench or as individual ‘Executive Class’ rear seats. In either form, the seat backs can recline by up to 17deg, 8deg more...

BMW has revealed its eagerly awaited 2-series coupé ahead of a public debut at the Detroit motor show.   Due to go on sale in March, the rear-wheel drive successor to the 1-series coupé adopts BMW’s new naming system, which sees the German car maker’s more overtly sporting models receive an even-number model designation, as seen on the recently introduced 4-series and longer-established 6-series.   Three engine options will be available at international launch. The replacement for the highly rated M135i coupé runs a 321bhp version of BMW’s twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder petrol engine, giving it a 0-100kph time of 5.0sec in standard six-speed manual guise or 4.8sec with an optional eight-speed automatic gearbox.   A further two models, the 218d and 225d, are planned to join the line-up in May 2014.

The Mercedes Concept S-class coupe is “very close to the production version”, senior Mercedes designer Jan Kaul has said. Even though this concept model is based on a modified version of the previous-generation S-class, it uses numerous production parts from the real car, which will appear in showrooms next year.According to Kaul, the real coupé is about 10mm higher and about 20mm narrower, and the centre of the nose cone – marked by the Mercedes badge - is “30mm more upright” and has “less of a shark nose”. The production car also gets 20-inch wheels rather than the concept’s 21-inch units.Kaul – who led the design of the concept’s interior - said the Mercedes design team sat down last September with the target of finishing the concept two months before last September’s Frankfurt show. “A car like this is very much part of Mercedes’ coupé history; when we started on the project we imagined the kind of car that might be driven in a James Bond movie,” says...

The Honda S660 concept car has been revealed ahead of the Tokyo motor show. Described by Honda as 'an open-top sports-type mini-vehicle', the S660 is likely to become the spiritual successor to the manufacturer's original S600 sports car of the 1960s. The S660 name suggests the model will use a 660cc engine for power, which alongside its very small dimensions means the concept appears to be aimed at the Japanese Kei car market. A Kei car must be less than 3.4 metres long by 1.49 metres wide, and have a fixed engine capacity of 660cc. From these concept pictures we can see the S660 uses an automatic transmission with paddle shifts mounted on the steering wheel. A partly digital dashboard can also be seen on the interior. Reports suggest the S660 concept could be seen in production form as the revised Honda Beat. The manufacturer recently confirmed it would be bringing the roadster back for the modern age, while a reveal for any such model at ...

Volvo has launched the updated S60 saloon and the XC60 SUV. The facelifted S60 saloon and XC60 SUV get the new family look, improved equipment levels and a minor mechanical update. The more rounded and dynamic family look of the S60 saloon and the XC60 SUV have been replaced by a visually widened front end, more prominent horizontal lines and slimmer lights. Both the new Volvo S60 and the XC60 SUV get new interior trim. In terms of equipment, there are new sport seats, LED daytime running lamps and integrated dual tail pipes.   A new multimedia system has also been introduced which includes a seven-inch touchscreen that can even be used when wearing gloves. The TFT instrument panel from the latest V40 Cross Country has been rolled out across the revised Volvo range. Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters have also been added to automatic models. The carmaker has also improved the city safety feature whereby crashes ...

Lamborghini has confirmed it is to put the Veneno roadster into limited production. Just nine versions of the Veneno roadster will be built, costing £2.79m (around Rs 27.79 crore) each. The Veneno roadster has no roof, and Lamborghini says the “design is focused on optimum aerodynamics and stability through fast corners – with handling akin to that of a racing prototype. Yet it is fully road legal”. It is powered by a mid-mounted 6.5-litre V12 developing 740bhp mated to a semi-automatic gearbox with five shift modes. Power is sent to all four wheels. Lamborghini claims a 0-100kph time of 2.9sec with a top speed of 354kph for the 1490kg hypercar. The front end is said to act as a huge wing and the car’s flat underbody incorporates a “sizeable” rear diffuser. Other aero kit includes an adjustable rear wing and a carbonfibre ring around the wheels that create a turbine effect providing cooling to the brake discs. The “Red Veneno” paint was developed specifically f...

The McLaren P1 will be able to crack 0-100kph in just 2.8sec, one of several astonishing performance figures officially confirmed by McLaren for the first time. The new hypercar will then go from 0-200kph in 6.8sec and from 0-300kph in 16.5sec, making it one of the fastest-accelerating performance cars in history. It can cover a standing quarter mile in 9.8sec at a speed of 244kph, while the top speed is electronically limited to 349kph. The figures eclipse those of the Porsche 918 Spyder, which cracks 0-100kph in 2.8sec, 0-200kph in 7.9sec, 0-300kph in 23.0sec and goes on to a top speed of 339kph. The P1’s other great hypercar rival, LaFerrari, has only had its 0-300kph time of 15.5sec confirmed. The 0-100kph time will be “less than 3.0sec” and the 0-200kph time “less than 7.0sec”, but the top speed will not be announced “because it doesn’t matter”.Very few cars have an official 0-100kph time of sub-3.0sec, including specialised models like the Ariel Atom...

Land Rover plans to launch a larger, lightweight Range Rover Evoque XL to slot between the existing car and the Range Rover Sport. According to a report by Autocar, the new model is codenamed L560 and is expected to be launched in 2016. The report also says L560 will be based on the same aluminium platform as the new family of compact Jaguar models and will be made in the same new facility, currently being built at Solihull. The report suggests that the Evoque XL could achieve annual sales of up to 80,000 units and is likely to be the most profitable model of the five body styles (four Jaguars and this new Range Rover) being planned on the new aluminium platform. L560 is also likely to become Range Rover’s most economical model, thanks to a combination of the lightweight aluminium architecture and the all-new ‘Hotfire’ four-cylinder engines currently being developed by JLR. Indeed, the majority of Evoque XL models are likely to be powered by four-cylinder pe...

Tata Motors is planning to give an extensive facelift to the Indica Vista hatchback. This test-mule was spied near Coimbatore. The Indica Vista is expected to receive a long list of cosmetic and styling updates such as a new front fascia which could be inspired by the Manza hybrid shown at the Auto expo earlier. At the rear, the tail-lamps are expected to be all-new and the current signature Christmas-tree arrangement will be ditched.  Also, the spy shots show the number plate positioned on the boot-lid instead of the rear bumper as seen on the current car. Expect the new Tata Indica Vista to carry over the current engine range which includes a 1.3-litre diesel engine with two power output options, a 1.4-litre TDI diesel engine which is BS-III only and a 1.2-litre petrol. Our sources tell us that the Manza will also get a similar update in near future. Tata Motors could  showcase the updated Vista and Manza at the upcoming Auto Expo in February 2014...

Several official illustrations, which appeared online after being submitted for design registration, show the new Ferrari in detail. It's evident that the car features many design cues found on current Ferraris, including the front and rear styling of the FF. The lights are the same as those seen on the current 458, F12 Berlinetta and FF, while the lower valance appears a hybrid of that found on the FF and F12. Despite the illustration appearing to show a fixed-roof coupé, there are prominent cut lines in the roof that suggest that a production version could feature a folding metal hard top, like the California, or a removable or retractable roof panel. The images may also not be representative of the final production version, accounting for the lack of an obvious receptacle for the folding roof, or alternatively reflecting the fitment of a targa top. The Ferrari California is currently the oldest model in the manufacturer's range, having being revealed in late ...

Porsche has released a teaser image of the Macan SUV in production form, ahead of its debut at the LA Motor Show next month. The SUV will be powered by a range of V6 engines. At the top of the range sits the Turbo variant, powered by a 3.6-litre V6 direct-injection turbocharged petrol engine offering 395bhp and 406lb ft of torque. At the bottom of the engine range will be two four-cylinder engines – the first time four-cylinder powerplants would have appeared in a Porsche since the 968 in 1995. On the petrol side, there will be a 220bhp 2.0-litre unit. The base diesel will be a 190bhp 2.0-litre turbo unit. Other engines in the Macan’s range are set to include a 295bhp 3.6-litre V6 in the S, and a 250bhp 3.0-litre V6 in the Diesel S. A hybrid variant is also planned. Strong 911 overtones can be seen in the final production car's styling, with the final form looking closer to that of the Range Rover Evoque than a full-size SUV. The Macan will take on both the baby...

A Rolls-Royce SUV is under active consideration. Rolls-Royce boss Torsten Muller-Ötvös confirmed that customer enquiries, booming and consistent sales in the luxury SUV segment and potential rivals from Range Rover, Bentley and Lamborghini have kick-started investigations into a Rolls-Royce SUV – but stressed that no decisions had been made as to whether the project would go ahead. “For me, it is less of a question of whether we should do it – the segment is interesting, growing and stable even in times of economic crisis - as opposed to one of whether it fits with the image and brand of Rolls-Royce,” said Muller-Ötvös. “What I can say is that we are currently investigating whether Rolls-Royce can carry such a vehicle - but that absolutely nothing is decided.” Muller-Ötvös declined to put a timescale on when such a project could reach fruition.

Suzuki has showcased a 7-seater variant of the Wagon R at the recently concluded 2013 Indonesia International motor show (IIMS). Currently only a concept car, the 'Karimun Wagon R 3 Rows Concept' features a body that is extended after the rear wheel arch. However, the wheelbase on this concept is unaltered, which could point to a sub-four-metre overall length. The current Wagon R's length is 3595mm. The concept also gets a larger (wider) rear quarter glass and a larger rear overhang. On the inside, the third row gets a very short seat squab, but unlike the Datsun Go+, the seat height should be good. Even then, the third row would be suitable for children at best. Low-cost, sub-four-metre, 7-seaters could be the next big 'small' thing in India, and Maruti could very well debut this MPV version of the Wagon R here. The Mahindra Quanto is already part of this niche club, and the recently unveiled Datsun Go+ will make its way here some time ...