AUTHENTIC CARS

Hyundai has unveiled the updated Verna sedan in the Russian market which is sold there with the name Solaris. The new car has replaced the earlier variant which was similar in spec to our current Hyundai Verna sedan. Hyundai however won’t just replace the Verna just yet in India as it has only recently received a minor facelift and a suspension upgrade. However these changes will come in towards the end of the year. The updated car gets extensive styling tweaks that make the front end look much larger and very different from the current Verna. The headlamps are much bigger than the current units and so to bring the styling more in the line with the newer Hyundai offerings such as the recently facelifted Sonata sedan.  The grille now comes with two slats instead of a single slat setup and the chin is much larger than on the older car giving it a more proportionate look.  Also very different are the fog lamps, the side profile continues as before and alloy wheels a...

Jaguar has confirmed its all-new XE sedan, for the international markets, will be revealed in London on 8 September. Jaguar has also confirmed some of the first technical details of the crucial BMW 3-series rival, which Jaguar says “combines thrilling performance, agile handling and precise, responsive steering, with outstanding levels of refinement”. The XE will be equipped with F-type-inspired double wishbone front suspension made from aluminium, which Jaguar claims results in stiffness levels equivalent to the larger XFR sports sedan. The sophisticated rear suspension is an integral link set-up that also uses aluminium extensively. Jaguar says this system “delivers sharp response and handling while retaining a refined, luxurious ride”. The XE, which is based on a lightweight aluminium architecture and will be powered by the firm’s new Ingenium engine range, will feature a latest-generation electric steering system, which Jaguar says offers greater tuning scope than a hyd...

Skoda has revealed a sketch of the all-new Fabia, officially unveiling the direction of the hatchback’s reworked design for the first time. Borrowing heavily from the styling accents already seen on the new Octavia, the third generation of Fabia will benefit from the sharply styled panels, shorter overhangs and better shoulder line definition that has become a hallmark of the VW Group’s current output. Still just under four metres in length, the car retains its sub-compact credentials but has swollen 90mm in width to apparently incorporate new axles at the front and back. Although few genuine risks have been taken with the model’s crisp new appearance, a 30mm drop in height should mean the Fabia exudes at least a smidgen more athleticism than the upright model it replaces. A more dynamic theme ought to continue underneath where Skoda is believed to have used elements of Volkswagen’s latest modular platform tech to underpin a new engine line-up, comprising two petrol...

Mercedes-Benz has announced the range topper for its new S-class coupé line-up, in the form of the S 65 AMG. Order books open later this week with first deliveries expected towards the end of this year.   Powering the S 65 AMG coupé is a twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre V12 engine with 621bhp and 102kgm of torque. That's enough to allow the model to reach 100kph in a claimed 4.1 seconds – one-tenth of a second faster than the S 63 AMG coupé – with a limited top speed of 250kph.   The engine is coupled to Mercedes' seven-speed automatic transmission, with three modes dubbed Controlled Efficiency, Sporty and Manual. A start-stop function is also available.   Other technologies included on the new model is a lithium-ion battery, which saves up to 20kg over a conventional setup. Also fitted is Mercedes' Magic Body Control Suspension system, which allows the car to 'lean' into corners to improve handling.   AMG 20-inch alloy wheels are fitted all-round, a...

Jaguar Land Rover has revealed that it is working on new technology for its cars. The company says it is working on ‘virtual windscreens’ and a new lighting and vehicle guidance system powered by lasers.    The company’s research engineer Paul Widdowson showed how JLR’s advanced work in using ‘structured light’ to both, project images onto the road surface and for mapping the topography rough ground ahead of the car, will work. JLR is experimenting with laser projections that will lay down a grid or box shape that’s the same width as the vehicle on the road surface a few metres ahead of the car. This would allow the driver to judge the car’s width with extreme accuracy, a very useful benefit on crowded city streets.   These laser projections could also be used to project animated arrows on the road surface, showing a vehicle’s intent to turn more clearly than easily obscured indicator units. The ‘structured lights’ could also be used for working out the depth ...

The Fiat Punto has always been considered to be a very attractive hatchback. Now, Fiat plans to launch a thoroughly updated version for the Indian market towards the end of August. The new car takes the name Evo, just like the version in the international markets, and though it is not a full model change, there is plenty that is different both on the inside and outside. Exteriors The Punto Evo gets an all new face. The front bumper is new and the grille, which gets a brand new design; is big and prominent with rounded-off edges. It has a chromed outline and there is also a single bar of chrome that runs across it. The new headlights have a striking sweptback design and the foglights get large chromed surrounds. The rear bumper gets slight design changes, but the taillights are new and the rear foglights get chrome surrounds. While the sides of the car remain pretty much unchanged, the car will sport newly designed multi-spoke alloys. The best bit is that the Punto Evo retains...

Jaguar Land Rover has revealed new details on its family of lightweight four-cylinder diesel and petrol engines, which will enter production in January 2015 and will be fitted first into the Jaguar XE in the international markets. The new powertrain family weighs up to 80kg less than the firm's current engine offerings, while also improving performance. All engines in the range share the same bore, stroke and cylinder spacing, with each cylinder offering 500cc. JLR says the Ingenum family offers the "configurability and flexibility around which smaller or larger engines can quickly and efficiently be developed" in the future. Our sister publication, Autocar UK, understands that a three-cylinder spin-off unit is a direct possibility and a straight six engine is ‘theoretically’ possible. The engine family can be used for front-drive, rear-drive and all-wheel drive. Both diesel and petrol variants will be equipped with turbochargers, with all engines sharing comm...

The second-generation Volkswagen Tiguan made for the international markets, will be revealed at the Frankfurt motor show in September 2015 before the start of sales in UK in early 2016, sources have revealed to our sister publication, Autocar UK. The new Tiguan will rival the likes of the Nissan Qashqai and Ford Kuga, and be produced in two distinct models. The initial second-generation Tiguan model features what is described as a standard wheelbase, ie 2605mm and an interior with two rows of seats to accommodate up to five occupants. A second Tiguan model will have a long wheelbase for added rear legroom, and a third row of seats for up to seven occupants. The seven-seater is scheduled to get an airing at the Detroit motor show in early 2016, the same VW engineering sources have confirmed. The new seven-seater has been conceived primarily for the US, Middle East and China, but will be sold in Europe as part of VW’s plan to position future models further upmarket in a bid t...

Porsche is working on a new family of supercars. The line-up will include a four-cylinder turbocharged version of the Boxster and a new eight-cylinder supercar which, when on road, will rival the Ferrari 458. The flagship model is still unnamed and is thought to be carrying the development tag ‘988’. The development will finally serve to put to rest concerns of many Porsche engineers that the company cannot compete with eight-cylinder Ferraris with the classic six-cylinder engine used in the 911. While there is no indication about the shape of the 900 model yet, it is likely to follow styling and detailing of the 918 hypercar. Headlights like the 918, expect a long rear deck too, because of the mid-mounted flat eight engine. The recent engine failures that stopped production of the new 3.8-litre 011 GT-3 are being seen by some in the company as proof that the flat six has reached the end of its natural life in terms of increasing its cubic capacity. Some years ago, Pors...

Nissan's iconic GT-R will soon be officially available here in India. After years of waiting, the company has finally decided to bring the car here officially as a 'halo' car. Initially shelved due to worries of poor fuel quality and service support, Nissan now seems to have gotten over those hurdles.   The current car that will be imported here makes a chest-thumping 545bhp from its twin-turbo V6 motor, and has a claimed 0-100kph time of under 2.9 seconds. What allows it to deliver this scintillating performance is its four-wheel-drive system, ideal weight distribution and really aggressive gearbox. The car's giant-killing reputation also comes from the amount of grip it generates around corners, and its track-car-like ability to put a huge amount of power down to the road.   While not officially in India, the GT-R already has a big fan following here. F1 driver Narain Karthikeyan has one and so does Sachin Tendulkar, and there are more than a few GT-Rs flo...

The wraps have come off the eighth-generation Volkswagen Passat, revealing a sharply styled sedan that aims to reach beyond traditional large executive rivals and into the proper luxury segment. The new VW Passat will attempt to lay challenge to more up-market offerings in the form of the latest BMW 3-series and Mercedes-Benz C-class.   Prices that are likely to increase slightly above those of the outgoing seventh-generation model in line with greater equipment levels and more up-to-date technical features. The new Passat is incrementally smaller but, thanks to the adoption of Volkswagen’s highly flexible MQB platform structure – as used by the Skoda Octavia and new Audi A3, is both roomier and more practical than the model it replaces.   The new platform, which uses a combination of both high strength and hot form steel, also contributes to a lowering of kerb weight and, in combination with a new range of petrol, diesel engines – all lighter than their predecesso...

Honda is planning to reintroduce the Accord luxury sedan in India. The first two generations of the Honda Accord were quite a success but sales started slowing down mainly due to the luxury brand effect and the falling rupee. Finally, decreasing margins and changing buyer preference towards more affordable, entry-level offerings from premium brands led to Honda pulling the plug in late 2013. But, Honda thinks customers may be coming back to a more practical way of thinking and the Accord could appeal to Indian customers again.    Contrary to the general trend amongst carmakers, the new Accord will be smaller than its predecessor and will have a slightly shorter wheelbase as well to improve the way it drives. However, while it may be smaller on the outside, Honda’s packaging expertise has resulted in the same amount of room on the inside as the previous car. The new Accord will play on the traditional Accord strengths of comfort and space and in terms of styling, is exp...

The launch of the Honda Mobilio is right around the corner, and in addition to the standard trims of the car, Honda Cars India is going to launch a sportier looking Mobilio RS trim. Launched in a few international markets as well, the RS variant gets a sportier look with aggressively styled front and rear bumpers, larger air dams, a new, sportier chrome grille, new headlights with High Intensity Discharge (HID) projector lights and LED accents, black-and-chrome 15-inch alloy wheels, chrome exhausts and a spoiler at the back. All these additions are expected on the India-spec Mobilio RS variant too. On the inside, the car comes with a bit more equipment than the standard trims. This includes a 6.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a reversing camera and a pair of tweeters to add to the audio system's speaker count. There's also faux wood trim on the dashboard, which does at least give it a little bit more character than the two-tone Brio-sourced standard version....

Mercedes-Benz has launched its CLS 350 in Pune at Rs 89.9 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The special edition CLS 350 will be retailed through Mercedes-Benz dealerships across the country.    The CLS 350 sports new 15-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels and LED taillights at the back. And the 2014 edition gets a new silver diamond colour as well.   On the inside, the CLS 350 special edition gets Harman Kardon Logic 7 surround sound system that consists of 14 high-performance speakers, including a subwoofer and a 9-channel DSP amplifier. There are three themes for mood lighting too that can be set to Neutral, Solar or Polar modes.   Under the hood, the CLS 350 is powered by a 3498cc V6 petrol engine that produces 38kgm of peak torque and has a claimed 0-100kph time of 6.1 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 250kph (claimed). It also gets AIRMATIC suspension, which allows for adjustment of ground clearance. Other features include, Active Park Assist, r...