AUTHENTIC CARS

Renault has just showcased a near production-ready version of its low-cost compact car the Kwid. Renault’s CEO Carlos Ghosn unveiled the car at its global launch in Chennai today. Slated to go on sale in the second half of 2015 at a scarcely believable price of between three and four lakhs, this is nothing short of Renault’s big shot at the mainstream. And it's strategy is pretty clear; the French company knows it can't compete with the likes of Maruti and Hyundai in terms of traditional virtues like a strong brand and a widespread dealer network, so Renault has done the next best thing; it's designed and built a car that is all but irresistible. So while the competition concentrates on compact cars, Renault has upped the ante. Why it asks, deliver merely a hatchback, when for similar money you can give car buyers a crossover? And that's a winning argument, if there ever was one. So the Kwid has a high bonnet, a high waistline and a high ground clear...

The racing version of the 911 GT3 RS has been unveiled in the form of the single-seater 911 GT3 R. The car features extensive use of lightweight aluminium-steel construction along with a body consisting of mainly carbonfibre composite panels on the roof, front cover and fairing, wheel arches, doors, side and tail sections and the rear cover. The windows are made from polycarbonate to shave off weight. The GT3 R's wheelbase is 8.3cm longer compared to its predecessor, resulting in an optimised centre of gravity.  The aerodynamics of the car have been improved with the use of front wheel arch air vents to increase downforce at the front, while the 2m wide rear wing lends aerodynamic balance. The GT3 R also features a centrally mounted radiator as with the 911 RSR to improve balance and stability as well as reducing chances of the radiator getting damaged. The 911 GT3 R is powered by the 4.0-litre flat-six engine from the road-legal 911 GT3 RS. It features a direct petrol ...

Chevrolet has revealed its sixth-generation Camaro in Detroit. The new Camaro is based on GM’s Alpha platform, which results in a 60kg weight reduction from the previous model built on the stubby Zeta platform. The kerb weight has also been reduced by 90kg — a significant reduction from the fifth-generation's 1,687kg. The sixth-gen model measures 57mm shorter, 20mm narrower and 28mm lower than its predecessor and gets a new five-link rear suspension system. The new Camaro’s engine line-up includes a new 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol unit that produces 271bhp and 40.7kgm to rival the Ford Mustang EcoBoost. A new 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine will also be on offer, which produces 330bhp and 39.2kgm and also includes cylinder deactivation technology to achieve better fuel efficiency. Both the engines are available with the option of a six-speed manual transmission or an 8-speed automatic gearbox with paddle-shifters. The most powerful Camaro will be the new SS, which f...

The new Audi R8 will be launched in India, in early 2016. It is the second generation of the German supercar, and the range-topping version will get a 601bhp 5.2-litre V10 petrol engine along with a newly-developed Quattro all-wheel-drive system. It has a claimed 0-100kph sprint time of 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 330kph. The new R8 is based on a new spaceframe structure that is claimed to weigh 200kg. Though primarily made of aluminium, it uses carbonfibre-reinforced plastic elements for added weight saving, and improved rigidity. The top-of-the-line R8 V10 Plus tips the scales at 1,454kg. At 4,442mm long, 1,944mm wide and 1,241mm high, the new R8 is the same length as the old R8, but 39mm wider and 9mm lower than before. Overall, the new R8 is stylistically similar to its predecessor, but there’s a new single-frame grille and LED headlamps. Audi is also offering the new R8 with laser headlights that use a laser-guided spot lamp for the high beams, along with dynamic tu...

Mercedes-Benz first launched its original Active Body Control system in the 1999 CL-class. It has since then gone on to feature in the company's higher-end cars, with the S-class and SL-class also featuring the system. The original system was developed by Mercedes to minimise body roll on large and heavy models such as the S-class and SL-class when going around corners at any speed. The system used about half a dozen sensors that gathered data which was then passed on to the hydraulic servo mechanical bits to straighten the car in real time. The feature was considered state of the art at the time, but with rapid advance in technology it has now become rather outdated and slow. It has now been revealed that Mercedes is developing a new Active Body Control system that is expected to be cheaper and more efficient than the predecessor. The new system is expected to use new-age computing and faster-acting CAN bus systems allowing the car to stabilise the ride faster and more...

Bugatti’s successor to the Veyron, the Chiron, has been spotted on the road going through the testing phase. Two prototypes were spotted on international roads in a convoy that consisted of a Veyron and a BMW i8. Bugatti discontinued the Veyron just prior to the Geneva motor show with the last model the ‘La Finale’ showcased at the event before being shipped to its undisclosed owner in the Middle East. The Chiron as seen in the picture looks quite similar to the Veyron, but seems to get larger air-vents to help cool the engine. The engine will be a major talking point, since the Chiron’s engine is expected to develop around 1500bhp. The engine is expected to remain the same as the one in the Veyron, a quad-turbo W16, but is expected to get two electric turbochargers to boost power. The Chiron is expected to max out at 463.5kph and reach 0-100kph in just two seconds. The production-version of the Chiron is expected to debut sometime in 2016.

Not even half way through the year and the Indian car market has seen a host of new entries that included cars from the luxury segment such as the BMW i8 to cars in the hatchback segment like the Celerio ZXi AMT. However the year is still far from over for manufacturers with many mainstream launches planned for the months to come. Renault XBA unveil (May 20) Renault will be unveiling its all-new small car, the XBA, on May 20. The XBA will be powered by an all-new 800cc petrol engine and will get the option of an AMT transmission as well. When launched the XBA will take on the Maruti Alto. Mercedes Benz S 600 Guard launch (May 21) The armoured version of the new Mercedes S-class will be showcased on May 21. The S 600 Guard offers VR-9-level ballistic protection capable of stopping 7.62x51mm rifle rounds along with a heavily armoured floor to protect the occupants from IEDs. Inside, it will get all the opulence of the standard S-class along with additional features like a...

Renault is ready to unveil its Maruti Alto-rivalling budget car, the XBA, on May 20th.  Designed to take on the Alto and Eon, but from a slightly different angle, the XBAwill be more a crossover than a regular hatchback. This is clear from the spy pictures taken of the car in India, and elsewhere. The car has a high bonnet, a high waistline and as you look towards the rear you can clearly see a muscular bulge over the rear wheel arches. The car's silhouette is in fact not too far from that of the upright Datsun Redi-GO show car, and is likely to be built on the same platform as well. Of course, the detailing up front is pure Renault. There's Renault's smiling grille, with the lozenge-shaped badge placed up high, and the slot-like headlights are tagged on to either side of the grille, forming a single unit. A large crossover-like air dam is used with a big air inlet placed low as well, and though other SUV-like bits like body cladding may not be used, better-equipp...

Chevrolet has released teaser images of its next-generation Camaro prior to its official launch in Detroit sometime in May 2015. Now entering its sixth generation, the Camaro will continue to rival the Ford Mustang in the international market. From the preview images released, it can be seen that the next-generation car will retain its profiling but will feature a redesigned front and rear end with a new grille and bumper up front with the addition of a spoiler at the back, and a new tail lamp cluster. Chevrolet claims that the new car will be lighter and stiffer than the outgoing model. It is said to be more aerodynamic with Chevrolet having reportedly tested the car for over 300 hours in a wind tunnel. Under the hood, the new Camaro will retain its staple small-block V8 and also possibly the 3.6-litre V6 from the current model. Also expected to be introduced into the line-up is a turbocharged version of the V6 engine and a new 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol to rival...

BMW is set to unveil its latest tribute car, celebrating the company’s classic car model history, in the form of the 3.0 CSL Hommage concept. The latest concept is a new version of the original 3.0 CSL coupé from 1970 and is set to be revealed at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este this month. BMW has so far only provided a teaser image of the car showcasing its radical looking tail lamps and flared wheel arches. The carmaker says that the car’s styling will be a modern take on the original 3.0 CSL coupé. The company has also said that the Hommage will feature extensive use of carbon fibre inside and out to highlight its lightweight construction. BMW, however, not specified what engine will be featured under the hood of the concept. This concept car becomes the latest in the Hommage concepts from the company which previously showcased the M1 Hommage concept and the BMW 328 Hommage concept at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, in 2008 and 2011 respectively. Although ...

A convertible version of Rolls-Royce's Wraith has been around the corner for a while now. Spy pictures and prototypes have been spotted many a time. Christened 'Dawn', the new convertible shares its wheelbase and two-door layout with its sibling, the Wraith. The name Dawn has been used by Rolls-Royce in the past — used in 1949 before appearing on 28 drop-top Rolls models up to 1954. On the styling front, it could be likened to the Ghost, including the design of the front-end and the gently sloping rear deck. The test mule seen came with a hardtop that covered the soft top. The soft top will be seen on production models, as in the Phantom Drophead coupé. Under the hood, the car is expected to have similar mechanics to the Wraith. The Dawn will share the same 624bhp, twin-turbocharged 6.6-litre V12 engine. The new open-top model is likely to offer a less- focused drive than the Wraith.  The new model had provisionally been known as Wraith Drophead Coupé, and the c...

Mercedes has been extensively testing the next generation of its E-class on international roads. The W213 will replace the current W212 model of the E-class when it goes on sale internationally, sometime late next year. Based on the new MRA platform that underpins the current C-class, the E-class W213 is expected to weigh around 70 to 150kg lighter than the current W212 generation. The exterior's styling is also expected to follow the route of the current S-class and C-class with the company’s new design language of flowing body lines and surfaces. Under the hood, this next-gen car is likely to continue featuring the existing engines from the W212 generation, though it may receive new turbocharged in-line six-cylinder engines that are said to be under development. Also plausible with the new E-class is a plug-in hybrid powertrain and a lot of safety features from the current S-class. The next-gen E-class may also see the introduction of the long wheelbase model when...

The new Fiat 124 Spider will debut later this year, and go on sale in international markets in 2016. It shares underpinnings with the Mazda MX-5 Miata. “It will not be a rebadged Miata. We will have our own style, our own stamp on it. There is a ton of heritage behind that. I think that just kind of puts the bow on the showroom for us and fills it out completely,” said Jason Stoicevich, head of Fiat North America. The Fiat 124 will feature a different engine from the one on the MX-5 Miata. It is likely that Fiat will use a 1.4-litre four cylinder engine for its convertible, rather than Mazda’s 2.0-litre unit. The 124 Spider will be built alongside the MX-5 Miata at the Japanese carmaker’s Hiroshima plant.

Mercedes is all set to launch the armoured variant of the new S-class called the S 600 Guard in India on May 21, 2015. At first, the S 600 looks like the standard car but under the paint and body shell are layers of armoured protection of the highest level. The S 600 Guard offers VR9-level ballistics protection to its occupants, as per the BRV 2009 guidlines. The VR9-level certification, one of the highest certification levels for civilians, means that the car can withstand 7.62x51mm rifle rounds on multiple areas of the body from various angles. The S 600 Guard features protective components milled from special steel in various cavities between the body structure and outer shell, along with the use of heat-resistant synthetic fibres to protect occupants from projectiles. Other features include an automatic fire suppression system, emergency fresh air system in case of ingress of smoke, and hydraulic actuated side windows. The windows of the car feature thick laminated glas...

The Range Rover LWB Autobiography Black edition can now be purchased in India at Rs 3.75 crore for the diesel variant and at Rs 3.85 crore for the petrol (ex-showroom, Delhi prices). As the name suggests, this Autobiography Black edition is based on the long-wheelbase version of the Range Rover. The car was first showcased at the Los Angeles Auto Show in 2013. This is meant to be the range-topping variant with even more luxury and customisation options than the standard car, and so the highlight of the car is definitely its cabin. Since it’s a LWB, rear passengers get around 180mm more space than in the standard Range Rover. Practically every part in the cabin that can be felt is draped in fine leather in a choice of colour combinations. The front seats have massaging function, while the powered driver’s seat gets 18-way adjustability. Rear seats can be reclined more than in the standard model, gets lumbar massage, calf-rests, 10.2-inch infotainment screens, centre console with...

Mercedes-Benz is reportedly considering launching a new SUV under the Maybach and Smart brand. The Maybach SUV is expected to be based on the next generation of the GL-class which is expected to be rebadged GLS under Mercedes new badging system. The Smart SUV or crossover is however expected to be based on the Smart Forfour/Renault Twingo platform. Mercedes-Benz marketing chief Ola Kallenius has reportedly said that the Maybach brand could go beyond the current existing Maybach and Pullman models and that a GLS-based SUV was a possibility. The company is expected to use the next generation of the GLS that is due as early as 2017 as it will be based on a similar platform to the current S-class. Mercedes is likely to focus mainly on luxury in the Maybach model, to keep it separate from the performance-based AMG models. Engines likely to make their way onto the Maybach models are the 6.0-litre twin-turbo V12 used in the current Maybach model and a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 for a...

The Mercedes-Benz SLC has been spotted testing on international roads. The two-seat roadster will make its public debut at the Detroit Motor Show 2016. The SLC is a facelifted version of the SLK. It retains the same silhouette but comes with a new front bumper, a tweaked grille and new headlights. It is also likely to get revised tail lights, rear bumper and tailpipes. Although unconfirmed, engine options are likely to include a 328bhp 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine (SLK 400 instead of SLK 350), and AMG’s 502bhp 4.0-litre turbo V8 (SLK 63 instead of SLK 55). The SLK400 is set to adopt Mercedes-Benz’s new nine-speed automatic gearbox as standard in place of the seven-speed unit used by the SLK350. The SLK63 will continue with the seven-speed SpeedShift automatic gearbox used by the SLK55, although it will be updated with the latest software, as seen on the C63.

Mercedes has unveiled the conceptual version of the GLC Coupe. The concept previews the production GLC Coupe which is expected to be revealed sometime later this year. It is expected to retain much of the styling as well as the dimensions and mechanicals from the concept when it goes into production internationally, in 2017. The GLC Coupe is 4.7-metres long, 2-metres wide and 1.6-metres tall making it larger and lower than the X4. The GLC Coupe is also larger and lower than the outgoing GLK-class. The GLC Coupe sits on a modified version of Mercedes’ modular MRA platform featuring heavy use of high-strength steel as in the C-class, along with the use of aluminium in the suspension. Under the hood, the GLC Coupe concept is powered by a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol motor generating 362bhp and 52.95kgm of torque. The engine is expected to feature in the GLC 450 Coupe AMG, a model that will bridge the gap between the standard GLC Coupe and the full-spec AMG model. Power w...

Maruti’s upcoming crossover SUV, the  S-Cross  was showcased at the Auto Expo 2014.  The carmaker began  testing the vehicle for  India last year. Maruti is expected to make a number of changes to the S-Cross for the Indian market before launching it and one of the major changes will be its name. According to  Gaadiwaadi.com , the S-Cross will be named Maruti Across in the India market. The model will be more of a crossover than an SUV. But will have the requisite off-roader details, like high ground clearance, black cladding all around and metal scuff plates at the front and rear. Overseas, the S-Cross comes with Suzuki’s ALLGRIP all-wheel-drive system, although it’s uncertain whether or not the Indian car will adopt this, or stick with the two-wheel drive. The Maruti Across is expected to come with LED daytime running lamps and 16-inch alloy wheels, at least for the top-spec variant. The interiors of the Indian version are expected to feat...

A new super-luxury trim of the Volvo XC90 is set to go on sale overseas by the end of this year. This high-on-luxury XC90 Excellence will rival the likes of the recently revealed Range Rover SVAutobiography and the upcoming Bentley Bentayga. On the outside, the XC90 Excellence looks like the standard SUV save for the chrome on the B- and C-pillars. In the cabin, the Excellence has a four-seat layout, with the rear captain seats getting massage and ventilation functions, and the rear passengers also get access to the infotainment system through a retractable touch screen. Other features on this trim include folding tables, a refrigerator, heated and cooled cup holders, crystal glasses, extra sound deadening and Pirelli Noise Cancelling System tyres. The XC90 Excellence will be available with the 316bhp T6 petrol model, the 225bhp D5 diesel and the 314bhp T8 plug-in hybrid variant. In India, Volvo will be launching the standard-spec XC90 in September 2015. Mechanically, t...

An undisguised prototype of the new BMW  7-series was spotted  during the Christmas-New Year period. Now pictures showing the instrument cluster and steering up-close have also surfaced on the internet. The next-gen 7-series seems to come with a fully digital instrument cluster with the speedometer and tachometer retaining BMW’s classic design. The picture also shows the car to be in motion, and possibly being driven in ‘Sport’ mode from the light at the bottom of the tachometer. The 7-series gets a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel with heavy silver accenting and bears the same design as the one spotted in the prototype. The car is also expected to receive the next generation of BMW’s iDrive system with a touchscreen infotainment system and gesture control. The 7-series is also expected to get TouchCommand rear seat control system which consists of a Samsung tablet with a bespoke BMW app, allowing rear passengers to control many of the car’s functions....

Earlier this year, we reported that  Fiat is readying T-Jet versions for the Punto Evo  and the Avventura. Now we’ve got more information on the Punto T-Jet along with some photos posted on the  Fiat Club page . The Punto T-Jet will come with a 135bhp 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol motor mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. The Punto Evo's engine uses a different turbo-charger than the Linea T-Jet and hence will get 135bhp instead of Linea's 113bhp. This is not the same engine is expected to be seen under the hood of the Avventura, which is expected to come with Linea's 113bhp version. Also, on offer exclusively on this special edition Punto which is thought to be badged as Abarth will be four wheel disc brakes and 16-inch alloys. While the Punto Evo and the Avventura are dynamically well sorted, they weigh as much as a typical mid-size sedan, which takes a slight toll on their performance. The added muscle more than 20kgm of torque from the T-jet motor should do...

Toyota has added a new 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine to its engine line-up. Known as the 8NR-FTS, this 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine is available as an option on the updated Toyota Auris in the international markets. Toyota’s new engine uses a single-scroll turbocharger and gets cylinder-heads with integrated water-cooled exhaust manifolds to optimise exhaust temperature. This Toyota claims, allows the engine to be more responsive and deliver maximum torque over a wider RPM range, and deliver 114bhp at 5200-5600RPM and 18.9kgm of torque from 1500-4000rpm. The 8NR-FTS becomes the second turbo-charged motor in Toyota’s line-up of turbo petrol engines, with the first being the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol which powers the Lexus NX200t.

Tesla has added a new entry-level model to its Model S line-up in the form of an all-wheel drive called the Model S 70D. The Model S 70D will replace the two-wheel drive Model S 60 in the international market. The new Model S 70D gets two electric motors powering all four wheels, and an additional range of about 100km over the Model S 60. This new car is also a half second faster than the outgoing Model S 60 in a 0-100kph sprint and has a top speed of 225kph. The Model S 70D also gets factory-fitted features such as Adaptive cruise control and sat nav, along with the ability to plug into roadside Supercharger stations, all of which were cost options on the Model S 60. The Model S70D will be priced higher than the outgoing Model S 60 because of the added standard kit.

Maruti first introduced the SmartPlay infotainment system on the  Ciaz  Z+ trim. The company now plans to offer the same infotainment system in the other models in its lineup. The next car expected to get the SmartPlay will be the updated  Ertiga , which is expected to launch in the next few months. The  Swift  and  Dzire  are also likely to get the system later this year, to take on rivals such as the likes of the  Tata Zest  and  Bolt  which employ a Harman-sourced touchscreen infotainment system. It seems plausible that Maruti could also offer this system in the  S-Cross ,  YRA hatchback  and the  YBA compact SUV , once they are launched in our market. As with the Ciaz, the SmartPlay unit will result in an additional trim above each of these cars’ top trims. This will be called the Z+ and should be available with both petrol and diesel engine options. What does the Maruti SmartPlay offer? ·...