AUTHENTIC CARS

BMW’s 1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid engine has been voted the 2015 International Engine of the Year, thus ending the consecutive three-year victory of Ford’s 999cc three-cylinder turbo EcoBoost engine. Furthermore, the 1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid engine, that does duty in BMW’s celebrated plug-in hybrid, the i8, also won awards in the ‘Best New Engine’ and the ‘1.4-litre to 1.8-litre’ categories. “This is a fitting victory for what is a remarkable powertrain. The i8 is a supercar of the future that’s available today. Progressive, emotive and environmentally responsible, here is a creation that proves the transport of tomorrow can be very, very exciting,” said Dean Slavnich, Co-chairman, International Engine of the Year Awards. In what was a very closely contested fight, the BMW’s petrol-hybrid motor ended Ford’s 1.0 litre EcoBoost engine dominance by a slender 7-point margin. However, Ford did have something to cheer about. Its 999cc EcoBoost engine was adjudged the...

Mercedes-Benz has officially unveiled the new GLC in Germany. As part of the company’s new nomenclature for SUVs, the GLK moniker has been dropped in favour of the GLC. This new compact SUV is based on Merc’s MRA (Modular Rear Architecture) platform that also underpins the new C-class sedan. The interesting bit is that this SUV will finally make it to India and unlike the model it replaces, this one is available in a right-hand drive configuration. The GLC adopts frontal styling as on the new C-class with a similar grille and headlight design. The rear styling is much different from the earlier flat design of the GLK and now gets a more rounded design. All these design elements lend it a grown-up look. Inside the cabin, there are a lot of similarities to the C-class — be it the flowing single-piece centre console, rotary air vents, hooded instrument binnacle, touchpad, and the latest version of the COMAND Online infotainment system. The cabin now looks luxurious and well laid-o...

JLR has revealed two new technologies that will bring autonomous driving a step closer to reality. One of the systems being developed is a remote control application which will allow drivers to control their cars from outside the vehicle, using a smartphone. Working at speeds of up to 6kph and with a range of 10 metres, the system is designed for users to traverse tricky off-road terrain or tight spaces, without being in the vehicle. The application was successfully tested on a pilot Range Rover Sport vehicle and works only if the smart key present in the car is detected. The company plans to incorporate technology that would allow drivers to issue spoken commands for the vehicle to follow; but this could happen sometime in the future. Also launched is a prototype Range Rover Sport, capable of performing a 180-degree turn autonomously. The vehicle has been tested in situations like, dead-end roads, cramped car parks, etc. and the car was successful in manoeuvring without ...

The first official sketch of Mercedes’ upcoming GLC SUV is here. To be showcased for the first time ever in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the new Mercedes GLC SUV replaces the not-for India Mercedes GLK SUV and like its predecessor, will be positioned below the M-class (now GLE-class SUV). Unlike the GLK SUV that it replaces, the new Mercedes GLC will be produced in both left and right-hand drive configuration, which means there is a possibility of it hitting Indian shores too. When launched, the Mercedes GLC SUV will rival the likes of the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 and the Land Rover Discovery Sport. The Mercedes GLC line-up will also have a sportier GLC Coupe that is expected to compete with the Range Rover Evoque and BMW X4 SUVs globally. The GLC-based coupe is likely to be unveiled next year. The Mercedes GLC SUV features styling cues found on most modern-day Mercedes offerings, such as the soft-nosed grille and headlight styling. The overall look is more rounded and ...

Audi and the Royal Automobile Club (RAC) have set a new world record for the most distance travelled on a single tank of fuel. The car, an Audi A6 TDI Ultra, was driven for 1865.23km on a single tank of fuel at an average speed of 78kph. With motoring journalist Andrew Frankel and race driver Rebecca Jackson at the wheel, the drive commenced in the Netherlands. The A6 Ultra was driven from Maastricht, through Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Switzerland, Lichtenstein, Austria, Germany and Italy towards the Balkans, with the tank finally running empty at Nova Sad in Hungary. The record-setting drive was originally supposed to be 1,600km long, but achieved 1,865km. The driving team was accompanied by a RAC vehicle with route planners and observers. The route was specifically selected to avoid heavy traffic and stop-start situations, which would have degraded fuel efficiency. The Audi A6 ultra was chosen because of its large 73-litre fuel tank and its 28.78kpl fuel efficiency ...

BMW is working on a new X2 model. It is expected to be a sporty-looking car, which will be previewed in its concept form early 2016, before it goes on sale internationally, late next year. The X2 will share the new BMW X1’s platform. In details given to our sister publication Autocar UK, BMW officials have confirmed that the X2 will get a uniquely styled steel body, following the example of the larger X4 and X6. The X6 was sold in India until 2014. The new BMW X2 will feature a five-door layout, with its tailgate set at an extreme angle than the X1 giving it a coupé-like silhouette. It will initially be offered with a range of four-cylinder engines. The addition of the more economical three-cylinder units within the first year is a possibility. The engines will be mated to either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic gearbox, in combination with front or four-wheel drive. The X2 will be produced alongside the new X1 at BMW’s Regensburg factory in Germany.

Fiat has announced that it will showcase a facelifted 500 on July 4, 2015. The refreshed 500 is expected to get minor changes on its exterior and interior to make it more in-line with its larger sibling, the 500X. The date is of great significance to the Italian brand, as the original 500 was launched on the same date way back in 1957, and it was also when the current 500 was unveiled to the public in 2007. The original three-door hatchback 500 has spawned a series of models since, followed by the 500C convertible, the larger five-door 500L and the off-roading 500L Trekking, the 500X crossover and the seven-seater 500L MPW. The 500 went through a facelift in 2014 and got a new digital dashboard and modifications made to the engine. The facelift this year is expected to see the car’s styling be tweaked to make it look more like the 500X, while on the inside it is expected to receive a 5.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system and an overall improvement in quality. The new...

While the automobile market draws mixed responses, dealers are offering some mouth-watering discounts to attract buyers. If you are planning to buy a car soon, this is one list you should not be missing. Read on for the best deals on offer this month. HATCHBACKS Maruti Wagon R Maruti dealerships across the country will offer you attractive savings on the Wagon R. As a part of this benefit you can avail of a flat cash discount of up to Rs 37,000 on any of the versions. You can also take advantage of the exchange bonus of Rs 20,000, in exchange of your current car. Working for a listed corporate company could also fetch you an extra Rs 5,000. Maruti is offering a total saving of Rs 62,000. Maruti Alto 800 Buy the Alto 800 and get a chance to save up to Rs 35,000 in cash. Plus there’s an exchange bonus that’s worth up to Rs 20,000, if you were planning to trade in your existing car. A total benefit of Rs 55,000. Tata Bolt Along with a cash discount of Rs 25,000 on ...

The new BMW 7-series has been officially unveiled. Expected to go on sale internationally later this year, the carmaker’s flagship sedan has undergone considerable re-engineering, and the use of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic, high-strength steel and aluminium has helped it shed around 130kg over the current model. Measuring 5,098mm in length, 1,902mm in width and 1,478mm in height, the new 7-series is 19mm longer and 7mm higher than its predecessor in the standard wheelbase guise; width remains the same. The long-wheelbase variant gains an added 139mm, making it 18mm longer than the car it replaces, at 5,238mm. Both the standard and long-wheelbase variants share the same wheelbase measurements as the old 7-series models, at 3,070mm and 3,210mm respectively. The diesel engine, in the 730d, is a 261bhp 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo diesel motor that allows it to go from 0-100kph in 5.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 250kph. The petrol is a new turbocharged 3.0-litre inline...

Hyundai has revealed the facelifted version of the Santa Fe. Dubbed 'The Santa Fe Prime' in South Korea, the facelifted SUV gets exterior tweaks and minor mechanical changes with added features. On the outside, the Santa Fe gets new front and rear bumpers with chrome detailing, LED guide lamps in the headlamps and LED daytime-running lights on the front bumper, a restyled grille, an optional panoramic sunroof, new 18- and 19-inch alloy wheels and LED light strips in the tail-lamps. Inside, the refreshed SUV appears relatively unchanged. The only noticeable changes are revised accents on the dashboard and seats and new fonts on the instrument cluster. In terms of features, the Santa Fe gets the addition of Smart High Beam Assist, Dynamic Bending Lights, Advanced cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, a 360-degree camera and a JBL surround-sound system. Mechanically, the SUV carries forward the engines from the outgoing model — the 2.0 and 2.2-litre diesel ...

The new Audi A4 will make its debut at the Frankfurt motor show 2015. But for now, the upcoming iteration of Audi’s best-seller has been spotted testing on international roads. Images doing the rounds give a comprehensive view of the new A4, and it is clear that the new car has a neatly evolved design, and looks much sharper than the current model. The change that immediately comes across is the roofline. It seems gradual and swoopy, and lends the new A4, a very attractive silhouette. Other changes on the outside that are prominent are the sleeker headlight and taillight assemblies, the contoured bumpers, the ridges on the bonnet, the new alloy wheels, and the crease running across the side of the car. It also seems a bit longer than the current car; could mean a longer wheelbase. The new A4 is based on the second-generation of the flexible MLB platform. Internationally, it is likely to get seven engine options. They include four petrols (1.4, 1.8, 2.0 and 3.0-litre TFSI...

We all know that the planet's fossil fuel reserves are fast depleting. Environmentalists have frequently stressed on the need to conserve natural resources. Motor vehicles are one of the largest consumers of fossil energy and with the number of cars always on a rise worldwide, the fuel consumption graph will only keep soaring. We bring you a list of the 10 most fuel-efficient cars in India to help you choose better, if you wish to do your bit for the environment. The list mostly comprises hatchbacks and compact sedans, and unsurprisingly all of them are diesel cars. Maruti clinches the top three spots and easily dominates the list with four entries — a clear indication of India's largest carmaker's efforts to develop cars that offer the best fuel efficiency to the mileage-conscious Indian buyer.  The figures mentioned here are manufacturer-claimed fuel-efficiency figures (as per ARAI testing conditions). They represent the fuel consumption a car could possibly a...

Jaguar’s flagship sedan, the XJ has been given a mid-cycle update. The 2016 Jaguar XJ sedan gets new LED headlights, and the inside gets better quality leather seating. The sedan’s infotainment system also receives a thorough revamp. It now gets Jaguar’s InControl Touch Pro system.     The Jaguar XJ facelift gets a new top-spec Autobiography trim for the international markets. This variant will be available only on the long wheelbase XJ sedan. The new Jaguar XJ Autobiography features 20-inch alloys, quilted leather seats, illuminated treadplates, special individual rear seat set-up and a bespoke rear entertainment system. Also on offer is the new 2016 Jaguar XJ R-Sport version. It gets minor styling tweaks, a rear spoiler, sport seats and special trim on the inside.   The Jaguar XJ’s 3.0-litre V6 diesel now churns out 296bhp while the 5.0-litre V8 powerplant remains untouched. As with the XJ’s 335bhp V6 engine. The updated XJ also gets a new electronic power s...

BMW has revealed the new X1 four months prior to its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show 2015. It goes on sale internationally later this year, and is based on the front-wheel-drive UKL platform that also underpins cars from sister-brand Mini. A more compact transverse engine layout replaces the longitudinal arrangement, leading to more interior space and improved safety credentials. Engine options in the international markets include a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine in two states of tune and a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel in three outputs. The 2.0-litre petrol unit is tuned to deliver 189bhp and 28.5kgm in the X1 sDrive20i, and 228bhp and 35.7kgm in the more powerful xDrive25i. The 25i has a claimed 0-100kph time of 6.5 seconds and a top speed of 235kph. The diesel engine, codenamed B47, replaces the N47 unit used by the previous X1. It delivers 148bhp and 33.6kgm in the sDrive18d; 187bhp and 40.8kgm in the xDrive20d, and 228bhp and 46kgm in the xD...

Japanese carmaker Honda has said that it is planning to get the new version of its Accord premium luxury sedan to India in 2016. In addition, a hybrid version of the sedan might make its way here after the launch of the 2.4-litre petrol. “Yes, we are getting the Accord to India. And we are thinking of getting the hybrid Accord as well”, said Katsushi Inoue, who took charge as the President and CEO of Honda Cars India recently. Honda phased out its flagship Accord from India in December 2013 due to weak demand in the shrinking segment. Another reason for pulling the plug on the Accord was that the carmaker wanted to focus on small models such as the Brio hatchback, Amaze compact sedan, City midsize sedan and Mobilio MPV that would rake in higher volumes. As a result, India was never introduced to the ninth-generation Accord that was launched worldwide in 2013. But with the Jazz arriving this July and completing Honda’s mass-volume portfolio, the Japanese carmaker can con...

Honda will launch the new Jazz on 8 July. The carmaker previously released teasers of the hatchback on its social media arms and official website. The new Honda Jazz was supposed to hit Indian showrooms in March 2015, but was delayed citing production issues.   The new Honda Jazz will come in two engine options — a 1.2-litre petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel. The petrol version will also get a  CVT automatic option . When launched, the new Jazz will compete with the likes of the Maruti Swift, Hyundai i20, Volkswagen Polo Fiat Punto Evo and the Tata Bolt.   You can expect the new Jazz to be feature-rich, with kit a Bluetooth-equipped touchscreen infotainment system and alloy wheels.   Known for its brilliant packaging and massive cabin space, the Jazz is a global bestseller for Honda. And because it is assembled here this time around, with engines manufactured here as well, Honda will be able to price the Jazz competitively.  

The BMW 6-series Gran Coupe facelift has been launched in India starting at Rs 1.15 crore (ex-showroom, Delhi). This latest offering from BMW gets a few subtle tweaks on the exterior, while it borrows the 3.0-litre straight-six diesel engine from the outgoing model. A closer look reveals that BMW's kidney grille now has nine bars instead of 10 as in the previous model, to improve the air cooling to the engine. The grille bars have been remodelled to accentuate the forward slant—a signature style of the 6-series. Other changes include restyled front and rear bumpers, full LED headlights and front foglights and redesigned alloy wheels. BMW will provide adaptive LED headlights with anti-dazzle high beam assistant as an option on the Gran Coupe. The minor changes continue at the rear as well. The 6-series Gran Coupe gets a new horizontal chrome bumper insert which gives it a wider look. The exterior mirrors get a bit of restyling and now house horizontal light strips as sid...

Lamborghini has finally announced that its Urus concept-based SUV will go on sale in 2018. The premium SUV will be made at the company’s factory in Sant’Agata Bolognese and will be the third production model to be made after the Aventador and Huracan. This SUV is expected to draw a lot of inspiration from the Urus concept first shown at the Beijing Motor Show in 2012. The radically styled concept displayed extensive use of carbon fibre and a turbocharged 5.2-litre V10 motor with a transmission-mounted electric motor. Details are still scarce but expect it to be one of the most powerful SUVs ever made. Lamborghini president and CEO Stephan Winkelmann said, “This is a proud moment for everybody in Lamborghini. The introduction of a third model line endorses the stable and sustainable growth of the company and signifies the beginning of a new era.” Lamborghini will also expand its Sant’Agata Bolognese plant and is looking to invest “hundreds of millions of Euros” in the fa...

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has extended the stay on the ban on 10-year old diesel vehicles in the National Capital Region to July 13, 2015. The hearing will now be held once the Tribunal reconvenes after the summer break. The ban had originally been stayed on April 13 for a period of two weeks before it was extended on May 1 and then again on May 18. “The Centre and the Delhi government will file their replies within three weeks on why the NGT should not pass an appropriate order for non-compliance of its order. All interim orders will continue”, a bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said. The Green Tribunal has also asked the Central Pollution Control Board to file additional data to support its report on pollution levels in the NCR. The Union road transport ministry has been asked to submit its views on curtailing the total number of vehicles, scrapping of old vehicles, car pooling and incentives for scrapping old cars.