AUTHENTIC CARS

Hyundai has launched the new Elantra with prices starting at Rs 12.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). A rival to the likes of the Skoda Octavia, Chevrolet Cruze and Volkswagen Jetta, the new Elantra is available with a choice of petrol and diesel engines paired to a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard, along with an automatic option. Available in five trim levels – S, SX, SX AT, SX(O), SX(O) AT – the new Elantra comes equipped with a new 2.0-litre petrol motor in place of the old 1.8-litre unit. The new four-cylinder engine is rated to output 152hp with power channeled to the front wheels. The diesel unit is the same tried and tested 1.6-litre diesel unit as the outgoing model with output at an identical 126hp. The new Elantra sits on a revised version of the old car’s platform but with a more mature design. Interior quality has also taken a step up with improved materials across the cabin. Hyundai is also offering a long equipment list with the top trim getting equipment such as ...

The German automotive supplier Bosch worked “hand-in-glove” with Volkswagen in the dieselgate emissions scandal, according to court papers filed in the USA. Lawyers for owners of affected vehicles in the States have filed papers with the US District Court in San Francisco, which allege that Bosch was a “knowing and active participant” in the scheme to dodge emissions controls. Bosch supplied the ECU (engine control unit) that VW programmed to recognise when an emissions test was taking place. “Bosch played a crucial role in the fraudulent enterprise, and profited handsomely from it,” state the papers from law firm Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein. “It is inconceivable that Bosch did not know that the software it was responsible for defining, developing, testing, maintaining and delivering contained an illegal defeat device.” Bosch has previously said it is not responsible for how a manufacturer integrates its components into vehicles. The allegations refer to ...

An Audi RS1, boasting 284hp and with a four-wheel-drive, has been given the go-ahead by Audi bosses. The new model will act as a swansong for the current A1 hatchback prior to the arrival of a new, second-generation line-up in 2018. Set to go on sale early next year, the new hot supermini will fill the void left vacant by the earlier limited-run A1 quattro– a 262hp version of the pre-facelifted A1.Unlike the left-hand-drive-only A1 quattro, the RS1 has been conceived as a regular production model, complete with right-hand drive compatibility. As a result, it will be priced more competitively than its predecessor. As sister model to parent company Volkswagen’s upcoming Polo R, the RS1 is planned to rival a number of performance-based small cars, including the Ford Fiesta ST. However, the prime target for the new RS model – whose name was recently the subject of a copyright filing by Audi — is the Mini John Cooper Works. Sources close to the recently reorganised Audi Sport di...

Buying a new car is always an exciting prospect, and with the start of a new month there are a host of new and exciting discounts on offer at dealerships across the country. But before you walk into a dealership, here's a look at the best deals available on hatchbacks, sedans, SUVs and MPVs in the market right now. Of course, remember to bargain hard for the best discounts. Hatchbacks Maruti WagonR Stingray The WagonR Stingray is a stylish alterative to the practical WagonR hatchback, and comes with a longer feature list. It is available with a five-speed manual gearbox and an AMT. Maruti Suzuki is offering discounts of up to Rs 70,000 across all variants of this car.   Fiat Avventura The Avventura caters to those who aspire to own an SUV while enjoying the practicality of a hatchback. Based on the Punto Evo, it is available with a ground clearance of 205mm, powered by the same petrol and diesel engines, and is also offered in the Abarth trim, ...

The Volkswagen Group has manufactured more cars than Toyota and General Motors in the first half of 2016, and is now the largest producer – and seller - of cars in the world. Despite the ongoing emissions scandal, VW's production for the first six months' of 2016 has been confirmed at 5,268,000 cars. Toyota produced 5,033,177 cars, while GM's total figure has yet to be released, but is known to be smaller. These figures change slightly when car sales are taken into account: Volkswagen Group sold 5,199,000 cars, while Toyota sold 4,991,741 across its four brands: Toyota, Lexus, Daihatsu and Hino. GM sold 4,760,000 cars in the same period. VW’s operating profit took a substantial dip compared to the same period last year, falling from £6.8billion (around Rs 60,127 crore) in the first half of 2015 to £5.3billion (around Rs 46,864 crore) in the same period of 2016. Production is also down by 0.6 percent compared with the first half of last year – V...