AUTHENTIC CARS

Ford India is currently riding high on the success of the Ecosport. But its big SUV Endeavour has not been able to hold its own against rivals like the Toyota Fortuner. Still, Ford isn't giving up on large SUVs. This is why the American company plans to bring the new Endy here towards the end of 2015.      Based on the Ranger pick-up, like the previous versions, Ford, however, plans to assemble the new model in India before it goes on sale here. Ford may even localise a lot of the parts to further reduce prices. This will help make the Ford more competitive with the other SUVs in the Rs 20-25 lakh space. And it may be exported from India too.   Based closely on the new Everest Concept, which looks both chunky and modern at the same time, the new Endeavour's face is dominated by a bold, chrome-heavy, EcoSport-like trapezoidal grille. There are big wheel arches, chunky chrome-capped wing mirrors, and a faux vent just behind the front wheel arch. Almost all ...

Ford’s 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine has been voted the 2014 International Engine of the Year, winning the award for the third consecutive year. A panel of 82 automotive journalists from 35 countries also named the engine ‘Best Engine Under 1.0-litre’ again for the third year in a row, at the Engine Expo 2014 in Stuttgart, Germany.   “To deliver the complete package of eye-popping fuel economy, surprising performance and real refinement, we knew this little 1.0-litre engine would have to be a game-changer,” said Bob Fascetti, VP, Ford Powertrain Engineering. “Through our One Ford approach to development, the EcoBoost continues to set the benchmark for power combined with fuel efficiency from a petrol engine.”   Ford vehicles equipped with the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine are globally available in 72 countries. In India, it powers the top Titanium EcoBoost and Titanium (O) EcoBoost petrol variants of the Ford EcoSport.    The engine’s compact turbocharger spi...

Ford has unveiled its new Edge crossover for the North American market at the Ford Go Further Consumer Event in Michigan, USA.    The new Edge, as described by Ford is an upscale utility vehicle and is based on the same platform that underpins models sold internationally such as the Mondeo sedan. The interesting bit is that this car could come to India in the future because it has the right recipe. It will be made in right hand drive and will also come with a diesel engine in some markets, making it well suited to the Indian market.   The new Ford Edge crossover is loaded with tech features such as adaptive steering, active noise cancellation system, and front split view camera to name a few.    According to Ford, adaptive steering system which is on offer on the Edge continually changes the steering ratio with the vehicle speed, which it claims optimises the steering response anywhere between parking speeds and highway cruising speeds.   ...

Honda has begun work on readying a mid-cycle update for the CR-V, which is expected to come with cosmetic updates on the exteriors and mildly tweaked interiors.   As seen from the spy pictures, the updated CR-V’s front will see styling changes such as a new front grille with honeycomb treatment and twin slats. The headlamps are re-worked and the bumper gets new foglamp housings and a more prominent air-dam. At the rear, expect re-profiled tail-lamps and bumper.   Honda launched the current-generation CR-V in India in February 2013, which is available with 2.0-litre and 2.4-litre petrol powerplants. Expect the carmaker to roll out the updated CR-V in India shortly after the international launch.

The Audi RS7 has received a series of subtle styling modifications 18 months after it was first revealed at the 2013 Detroit motor show.   Among the mild visual changes brought to the plush performance liftback is a lightly reworked front end. It features a restyled single frame grille set within a slightly more structured bumper, bringing its appearance into line with less powerful versions of the A7 revealed earlier this month. The RS7 also gets reworked LED headlamps as standard. Audi is making its Matrix LED headlamps an option on the new car. They come with darkened graphics to provide the car with greater visual differentiation.   Further stylistic tweaks include tail lamps with new LED graphics and restyled 20-inch wheels. Inside, Audi has added revised instruments, modified shift paddles and altered controls for the air vents. The optional MMI (Multi Media Interface) Plus infotainment system also receives an updated Nvidia graphics processor for faster ...

Porsche is considering a break in tradition by adopting a turbocharged engine for the next 911 GT3 RS. The 911 GT3 has had widely publicised fire problems with its highly tuned, naturally aspirated 468bhp 3.8-litre flat six engine. Porsche engineers are understood to be concerned at the prospect of trying to reliably extract enough extra power from the naturally aspirated engine to warrant an RS badge. As such, a turbocharged engine is instead being considered. This would comfortably deliver the extra power needed without compromising reliability. It would also fit in with the current turbocharging ethos in the supercar segment. Meanwhile, the 911 GT3’s rear-wheel steer system is understood to be under consideration for future models of the Cayman. It will be the first Porsche sports car to get the firm’s upcoming four-cylinder turbo petrol engine, which is believed to run an output of about 400bhp.

The new BMW X6 is the second-generation model of the coupé-like SUV that pioneered a new and lucrative market niche when it was launched in 2008. Set to make its public debut at the Moscow motor show in August, the second-gen X6 is the latest in a long line of new BMW models revealed in recent months. Despite a slow start in the midst of a global financial downturn, the first-gen X6 proved highly successful. BMW claims global sales of more than 2,50,000; that’s an annual average of over 40,000 units throughout its six-year production cycle. The second-gen BMW X6 has been comprehensively re-engineered in a joint development programme with the recently introduced third-gen X5, alongside which it will be produced at BMW’s US factory in South Carolina. The styling of the new SUV has been progressed using an evolutionary approach that retains a similar silhouette to its predecessor’s but with even bolder detailing at the front and rear. The body of the new SUV receives a more st...