Automobilestillnow

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has announced that the Fiat brand will be moving away from mass-market models to focus on producing more SUVs in markets like Europe. The brand will use this approach to exploit the demand for SUVs of all sizes in the European market. As per the plan, the first cars were the Fiat 500X small SUV, accompanied by its Jeep sibling, the Renegade. Our sister publication, Autocar UK, has also revealed that the two brands are working on a pair of larger SUV models based on the same high-end platform. At the recent Geneva motor show, FCA boss Sergio Marchionne said, Fiat would no longer attempt to be a “mass-market brand” and will not attempt to offer a “full range” of models. He added that Fiat would “focus on what it does best”. In extracting the best from what remains of the Fiat brand, Marchionne and his team have devised a four-pronged plan. The biggest growth areas in the European market are the SUV and premium segments. The premium sector will be...

Jaguar-Land Rover has added another model to its locally assembled vehicle portfolio in India. We  broke the story  way back at the Auto Expo 2014 that the Range Rover Evoque is JLR’s next product in line for local assembly. The three-door Evoque is only available in the top-end Dynamic trim with a 237bhp 2.0-litre turbo-petrol motor while the five-door SUV is offered in three trims — Pure, Prestige and Dynamic — and with a 2.2-litre common-rail turbo-diesel engine. Both engines come mated to a nine-speed automatic gearbox. The Evoque is JLR’s fourth offering to be locally assembled in India after the Jaguar XF, the Jaguar XJ and the Land Rover Freelander SUV. Added equipment on the locally assembled Evoque includes a navigation system, front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera (standard on all trims). The 2015 Range Rover Evoque prices (ex-showroom Mumbai) are as below: Range Rover Evoque SD4 5 Door Pure: Rs 48.73 lakh Range Rover Evoque SD4 5 Door...

Nissan Motors Co is confident that its India operations will soon be a part of its top three subsidiaries globally — a shift up from its current position in the top 20 list. The parent company, Nissan, which has a global market share of five percent at present, sold 5.3 million cars worldwide in 2014 — out of which 1.3 million units were sold in the China, the world’s largest market. As of February 2015, Nissan Motor India held a market share of 1.81 percent in the Indian passenger vehicle market. The carmaker expects to achieve a target of five percent by 2020. Guillaume Sicard, president, Nissan India operations, is keen on expanding the brand's awareness through marketing and on-ground activities. While Nissan enjoys a top-of-the-mind recall with three out of 10 customers in India — Datsun is a low, one out of 10, which Sicard plans to improve.  Of the total Rs 4,500 crores invested in India, Nissan has directed most of it to setting up the Oragadam plant that has a...

The design and research team at Ford is working towards incorporating brain scans and eye-tracking research techniques into the interiors of the carmaker's next-generation models. This will help the research team infer the reaction of the sample audience to a particular design proposal. The eye tracking feature will follow the part of a person's eye movements over time. This data will help the team figure out the parts of design that are noticed first.  Eye tracking can also be used to record the duration for which people focus on certain areas of the car. This draws the designers’ attention to the most and least appreciated areas. The second feature — brain scanning — will be used to establish the impact of the interiors on the audience’s brain — indicated by parts of the brain lighting up while looking at an interior design. Moray Callum, Ford’s Vice President of Design said that Ford’s future approach to interior design would be based on three fundamental pri...

The sportscar project that is being worked upon jointly by BMW and Toyota is likely to give rise to two different sized vehicles. BMW and Toyota will give global markets the next-gen Z4 and a successor to the Supra, respectively. The original deal to work together on a sportscar was announced in 2012. Few details have been released since then, but BMW did confirm late last year that the project had entered the “concept phase”, and that a technical feasibility study had been “successfully completed”. Senior sources have confirmed further details to our sister publication Autocar UK, including Toyota Europe's vice president and product planning chief Karl Schlicht saying at the Geneva motor show, “The intention with the new car is for it to sit above the GT86. It doesn’t replace that model; the GT86 goes on with its own mission.” That positioning also means the return of one of Toyota’s classic sports car names. While the Celica badge has traditionally been used for models ...

General Motors will withdraw the Opel brand from Russia by 2015-end, the company told a German newspaper recently. In the last 12 months, the Russian economy has suffered due to dropping oil prices and the economic sanctions imposed by Western countries. This has caused the Russian Ruble to tumble against the American dollar, thereby significantly increasing prices of imported cars as well as increasing inflation. Reports in the German media also suggest that American automaker will discontinue contract assembly of Chevrolet cars in Russia. German newspaper, Handelsblatt, recently quoted Opel CEO Karl-Thomas Neumann saying that General Motors no longer found prospects in the Russian new car market suitable in the short, medium and long term. “We do not have the appropriate localisation level for important vehicles built in Russia, and the market environment does not justify a major investment to further localise," he said. However, it will continue selling two-three mode...

Skoda’s sporty version of the Octavia has been sold in India for the past two generations. Whereas the earlier Octavia vRS was detuned from 180 to 150bhp and the later Laura had a smaller 160bhp 1.8 TSI engine, Skoda, this time, is looking at getting the real thing. That means 217bhp from a 2.0 TFSi engine and 0-100kph time of 7 seconds. But the carmaker is struggling to justify bringing the car here as the number of units it is likely to sell of this around Rs 30-lakh car is not likely to be too many; the 2.0 TFSI also needs to be homologated for India. So while Skoda is looking at it, it looks unlikely that the 250kph-capable new Octavia vRS will make it here.   

We had reported earlier that the Volkswagen Vento will get a  substantial facelift  later this year. The updated Vento has been spied in Russia where it is sold as the Polo sedan. VW had recently launched a mildly updated version of the Vento that only got new headlights and alloy wheels. This update now brings in an all-new front, as well as some updates under the hood. The 2015 Vento gets an all-new Passat-like grille which now ends a bit lower than the current Vento. The bonnet is also all-new, and a bit flatter with two prominent double-creases on each side. The larger grille, flatter bonnet, and an all-new front bumper with the Jetta-like chin makes the new Vento look more premium and wider than the current car. The bumper at the rear also appears to be wider, and there's a new horizontal bar across the rear that's likely to be finished in chrome. There is a chrome strip on the lower bumper too. Mechanical changes are thought to be limited to recalibrate...

Nissan is planning to bring its biggest SUV, the Patrol to our shores soon. The large, seven-seating SUV will be brought in as CBU units, and will compete mainly against the Toyota Land Cruiser.  With the launch of this full-sized Patrol SUV, Nissan is also looking to boost its brand-image in India. The four-wheel-drive Patrol features a ladder-on-frame construction, making it a rugged SUV that can handle a fair bit of off-roading. Mechanically, the Nissan Patrol is expected to get a big 5.6-litre V8 petrol motor that’s good for around 400bhp and 57kgm of torque. Internationally, the Patrol gets three transmission options (including a manual) but in India, the Patrol is likely to be fitted only with the range-topping seven-speed automatic gearbox.   Compared to the Land Cruiser, the Patrol is expected to get interiors that are much better appointed, as it shares a lot of its cosmetic parts with the Infiniti QX80. That said, with a price tag of approximately Rs 1 cr...

Hyundai has rolled out six new models in the past eighteen months, and with the launch of the new i20 Active, the company is aiming for a production milestone of six million units (60 lakh units) from its two Chennai plants in 2015. The company had previously crossed the five million units (50 lakh units) landmark in October 2013. Speaking at the launch of the i20 Active, B S Seo, MD and CEO of HMIL, said: “The i20 Active will be a trendsetter model reflecting Hyundai’s modern premium brand direction, and will propel Hyundai’s growth in India. Designed with a vision of creating cutting-edge driving innovations and delivering outstanding comfort features, the i20 Active will appeal to young consumers in India.” The i20 Active is pitched by the company in the emerging crossover segment. which sells about 1,000 units per month but has a strong growth forecast. The i20 Active will also be exported to Latin America, Africa, Asia and Middle East. Rakesh Srivastava, senior VP, s...

Nissan's carbonfibre, three-seater, sub 370Z electric BladeGlider was expected to go on sale by 2017, however, it is still classified as "an exploratory concept” according to the company’s new chief planning officer, Philippe Klein. “It is still on the table, but at the end of the day, it has to make sense to the company. We have the concept car, and it has the ability to surprise, but it is not big in our plans now. Before we jump in with a production car, there is a path to take - and first we must see the opportunity is there,” said Klein. Revealed at the 2013 Tokyo motor show, the BladeGlider concept was originally described as a blueprint for an anti-establishment small electric sports car, based on the principles of the Deltawing race car. Styling of the production car was expected to change as compared to that of the concept - the BladeGlider was being described by design chief Shiro Nakamura as "an extreme interpretation" of how the car could look. ...

Tata has been testing the AMT-equipped Nano Twist for a long time now. From the latest set of pictures doing the rounds, it seems the Nano Twist Active AMT is ready to hit showrooms anytime soon. Badged Nano Twist F-Tronic, it was first shown as a concept at the Delhi Auto Expo 2014. Based on the current hierarchy, this variant, the Nano XTA could be the range-topper in the Nano lineup. As for the auto transmission, it is a five-speed 'box - basically derived from the Nano's four-speed manual, but with an extra ratio - and the AMT unit is sourced from Magneti Marelli.   The opening tailgate, however, increases the overall weight of the Nano by around 70-80kg, which could hit fuel efficiency. However, the fuel tank capacity has been significantly improved - now rated at 25 litres - and should considerably improve the range of the Nano.   In terms of other cosmetic changes, the front and rear bumpers are restyled,  the exhaust tip at the rear is tucked aw...

Hyundai’s newly launched i20 Active will be available in three variants: Base, S and SX. While the Base and S variants will be available with the option of either petrol or diesel engines, the SX variant will only be available with the diesel engine. These are the most prominent features of each variant: Hyundai i20 Active Base (Petrol – Rs 6.38 lakh, Diesel 7.63 lakh) Apart from the bare essentials, this entry-level variant also gets a few additional comfort features. Some of the basic features include halogen headlights, central locking, manual AC, a foldable key with an engine immobiliser system, a non-adjustable steering column, front and rear power windows, and a non height-adjustable driver’s seat. However, Hyundai has also included additional features such as aluminium pedals, 15-inch alloy wheels, USB and 1GB internal storage with four speakers and front tweeters, a 2-DIN music system with AUX, rear AC vents and glovebox cooling even on the Base variant. ...

This is the first leaked photo of the next-generation Toyota Fortuner SUV. The current-generation Fortuner has been on sale in India from 2009 and this next-generation model will most likely debut here at the Auto Expo 2016. As seen in the leaked image, the design language is now more in line with current-gen Toyota off-roaders sold internationally and the new Fortuner looks much sleeker. The overall profile still makes it look like a rugged SUV though. Unlike the earlier model though, the front styling of the next-gen Fortuner will not be based on the Hilux pickup truck (sold internationally). Up front, the V-shaped twin-slat grille gets chrome surrounds on its borders and the Camry-like wraparound headlamps feature projector units. The front bumper comes with a broad chin that merges with the grille and at its corners sit vertical LED daytime-running lamps and round fog lamps. Moving on to the sides, the fenders are wide and the wheel arches are big enough to accommodat...

Hyundai has launched the i20 Active in India starting at Rs 6.38 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the petrol model, and Rs 7.63 lakh for the diesel model. The i20 Active is the ‘cross’ version of the standard i20 hatchback. As is typical of crossovers, the i20 Active gets cosmetic changes to give it a more standout, rugged appearance that the regular i20. Primarily cosmetic changes for the i20 Active include matte grey cladding around the base of the car, faux skid plates, roof rails and newly designed alloys. Other changes on the outside include new front and rear bumpers with round fog lamps, tweaked grille, projector headlamps with daytime-running lights and cornering lights, new fuel filler lid and glossy black C-pillar. On the inside, the i20 Active continues with the well-appointed cabin of the standard hatchback, but with a new colour combination. Models with lighter exterior paint shades, get blue and black two-tone upholstery, while those with darker exterior colours,...

The BMW X5 xDrive40e has been revealed prior to its public debut at the New York motor show 2015, to be held in April. This is the new plug-in petrol-electric hybrid version of the Bavarian carmaker's full-blown luxury SUV. The hybrid-powered X5 runs a longitudinally-mounted turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine. The four-cylinder unit has outputs of 242bhp and 35.7kgm of torque, and works in combination with an electric motor that's seated in the forward section of its standard eight-speed automatic gearbox and produces 111bhp and 25.4kgm of torque. Altogether, the X5 xDrive40e possesses a combined system output of 309bhp and 45.9kgm. This gives it 55bhp more but 11.2kgm less than the popular turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel X5 xDrive30d. The X5 xDrive40e’s electric motor draws energy from a 9kW lithium ion battery consisting of 96 individual cells. The mounting of the battery at the rear reduces boot space by 150 litres over the existing petrol and dies...

Chevrolet has just launched the 2015 Captiva at Rs 25.13 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). However, this model, touted as the 2015 Captiva, has no significant changes, compared to the older model. The only difference here is a new instrument cluster, and the 'Cluster Ionizer' for better air quality in the cabin. The Captiva SUV is powered by a 2.2-litre diesel engine mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, with the option of an automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The Captiva will continue to offer six airbags, ABS with brake assist, height-adjustable front seat-belts and seat-belt pre-tensioners. It is priced at Rs 25.13 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the manual version and Rs 27.36 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the automatic variant. Chevrolet will also launch the larger and rugged  Trailblazer SUV  in India later this year and the  Spin MPV  next year. 

Hyundai will launch the i20 Active on March 17. The Active is a rugged version of the popular i20 premium hatchback. It gets cosmetic tweaks, cladding, skid plates, roof rails and aggressive-looking alloys. It is powered by the same petrol and diesel engines as in the i20 hatchback but, ground clearance has been raised by 20mm to 190mm. That's the same formula as has been implemented with other such crossovers in our market. So, how does the new Hyundai compare against its main segment rival – the Fiat Avventura? Let's take a look. Under the hood Like the Avventura, the i20 Active too will be available in both petrol and diesel guise. While i20 Active will be powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine, the Fiat Avventura gets a bigger 1.4-litre engine which is good for 89bhp (7bhp more than the i20). However, both petrol engines make identical peak torque. When it comes to the diesels, the i20 Active will get a bigger 1.4-litre engine but, it produces only 89bhp. In com...

Mercedes has announced that it will launch a facelift for the CLS, but only in diesel guise. The CLS is essentially a stylish, four-door coupe version of the E-class and will be sold here as a CBU, slotting in between the E and the S-class. The new CLS 250 CDI is expected to come with the same diesel motor that powers the Mercedes E 250 CDI and the ML 250 CDI in India. This motor is a 2143cc unit good for 201bhp and 50.98kgm. The updated CLS gets minor styling tweaks and a grille similar to the A-class. The pre-facelift version was only available with a petrol motor and wasn’t as popular as the first-generation car which came with both petrol and diesel engines. Another reason for the popularity of the first-gen CLS in India was the fact that back then, its German rivals, BMW and Audi did not have a direct competitor, whereas the second-gen CLS is aimed squarely at the Audi A7 and BMW 6-series Gran Coupe. Mercedes will also launch the E-class convertible on the same day. ...

The Mini Cooper S has been launched in India priced at Rs 34.65 lakh (ex-showroom, India). Mini had launched both the three-door and five-door versions of the Cooper diesel last year. Under the hood of this petrol variant lies the new 2.0-litre four-cylinder twin turbo unit that makes a healthy 189bhp and 30.6kgm of torque. These reserves allow the Cooper S to sprint from 0-100kph in a claimed 6.7 seconds, while going on to a claimed top speed of 233kph. Power is sent to the front wheel via a six-speed automatic gearbox. The Mini Cooper S also comes with a start-stop function along with three driving modes named as Green, Sport and MID. Mechanically, the third-gen car sits on BMW's new UKL front-wheel drive platform (which will also be used on the next-gen BMW 1-series), gets a new front suspension and also, a revised rear suspension set-up.   Visually, the Cooper S is similar, both inside and out, to the Cooper D. The nose is bulbous and more prominent than before, w...

Many cars in the middle and low income countries fail to meet the basic Global NCAP safety standards for front and side impacts, the international automotive safety regulatory body has revealed. Speaking at the United Nations in Geneva while launching its new policy report - Democratising Car Safety: Road Map for Safer Cars 2020 - on March 10, Global NCAP chairman Max Mosley said, "Safety improvements stimulated by legislation and consumer awareness campaigns in high income economies that have saved hundreds of thousands of lives are not yet systematically available for drivers and their families in rapidly growing lower income markets”. He added that car safety laws accepted as a norm in Europe for the last 20 years, are yet to be met by manufacturers in middle and low income countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. He said that manufacturers cannot treat millions of its customers as second-class citizens when it comes to life saving standards of occupant protection...

Renault, with its soon-to-launch Lodgy, is looking to capture a considerable chunk of the promising MPV segment. The carmaker had previously hit the jackpot with its Duster range, and if it hopes to repeat that kind of success, the Lodgy will have to dethrone the segment leader – the Toyota Innova. On paper, the Lodgy looks very promising, with just the right ingredients to take the fight to the Innova. Here's how the two heavyweights stack up. Under the hood Lodgy vs Innova - engine comparison Engine Renault Lodgy Toyota Innova Cubic capacity 1461cc 2494cc Power 108.5bhp 100.6bhp Torque 25.3kgm 20.4kgm Both the Renault Lodgy and Toyota Innova come only in diesel guise. The engine in the Lodgy is available in two states of tune (83.8bhp and 108.5bhp), but for this comparison we'll consider the more powerful version. Although the Lodgy has the smaller engine, it makes 8bhp and 5kgm of torque more that the Innova. While the 8bhp power advantage may not se...