Automobilestillnow

The all-new Mercedes-Benz GLC, which rivals the likes of the BMW X3 and the Audi Q5, has been tested by our sister publication, Autocar UK. The predecessor to the GLC, the square-edged GLK, was never produced in a right-hand-drive guise owing to difficulties in packaging the driveshaft for the front axle. As a result, the German carmaker has been unrepresented in the segment in RHD markets. The arrival of the GLC fills this void in Mercedes' line-up. This smart-looking SUV is based on the same platform as the latest C-class, but receives a 33mm longer wheelbase than its sedan sibling. The tracks have been widened by 31mm at the front and 47mm at the rear over the new C-class.Although it is larger than its predecessor, Mercedes says the GLC is 80kg lighter than the GLK. This has been achieved through the use of hot-formed high-strength steel in the body structure, and aluminium for the front wings, bonnet and roof. The GLC 250d tested here weighs 1,770kg. The GLC 250...

Put briefly, the V40 is Volvo’s most direct rival to the BMW 1-series and Mercedes-Benz A-class hatchbacks. It's also the car that forms the basis for the V40 Cross Country that’s been on sale in India since 2013. While this version of the V40 does not have the crossover-like cues that make the Cross Country standout, you’d be way off the mark to consider it a plain, vanilla sibling.  As seen on the Cross Country, the standard V40’s basic design is very Volvo. So, here too, a drooping nose leads into a rising and broad shoulder that eventually culminates into a high-set tail. There’s a certain solidity to the whole design, but to us the really interesting design bits are concentrated at the rear. Things such as the swoopy tail lamps and the blacked-out portion under the rear windscreen are very distinctive. Again, while the V40 looks sporty as is, the more defined bumpers, larger 17-inch wheels and silver mirrors, that are part of the top-spec R-Design trim, adds extra fl...

Maruti has launched a limited edition of the Ertiga’s middle variant (VXi and VDi) called the Paseo Explore Edition. The limited edition Maruti MPV now gets minor tweaks to the exterior and added features in the cabin. On the outside, the limited edition MPV gets the addition of a tail-gate mounted spoiler and body graphics. Inside, the Ertiga Paseo Explore Edition gets cushions, a steering wheel cover, ambient mood lighting, new seat covers and floor mats, and door sill guards. In terms of features, the Maruti Ertiga Paseo Explore Edition gets an electric tyre inflator, rear parking sensors, a hands-free Bluetooth kit, a high-speed multi-charger and a temperature-controlled storage box. The limited edition Ertiga is available in two paint options – Superior White and Silky Silver. The Ertiga Paseo Explore Edition is only available on the mid level VDi and VXi trims and gets the above mentioned features in addition to the standard features offered. Maruti has not yet ...

Renault’s next big offering for India, the Kwid, will hit Indian showrooms later this year. The Kwid with its Duster-like stance, consisting of a high bonnet and ground clearance, has already gained a good response. Renault plans to keep the Kwid 'fresh' even after launch, by introducing a new variant every few months. It is also readying a more-powerful 1.0-litre motor for the Kwid, which will be included in the line-up around six to eight months after the launch of the 800cc version. This motor will be featured in the sportier Kwid and like the 800cc version, will come with the option of an AMT gearbox, along with the standard manual transmission. The new AMT gearbox will be developed in-house by Renault to keep costs in check. The 1.0-litre Kwid will directly compete with the Maruti Alto K10 which is also available with an AMT. The Renault Kwid is built on the company’s highly flexible CMF-A platform which will be shared with other Renault, Nissan and Dats...

Maruti seems to have finally cracked the premium mid-size sedan segment with the Ciaz. Just a month into its launch, the Ciaz unseated the Hyundai Verna to claim the second spot behind the all-conquering Honda City in the mid-size sedan segment, a position it has comfortably hung on to. The Ciaz is Maruti Suzuki’s third attempt at the premium mid-size sedan segment after the not-so-successful SX4 and even less successful Baleno. However, it's been third time lucky with the Ciaz which has managed to pull in customers thanks to generous amounts of space, a decent cabin and above all, Maruti’s reputation of providing great value and excellent after-sales service. Given the steady demand for the Ciaz, it might just be on course to establish Maruti Suzuki as a credible player in the mid-size sedan segment in India. Interestingly, the Ciaz outsold its biggest competitor, the Honda City, in the first month since its launch but these figures are misleading as most of the sales ...

Toyota has just released official images of the all-new Fortuner ahead of its global unveil. Low-quality images of the new SUV had already been doing the rounds, but these are the first high-res pics where all details and features are clearly visible. The design language is now more in line with current-gen Toyota off-roaders sold internationally. Up front, the look of the car is characterised by the wedge shaped bonnet, with the headlights recessed well back. Big, fat chrome bars have been used to help define the V-shaped grille and there's loads of chrome around the fog lamps as well. Toyota has also used LED daytime-running lamps to help 'bling-up' the nose of the new Fortuner. Moving on to the sides, the front fenders are squared and wide, and the wheel arches are large enough to take the big, 12-spoke alloy wheels. The sides are characterised by a 'floating pillar-less' roof and a kink in the beltline, both radical features that are seldom use...

These are the first clear images of the next-gen Mitsubishi Pajero Sport. Mitsubishi recently started teasing the new SUV which will make its official debut in Thailand on August 1, 2015. The new Pajero Sport's arch-rival, the  next-gen Toyota Fortuner , saw an early reveal via a set of leaked photos recently.   As seen in the leaked patent drawings, the Pajero Sport gets Mitsubishi's signature 'Dynamic Shield' styling with an X-shaped grille and LED daytime running lamps. The side profile of the new Pajero Sport carries forward the look of the earlier car, but the rear styling now gets triangular tail lamps which strangely carry on downwards. This next-gen Pajero is expected to be a global one, and will feature a range of petrol and diesel engines. The primary engine for the new Pajero sport will be an all-new 2.4-litre turbo-diesel motor good for 178bhp and 43.85kgm of torque, routed via four-wheel drive and mated to either a six-speed manual or a...

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. Ford Figo Aspire Ford’s compact sedan, the Figo Aspire is expected to launch sometime in June. The Figo Aspire will be powered by a new 1.2-litre petrol engine and Ford’s tried-and-tested 1.5-litre diesel engine from the Fiesta and EcoSport. It will also be offered with the option of a six-speed double clutch automatic gearbox and six-airbags. Hyundai Creta (July 21) Hyundai’s EcoSport rival, the Creta, has been spotted testing on Indian roads over a few months. The car is expected to go on sale sometime in July, featuring the familiar 1.4 and 1.6-litre petrol engines and the 1.6-litre diesel unit. Inside it is expected to offer a feature-...

These are the the newest set of leaked pics of the next-gen Toyota Fortuner. 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 images, 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 accom...

It’s a muggy grey morning on the outskirts of Bangkok near the Suvarnabhumi Airport. It’s been still for a while, but now the wind is picking up. It playfully ruffles the trees as it rushes past and the gusts that blow our way are cool and refreshing. Luckily, it doesn’t look like rain, but we still keep our fingers crossed. We won’t be shooting until later in the day, and by that time, anything can happen. What I’m even more worried about, however, is the insane traffic; this, after all, is Bangkok, jam capital of the world, and we could be stuck for days in the same place if we’re unlucky.  Then our ride arrives, earlier than planned. The Chevrolet Trailblazer is cloaked in shadows, but I notice there’s a nice tension to the design as it rolls up to the hotel porch. Appearing for all the world like a mildly enraged rhino strutting its stuff, it looks bulky, brutal and mildly edgy, all at the same time. I also find that the cuts and slashes along the flanks work really well ...