Volkswagen Ameo Launched in India

German automaker Volkswagen has finally launched its much awaited and talked about subcompact - the Ameo in India with prices starting at INR 5.14 Lakh to INR 6.91 Lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai). The new model marks the automaker's first sub-4 meter sedan in the Indian market and is touted by Volkswagen as a car made-in-India and made-for-India. The Ameo is also the company's most affordable offering in the country with the base price undercutting the Polo hatchback as well.

Talking about the exterior, the Volkswagen Ameo is based on the same platform as the Polo (PQ25) and largely resembles the hatchback carrying the similar family front, key design and style cues. The front end of the car might look a little identical to the Polo but, the Ameo gets new projector headlamps, sporty front bumper, horizontal fog lamps, wide air dam and some considerable chrome detailing. The side profile remains the same as well save for the new alloy wheels. On the other hand, the rear profile of the car shares some similarities with the Vento sedan and sports some new additions like a stocky boot and all-new tail-lamps. In terms of features, the Ameo is loaded with several segment-first bits including cruise control, rain sensing vipers, anti-pinch power windows, front arm rest, and Static cornering light.

The interior of the car is also inspired from the Polo hatchback and Vento sedan. The cabin comes with Volkswagen's signature styling, premium quality materials, stylish and comfortable upholstery along with a leather wrapped multi-functional steering wheel. The front row comes with sporty bucket-style seats and the usual bench-style seats at the rear. The new Volkswagen Ameo also comes loaded with a touchscreen infotainment system with MirrorLink tech, i-pod connectivity, phonebook/SMS viewer, automatic climate control with dust and pollen filter, "Climatronic" automatic AC, electronically adjustable ORVMs with LED turn indicators, cooled glovebox, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, and rear AC vents.

As for safety features, the Ameo offers features like ABS and dual airbags as a standard feature across all variants along with rear view camera with parking sensor, lane change indicator, electronic anti-theft immobilizer and defogger.

Under the hood the new the Volkswagen Ameo will be offered in both petrol and diesel engines, although Volkswagen has currently launched only the petrol version of the Ameo in the country. Ameo diesel will be arriving in the market towards the end of the year close to the festive season. The engine options on offer are a 1.2-litre three-cylinder MPI petrol producing 73bhp and 110Nm of torque and a 1.5-litre four-cylinder TDI diesel engine borrowed from the Volkswagen Polo hatchback. The diesel engine will be available with five-speed manual and seven-speed DSG transmissions while the petrol engine is available with five-speed manual transmission only. Source

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Mahindra eVerito Launched in India

Mahindra today has launched its second fully-electric passenger car - e-Verito with prices starting at Rs 9.50 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the D2 variant, going up to Rs 10 lakh for the range-topping D6 trim. An all-electric version of the car maker's Verito sedan, the e-Verito was first showcased at the 2012 Auto Expo and went on to make appearances at the 2014 and 2016 editions of the motor show. The electric sedan will be available across most major cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Jaipur and Nagpur with immediate effect.

The Mahindra e-Verito is powered by an electric motor coupled with a 72V battery pack. The Indian auto giant claims the electric sedan offers a driving range of 110 km on a full charge. The EV uses a lithium-ion battery that takes 1 hour and 45 minutes to be fully charged through fast charging technology and will take over 8 hours on regular mode. The e-Verito's top-speed is rated at 86 km/h. Mahindra says that the running cost on the EV comes down to 1.15 per km.

In terms of design, the electric Mahindra e-Verito sedan retains its diesel sibling's silhouette. However, it does get a handful of stickers and a revised interior to help differentiate it from the standard Verito model. Mahindra is offering the e-Verito in three trim options, namely, D2, D4, and D6.

As mentioned above, the eVerito is the second all-electric Mahindra car after the e2o. And considering the debate and the chaos against rising pollution in the country and the role of diesel cars in those statistics, the launch comes at the right time. The e-Verito also benefits from the Indian government's Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric vehicles in India (FAME) initiative, which has helped gain subsidies on the asking price.

In terms of features, the emissions-free Mahindra eVerito gets a host of tech wizardry on board including regenerative braking, on-board telematics, REVIVE, and Intelligent Energy Management System. You also get the Boost mode on the eVerito that gives you extra power. Source

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Mercedes-Benz GLC Launched in India

Mercedes-Benz India has officially launched the 2016 GLC luxury SUV in India with prices starting at Rs 50.9 lakh for the petrol version, going up to Rs 50.7 lakh (all prices, ex-showroom, Pune) for the diesel variant. Mercedes-Benz GLC is the SUV version of the C-class and has some features in common like headlamps and sporty front grille. The GLC-Class replaces the GLK-Class and sits between the GLA-Class and GLE-Class in the Mercedes-Benz SUV line-up. The car will compete with the likes of Audi Q5 and the BMW X3.

The GLC features a curvy body with creases on the bonnet and sides. In order to give it a tougher look, the new GLC features plastic cladding and fender accentuation around the SUV. The car comes with headlamps similar to those of the C-Class and S-Class, LED tail lamps placed horizontally around the rear. Along with that, Mercedes-Benz GLC will sport a signature Mercedes Benz bumper design with dual exhaust tips, skid plates and a diffuser, a two-slat chrome radiator grille, alloy wheels and roof rails. Sharing its underpinnings with the C-Class sedan, the Mercedes-Benz GLC gets a wheelbase of 2873mm, which is 113mm more than the sedan and enhances cabin space on the SUV.

On the inside, the car has the same classy interior seen in the C class, that features wood and leather trim, a 3-spoke multi-function steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, power-foldable split rear seat and a power lift tailgate among others. A 7-inch infotainment screen gives out all the information including a 360-degree view of the SUV, while infotainment features include 20 CD stereo, Garmin-based navigation, 2 USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity and much more. The boot capacity stands at 550-litres, which can be expanded to 1600-litres with the rear seats folded down. Safety features include a rear view camera, collision prevention assist plus, airbags, ABS, ESP, brake assist, anti-theft alarm and rain-sensing wipers. In India, GLC will be wearing a beige interior package and promises to offer consumers the best of experience. 

Under the hood, the Mercedes-Benz GLC offers both petrol (GLC 300) and diesel (GLC 220d) run engine options. The GLC 220d is powered by a 2143cc four-cylinder diesel motor that produces 170bhp and 400 Nm of torque. The GLC 300 petrol on the other hand, uses a 1991cc four-cylinder unit tuned for 245bhp and 370Nm of torque. As expected, the engines will be mated to a dual-clutch 9-speed gearbox, whereas a limited number of the GLC will get a 4Matic (Petrol) all-wheel drive. It will also have AirMatic suspension and an off-road assist on the all-wheel drive variant.

The Mercedes GLC comes loaded with additional safety features like parking assist, attention assist, adaptive brake lights, tyre-pressure monitoring system and even 7 airbags. The SUV also gets multiple driving modes and off-road settings that comprise of off-road, incline and slippery. You also get hill descent control as a standard feature. The GLC is being brought to the country as a CBU and will eventually follow Mercedes' usual plans of being assembled in India. Looking at the entire package, this is one of the finest offerings by Mercedes-Benz and with this price range, it is looking at creating the same stir in the Indian market as it did in the US market. Source

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2017 Audi A5 Coupé to be Revealed this Week

The 2017 Audi A5 coupé will be revealed at a special event in Ingolstadt this Thursday, before sales for the new model kick-off early next year. The A5 is already one of the oldest models in Audi’s line-up, having been introduced in 2007. The new model will feature an extended wheelbase, adding extra cabin space in a class where a little more practicality can go a long way.

The move to the five-link suspension set-up from the A4 and a weight saving of about 100kg should give the A5 a little more agility, too. The car will still be pitched as more of a style-focused model than BMW’s handling-orientated 4 Series, though.

The A5 will get the same range of turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engines as the latest A4, as well as 1.6 and 2.0-litre diesel options. Petrol and diesel V6s will be fitted to the cars at the top of the A5 range. A plug-in petrol-electric hybrid, using the same 1.4 TFSI engine and electric motor set-up as the A3 Sportback e-tron, is also likely.

Spy shots have shown that the A5 coupé will retain its subtle side-on profile but adopt the crisp, slim headlights and tail-lights of the latest A4. Its cabin will also be based heavily on that of the saloon, including the option of Audi’s well-received Virtual Cockpit instrument panel.

Audi will also prepare a new RS5 to rival the Mercedes-AMG C63 Coupé and BMW M4. As with the next generation of RS4, it will switch from a normally aspirated V8 with 444bhp to a twin-turbocharged V6 producing around 500bhp. The performance model should arrive soon after the regular editions; Audi is said to have been focusing on delivering its RS versions earlier in the product cycle, due to customer demand.

TheA5 coupé is being lined up for an introduction in the first six months of 2017. It's June debut in Germany comes a little earlier than insiders had previously predicted, suggesting order books could also open earlier in next year than was first thought.

Further down the line, Audi will launch successors to the A5 Cabriolet and A5 Sportback. The drop-top is considered key for the US market, while the five-door is needed in order to offer an alternative to BMW’s 4 Series Gran Coupé. Source

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2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan Spotted Testing

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan was recently caught testing in a new spy video. The test mule seen in this new footage comes with some minor cosmetic changes made to its exterior along with some refreshed styling. Unlike its previous appearances, this time the range-topping sedan from the Stuttgart-based carmaker came with hardly any camouflage, thus revealing a number of new features added to the car.

Starting with the front profile the facelifted version of the S-Class will be getting new headlamps with redesigned cluster and new LED daytime running lights that play the role of turn indicators as well. The front grille remains unchanged, but the front bumper looks a bit new with redesigned air intakes. The bonnet also seems to be the same, but you'll see more changes on to the side profile of the car that includes - new electronic ORVMs with turn lights, new multi-spoke alloy wheels and a chrome strip along the lower end of the car.

Although the rear profile of the car is not seen in this new footage, we do not expect to see any integral changes, except for redesigned tail lamps. As for the new S-Class's interiors, the cabin will get some revisions as well that is likely to improve the overall look. One of the key changes that you might see in the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class will include a sportier multi-functional steering wheel with a three-spoke design that will replace the current retro-styled two-spoke wheel. Other changes will possibly include a slightly bigger infotainment display, new upholstery, a revised dashboard and more.

It is still not clear if we'll see any major changes in powertrain options but the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class engines are like to receive some updates. While the car is expected to make its debut in the international markets next year, we expect the car to reach the India shores only by 2018. Source

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Range Rover Sport Facelift Spotted Testing

Range Rover Sport is the model which bridges the gap between the more expensive Range Rover and the baby brother Range Rover Evoque. The Range Rover Sport is just over a couple of years old and is more or less up to date. It made its debut at the New York Motor Show in March 2013 and has been getting updates ever since. Some of the updates include a re-worked gearbox, a hybrid engine as an option and the monstrous SVR variant which has off-the-charts performance.

This facelift though, focuses on how the SUV looks from the front end. One can make out a new mesh grille, a new clamshell bonnet with a recess in the centre and twin air intakes at the sides of the front bumper. This makes the front end look sportier and aggressive than the current model. The rear of the SUV remains unchanged at the moment, but Land Rover might play around with the same as well. The design for the alloys is new too but we believe that there will be options available for those as well.

As far as engines are concerned, we believe that the range of engines currently on offer will remain the way they are, barring an odd tweak or so to reduce emissions and increase fuel efficiency. Although, we believe that the current SVR variant will be getting the V8 575bhp motor from the Jaguar F-Type SVR, which will give the SUV an additional 25 horses. Overall, the SUV remains the same more or less.

Land Rover will be fitting the latest 10.2in InControl infotainment system, as seen in the updated Range Rover Evoque. We believe that the facelifted Range Rover Sport might be revealed towards the end of 2016, as a 2017 model. Source

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Chevrolet Beat Activ Spotted Testing in India for the First Time

Showcased at the 2016 Auto Expo in February this year, Chevrolet India has commenced testing the upcoming Beat Activ (New Generation Spark globally) in the country and the hatchback was recently caught under camouflage for the first time in Bengaluru, South India, where GM’s R&D center is located. The Beat Activ concept is essentially a rugged version based on the new Beat with additional black body cladding, revised bumper and roof rails. The hatchback was appreciated for its design at the expo and has the potential to revive GM India's fortunes in the hatchback segment.

Expected to go on sale next year, the new generation Chevrolet Beat Activ gets a more premium and sobered up design language, quite contrary to the outgoing model that is funky and radical. The hatchback gets elongated headlamps, wide two-part grille, mildly accentuated wheel arches and faux skid plates for a rugged look. The model continues to keep the modern elements into play, but will appeal to a wider audience this time.

The camouflaged test mule shows little of the front and rear, which are expected to get subtle changes on the production version over the concept. The mule was also missing the black cladding on the sides while running on regular tires. Chevrolet has retained the pillar mounted rear door handle on the new Beat as well, a feature that is distinctive to the Beat.

Images Credit: Motor.Vikatan.Com

Talking about the interiors, the new Chevrolet Beat will most likely get the motorcycle-inspired instrument cluster, complete with flashy fabrics and color options. A touchscreen infotainment system is likely to be offered on the model, complete with Bluetooth, USB and AUX connectivity. Expect features like smartphone pairing and navigation to be part of the package.

Power is expected to come from the same 1.2-litre petrol and 1.0-litre diesel engine options seen on the current Chevrolet Beat. In its current state of tune, the petrol motor produces 79bhp at 6200rpm and 108Nm of torque at 4400rpm; whereas the three-cylinder diesel makes 57bhp at 4000rpm and 150Nm at 1750rpm. Both engines come paired to a 5-speed manual transmission.

Chevrolet India has significantly lost ground in the domestic market and the new Beat Activ will help the manufacturer establish itself once again in the highly competitive hatchback segment. Having launched the TrailBlazer last year and announcing a $1 billion investment in India, the American automaker will now introduce a range of products which include the Spin MPV, Beat Activ and Beat Essentia subcompact sedan. Source

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