Skoda India to hike prices from January 1, 2019

Skoda India to hike prices from January 1, 2019

Skoda Auto has issued an official release stating a hike in prices of its entire range sold in India. The Czech automaker mentions that an upward price revision across its model range by up to 2 per cent will be done from January 1, 2019 onwards. This decision was taken after reviewing its input and freight costs on both domestic and import frontage, stated Skoda Auto.

There has been a surge in the cost of our inputs for production due to significant volatility in the global commodity prices and foreign exchange rates in recent times. Skoda Auto India has been absorbing these incremental costs all this while but is now considering a price increase of up to 2 per cent with effect from 01 January 2019 across its model range" commented, Zac Hollis, Director, Sales, Service, and Marketing, Skoda Auto India Pvt Ltd.The company's finance division hasintroduced the Buy Now and Pay in 2020 campaign which is a twelve month EMI holiday program for its customers who can also avail attractive schemes like 100% on-road financing, interest rates starting at 8.99%, special EMI packages, and benefits ranging from Rs 60,000 to Rs 1 lakh.

In other news, Skoda Auto has unveiled its new entrant in the international premium hatchback market with the Skoda Scala . The Scala is significantly larger in size than the Fabia and competes with larger hatchbacks like the Ford focus, VW Golf and the Honda Civic . But unlike the Golf, the Scala is based on the new MQB-A0 platform also found in the new gen Polo and VW T-Roc.

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Suzuki Motorcycle India crosses 40 lakh sales milestone

Suzuki Motorcycle India crosses 40 lakh sales milestone 

In more new which shows the massive scale of the Indian two-wheeler market, Suzuki Motorcycle India today announced that it has produced over 40 lakh motorcycles at its factory in Gurugram India. This milestone has been reached in 12 years, given that the company started operations in 2006. This is also an important step in reaching the motorcycle maker's target of selling over ten lakh bikes a year and doubling its market share by 2020.

The Japanese manufacturer currently sells 17 motorcycles in India which includes everything from commuters to big performance motorcycles. Its scooter line-up includes the Access 125/SE, the Burgman Street and the Let's. It also sells numerous variations of the Gixxer and Intruder motorcycles and well as the Hayate. Its big bike range consists of the V-Strom 650 XT, V-Strom 1000, the GSX-S750, the GSX-S1000, the GSX-R1000R and the Hayabusa. It also sells the off-road only RM and DR series of dirt bikes The company is present in India via 521 dealerships

Speaking of this achievement, Satoshi Uchida, Suzuki Motorcycle India's managing director said, "We are delighted to roll out the four millionth vehicle and are thankful to our customers who have shown immense trust in our products. This is a testimony of our commitment to India and we wish to achieve many such milestones in the future. With this landmark, we are a step closer to achieving our sales target of 7.5 lakh units by the end of the current financial year. We thank our valued customers, business partners, associates, and all my colleagues for this remarkable feat."

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Lamborghini Urus ST-X SUV Racing Series

Track Ready Lamborghini Urus ST-X Concept Unveiled 

Lamborghini had earlier floated the idea of racing its new Urus SUV,  and it has finally put thought to this idea by announcing a racing series for the SUV in 2020. The series will also debut racing vehicle based on this Lamborghini Urus ST-X Concept. The Urus ST-X is different from the roadgoing SUV in that it meets FIA racing safety regulations. For this, it features additions such as a roll cage, fire-suppression, and a racing fuel tank.

Outside, the Urus ST-X Concept also features larger air intakes for better airflow to the twin-turbo V8 engine, a rear wing, as well as a 25 per cent weight reduction over the road car. Lamborghini plans a single-brand championship that combines race circuit and off-road track for the Urus ST-X. This makes sense as it will call on not only the SUV's performance on the road but also off it.

And hey, if you are an existing Lamborghini customer, you just might end up racing one. The exotic car maker will take its SUV racing series to various FIA-approved tracks in Europe and the Middle East where customers can avail a package for a full race weekend, complete with the car and technical support. But don't hold your horses on this one, Lamborghini says the ST-X-based series will only kick off in 2020.

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BMW India to increase prices from January 2019

BMW India has announced that it will increase prices of its cars by 4 percent in coming January 2019.

This price increase will affect its locally produced range of cars which include the BMW 3 Series, the BMW 3 Series GT, the BMW 5 Series, the BMW 6 Series GT, the BMW 7 Series, the BMW X1, the BMW X3, the BMW X5 and the MINI Countryman.


The BMW M2 Competition was recently launched in India at Rs 79.9 lakh

The company's more niche offerings are available as CBUs here. These are the BMW X6, the BMW Z4, the BMW M2 Competition, the BMW M3/M4, the BMW M5, the BMW X5 M, the BMW X6 M and the BMW i8.

BMW India is headquartered out of Gurgaon but operates a manufacturing plant in Chennai, a parts warehouse in Mumbai, and a training centre in Gurgaon NCR. It sells its cars through 44 dealerships.

Vikram Pawah, chairman of BMW Group India said that BMW India remains at the forefront of the luxury car market, offering 'Sheer Driving Pleasure' through its aspirational products and unmatched levels of customer centricity. From January 1, 2019, BMW India will increase the prices of its cars by up to 4 percent. BMW India will continue to present an extremely attractive value to its customers through pioneering products, best-in-class service experience and comprehensive financial solutions and offers from BMW India Financial Services.

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2019 Range Rover Evoque

2019 Range Rover Evoque 

Eight years after the original was unveiled and wowed the world, the Evoque enters its second generation. At first glance, it may seem like not much has changed stylistically, but that's mainly because you're probably used to the face already - being extremely similar to the one that's on the Velar.Land Rover design director Gerry McGovern designed the original Evoque, debuted his reductive design philosophy on the Velar and the team has carried it forward to the compact SUV as well. So, to that end there's sleek wrap-around headlights and tail lights at either end, with lines clearly flowing into one another. Even the sides have been cleaned up, with hidden door handles and clever demarcated lower sills on the doors. Here's an image gallery with everything interesting on the new Range Rover Evoque.

The new Evoque follows design reductionism principles to achieve a sleeker overall look than the previous generation .

Distinguishable from the larger Velar when viewed head-on, by the slimmer grille and classic Evoque vent under it

New Evoque said to have improved off-roading chops with Terrain Response 2, the automatic and all-in-one solution for tackling the non-roads less travelled

• Wading capabilities improved by 100mm, taking it up to 600mm of water claimed to not be an issue for the new Evoque

• Sleeker tail lights and gloss black connecting panel round off the mini-Velar look

• New cabin layout closely follows the reductionist trend, again as in the larger Range Rovers

• Touch Pro Duo infotainment system gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from factory

• Clear Sight Ground View uses cameras in the grille to show a 180 deg view of the front of the car, opening up the field of view to what's directly under the front wheels

• Camera feed can replace inner-rear view mirror to take care of one of Evoque's main issue of rear visibility

• Rear seat legroom is up by 20mm thanks to wheelbase stretch, while interior materials are all-new and organic alternatives to leather

• Boot space improved by 10 per cent due to adoption of new Premium Transverse Architecture platform

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Mercedes AMG GT R Pro to be unveiled in November 28 2018

Mercedes AMG GT R Pro to be unveiled 

Mercedes-AMG is  set to unveil an even more hardcore version of  it's flagship  Mercedes-AMG GT R Sports car . The new model, called the Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro will be unveiled on November 28 at the 2018 Los Angeles Motor Show. 

Very few details are available at the moment. The company has let out, ironically, only the car's efficiency figures. The GT R Pro's claimed fuel efficiency figure is 8 kmpl while its emits 284 g/km of  carbon dioxide.

The sole image released by the company shows a camouflaged GT R Pro. There are some notable changes though like the much more aggressive front bumper which adds a new winglets, larger air intakes and a more pronounced splitter. There is added cooling as well, as seen by the radiators behind the intakes.

Apart from the aero tweaks, the GT R Pro should also come with a power bump. The AMG GT R makes 577PS and 700 Nm from its 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8. This can be expected to cross the 600PS mark as in E 63 S . This motor is mated to a nine-speed auto. The GT R Pro seems to have been influenced by its race-going GT3 cousin and should come with some amount of weight-saving. Expect more carbon-fibre componentry and a relatively sparse interior .

The entire GT sportscar line-up is also expected to get some slight aero and design updates.

The GT R Pro is the latest addition to what has now become a family of sportscar under the GT moniker. Carmakers have always sold the dream of a racing car for the road but recently we've been coming closer than ever to see that being fulfilled, which numerous carmakers like Porsche, BMW and so on selling such cars. The Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro adds to that list.

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Dealerships in Delhi and NCR , Where you can test drive and book the 2018 Royal Enfield 650 Twins

Dealerships in Delhi and NCR , Where you can test drive and book the 2018 Royal Enfield 650 Twins

Wondering where you can get a test ride and/or book the new Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 retro-naked and the Continental GT 650 cafe racer? We have managed to get the list of Royal Enfield dealers in the Delhi and NCR area that are part of the first 120 dealers who will have test bikes and be able to take bookings for the new Royal Enfield 650 Twins.

In brief, the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 and the Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 are the same bike mechanically. They use the same 47PS and 53Nm 648cc twin-cylinder engine with the new 6-speed gearbox and the slip-assist clutch. Royal Enfield has given them both a new double cradle frame with telescopic fork and gas-charged twin shock suspension front and rear, respectively. Dual-channel ABS is standard on the 320 and 240mm discs front and rear too.

Delhi

BNT, Delhi

6B, Ambay Garden Ind Area, GT Karnal Rd, NH 1 , Libaspur, New Delhi, 110042

Tel: 8287540000/9205699441

Amar Autos, Delhi

No 603, Swaran Cinema Road , Kanti Nagar, New Delhi, 110051

Tel: 011 22091322 8510092800

ASCO Motors, Delhi

Plot No 80, Industrial Area , Patparganj, New Delhi, 110092

Tel: 011 45874539 / 9582184488

Centrum Motorcycles, Delhi

LLPE 23, Chaudahry Girdhari Lal Marg , Naraina Vihar, New Delhi, 110028

Tel: 011 45660777 / 8800168168

Company Store Saket New Delhi

GR 01, Select City Walk Mall, Multiplex Block, Saket, New Delhi, Delhi 110017

Cruiser Motors, Delhi

12, Rajapuri , Uttam Nagar, Opposite Sector 5 Dwarka, New Delhi, 110059

Tel: 8459994890 / 8459132266

Ess Aar Motorcycle, Delhi

No 2E/11 , Jhandewalan Extension, Landmark: Near Jhandewalan Metro Station Gate 2 New Delhi, 110055

Tel: 011 23678836 / 8745803317 / 8745803092

Essaar Motors, Delhi

No 135, Main Road, Kotla Mubarakpur , Arjun Nagar, Landmark: Opposite Defence Colony New Delhi, 110003

Tel: 9718477775 / 9540911116

Kay's Auto, Delhi

No A8, GT Karnal Road , Gujranwala , New Delhi, 110009

Tel: 011 45977008 / 9818107502

Kaytee Automoiles, Delhi

A 6, Mahipalpur Extension , Vasant Kunj Road, New Delhi, 110037

Tel: 011 64612777 / 9891442222

North Delhi Motorcycles, Delhi

A1, Outer Ring Rd, Saraswati Vihar , Pitampura, New Delhi, 110034

Tel: 011 47548625 / 9810558625

Outer Delhi Motorcycles , Delhi

U52, Chhawla Road, Roshanpura , Najafgarh, New Delhi, 110043

Tel: 011 68888251 / 011 68888252 / 9540941607

Soni Automobiles, Delhi

Khasra No 149 , Mangol Pur Khurd, New Delhi, 110083

Tel: 011 27921311 / 9599004448

South Delhi Motorcycles, Delhi

No F26 / 4, Phase 2 , Okhla Industrial Area, New Delhi, 110020

Tel: 9654205627 / 8800744256

United Automobiles, Delhi

C 1, Ground Floor , Wazirpur Industial Area, New Delhi, 110052

Tel: 011 49425222 / 8296682966

South Delhi Motorcycles, Delhi

No F26 / 4, Phase 2 , Okhla Industrial Area, New Delhi, 110020

Tel: 9654205627 / 8800744256

Lamba Enterprises (P) Ltd., Delhi

WZ 1, Nirankari Tower, Main Najafgarh Road , Ganesh Nagar, New Delhi, 110018

Tel: 011 40529712, 9250919992

Gurgaon

Aman Automobiles, Gurgaon,

Old Delhi Road, Opposite Airforce School, Gurgaon, 122001

Tel: 012 44222062 / 9811247048

Brawn Automobiles , Gurgaon

Sheetla Mata Road, Opposite CRPF Camp, Gurgaon, 122001

Tel: 012 44143481 / 9999264709

Manzil Motors Pvt. Ltd, Gurgaon

9 A, Idc, Mehrauli Road , Sector 16, Gurgaon, 122001

Tel: 9599005333, 8130411988

Manzil Motors Pvt. Ltd., Gurgaon

G 14, Bestech Business Towers, Sohna Road , Sector 48, Gurgaon, 122018

Tel: 8527540101, 9599005336

Noida and Greater Noida

Shree Mahadev Agency, Noida

No C 454, Harola Road , Sector 10, Noida, Near Swani Furniture, 201301

Tel: 1204324662 / 9312107447

Solitaire Automotive, Noida

A 60C Ground Floor , Sector 63, Noida, 201301

Tel: 1204547927 / 9599195028

Shree ji Automobiles

Greater Noida F 22, Site 4, UPSIDC , Gautam Budh Nagar, GREATER NOIDA, Opposite Fortune Hyundai, 201306

Tel: 1204204614 / 9811412256

Faridabad

Heighten Automotive Pvt Ltd, Faridabad

No 14/5 , Mathura Road, Faridabad, 121003

Tel: 1294150046 / 9718500046

Sohan Auto World, Faridabad

5A/10 , Nit Faridabad, Opposite Police Station, Faridabad, 121001

Tel: 1294039352 / 7290002127

Ghaziabad

Rawal automobiles Pvt. Ltd., Ghaziabad

111, F 87, Rakesh Marg , Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad, 201002

Tel: 1202717545 / 9971412508

Sangam Autos , Sahibabad

A 23/6, 1st Floor, Site 4 Link Road , Sahibabad, Near Mohan Nagar Flyover, Ghaziabad, 201005

Tel: 9311051144 / 9999980290

Shiva Riders, Ghaziabad

Plot No B 4 , Patel Nagar 2, Ghaziabad, 201002

Tel: 1204503202 / 8448693810

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2018 Kawasaki Ninja 400 Road Test Review

2018 Kawasaki Ninja 400 Road Test Review

Good beginner motorcycles are important in a developing market like ours. Not only do they allow newbies to acquire new skills, but they also aren't a handful to keep in control. So as ham-fisted as a new rider may be, a fast yet friendly motorcycle is like the good teacher who never leaves a student's hand as he/she moves up the learning curve. The Kawasaki Ninja 400 belongs to this category of fast yet friendly beginner motorcycles, but at the same time promises to offer enough thrills for those riders who've climbed up the ladder. So, what makes it tick?

Design build and ergonomics

Pictures don't do justice to the Ninja 400 as the bike looks much bigger in flesh. There's a nice mix of design languages that have trickled down from the Kawasaki Ninja H2 and the ZX-10R flagship superbikes. The sharp fairing, with the H2 inspired fangs and the twin LED headlamps lends the right amount aggression to the face. The side panels have their own set of creases, albeit hidden to some extent by the black paintwork, but the bold decals along with the bright green and yellow stickers do liven up things. The tail section is sleek and minimal while the triangular tail lamp seems to have been lifted straight off the ZX-10R. The overall design is attractive and this special Kawasaki Racing Team (KRT) colour scheme ensures everyone notices the bike.

The instrument panel has a negative LCD display that looks premium and I like how the analogue tachometer seems to take pride of place. Honestly, despite this being an age of all-digital displays, there's a certain feel good factor about watching a tacho needle swoop to the redline, which in this case begins at 12,000rpm.

The quality of the paint, switchgear and panels feels top notch and there are no complaints when it comes to fit and finish. The Ninja 400 is as well built as its stablemates, north of its price point.

For a bike that looks like a focused track bike, the ergonomics are actually pretty relaxed and comfortable. Though the footpegs are rearset, the clip ons are high which is far from the uncompromising, foetal position that one might expect. Also, the low, 785mm seat height makes this Ninja accessible to a wide range of riders. Track or tour, the Ninja 400 has ergos that fit both. The only gripe is the lack of adjustable levers, considering the price, which I'll get to later.

Engine and performance

The new 399cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin motor makes 103cc more than the Ninja 300's engine, on which it is based. The compression ratio too has been raised to 11.5:1 and as A a result, there's a bump in power and torque. The motor produces 49PS at 10,000rpm and 38Nm at 8,000rpm respectively.

Thumb the starter and the engine feels very refined at idle with barely any vibes creeping in through the bars or the pegs. Once you get going, the bike surges ahead as you roll on the throttle. Power delivery is crisp and linear and what helps is generous amounts of torque in the low and mid range, unlike the Ninja 300's engine that is always hungry for revs. What this translates to is great tractability, allowing you to pootle around town in high gears. The Ninja 400, in fact, pulls cleanly from 40kmph in sixth gear so it doesn't really mind if the rider wants to just chill and ride. You can also peacefully cruise at 120kmph in sixth gear with the revs hovering around the 7,000rpm and that underlines the 400's ability as a touring machine.

That said, this is a Ninja so the actual fun begins only past 7,000rpm. From then on there's a relentless surge to the horizon that quite frankly, is addictive. The 0-60kmph time of 2.45s and a 0-100kmph sprint in 5.4s tells the tale of just how quickly the bike accelerates, faster than any other bike in the segment.

While the performance is astounding the Ninja also impresses with is fuel economy too. In the city, it returned 25.5kmpl while on the highway it delivered 32.4kmpl.

Ride and handling

The Ninja 400 employs an all-new tubular steel trellis frame that's stronger yet lighter than the 300's diamond type chassis. The front forks are also beefier, at 41mm while the Uni-track, gas-charged monoshock at the rear is adjustable for preload. For its intent, the Ninja 400's ride quality is pliant and it remains unfazed by potholes or undulations. Given its 140mm ground clearance, however, you might want to exercise caution over very tall speed breakers or even while tackling moon sized craters, especially when riding two up.

Don't let the comfortable ride fool you though. This Ninja 400 is an absolute joy to ride around corners. The steering geometry, first of all, is sharper with a 24.7 degree rake and the short wheel base at 1,370mm makes it super flickable as well. But this hasn't come at the cost of mid-corner stability thanks to the longer swingarm. These attributes along with the feedback-rich chassis and Dunlop Sportmax tyres makes the Ninja 400 a poised and precise corner carver. The bike eggs you corner harder and harder, that's how communicative the bike is. I had a big smile on my face all the time and the confidence that this baby Ninja instills is what made it so much fun.

The 310mm petal discs and sem-floating Nissin calipers offer strong bite, helping the bike shed speed rapidly to come to a standstill from 80kmph in 3 seconds flat. There's good feedback and progression through the levers as well and the added safety net of ABS is like the gaurdian angel watching over you.

Conclusion

The Ninja 400 proves to be a fantastic beginner motorcycle and its friendly character allows riders of varying experience to simply hop on and go for it. It looks good, rides well on our roads and is comfortable over long distances as well. To me, the Ninja's handling is what appeals the most. I love it for the ease with which you can flow from corner to corner and it'll have your back and let you correct, a messed up cornering line.

It's a motorcycle that I'd recommend to someone who'd like to develop riding skills but there's one caveat that stops me. The astronomical Rs 5.75 lakh (OTR Mumbai) price. At that lofty perch, the Ninja 400 is tantalisingly close to the Kawasaki Z650, another sweet motorcycle with a lot more power.

I really hope Kawasaki India finds a way to localise the Ninja 400's parts and drop the price significantly, by over a lakh at least. That'd make a really good bike, accessible.

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The 2019 BMW 8 Series convertible has been revealed

The 2019 BMW 8 Series convertible has been revealed 

BMW has unveiled the BMW 8 Series Convertible a few months after the coupe version was revealed. The styling of both cars are identical other than the folding soft-top on the convertible.

This soft-top can be opened and closed in 15s and up to speeds of 50kmph. Other features specific to the drop-top is the unique underbody protection to compensate for the lack of a fixed roof. The windscreen frame has also been fortified and rollover bars have been provided with can be deployed by pyrotechnic discharges in the event of a mishap.

More equipment specific to the drop-top version are a pop-up wind deflector in the back and neck warmers integrated into the front headrests.

Mechanically, there is no difference between the coupe and convertible.The first is in the M850i, which uses a reworked version of BMW's 4.4 litre twin turbo V8 .. This engine gets a 68 PS bump in power, now making 530 PS and 750 Nm. This gets the car from 0 to 100 kmph in 3.7s and on to a top speed of 250 kmph.

The other option is the 840d. This gets a 3.0-litre twin turbo straight-six diesel making 320PS and 680Nm. This brings the 0 to 100kmph time to 4.9s but comes with some notable fuel savings. Both engines are mated to an updated 8-speed automatic transmission with four-wheel drive system with a heavy rear bias.

This 8 Series, though effectively a replacement for the old 6 Series coupe, has moved further upmarket. This new car also seems to be decidedly sportier, a fact underlined by its co-development alongside the M8 Le Mans racer. This car should also help quell any criticisms which BMW has faced lately of its cars becoming softer and less engaging .. The new 8 Series convertible will launch internationally by March 2019 .. 

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BMW X2 SUV launch to india next year

BMW X2 SUV launch to india next year 

BMW India will launch the BMW X2 SUV in India sometime next year. In the same way X4 and X6 are the more stylish alternatives to X3 and X5 SUVs, the X2 bring a similarly more spirited alternative to the BMW X1.

The BMW X2, consequently is based on the last-gen X1's UKL 2 platform and brings with it a a less upright design, wider swept back headlamps and a sportier, more purposeful stance. The front bumper gets large air intakes while the rear gets the twin tailpipe treatment and a diffuser. There is also a grey dual tone cladding on the lower part of the bumpers and doors. Wheels sizes are 18-inches with 19-inchers available as an optional extra.

The interiors are also heavily borrowed from the X1 and come with features like an 8.8-inch iDrive touchscreen infotainment system with apple car play. Android auto functionality will be added at a later date. A head up display and automatic cruise control will be optional extras. Notable safety features will be lane departure warning, a speed limit warning, automatic high beams, and pedestrian collision warnings.

The X2 will be powered by the 2.0 litre four cylinder petrol and diesel options from the X1. The 1.5-litre turbo petrol from the Mini is also expected to make an appearance. The X2 will be front wheel drive with AWD being an optional extra. The X2 is expected to be priced from Rs 45 lakh and should be available on sale by the first half of next year.

The new 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine in the X1 puts out 192 PS and generates 280 Nm of torque.

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New-gen Hyundai Santro receives 28,800 bookings in 22 days

New-gen Hyundai Santro receives 28,800 bookings in 22 days

The all-new Hyundai Santro has been launched in India, with prices starting at Rs 3.90 lakh for the base, D-Lite version. The Santro is easily the most popular car from Hyundai in India and in fact was the very car that made the Korean manufacturer a household name. And yet again, the new-gen Hyundai Santro has achieved an important milestone. The hatchback has garnered more than 28,800 bookings in 22 days making it the highest ever for any brand in its segment, mentions Hyundai. The company registered the highest ever domestic sales of 52,001 units and cumulative sales of 65,020 units for the month of October 2018.



Hyundai achieved highest ever domestic sales with 52,001 units and a growth of 4.9 per cent, on the strong demand pull created by the blockbuster launch of India's Favourite Family Car - The All New Santro, improving customers sentiments and setting a new benchmark in the industry. The all new Santro clocked wholesale of over 8,500 units along with strong performance of the Hyundai 'Ten Thousand Club Cars' Creta, Elite i20 and the Grand i10."



The new Santro is powered by a heavily reworked version of the 1.1-litre, four-cylinder Epsilon petrol engine that powered the last Santro Xing and offers 69PS and 99Nm in its current guise. The new Santro also debuts AMT technology for Hyundai and is available with the option of a five-speed AMT, apart from a five-speed manual gearbox. You also have the option of going in for a factory-fitted CNG kit which brings outputs down to 58PS and 84Nm. Claimed top speed is 150kmph while claimed fuel efficiency is 20.3kmpl. Suspension duties are taken care of by McPherson struts upfront and torsion beams at the rear. Lower variants run on 13-inch wheels, while higher ones run on 14-inch rims.

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Mahindra Alturas G4 SUV to be launched in India on November 24

Mahindra Alturas G4 SUV to be launched in India on November 24

The Mahindra flagship SUV that was being developed under the project name Y400 has got an official name, the Alturas G4. The first thing that came to our minds (and it's obvious) was that Mahindra has deviated from its usual naming strategy to put an "O" in the name. Mahindra has officially confirmed that the pre-bookings of theAlturas G4 SUV will commence from today. While the official launch has been scheduled to take place on November 24, we believe that deliveries should start from December onwards. The Mahindra Alturas G4 will mark a debut of Mahindra in the premium SUV segment wherein it is said to be locking horns with the likes of the Ford Endeavour and the Toyota Fortuner.The Alturas G4will be built at the company's manufacturing facility atChakanin Maharashtra



The Mahindra Alturas G4 has been spotted testing on numerous occasions.This vehicle has been spotted undergoing such testing earlier as well, but Mahindra seems to have completed giving finishing touches to the India-spec SUV, ahead of its launch next month. Mahindra had first showcasedthe SUV at the 2018 Auto Expo. In terms of features, the all-new Mahindra SUV will come equipped with HID lights, electric sunroof, dual-zone climate control, ventilated seats, 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with GPS, nine airbags and an electric parking brake.



The company states that the Mahinndra Alturas G4 SUV will come with a 2.2-litre diesel motor that makes 178PS of power and generates 420Nm of torque. This motor is mated to a seven-speed Mercedes-Benz automatic transmission that will send power to all four wheels. A six-speed manual is available internationally as well but is unlikely to be sold here.



The new Mahindra Alturas G4 will be a better styled, more mature, and more dynamically competent caras compared to its predecessor and given the Mahindra badging this time around, should garner better sales as well. This will be the next major launch for Mahindra after theXUV500 facelift and the Mahindra Marazzo MPV. Positioned in the high-end SUV segment, the Alturas G4 will compete with players that operate in the Rs.30+ lakh (ex-Showroom) price range.

Speaking about the Alturas G4, Veejay Nakra, Chief of Sales & Marketing, M&M Ltd. said, The word Alturas means 'height' or 'pinnacle'. The Alturas G4 represents a gateway into luxury for those who have reached the pinnacle of success in their lives. Being our most luxurious offering, exquisitely designed and crafted, we believe that the Alturas G4 name perfectly describes this product."

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Skoda Kodiaq SUV gets new top-spec Laurin and Klement trim, priced at Rs 35.99 lakh

Skoda Kodiaq SUV gets new top-spec Laurin and Klement trim, priced at Rs 35.99 lakh

Skoda India has launched its flagship SUV in a new top-spec Skoda Kodiaq Laurin and Klement trim in India at an introductory price of Rs 35.99 (ex-showroom India). This trim adds a few more convenience features over the current Style trim.



Notable additions to the feature list include the 360 degree view for the parking cameras. There are three cameras now, one in front, one at the back and one each on the wing mirrors. The automatic parking feature seen on other Skoda cars also makes an appearance here now. Further, the virtual cockpit instrument cluster screen, first seen on the recently unveiled Kodiaq RS, also makes its debut on this version. The car also gets a dash finished in piano black and L and K lettering on the dash, seats and infotainment. The other from the Rs 34.84 lakh Style variant are carried over as is.

Notable changes to the exterior are the addition of a new paint option, Magnetic Brown. There is L and K badging on the front quarter panels and chrome trimmed exhaust tips and roof rails.



Mechanically, the Skoda Kodiaq L & K remains unchanged. It is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine which puts out 150PS and 340Nm. This is paired with a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox and AWD.



The Skoda Kodiaq is notable for its car like dynamics, unseen on its competitors. These feature additions take the SUV further upmarket and make it a look like a more cost-effective alternative to the German luxury brands and their wide range of SUV offerings.

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