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first drive

aLL-New

new loo k mag

fOrtuner King of the tough SUVs is bolder and plusher than ever

IT’S BAcK! mega Sparee partS pric S u rV e y

VOL.18 NO.4 l December 2016

s C o o p!

Stretched e-class coming early 2017 S-class-like legroom to give edge over rivals

+ electric BOlt e xC l u s i v e

A peek into Tata’s electric future

driven d i e s e l l u x u ry s e da n s

Volvo S90 vs Audi A6 vs Mercedes E-class vs BMW 5-series vs Jaguar XF

Hyundai tucson

The ideal urban SUV for the price

firSt DriVeS Nissan GT-R n VW GTI n Renault Kwid AMT n Jaguar F-Pace n Skoda Rapid facelift

co m m e n t Issue No 208 | Volume No 18 | No 4 EdiTOriAl Editor Hormazd Sorabjee deputy editor Shapur Kotwal Assistant editors Gavin D’Souza, Nikhil Bhatia Content development editor Sergius Barretto Creative editor Joy Chaudhuri Consultant editor - Bikes Rishad Cooper Special correspondent - Bikes Priyadarshan Bawikar Special correspondents Saptarshi Shukla, Nishant Parekh Correspondents Jay Patil, Siddhant Ghalla road tester Selvin Jose Senior copy editor Aswathi Nair Special Projects writer Anoop Padate Online content manager Akbar Merchant international contributor Colin Goodwin (UK) Art editor Ellared D’Souza Assistant art editor Pralhad Kusuma Senior designers Mohan Ghag, Rajesh Rathod, Jagdish Bari, Sukhdeep Singh image editor Yogesh Padte Head - Photography Paul Dewars Chief photographer Ardeshir Ashley Baxter Photographers Priyank Chhapwale, Kuldeep Chaudhari, Omkar Dhas Manager - Special projects Rahul Kakar Production manager Prasad Gangurde Senior editorial executive John Fernandes (Mumbai) Manager - Administration GK Singh (Delhi) Finance head Hital Vyas Manager - Finance Amol Mahadik SAlES, MArkETiNg ANd diSTriBUTiON group head - Ad Sales Harvinder Pal Singh regional heads - Ad Sales Amit Jha (West), Jaidev Wadhwa (North) Senior managers - Ad Sales Jagmohan Singh (Delhi), Amlan Mukherjee (Mumbai) Managers - Ad Sales Unnati Joseph (Mumbai), Nackeeran M (Chennai) Assistant managers - Ad Sales Prashant Mishra, Vipin Arora (Delhi) Coordinator - Ad Sales Sonal Jain Senior Manager - Marketing Kunal Marjadi Executive - Marketing Jayson Lobo Head - Events & Operations Pawan Chawda general manager - Circulation Gilbert D’Souza Head - Circulation P Vijaykumar (South), Satish Kumar (North) Manager – Circulation Vimal Sharma (North), Ashok More (Mumbai), Saravana D (Bengaluru) Assistant manager – Circulation Anil Raghav, Yogesh Sanap, Tapan Halder (East) Manager – Subscription Mahesh Malusare SUBSCriPTiONS Subscription rates 1 year Rs 1200; 3 years Rs 3080 plus Rs 50 for cheques not drawn on a Mumbai bank. Cheques to be drawn in favour of ‘Haymarket SAC Publishing (i) Pvt Ltd’. Email: subscribe@autocarindia.com International subscription rate: US$110 for one year The publisher makes every effort to ensure that the magazine’s contents are correct. However, he can accept no responsibility for any effects from errors or omissions. Unsolicited material – including photographs and transparencies – is used in Autocar India, but it is submitted entirely at the owner’s risk and the publisher accepts no responsibility for its loss or damage. All material published in Autocar India is copyright and unauthorised reproduction is forbidden. Printed and published by Hormazd Sorabjee on behalf of Haymarket SAC Publishing (India) Private Limited, Raheja Xion, 4th/5th floor, Opp Nirmal Park, Dr B Ambedkar Marg, Byculla East, Mumbai 400 027. Printed at Kala Jyothi Process Pvt Ltd, Kondapur Unit, Survey No 185, Kondapur Village, Serilingampally Municipality RR District - 500 133, Telangana Published at Haymarket SAC Publishing (India), Private Limited, Raheja Xion, 4th/5th floor, Opp Nirmal Park, Dr B Ambedkar Marg, Byculla East, Mumbai 400 027 CIN: U22120MH1998PTC116780 Editor: Hormazd Sorabjee ‘Autocar India’ is a trademark under application by Haymarket SAC Publishing (India) Private Limited Formula One, Formula 1 and F1 are trademarks of Formula One Licensing BV, a Formula One Group Company, and are used under licence. This magazine contains 280 pages, including both covers.

HOW TO CONTACT US

KOreAN WAr IT’S NOT OfTeN that an all-new brand is launched in India, certainly not at the mainstream end of the market, so news that Kia will be coming here is pretty significant. Kia has a certain advantage that many others don’t, like its synergies with sister brand Hyundai, which is deeply entrenched in India. Sharing of production facilities and key components like platforms and engines can dramatically reduce costs for Kia, but it won’t all be smooth sailing. The hardest part will be establishing the Kia brand and a solid dealer network. The thing is, Korean brands have a pretty good reputation in India. In fact, Kia’s fiercest rival in India will be Hyundai itself, as both companies have a similar product line-up with common underpinnings. Both these companies fight like cats and dogs in other markets and this well-known rivalry is good news for Indian car buyers too. Kia will undoubtedly go all out to woo customers from Hyundai and even undercut its established sibling on price. Challenger brands always work in the customer’s favour as they go the extra mile to offer more than their rivals. Tata efforts can be seen in the Tiago and Hexa, whilst Volvo too, is making an all-out bid to challenge the established luxury car brands. The new S90, which we’ve compared with all its rivals this month, comes out a clear winner. Despite being an import, it is fantastic value and makes the Jaguar XF (also an import) look wildly overpriced. In our extensive spare parts price survey, it was only Volvo that shared prices without a fuss, whilst all the other luxe brands chickened out. It’s good to see a newfound confidence in Volvo – every underdog has his day.

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A close look at Tata’s EV future, p46

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hand-crafted engineering

PhotograPhy priyank chhapwale

At the heart of the GT-R is this 3.8-litre twinturbo V6. But it’s not the 570 hp or the equally impressive 637Nm of torque that is the climatic chapter of this power unit. Nissan builds the GT-R engines like they do their race engines. Every unit is hand-built by one of only five ‘Takumi’ or master craftsmen. The one here was built by Tsunemi Ooyama. Read all about it and the GT-R it powers on page 106.

8 AUTOCARINDIA.COM december 2016

eYe OPener

december 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 9

This MonTh COVER STORY New Toyota Fortuner FirsT Drive The SUV king returns in an all-new avatar

cover story

80

NEWS Kia set to make its entry into India Jeep to launch Compass in India Demonetisation affects the auto industry Ford EcoSport facelift revealed E-class LWB to start new luxury segment in India What Cyrus Mistry’s ouster means for Tata Motors News ANAlysis Bill Ford on Ford’s future plans iNTerview

20 22 25 31 39 40 42

TESTED Nissan Terrano AMT FirsT Drive 49 The SUV’s heavy clutch can finally be given a miss renault Kwid AMT FirsT Drive 50 The beefy little hatch gets even more city friendly skoda rapid facelift FirsT Drive 58 Skoda’s mid-sizer gets an update and a new diesel Mitsubishi Montero facelift FirsT Drive 60 The Montero returns, but with a hefty price tag Porsche Macan r4 FirsT Drive 62 2.0-litre Macan is the most affordable Porsche yet Mercedes C-class Cabriolet FirsT Drive 66 The C-class gets some air-in-your-hair treatment Jaguar F-Pace FirsT Drive 70 Jag’s first-ever SUV is impressive and how Hyundai Tucson FirsT Drive 94 Want something a rung above the Creta? Here it is

the all-new toyota Fortuner is bigger, sharper and plusher 80

kwid commute made easy-r 50

vw’s hatch game gets hotter 52

FEaTuRES A Bolt step forward exClusive 46 Tata previews its EV future with the Bolt BEV Hyundai Palace Drive 132 Trying our hand at being royalty, all around India spare a thought 141 We analyse spare parts prices of over 150 cars

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the audi r8 v10 spyder is all about natural aspiration 102

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godzilla takes over mumbai, and we don’t mind one bit 106 16 autocarindia.com DECEmbER 2016

OuR CaRS Maruti Celerio diesel FiNAl rePorT 160 The super-efficient hatchback leaves our fleet Mahindra verito 163 The oldest member in our team is still going strong

TWO-WhEElERS Bike News 174 Mahindra 2-Wheelers shifts focus to premium bikes Moto Guzzi v9 Bobber & roamer FirsT riDe 180 Italians don’t get more exotic than V9 cruisers Benelli 302 r FirsT riDe 186 The fully faired 300cc sports bike is nearly ready

mOTORSpORTS the s90 takes on the XF, e-class, 5-series and a6 114

what do current F1 stars drive? FeATure 212 Trivia on what racers drive on their off days 2016 Mexican F1 GP rACe rePorT 216 All the action from the season’s second-last race Motorsports News 220 2017 F1 driver grid almost in place Audi quits WEC to focus on Formula E

EVERY mONTh

a low-down on spare parts prices oF india’s Favourite cars 141

sergius Barreto Service – The new sales Perseus Bandrawalla Private investigations Colin Goodwin Need for speed Buying used Fiat’s Punto is handsome, practical and affordable

29 31 33 164

iN ThE baCk Autotrader Classifieds for cars New cars and bikes from A to Z Every last detail of every new vehicle

benelli 302r arriving soon 186

stars From eicma 2016, milan 190

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yo u r

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letter of the month

write to Autocar India, Raheja Xion, 4th/5th floor, Opposite Nirmal Park, Dr B Ambedkar Marg, Byculla (East), Mumbai 400 027 email editorial@autocarindia.com

Atul feels the Hexa will give Tata a chance to revamp its brand image.

Taking the chance Full credit to Tata Motors for putting its best foot forward with the new Hexa. The company has thrown everything it could into it and I feel this model could be the turning point for the company. No doubt the Tiago has helped, as you said in your editorial, but in the end, it’s the sheer content of the Hexa that will woo buyers. What Tata Motors has to ensure is that there are no niggling problems at all, if it wants to fight the perception of poor reliability. Keep in mind that the allnew Innova is a formidable rival known for its amazing reliability. The Hexa is up against tough competition but this is also a chance for Tata to revamp its brand image once and for all. Atul rathode, New Delhi

Right move

predictions with a pinch of salt. In the past, many of the models you have claimed would hit Indian roads haven’t seen the light of day. That is quite disappointing, especially if you’ve set your heart on that particular car. I know it’s hard to predict every model coming to our market, but I feel it’s better to leave out the models if you’re not absolutely sure of them. Jason D’souza, Mumbai

Your review of the soon-to-belaunched Tata Hexa in the November 2016 issue was Autocar at its best. With the Hexa, Tata Motors seems to have unlocked something like never before. The Hexa in many ways is a shock when you take the Safari and Aria as reference points. Be it equipment, quality, power, comfort, the Hexa has it all and that too in abundance. You had asked in the issue if buyers would be willing to pay north of Rs 15 lakh on a Tata product. In my opinion, the answer is an overwhelming ‘yes’. The Hexa is a product which feels generations superior to its chief rival, the XUV500, and given how much of an impact the latter has had in the market, there is no reason why the Hexa cannot emulate its success. All that Tata has to ensure is to price the Hexa sensibly, unlike the Aria, which seems to be priced outside the ballpark even today after all its price revisions. nikhil Sukhdev, via e-mail

Publicity stunts

I am so disappointed in the way dealers display their names on cars sold by them. The most prominent offender, in my opinion, is one of the two most successful Skoda dealers that stick plastic cutouts to identify the dealerships. It is disconcerting to see such different coloured plastic stickers on the luggage boot of, say a Superb that costs around Rs 25 lakh. The other very successful Skoda dealer is a lot more discrete. They place a strip at the bottom of the rear number plate with his name and mobile number. Another dealer, this time for Hyundai, uses the same plastic cut-outs but places it above the badge, on the luggage boot lid. The most common

Jatin has his reservations about long-term ownership of VW cars.

NEW CARS SPECIA L

2NEW0C1AR7S

s. cars for the next twelve month It’s going to be raining new list of the upcoming We bring you a comprehensive on your porch. be soon could launches, which

Credit where it’s due

The comparo between the VW Ameo and the Figo Aspire was pretty interesting, and while the Ameo came away a convincing winner, I am not so convinced about the long-term ownership of VW cars. Though you choose the winner on the merit of the product, I feel you must give some weightage to the overall cost of ownership. Ford has worked hard to reduce the cost of ownership of its cars and I feel that has not been acknowledged in your review. Jatin Arora, Jaipur

Taking design notes

All prices mentioned are

estimated Ex-showroom

unless mentioned otherwise

.COM 133 NOVEMBER 2016 AUTOCARINDIA

10/20/2016 4:55:59 PM

50 NEW CAR Cover_pg

way the Kwid’s grille was redesigned fifty times is a fascinating insight into the way he reduced costs for the Kwid project A jay Pandit, Lucknow

All about the money

After reading the drives and reviews of the new Tata Hexa, it seems truly

With a pinch of salt

Your annual New Car Special feature is fantastic reckoner for anyone in the market to buy a car, and I look forward to it every year. You’ve covered all the models exhaustively but I do take some of your

impressive, but I feel there is more that could have been done. It is being positioned as a capable, all-terrain, luxurious lifestyle vehicle. However, it has to be really special for it to live up to all the claims. For an off-roader, the long wheelbase, the overhangs, lack of enough wheel articulation and solid 4x4 hardware limit its capabilities in the off-roading scene. Sure, it competes with the XUV5OO and does match the Mahindra very closely in the equipment list, but missing out on keyless entry and start, and even electrically powered driver’s seat leaves you a bit wanting. The Tata Hexa must undercut the Mahindra XUV500 in pricing terms. In fact, it should undercut it significantly. If Tata motors can realign the prices of the Safari Storme and bring the Hexa around Rs 12.5 lakh for the base and Rs 18.5 lakh for the top-end variant, it will be a great value for money proposition. Srinidhi hegde, via e-mail

The interview with Laurens Van den Acker was a real inspiration for budding design students. I love the way he says you don’t need to speak any language to work in a design studio and that your sketches will speak for themselves. Also, the

practice all over the world is a strip at the bottom of the rear number plate. Some dealers advertise with a transparent plastic stick-on placed on the rear glass window, which isn’t so bad. I am surprised that none of the concerned manufacturers have barred their dealers from a practice that spoils the aesthetics of a car. Saethu nair, via e-mail

Erratum

In the ‘New BMW 5-series unveiled’ report (November 2016 issue, Page 20), the sentence in the first paragraph should read: “BMW’s objectives with the new car were to make it lighter, less flabby on the outside and much better to drive.” And not as printed. The error is deeply regretted.

133.indd 133

december 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 19

N E WS

N E WS to S h a r E ? Call: 022-23787500 Email: editorial@autocarindia.com

sportage The fourth-gen SUV revealed at Frankfurt will rival Tucson.

Kia’s coming, finally Hyundai’s sister brand planning full-scale assault on Indian market with wide range of models.

I

t’s no secret, Kia Motors, a part of the Hyundai Motor Group, has been exploring India for several years. In fact, it’s surprising that Kia has taken so long to consider such an important market that has long been ripe for the picking. Newbie Kia has an advantage of piggybacking on sister brand Hyundai, which is hugely successful in a country forecast to have five million car buyers ever year by 2020. Kia’s line-up ranging from budget hatchbacks to sedan to premium SUVs is also best suited since many of them share the same underpinnings with popular Hyundai models. Developing the right products for the country may not be that big a challenge.

20 AUTOCARINDIA.COM december 2016

Factory location

Kia is yet to identify a location for its first factory in India. Kia’s official stand, for now, has been that “We at Kia Motors are continually evaluating potential locations for overseas manufacturing facilities, including India, to secure additional engines for future growth. However, as of now no concrete plans have been finalised.” According to sources, the Korean carmaker is looking at Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Tamil Nadu is where Hyundai has a plant but Andhra Pradesh, adjacent to Tamil Nadu and a few hours drive from the

Hyundai plant, is emerging as a strong option. Sibling rivalry may have been a reason why Kia didn’t come to India. Though Hyundai and Kia belong to the same group, they fight viciously in the market for a broad set of customers. Industry sources say Hyundai has tried to keep Kia away from a market it has built over two decades but parent Hyundai Motor Group stepped in to safeguard the interests of both. A new plant in the interest of both brands, especially at a time when Hyundai is running out of the 6,80,000 capacity at its Sriperumbudur plant, therefore makes sense. The Kia plant is expected to

have an installed capacity of around 3,00,000 units a year, a volume that will be used by Hyundai until such time the brand is established. Kia will also leverage Hyundai’s existing supplier base, and share key components like platform and powertrain. Not only will these give Kia products ready access to high levels of localisation, the increased

economies of scale will result in huge savings as well. Kia won’t have to invest in an engine plant and can simply source the Kappa petrol and U2 diesel units from Hyundai, which has set up a state-of-the-art and flexible engine factory.

Product strategy

We expect Kia’s line-up for



Kia has a sportier and more youthful character than Hyundai.



soul Has no Hyundai equivalent in India and is heavy on equipment, safety features.

picanto By 2019 this next-gen rival of Grand i10 will be ready .

India to follow a ‘top-down’ strategy. It will obviously try and mirror Hyundai’s range and, therefore, the following are expected.

sPortage suV

One of Kia’s oldest models and currently in its fourth generation, the Sportage is a direct rival to Tucson. A short

rio This globally popular premium hatchback is almost certainly coming to India.

drive in the Sportage reveals that it lives up to its name with a punchy 172hp 1.6 turbo petrol engine and agile handling. In India, the engine range is likely to be the same as Tucson’s, a 2.0-litre diesel.

niro hybrid crossoVer

Kia’s first based on its ecocar platform, the Niro gets a crossover treatment along with an SUV-like high seating position. It comes with a

1.6-litre four-cylinder motor that works along with an electric motor integrated with the gearbox. Peak power output is 146hp. The crossover styling and spacious interiors will go down well with Indian consumers, but the overall driving experience, like in most hybrids, is a bit lacklustre.

rio hatchback

Currently in its fourth generation, this globally popular model’s launch in India is almost certain seeing the huge attraction of its sister car, the Hyundai Elite i20. The Rio will be positioned as a premium hatchback and Kia will aim to trump the i20 with a better-

specced cabin and stronger engines perhaps. Rio could come with the 1.0 turbopetrol which makes it a fuelefficient offering too.

Picanto

The Picanto, or Morning as it is known in Korea, sits at the centre of the hatchback segment and squares off against the Hyundai Grand i10. When Kia starts producing cars in India around 2019, the next-gen Picanto will be launched. Engines are likely to follow the Grand i10, though a highly fuel-efficient, 1.0-litre three-cylinder Kappa petrol version is expected.

soul

The Soul is unique to Kia with no equivalent in the Hyundai range. Currently in its second generation, the car is full of character and sets Kia apart in the hatchback segment.

Plugging gaPs Kia still has a few big gaps

in its range that it needs to fill if it wants to be a serious volume player in India. Kia has no sub-four-metre sedan, compact SUV or mid-size SUV yet. But with Hyundai present in these segments, Kia is sure to spawn its own models off these platforms.

Future ready

Kia may be late to the party, but in a way, its timing couldn’t be better. The uncertainty around GST, future crash and emission norms should clear before Kia launches its models in India. That means the company can plan and develop its products to suit market conditions and regulations beyond 2020. And Kia’s positioning as a youthful and sporty brand could resonate with a country which is forecast to be the youngest – median age of 29 – in the world by 2020. hormazd sorabjee

december 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 21

Jeep Compass India bound next year Engine options to include a 170hp 2.0-litre diesel and a new 140hp 1.4-litre petrol.

J

eep is currently doing the groundwork to launch its new mid-size SUV in India. Known as the Compass, the recently unveiled five-seater is 4,394mm long, 1,647mm tall and 1,874mm wide (mirrors folded). This means it is around the same size as Hyundai’s Tucson, which was also launched recently. Expected to hit showrooms towards the middle of 2017, the Compass looks like a mini Grand Cherokee and comes with a similar-looking grille and headlight combo. Typically, Jeep’s squaredoff wheel arches have been used, and the Compass gets a floating roof with plenty of

chrome brightwork. The SUV also gets LED tail-lamps. Built on the same platform as the Renegade (small, wide 4x4), the Compass, however, features a longer wheelbase for greater space on the inside and a mildly altered suspension system. Inside, you get the feel of a much larger SUV. Indian versions of the Compass get a two-tone interior, plenty of metal brightwork or bracketing, and feature like a Terrain Select dial, a fullcolour 7.0-inch or a smaller 3.5-inch driver information display and a large 8.4mm touchscreen. Plastic quality is impressive in places similar to that in larger Jeeps and

22 AUTOCARINDIA.COM december 2016

bits like the central console are built better too. It also has excellent seat comfort. The Compass is a global SUV, which will also have to service markets like the US, and as a result, the front seats are more than ample with loads of thigh and back support. Rear seat passengers also have it good. Ingress is quite effortless, the seat is placed at the perfect height, and back support is very good. Leather seats are available on the more expensive variants. Other interesting features include push-button start, a dual panoramic sunroof, and rear aircon vents which are ideal if you want to sit at the back.

The engine that Jeep is banking on for India is Fiat’s peppy 2.0-litre Multijet II diesel that makes 170hp. Both automatic and manual gearboxes will be available, and Fiat will also provide the petrol motor, an all-new 1.4 Multi-air that’s likely to put out in the region of 140hp. Jeep will differentiate itself from the crowd by retaining off-road skills that are so central to its brand. Topof-the-line versions will come with a dedicated fourwheel-drive system, and Jeep’s Selec-Terrain system that optimises the SUV for conditions like snow, sand/mud and rocks will be part of the spec too.

More expensive versions will get a differential locking system that works by braking individual wheels. Jeep, however, will also offer a twowheel-drive or front-wheeldrive version as well, so as to allow for a good spread. Unlike the earlier Jeep products launched here, the Compass will be both manufactured and exported from Fiat’s Ranjangaon plant outside Pune and will feature an extremely high level of localisation. This allows Jeep to price its SUV competitively, somewhere around Rs 18 to Rs 25 lakh. The Compass will come in three trim levels initially – Sport, Longitude and Limited, with the more

news

The SUV will get a dual-tone interior, plenty of polished surfaces and equipment like a Terrain Select dial and a 7.0-inch touchscreen.

hardcore off-road or Trailhawk version following later.

CompaCt SUV for IndIa

Jeep is working on getting a compact SUV to India. An SUV that will be a direct rival to the EcoSport, this new compact vehicle, however, will not just be a poser. “It will be a real Jeep,” according to company boss Mike Manley,

“and not something with a Jeep badge on the back. It will have real capability and be a true trail-rated vehicle, meaning it will have real offroad skills.” The company acknowledges that the real challenge here will be packaging. Jamming in all the off-road hardware, making the car spacious on the inside and still keeping the car under four metres is not a



Jeep will differentiate itself from the crowd by retaining off-road skills that are central to the brand.



challenge to be trifled with. It could mean the off-roader in question has quite an upright stance and making it ride and drive well in addition will be extremely challenging. The small Jeep in question will slot in below the Renegade into the A or supercompact segment in Europe, and Jeep is keen to take the car to Brazil. The compact off-roader being worked on (codenamed Jeep 526) will share its underpinnings with a similar-size Fiat compact SUV, also likely to make it to our market, and will come with Fiat engines and transmissions. Styling could follow the rectangular proportions of the Renegade and have clear echoes of the earliest Jeeps, especially the round headlamps and

PradeeP dahiya

Roughly the same size as a Tucson, the Compass looks like a Mini Grand Cherokee. It gets plenty of chrome trim and a floating roof.

S py S h otS

jeep C O M pA s s the seven-slat grille. Like the Compass, India is likely to be one of the first markets for this compact SUV, and India could even be the mother plant for the same. To help drive down the price, Jeep could even leverage Tata and

share the platform, engines and transmissions with them. The compact SUV isn’t expected anytime before 2018 and Jeep will need a stronger network to help serve such a car better. ShapUr kotwal

december 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 23

news Korean carmaKer Hyundai is betting big on automated manual transmission technology. Future generation vehicles are set to have the option of an amT gearbox, which will be manufactured locally. in fact, the carmaker will not rely on suppliers for the gearbox and plans to have an in-house amT division.

Industry experts see impact wearing off in December and business returning to normal from January.

Demonetisation affects the auto industry

confidenTial GoSSip | rumourS | Tr endS

FiaT cHrysler auTomobiles has introduced brands such as abarth and more recently, Jeep, in india. However, it is not keen on bringing the alfa romeo brand to india in the near future. mike manley, group’s asia Pacific chief operating officer, wants to wait and see how the market develops before taking any decision on an india entry.

Rural areas and used car sales to suffer due to high cash transactions.

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ehicle sales in rural markets could be affected in the next few months by the government’s decision to ban Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, as cash drives a big chunk of the business here. “There will be a temporary disruption in the auto industry in the near term due to the ban on currency notes. But a larger impact will be in the rural markets as the number of cash transactions is high,” Sugato Sen, deputy director general, Society of Indian Automobile Manufactures (SIAM), told Autocar India. Sharing a similar view, Pawan Goenka, managing director, Mahindra & Mahindra, said, “The effect of demonetisation will be felt largely in November. The impact will start wearing off in December and business will be back to normal from January.” Motorcycle sales in rural areas could also slow down since a majority

of two-wheelers here are bought with cash. Besides, two-wheelers are exempt from disclosure of Permanent Account Number, which is mandatory for larger vehicles. Sales of luxury cars and premium SUVs, along with the unorganised used car market could also witness a slump due to the demonetisation, according to industry watchers. The unorganised used car market could also be hit for four-five months due to scrapping of the currency notes, a used car dealer said. In fact, some dealers are known to encourage cash transactions. However, the impact on small car sales may be minimal as most of the transactions occur through bank financing or loans, an executive at Maruti Suzuki said. The official added that activity in the organised used car segment arm too, will remain unaffected. Some of the leading

GST: hiGheST 28 percenT Slab for carS Automobiles are set to attract the highest 28 percent rate under the four-tier tax structure set by the Goods & Services Tax (GST) Council of 5, 12, 18 and 28 percent. Moreover, luxury cars will attract an additional cess. However, the government is yet to define what constitutes a luxury car.

organised used car dealers include Maruti True Value, Mahindra First Choice and Hyundai H Promise. The same applies to virtual marketplaces for used cars. “It will help organised players in the used car segment to gain traction and both buyers and sellers get more transparent,” Shubh Bansal, co-founder of used car virtual marketplace Truebil, said. Online transaction in this sector is also expected to increase from 0.25 percent to 8 percent by 2020, Sandeep Aggarwal, founder & CEO, Droom, said. In a surprise move, on November 8, the Union government scrapped currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denominations in an effort to eliminate black money and reduce counterfeit. According to reports, these denominations account for over 80 percent of all currency in circulation by value. nishant parekh

TaTa is noT considering a premium sales outlet for the Hexa but has planned for a premium sales experience. one of the key enablers will be ‘Hexa relationship executives’. These are dedicated staff to handle both roles of the sales person and the service advisor and will be dedicated to the Hexa customers.

Kia is bacKing a wide range of alternative propulsions for its future models, because it doesn’t think a single power source will dominate. “There’s not one technology as a cure for all. each has a part to play and we’re ready to react,” said michael cole, Kia europe’s chief operating officer. “There needs to be acceptability from the market as well, so all technologies are being worked on. We can adjust and react.”

december 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 25

news

Bosch goes beyond mobility

Celerio makes a comeback

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he Indian automotive industry clocked its highest monthly passenger vehicle sales in October since March 2012. Growth, however, remained modest at 4.4 percent to 2,80,677 units year-on-year. The bestselling Alto did 18,854 units, down 18 percent, the Dzire sold 17,682 units (down 28 percent), while the volumes of the WagonR (15,075

units) grew 2 percent. It’s clear by the marginal growth in Maruti’s top sellers that the manufacturing capacity crunch at its Gurgaon and Manesar plants as well as demand for rivals have taken a toll on sales. Meanwhile, the Maruti Celerio made a surprise entry into the list with sales of 9,581 units. The Vitara Brezza (10,056 units) continued to be the topselling SUV.

Hyundai’s Grand i10 continued to remain popular, selling 14,530 units. The Elite i20 sold 11,532 units with key rival Maruti’s Baleno (10,718 units) not far behind. Renault’s Kwid (9,801 units) has clocked 1,07,033 units since launch and has consistently done well in a tough segment. Renault introduced an automatic gearbox on the 1.0-litre variant to expand its appeal. NIsHANT pAreKH

under Smart City project, citizens can check the availability of seats on a bus as it comes, as well as alternative transport options to reach their destination. Bosch is also looking into Intelligent parking system which enables commuters to identify available spaces by using sensors and connectivity hardware as they drive past. The company aims to revamp 100 cities in India as part of its smart city solutions, a project launched in 2015. It has so far earmarked 60 cities.

AUTO COMpOnEnT AnD technology supplier Bosch recently showcased the latest smart solutions and innovations for several industry sectors beyond its bread-and-butter segment of mobility. The company sees good potential for growth in the areas such as smart cities, mass transportation and construction. As a part of the smart city segment, the company aims to offer a host of solutions such as waste, water and energy management as well as urban mobility. For instance,

w ay b a c k w h e n

T o p 10 M o d e l s — o c T o b e r 2016

the Honda BR-V, oNe YeAr AGo and also got you deceMber 2015 FIRST LOOK exclusive story on Our last issue for how we thrashed 2015 brought you the entire AMG a first look of the line-up on sale in replacement for day EXCLUSIVE 5,000bhp, 10 AMGs, 1 mad India at an airstrip. the Toyota Innova – Also inside was a the Innova Crysta. first look at the We drove the thenupcoming BMW G310 R. upcoming VW Beetle and IINDI NDIAA

DECEMBER 2015

Units sold

Rs 150

www.autocarindia.com

196

INDIA

VOLUME 17 | No 4

New Innova n n n

Cover Story All-new Toyota Innova | Drive New VW Beetle | First Drive Mercedes-AMG GT S

Maruti Alto 18,854 Maruti Dzire* 17,682

VOL.17 NO.4 l DECEMBER 2015

EXCLUSIVE SHOOTOUT

2.4 diesel engine New XC90 vs Q7 High-tech, full-size luxury SUVs Auto gearbox Feb 2016 launch DRIVEN

New VW Beetle

Reborn icon is coming to India DRIVEN

New Honda BR-V

Smart small SUV with seven seats ALSO INSIDE

» New Triumph Bonnevilles » 302bhp Volvo S60 T6 » Audi S5 Sportback

GREAT QUATTRO DRIVE MONGOLIA, MYANMAR, MUMBAI: WE BRING THE AUDI Q7 HOME

ACI Dec 2015 Cover (gatefold)_5.indd 1

Maruti WagonR 15,075

11/22/2015 5:52:44 AM

in d i a

shootouts –Brio fIve YeArs AGo vs i10; Eon 1.0 vs deceMber 2011 With the facelifted new captiva Alto K10; Rapid vs Vento vs Verna Chevrolet Captiva diesels; and the as our cover story, Sunny vs Etios vs this issue packed Manza petrols. drives of the Ferrari We also road458 Spider and tested the Merc’s CLS350 Hyosung GT650n. and also brought you four deceMBer 2011

Maruti Swift 14,611

Rs 125

www.autocarindia.com

india

exclusive drive

VOL.13 NO.4

vOluMe 13 | No 4

l

cover story New chevrolet captiva | road Test skoda rapid | comparison Hyundai eon vs Maruti Alto K10

Hyundai Elite i20 11,532 Maruti Baleno 10,718

1,00,000

Maruti Vitara Brezza 10,056 *includes dzire tour

DECEMBER 2011

Now more appealing with fresh looks and more power l

Hyundai Grand i10 14,530

The number of purely electric cars BMW has delivered since 2013.

Renault Kwid 9,801

STaT of The monTh

Maruti Celerio 9,581 0

.

148

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

30000

Jan 2012 launch From Rs 20 lakh

iNdiAN GrANd prix 16-pAGE rEpOrT

PLUS

MEGA TEST MidSizE SALOONS compared

The latest petrol and diesel saloons

Nissan Sunny vs Toyota Etios vs Tata Manza

TeN YeArs AGo deceMber 2006 We brought you an exclusive drive of the Renault Logan, now known as the Mahindra Verito. We also brought you the first drive of the Mercedes-Benz

VW Vento vs Hyundai Verna vs Skoda Rapid

Brio vs i10 shootout

Ferrari special

» driven: 458 spider and FF » Fab day out in Maranello » sachin’s 360 now a movie star!

TwiN TEST

Hyundai Eon vs Maruti Alto K10

E-class. Our bikes section featured a first ride of the new Bajaj pulsar DTS-I 150 and a comprehensive road test of the Hero Honda CBZ Xtreme.

december 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 27

news

Sergius Barretto

u n de r th e hood se rvice – th e n eW sales

S60 sedan will likely be the updated 2.0-litre 367hp version.

Volvo S60 Polestar here in early 2017 SwediSh brand VolVo is gearing up to join the league of luxury carmakers in india with dedicated performance divisions, with the launch of its Polestar brand. leading the charge will be the S60 Polestar sedan that is set to launch early next year. “we are looking to launch the S60 Polestar in the beginning of next year…it will be a good performance alternative and also a petrol alternative for the market,” Tom Von bonsdorff, managing director of Volvo auto india told autocar india. The S60 Polestar coming to indian shores will likely be the updated variant with a four-cylinder, 1,969cc, 2.0-litre engine putting out 367hp and 470nm. The previous version used a

3.0-litre turbocharged inlinesix making a lower 345hp but a higher 500nm. apart from the bump in power, the performance sedan comes with an eight-speed automatic gearbox in place of the old car’s six-speed. it also gets a stiffer suspension, a larger air intake, a bigger turbo and a higher-capacity fuel pump. The Swedish carmaker, which recently launched the S90 sedan in india, is looking to ramp up its presence in the country. “our focus now is on expanding network and building our reputation,” bonsdorff said. The carmaker presently has around 15 dealerships across the country and will soon expand to lucknow, Pune and Jaipur. nishant parekh

poll What do you th i n k th e tata h e x a is? Crossover 30%

SUV 24%

MPV 46%

Tata designers worked hard on the Hexa’s strong SUV cues, but most of our readers still feel it looks like an MPV.

A service initiative at Ford as part of its aftersales outreach.

I

t is often debated that marketing sells the first car and service sells the rest, and while that debate may never quite settle down in the automotive board rooms, the important ‘sales’ role that aftersales plays is quite clear. Despite this seemingly obvious piece of knowledge, it’s shocking to see how many brands get the all-important service vertical so wrong. In our market, brands like Maruti and Hyundai – regular sales chart-toppers – are well known for their excellent aftersales service, while brands like Fiat and Skoda with a poor service reputation find themselves at the bottom. Tata too has paid a heavy price for its low product quality and shoddy repair work. This despite having a massive line-up of cars, SUVs and MPVs. Of course, this is not to say that auto makers are oblivious, they have constantly applied effort towards improving service quality. But aftersales has always been looked upon as the poor country cousin and budget allocations have reflected this accordingly. It is only now that the right level of priority is seemingly being applied. Manufacturer after manufacturer are all announcing mega spends

for service initiatives and on advertising this as well. Service seems to be the flavour of the month. At the beginning of this year, Ford released its new marketing campaign that centred heavily around a new aftersales experience. A highlight of this exercise is the new online service price calculator, where one can calculate their expected costs before booking a service. This August, Skoda



Aftersales has traditionally been looked upon as the poor country cousin. 

too announced a massive turnaround plan, heavily rooted in service initiatives. It offers a four-year care plan that includes warranty, roadside assistance and a maintenance package. And it’s not just the volume players. Luxury brand Mercedes-Benz too, in July, introduced a raft of aftersales services that includes the service packs, extended warranties and also a service-at-yourdoorstep option. Common across all brands is the leveraging

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of technology. Virtually every company offers smartphone or web-based apps to access things like booking, service histories and more. While service quality has numerous problem areas, service cost has been at the forefront. The brands mentioned all offer pre-fixed prices or service packages aimed at capping a car’s periodic service costs. But it will take more than just apps, packs and schemes; just ask Chevrolet who had a fixed price scheme for periodic services way back in 2010 and are still struggling with sales. There are two major challenges. While everyone is focused on reducing prices of the frequently used parts, it’s the rarely replaced part, which when fails, seriously inconveniences an owner, as they are rarely in stock or are imported units. The solution to this is a high degree of localisation and local manufacturing which means any part can be locally ordered instead of imported. And as for the service initiatives, what is needed is their strict on-ground implementation and monitoring and it’s only then that brands will find aftersales emerging to be their new super-salesman.

SergiusBarretto

december 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 29

news Hexagonal grille brings EcoSport in line with other Ford SUVs.

Perseus Bandrawalla m o t o r m o u t h P r I Vat e I n V e S t I Gat I o n S

Ford EcoSport facelift revealed The 2017 Ford ecoSporT was revealed at the LA auto show and is slated to make its way to India late next year. The facelift gets a heavily revised fascia, with a one-piece hexagonal grille replacing the two-piece design of the older model. The head and fog lamps get new design, as does the front bumper. This now brings it more in line with other global Ford SUVs like the Kuga and edge, and even the endeavour to an extent. The rest of the exterior is pretty much unchanged, save for a new alloy wheel design. While overseas models forego it, the tailgatemounted spare wheel is a popular feature in India, and is likely to return for our market. The interior gets a more significant makeover. The dashboard now features a new layout for the centre console, a new instrument cluster and steering wheel, and attractive contrastcoloured inserts.

The revised centre console is crowned by Ford’s SYNc 3 touchscreen infotainment system – a big upgrade from the current button-operated monochrome screen. The centre air-con vents are now positioned lower, while the centre stack gets revised air-con controls and an asymmetrical design. The ecoSport will be offered in the US with the familiar 1.0-litre ecoBoost engine as well as a larger 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit paired to a six-speed auto. The biggest talking point here though is the inclusion of an all-wheel-drive system for the larger engine. For India though, the engines are likely to remain unchanged from the current car. With this update, Ford aims to regain its share in the booming compact SUV market, where it faces rivals like the Vitara Brezza and the Mahindra TUV300. akbar merchant

New dash uses funky-coloured inserts and touchscreen unit.

Every possible inspection could not pinpoint the problem.

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s a classic car collector, I’m often telephoned, messaged and emailed by fellow enthusiasts for advice on fixing their cars or just my thoughts on buying a fancy set of wheels. As I often tell them, it is really important to buy a modern classic with electronics that are not so worn out, unless you are ready to source containers full of parts, ship them and pay customs duty. After you have the parts, you need to find a suitable workshop to fit them for you. But even when you have a pristine car, things do go wrong. What do you do then? There is often a debate on whether to visit an authorised workshop or your good old private workshop and the answer to that isn’t so straightforward. If your car is a reasonably modern one, then going to an authorised workshop makes sense as the technicians there are trained and have the right tools to work on such cars. However, authorised workshops have set procedures to replace parts in whole that suit newer cars and are backed by stores full of spare parts. You also end up spending

on considerably high labour charges. On the other hand, in older cars, you may save money by refurbishing an existing part like a radiator fan or a starter motor rather than replacing the entire assembly. Hence, your trusted old mechanic is a better bet in such a case. Also, often quotes from



...diagnosing and working yourself helps get a deeper understanding of your car.  authorised workshops to get older cars running after a breakdown are higher than the resale values of these cars. Sadly, this has resulted in many exotic and rare cars in the country landing up at scrap yards. There are a number of specialist workshops opening across the country, including some great paint booths equipped with sand blasting machines and

chrome plating facilities that are ideal for groundup restorations. Mechanical specialist workshops too, are investing in scanning devices, hydraulic tools and other equipment that were earlier rare at such places. It is best to have a set of different workshops to go to for different jobs. At times, visiting an authorised workshop for a complex job or diagnosing a problem may be well worth the effort. But most importantly, spending time diagnosing and working yourself helps get a deeper understanding of your car. Recently, my Mercedes W124 had a peculiar issue where the engine would stall or, worse still, not start at all. On visiting a number of workshops, I was advised to replace everything, from the throttle body to the ECU. I wasn’t convinced so I spent time reading online literature and contacted some Mercedes experts abroad. I started a step-bystep investigation myself. Eventually, it turned out to be a fuel-line issue and the simple solution to fix it was to park the car with a full tank for a couple of days. As the saying goes, there is no better help than self-help!

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december 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 31

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MADE IN KOREA

news The new front and body cladding lend to the WR-V’s crossover appeal.

Colin Goodwin

the good life need for speed

Honda WR-V India launch in March HONDA HAS TAKEN the wraps off of a new Jazzbased crossover, the WR-V. Showcased at the Sao Paulo auto show, the WR-V, apart from being sold in some international markets, is also bound for India, with a launch expected in March 2017. Up front, the crossover gets a new, more aggressive bumper, a prominent grille with a thick band of chrome and new headlamps. Along the sides, the WR-V bears heavy resemblance to the Jazz, but gets noticeable crossover styling cues such as muscular front fenders and

body cladding on the wheel arches and doors. The tailgate is new, as are the horizontal two-piece tail-lamps and a rear bumper that also comes with body cladding and a faux skid plate to complete the crossover looks. While no mechanical details were revealed for the show car, the India-bound model is expected to share the engine line-up with the standard Jazz when it goes on sale. The interior too is expected to be borrowed from the Jazz to keep costs in check. akbar merchant

FCA opens first joint dealership in Mumbai FIAT-CHRYSLER AUTOMOBILES has opened its first dealership to cater to all three of its brands in India. The dealership, dubbed as a ‘Destination Store’ by the Landmark Group, is located in Worli, Mumbai. A workshop is to open in the suburb of Andheri shortly. Individual Fiat and Jeep

dealers in India will continue to be operational, but these ‘Destinations’ are expected to set a benchmark for operations. This location is also important as Fiat has lacked a presence in Mumbai, its home city, for a long time now. Fiat is rebooting its retail strategy by bringing the three brands under one roof, giving dealers a more viable business plan. This will attract more dealers, giving the brand a much-needed footprint. This should also prove beneficial considering that the upcoming Jeep Compass will compete in a large-volume segment.

The limited-edition Ferrari F12 Tour de France has a massive 780hp under the hood.

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his week I’ve been on the launch of the new Toyota C-HR, an SUV/ Crossover that’s a rival to the Nissan Qashqai. But you’d rather hear about my time with a Ferrari F12tdf. Cars like the Tour de France don’t come my way that often. I’ve driven an F12 before, several years ago on an Autocar handling day at the Snetterton racing circuit. I remember it being extremely fast, relatively easy to drive and very exciting. The limitededition tdf (799 are being made) has got a massive 780hp and loads of trick bits, including a brand new four-wheel steering system that Ferrari refers to as virtual long wheelbase. I’m not entirely sure I get this and driving the car hasn’t enlightened me. In fact, 780hp is about double what’s required to have fun in a car. What an engine. This is the most soulful and exciting car engine made today. It makes even a Lamborghini Aventador’s engine seem mild and gentle. Maximum power at 8,500rpm and a redline set at 8,900rpm. It pulls hard from any revs and just keeps going. What is most amazing is not the power, but how tractable

the engine is. Thirty years ago a naturally aspirated 6.3-litre V12 that produced 780hp would have ticked over at 2,000rpm, coughed and spluttered pulling away and would probably have oiled its plugs at traffic lights. This Ferrari feels as at home in traffic as a Toyota Prius. Rather than take the Ferrari to some open roads that would fall within our mileage limit, I



This Ferrari feels as at home in traffic as a Toyota Prius. 

decided to take the car to visit a friend for tea. My pal Vic has owned some pretty sensational cars in his time from an AC Cobra which he bought new (he’s a bit older than me) to a Maserati 250F racer. But of more relevance is a string of V12 Ferraris that included a couple of 275GTBs, a Daytona, a 250GT SWB and, amazingly, a 250 GTO. He bought the GTO for £13,000 in the early ‘70s

which was serious money back then. His wife used to take their children to school in it. That car is now owned by Nick Mason, the Pink Floyd drummer and rabid car collector. I drove it about 25 years ago and can still remember the noise of its 3.0-litre V12. I doubt I’ll forget the noise of the 2016 F12tdf, either. Another nice engine note sampled this month is the new Audi TTRS’s five-cylinder turbocharged motor. Hats off to Audi for keeping with this great engine when it could so easily have slotted in a 2.0 TFSI and cranked the boost up. The five reminds me of those great engines in the original Quattro. The TTRS is a very fine car and extremely quick. Porsche needs to watch out because it’s only the 718 Cayman and Boxters’ chassis that sets the Porsches apart. Decided to give the LA motor show a miss and go to the Skoda Kodiaq launch instead. Not a decision I regret because Shapur is updating me with regular tweets about such attractions as the supercharged Hemi V8 in the Dodge Challenger Hellcat and the amazing flat-plane crank V8 in the Mustang 350R.

geT in Touch Forums at autocarindia.com december 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 33

news

Good month

toll Free Government waives toll on national highways from November 9 - 24.

Zoomcar sees big potential in partial car ownership venture

Aims to lure buyers under scheme which promises lower EMIs.

s saFety First Government plans to make airbags and speed warning mandatory for new cars from October 2017.

bad month

sales decline Scrappage of currency notes likely to dent domestic two-wheeler sales in the near term.

elf-drive car-rental service provider Zoomcar added a new dimension to car ownership with the launch of its ‘Zoomcar Associate Programme (ZAP)’ earlier this year. The company, which currently has a fleet of around 2,300 cars across 12 cities, sees the scheme spearheading its expansion in the country and accounting for around 70 percent of its overall vehicle inventory in a year. “In the next 12 months, we are targeting a fleet size of around 10,000 cars, including 7,000 ZAP cars and the remaining being Zoomcars,” Greg Moran, company CEO and co-founder told Autocar India. He said that they have received 10,000 applications under ZAP so far and close to 500 cars are already on the platform. The scheme enables individuals to list their cars on the specially made ZAP mobile application and share revenues on a daily, weekly and monthly basis, thereby reducing the cost of acquisition. Much like an

Co-founder Greg Moran says ZAP could improve utilisation rate of private cars and generate income.

Airbnb of cars! However, it does not enlist users currently owning a vehicle due to regulatory issues and requires individuals to purchase vehicles on behalf of Zoomcar. “Utilisation rates for private cars in India are very low, only 10-20 percent. The idea of ZAP is about being able to leverage that, actually earn money and increase the utilisation rate to 70-80 percent. It enables associates to save on the

Associates under ZAP would have to bear the ignominy of having a black and yellow number plate.

cost-cuttinG VW to cut 30,000 jobs over next three years to slash costs, postemissions scandal.

car’s EMI,” said Moran. As an added benefit, the associate can get updates about the car’s performance and health warnings, along with updates on which parts need to be addressed while servicing, the company says. This is possible due to a Bluetooth-based hardware tied to the vehicle’s OBD (on board diagnostics) port which monitors parameters such as braking, steering and fuel efficiency among others. In fact, the cost of ownership is also lower since the car has to be registered as a self-driven commercial taxi, which attracts lower registration duty, Moran said. On the flip side, the associate would have to bear the ignominy of having a black and yellow number plate. Associates have to list the car on the platform for a minimum of eight hours a month, with no maximum limit. Under the scheme, they are required to take a comprehensive insurance

policy for the vehicle, as opposed to a regular Zoomcar rental, where the company bears the insurance. “The servicing cost is taken care of by the owner, since he’s using the car most of the time. So it’s fair for him to take care of those expenses. But we provide back-end support via the dealerships and authorised workshops so that the owners can get a considerably better deal. We also negotiate discounts on parts and services,” he said. Established in 2013, the start-up recently raised $24 million in its latest round of funding by US carmaker Ford’s newly created ‘smart mobility’ unit, taking the total amount raised since inception to $45 million. The company says part of the funds will be used to further develop the programme and the funding will enable it to reach a fleet size of over 25,000 vehicles across over 25 cities by 2018. NishaNt parekh

rear-wheel drive For lamborGhini huracán sPyder Lamborghini has expanded its Huracán line-up with a rear-wheel-drive version of the Spyder. The entry-level drop-top has minor design tweaks to distinguish it from the all-wheel-drive LP610-4 version and Pirelli tyres developed exclusively for it. It’s powered by the same 5.2-litre V10 as the Huracán LP580-2 coupé, with 580hp. However, it is 33kg lighter than the four-wheel-drive Spyder, at 1509kg, and hits 100kph from rest just 0.2sec later, at 3.6sec.

december 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 35

L AU N C H E S T H I S M O N T H MAHINdrA E2O PLUS

Longer, wider and taller than the e2o, the e2o Plus gets a four-door layout and a more spacious cabin thanks to a longer wheelbase. Available in three variants, it offers decent levels of equipment, and a claimed range of 140km in the top trim. Lower trims get a 110km range. Price Rs 5.46–8.46 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) rivals None

rENAULT KwId 1.0 AMT

The 1.0-litre Kwid now gets the added convenience of a five-speed AMT gearbox that operates via a centre console-mounted dial. The gearbox option is, however, available only in the top RXT(O) trim. Price Rs 4.25 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) rivals Maruti Alto K10 AMT

SKOdA rAPId fACELIfT

With the facelift, the Rapid is now styled closer to the Octavia and Superb. Updates to the car include a revised equipment list and the use of a more powerful 110hp 1.5-litre diesel engine. The petrol engine and gearboxes carry forward unchanged. Price Rs 8.35–2.78 lakh (ex-showroom, Maharashtra) rivals Maruti Ciaz, Honda City

HyUNdAI TUCSON

Available in three trim levels, the Tucson is offered with either a 155hp 2.0-litre petrol or a 186hp 2.0-litre diesel engine paired to either a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox. The top trim though, is diesel only and gets features like automatic LED headlamps, and a powered tailgate. Price Rs 18.99–24.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) rivals Honda CR-V

HONdA ACCOrd HybrId

The Accord hybrid is powered by a 2.0-litre petrol motor paired with two electric motors to develop a combined 215hp. The car gets three drive modes – Hybrid, EV and Engine drive – with the car actively alternating between the modes. Features offered includes LED headlamps, 7.0-inch touchscreen, dualzone climate control and lane watch assist. Price Rs 37 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) rivals Toyota Camry Hybrid

VOLKSwAgEN gTI

VW has launched the GTI in a three-door guise with just 99 units available. The hot hatch is powered by a 192hp 1.8-litre turbo-petrol

38 AUTOCARINDIA.COM december 2016

unit mated to a seven-speed DSG. Price Rs 25.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) rivals Mini Cooper S

2016 TOyOTA fOrTUNEr

The new Fortuner can be optioned either with a 177hp 2.8-litre diesel or a 166hp 2.7-litre petrol motor. Both engines are paired to either a manual or automatic gearbox though only the diesel gets four-wheel drive. The SUV also offers an extensive feature list. Price Rs 25.92 – 31.12 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) rivals Ford Endeavour, Chevrolet Trailblazer

MITSUbISHI MONTErO

Mitsubishi has re-launched the Montero with an updated model. Imported as a CBU, the SUV is powered by a 192hp 3.2-litre diesel engine and offers a four-wheel drive system with locking centre differential and low range. Price Rs 71.06 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai) rivals Audi Q7, Mercedes GLS

MErCEdES C 300, S 500 CAbrIOLET

Mercedes has expanded its drop top model range with two new models. The C 300 is powered by a 245hp 2.0-litre petrol engine paired to a nine-speed automatic gearbox. The S 500 on the other hand uses a 442hp 4.7-litre V8 also paired with a nine-speed automatic gearbox. The roofs of both cars can be operated at speeds up to 50kph with the S-class also getting remote operation. Both models are CBU imports. Price C 300: Rs 60 lakh; S 500 Rs 2.25 crore (ex-showroom, Delhi) rivals None/Maserati GranCabrio

VOLVO S90

Available in top Inscription trim only, the S90 is powered by a 190hp 2.0-litre diesel engine paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. It gets a Bowers & Wilkins audio system, 9.0-inch touchscreen and four zone climate control. Price Rs 53.5 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai, pre-octroi) rivals Mercedes E-class, Jaguar XF

POrSCHE MACAN 2.0 PETrOL Porsche has added a new 252hp 2.0-litre petrol motor to its Macan line-up. Features include automatic rear hatch, three-zone climate control and a 7.0-inch touchscreen. Price Rs 76.84 lakh (ex-showroom, Maharashtra) rivals Jaguar F-Pace

Radical headlamp design for 2017 Octavia facelift SKODA HAS GIVEN the Octavia a makeover, with the new model to arrive in showrooms internationally early next year. The talking point of the updated sedan is the new front-end styling. Skoda has ditched the traditional headlight design and has gone with a quad-headlamp look. The headlamps are now full-LED and continue with the signature LED daytimerunning lamps in the new layout. A slightly tweaked bumper, grille and bonnet complete the new look of the car. Other cosmetic changes to the exterior are down to new design alloy wheels, re-profiled tail-lamps and a

tweaked rear bumper. Changes within the cabin include new upholstery, an ambient lighting package in top trims and an upgraded infotainment system, with top trims receiving a 9.2inch touchscreen display. The international model furthermore gets the option of three infotainment systems – Columbus, Amundsen and Bolero. Skoda has also added new and updated driverassistance systems to top off the package. When it heads to Indian shores, the updated Octavia is expected to carry forward the existing engines, along with possibly an updated equipment list.

countryman is largest mini yet Mini has revealed its largest model till date in the form of the new second-gen Countryman. The distinctive three-window profile of the car has been retained, with the third windows now longer to highlight the increase in length. The new model is 200mm longer and 30mm wider than before and gets a 75mm longer wheelbase. The cabin, while still distinctly Mini, is all new with improved material quality. The Countryman range gets a choice of three engines – a 138hp 1.5-litre petrol, a 195hp 2.0-litre petrol and a 2.0-litre diesel motor developing 152hp and 193hp. AWD will be available as an option.

NEWS

Mercedes-Benz confirms long-wheelbase E-class for India n

M

Rs 55-70 lakh (ex-showroom) n 140mm longer n Early 2017 launch

ercedes-Benz has a very big trick up its sleeve for India. The E-class has long been the company’s bread-andbutter model here, and while the next-gen W213 car has been on sale globally for a while, it’s been conspicuous by its absence in India, but there’s a very good reason for that. As we reported way back in 2014, for the first time ever, it will be launched in India in ‘L’ or long-wheelbase guise, a first for this segment in our market, and will change the game significantly. Thus far, China has been the only market for specially engineered long-wheelbase cars in this ‘mid-size luxury sedan’ segment, as they – like us – are mostly chauffeur driven. However, because Chinese cars are left-hand drive, they can’t just be lifted from there and sold in India. Mercedes, however, is the first luxury carmaker to take the plunge and engineer – at a not-inconsiderable cost – a right-hand-drive version for our markets, which shows a strong commitment to India. It’s a whopping 5,063mm long with a 3,079mm wheelbase, which are both 140mm (5.5 inches) more than the standard car. That space has all gone into the rear passenger compartment, of course. The added length has given a more regal and stretched-out look to the otherwise taut and sporty new E-class, and that suits its role as a chauffeur-driven car. There’s even an additional C-pillar in the rear window where the door ends, behind which is a separate quarter glass; the standard car uses a more conventional glass area. Apart from a whole lot more space to stretch out at the back, owners will also get the option of a touchscreen tablet controller, much like in the

EXCLUSIVE

Apart from the extra length, the E-class gets a changed roofline and new rear quarter glass. new BMW 7-series, to handle infotainment, climate control and interior lighting functions. Things we won’t see on the new E-class are the semi-autonomous driver aids that are available in some countries. What we will see is just about everything else – a beautifully crafted, S-class-like dashboard with dual 12.3-inch screens for infotainment and instrumentation, the latest version of Merc’s COMAND Online infotainment, and of course, both petrol and diesel engine options. The petrol will likely be the ‘300’, the same 245hp 2.0-litre turbocharged

E-class looks a lot more regal thanks to stretched length.

motor that’s in the GLC and C-class Cabriolet. The diesels will likely return unchanged – the 3.0-litre ‘350d’ V6 and 2.1-litre ‘250d’ four-cylinder, but these could be replaced by Merc’s new-gen, modular 2.0 and 3.0-litre diesel engines later, when BS-VI emissions norms come into play. The S-class and its rivals are all sold in India only as long-wheelbase variants, but then, for high-tech super-luxury limousines like those, it’s much easier to justify the stretch. However, those cars also cost over Rs 1 crore, which is double the price of the current E-class!

That leaves a huge gap in the range that’s currently occupied either by SUVs or sleeker, sportier models like the CLS four-door coupé and the E-class Cabriolet. The long-wheelbase E-class, then, will be the sedan to plug that gap, offering simply more of what such customers want in their car – rear seat space. It will create a new segment of luxury sedan that’s slightly larger than the current crop, and will also give the smaller C-class some breathing room, what with its prices also slowly inching towards the Rs 50lakh mark on higher variants. As expected, the price will

stretch too, to Rs 5-10 lakh more than currently, in the region of Rs 55-70 lakh (ex-showroom). Mercedes could launch the standardwheelbase E-class at a lower price point if it feels there’s a demand for it. But that won’t happen until much later. It’s a huge step, but one that Mercedes – thanks to its wide range of models on sale in India, not to mention a considerable investment in local assembly – is finally able to take. “The car will not only be a benchmark in the current segment but will also target customers from a segment above, from rival brands,” the company said in a statement. Rivals will have to seriously consider if it’s worth the investment to engineer RHD versions of their own cars in the segment – the Audi A6, BMW 5-series, Jaguar XF and Volvo S90 – to better compete, or to stick to their guns with the standard models at a lower price point. In the first half of 2017, however, luxury sedan buyers will have a whole new class of cars to look forward to. GAVIN D’SOUZA

DECEMBER 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 39

WHAT ‘MEXIT’ MEANS FOR TATA MOTORS T

MISTRY’S JOURNEY The Nano updated to include new bumpers, music system with Bluetooth, etc.

-25.46%

Mar ’14

Apr ’14

May ’14

Jun ’14

Jul ’14

Aug ’14

Dec ’13

n Passenger vehicles’ monthly domestic sales, with percentage (n) growth and (n) decline YoY. Data source: SIAM 40 AUTOCARINDIA.COM DECEMBER 2016

13,665

-32.74%

-24.27% -33.30%

Oct ’14

-39.19%

12,143

-29.54%

Oct ’13

Sep ’13

Aug ’13

Jul ’13

-19.79% -44.84% -38.29% -34.83%

Jun ’13

May ’13

Apr ’13

-36.93% -32.96%

10,999

-42.27%

5,000

12,103

-28.65%

10,055

13,388 -33%

Feb ’14

16,053

13,800 -42.30%

Jan ’14

17,973

18,054

18,088

17,178

19,981

17,416

-31.60% -44.86% -48.64%

10,000

12,671

Mar ’13

14,637

Feb ’13

The Tata Zest launched starting at Rs 4.64 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Nov ’13

Jan ’13

AUG 12, 2014

20,486

-47.97%

19,068

23,915

-51.22%

22,500

24,669

-40.53%

Dec ’12

UNIT SALES

Karl Slym, 51, passes away in Bangkok in a freak accident.

The Tata Nano CNG eMax launched.

-28%

Mayank Pareek joins Tata Motors as president, PV business.

JAN 26, 2014 OCT 8, 2013

25,000

0

OCT 1, 2014

The Nano Twist launched with electric power steering, new instrument cluster, new paint.

JUNE 2013

Cyrus Mistry takes over from Ratan Tata as chairman, Tata Sons.

15,000

Like a lot of Parsis, Mistry too loves cars, if not to the same extent as Ratan Tata. He quickly developed a fine eye for detail, especially when it came to fit and finish and a sense of what the market wanted. He got deeply involved

JAN 13, 2014

DEC 28, 2012

20,000

TURNING POINT

14,440

In a scathing attack on Mistry to justify his removal, Tata Sons has claimed that Tata Motors’ market share was at an all-time low under

business, allowing rivals to catch up. A weak economy which has a direct correlation to CV sales didn’t help. However, in all fairness to Mistry, when he took over as Tata Motors chairman, he inherited a company that would take a minimum of four years to turn around, given the age of the product range and the lead time required to develop and launch

Sep ’14

TOUGH BEGINNINGS

his leadership with market share in passenger cars dropping from 13 percent in March 2013 to the current 5 percent. The drop in commercial vehicles (CV) has been even more alarming from 60 percent to 40 percent in the same period. These figures are no doubt an indication that Mistry has struggled in particular with the CV

future models. Of all the Tata companies, Tata Motors is possibly the one that Mistry was most involved in because he had to, and even wanted to. He had to because after managing director Karl Slym’s untimely death in 2014, Mistry became the de facto head of the company, which he personally steered till the appointment of new MD Guenter Butschek in February 2016. Two years was an inordinately long time for Mistry to find an MD, but it wasn’t for lack of trying. It was hard to find someone suitable who had the skill and stomach to turn around a company as lumbering and complex as Tata Motors. Till then Mistry did the job which wasn’t easy, but one that he enjoyed.

13,397

he sudden and unceremonious dismissal of Cyrus Mistry as the chairman of Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata Group, on October 24 has far reaching implications on the future of Tata Motors. Mistry is still the chairman of the Group’s automotive business after the independent directors steered clear of choosing sides (between the Tata and Mistry camps) to maintain the status quo. But Tata Sons, with Ratan Tata as interim chairman is determined to eject him from all Tata companies and has called for an EGM to do so. Hence, Mistry’s position as Tata Motors chairman looks untenable in the long run because Tata Sons has most of the aces (read, shareholder votes) in this bitter power struggle.

Cyrus Mistry’s abrupt removal as the head of the Tata Group could be unsettling for Tata Motors, which is finally showing signs of a turnaround under his leadership.

NEWS ANALYSIS in design and development and kicked off a product offensive not seen in the history of Tata Motors. “He understands the nuances of a car, which makes his inputs very constructive during our product reviews,” said a senior executive at Tata Motors. “Cyrus is very accessible and takes decisions quite quickly, sometimes even on WhatsApp,” he added. The Zest and Bolt, the first two launches under Mistry’s leadership didn’t quite fire on all cylinders and the overpriced Vista-based hatchback, in particular, was quite a flop. However, the Tiago has proved to be a big hit with budget car buyers and is seen as a turning point in the company’s fortunes. The Hexa crossover, Mistry’s big bet and one that had a lot of his inputs, has got positive reviews and seems poised to ride on the Tiago’s success when it is launched in January 2017. The ‘Kite 5’ or the sedan version of the Tiago and Nexon compact SUV are due for a 2017 launch as well. Mistry has also set the ball rolling for a new and versatile Advanced Modular Platform designed to underpin the future range of Tata cars, whilst an all-new SUV (Q501/502) based on the Land Rover Discovery Sport (L550) is in an advanced stage of development and getting readied for a 2018 launch if there are no delays. A wide range of exciting new models in multiple segments planned till 2020 and beyond promise to put Tata Motors

back on a strong growth trajectory. The pace of product development, which is agonisingly slow at Tata Motors, remains a pain point. The Tiago’s launch drifted by a couple of month and, the Hexa will finally reach customers nearly two years after the concept was shown in Geneva. One of the reasons for the delay is the stringent quality checks that have been put in place to ensure cars come out ‘first-time-right’. And though quality is still short of the world’s best standards, Mistry must be given credit for the big jump in perceived quality that is clearly evident in the latest Tata cars.

CROWN JEWEL

If there is one thing Mistry has to thank Ratan Tata for, it’s his acquisition of Jaguar-Land Rover (JLR), a jewel in the Tata crown and a lifeline for Tata Motors. It’s run as a separate company and one that Mistry isn’t fully hands-on, leaving it in the highly capable hands of CEO Ralf Speth, who has steered it to record profits. That Speth has been elevated as an additional director to the Tata Sons board is a nod to his “exemplary leadership” Ratan Tata himself has acknowledged. In fact, JLR is also a company that Ratan Tata has continued to be closely involved with and regularly attends the quarterly design reviews. Mistry, for his part, has started a flow of synergies between JLR and Tata Motors, which will increasingly be evident in future Tata cars.



The success of the Tiago is seen as the turning point for Tata Motors.

 UNCERTAINTY

It’s ironic that Mistry’s ouster was in the same month that Tata Motors recorded its highest passenger car sales in three years. Mistry has finally laid a solid foundation for growth with a strong product pipeline and management team. The no-nonsense Butschek is already making waves in the company. “He’s on a mission to re-invent Tata Motors and make it nimble and responsive,” said an insider. Butschek is nicely complemented by Mayank Pareek, president of the car division, who brings his vast Maruti experience and customer focus to the table. Both Butschek and Pareek have been handpicked by Mistry, which means they will have to develop a fresh equation with a new chairman. Also, investment for new products after the Nexon still haven’t been signed off by the Tata Motors board and the worry is that

after Mistry, there could be delays in funding new projects. Ratan Tata’s comeback to the company he once transformed will no doubt give some reassurance to the Tata Motors senior management, but it’s a temporary arrangement till a new chairman is found. Who could that be? Speth is one possibility, but putting Tata Motors on his plate along with JLR may divert his focus, which could be risky for the Tata Group’s only other cash cow after TCS. After Ratan Tata, Mistry, was the perfect choice to lead Tata Motors. He understood cars, got to grips with the complexities of the company and won the respect of his team. Finding a long-term replacement for Mistry who also imbibes the same Tata ethos and values won’t be easy. Which is why ‘Mexit’ will be a sad day for Tata Motors. HORMAZD SORABJEE

APR 6, 2016

JAN 22, 2015

OCT 31, 2016

The Tiago hatchback launched at Rs 3.20 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

The Tata Bolt launched at Rs 4.44 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

MAY 19, 2015

Tata Motors’ PV business registers highest sales in 4 years, with over 28% growth.

FEB 3, 2016

The Nano GenX launched with bigger fuel tank, new steering and AMT option.

OCT 24, 2016

The Tata Hexa SUV showcased at Auto Expo 2016.

Cyrus Mistry replaced as Tata Sons chairman. Rata Tata is interim chief.

Sep ’15

Oct ’15

Nov ’15

Dec ’15

Jan ’16

Mar ’16

23.75%

3.44%

-26.74%

Oct 31, 2016

Aug ’15

21.23%

Oct ’16

Jul ’15

16,351

Jun ’15

13.41%

Sep ’16

May ’15

24.53%

14,580

Apr ’15

20.99%

Aug ’16

Mar ’15

15,756

-10.94% -34.53%

Jul ’16

-11.95%

14,973

-29.15%

Jun ’16

-13.57%

9,456

4.92%

May ’16

-6.59%

12,230

13,135

-4.18%

Apr ’16

12,987

3.77%

11,268

13,488

12.51%

Feb ’16

12,856

6.65%

9,635

12,652

17.58%

11,956

12,375

7.21%

Feb ’15

14,337

12,908

16.50%

11,823

6.88%

Jan ’15

17,211

7.32%

Dec ’14

15,597

13,599

-5.49%

Nov ’14

13,833

14,749

Guenter Butschek joins Tata Motors as CEO & MD.

17,742

FEB 15, 2016

DECEMBER 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 41

WILLIAM CLAY ‘BILL’ FORD JR. EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN, FORD MOTOR COMPANY

On the future of cars, the game-changing role Ford will play in the business of mobility, the plans he has for India, and family values. Your journey and love affair with cars started at a very young age. Tell us about it. In a way, I was born into this with my great-grandfathers Harvey Firestone and Henry Ford. I fell in love with cars, especially fast ones, from an early age and used to test-drive the cars my dad got home while he sat down to dinner. Over the years I’ve owned many of the Mustangs, the Shelbys, and the GTs. Does the concept of driverless cars appeal to you? For where I live, yes. Do I like sitting in city congestion? No. But I love driving every day and, right now, I’m driving a Focus RS. I think it is one of the best cars we’ve ever made. Do you see the two worlds (driverless cars and sporty ones) converging in the future? Yes. For one, there will be a lot of safety features coming on base models in the future. And with autonomy, people’s requirement will be different depending on where they live. Outside city limits, your experience will not be that different from what it is today. But within the city, autonomous driving and car sharing will be part of life. Where is the future heading for Ford? Do you see as much of a gamechanging role as it was when the company was founded? Yes, I do. But it will happen over time, in cities before it happens anywhere else because the need is the most there. The way we are getting into it, if we come out right at the end of 5-10 years, we’ll be able to provide people with not just mobility, but a new definition of the word. We’ll also be able to touch people more often than by just selling a car every four-five years. Future business will be less capital intensive; new-age services will be just as important as the product. The F150 pickup truck is one of your best-selling and, most profitable, products globally. How do you relate to it at one end of the scale and green cars and mobility at the other? What is the future from here? We are full-line manufacturers and

42 AUTOCARINDIA.COM DECEMBER 2016

make everything from big trucks to small cars. One of the things we decided of ‘07-’08 was to completely change the company and what it stood for. We decided to remain a full-line manufacturer, yet make each product as environment-friendly as we could. What did this mean for the F150? We put in the EcoBoost V6 engines when people traditionally only had eight cylinders. We made all-aluminium bodies and reduced almost 700lb (318kg) of weight from the vehicle. It was a decision to make the toughest truck but the most environmentally responsible one. And we took that philosophy all through our line. So, if we decided to make only B cars and electrify them, we could do that. But we have customers who have a variety of needs, including buying our F150.

mass-market plug-in hybrid and electric cars? Hybrids are a form of electric, but I get your question about the types of EVs. Affordability, range, and ease of charging will determine the pace of adoption (and the ideal solution). Customers will have to feel comfortable about the fact that they can plug-in and charge their cars along the way. The range needs to be large enough for them to be confident. We need to work in those areas. The general infrastructure is important too, but that is something a country (wherever you are in the world) needs to work on. We also have to get the economics right before these solutions are launched. In addition, India has to figure out how it will face the huge electric supply requirement



In the future, India will become an intellectual and production hub for Ford. There’s space for both. Our basic job is to provide different solutions to customers based on their needs, and those needs will change. A part of our job as a manufacturer is to anticipate those needs and help change them.



Does Ford need to be more agile when it comes to future tech? I’m not sure one size fits all in this and what may work for one player may not for another. We have a really good autonomous team working hard under Raj Nair, our Product Development head. What you’ll see are many partnerships going forward. Not necessarily between OEMs, which could also happen, but between OEMs and tech companies, start-ups and universities. This is because the world is changing so quickly and no one company has all the answers. In fact, most companies don’t even know what the questions are yet. It is going to be a fun journey. What are the challenges facing

and if power will be generated in a green manner in the first place. Running an electric car powered by a coal-fired power plant is not a great solution. What is your take on Tesla? I love what they brought to this industry. They came in as a technology player and are figuring out that the current car and SUV piece of the business is hard. We come from a car and SUV background and are adopting new technologies. But we’re all going to end up roughly in the same place. It’s a question of who does it most thoughtfully for the customer. There was an electric version of Model T, the car that started it all for Ford. Do you still have it? We don’t. Maybe it’s in the Henry Ford Museum, I’m not sure. One thing’s for sure, the early vehicles were steam, electric, and then they found oil in Texas and the cost of gasoline came down so low that it became the most

cost-effective form of transportation. Sometimes I wonder if that hadn’t happened, the whole industry would have developed as electric because, remember, Henry Ford worked for Thomas Edison at Edison Lighting and they were lifelong friends. In fact, the whole Henry Ford Museum was dedicated to Thomas Edison. I have often wondered about this, particularly given how close Henry Ford and Thomas Edison were. Henry Ford was quite into ‘outdoors’ and was someone who often spoke of nature and spending time in the wild. Is your focus on the environment, congestion, and new mobility something that was passed down to you? No, it’s not a family thing. I came by it completely on my own. But as I got older, I understood that his interests and mine are so similar. I wasn’t aware of that earlier. I probably didn’t pay as much attention to my heritage as I should have. It’s funny because even my children point it out to me. They do read a lot of the biographies. Local engineering is essential for Ford to have more India-focused cars. Should you have taken the step sooner that you took today? My expectation is that we get our product development centre here up and running and then do as you are suggesting (have more India-focused cars). It should allow us to have better solutions for India, but frankly, the product development centre here will also work as part of the global team and not just for India-focused cars. Looking 10-15 years ahead, where do you see Ford in India? What will you do differently? We’re making cars, SUVs, and engines in India today. In the future, the key differences will be that India will become an intellectual and production hub for Ford. And that is expected to grow given the education infrastructure here and the emphasis on it. In the cities, you’re likely to see many solutions (ownership, lease or part rental) that will look very different from today. SHAPUR KOTWAL

INTERVIEW

DECEMBER 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 43

INTERVIEW

HIROKI NAKAJIMA M A N AGING OF F ICER , TOYOTA MOTOR COR POR AT ION

On how the Fortuner was improved, the issue of weight and why body-on-frame chassis still has a future. clearly the easier of the two to get into and out of. Also, if you have a special need, that is the vehicle for you. On the other hand, a higher floor is important for a car like an SUV and is well within the limit set by our formula of the same.

Body-on-frame vehicles like the Fortuner depend on how good the frame is. How have you improved it for the new Fortuner? Earlier, we developed the pickup, the SUV and the MPV – the Hilux, the Fortuner and the Innova (respectively) – on the new IMV (Innovative International Multipurpose Vehicle) platform. The question was how to improve QDR (quality, durability and reliability), which at Toyota we see as an important measure. We did this by dramatically improving the new frame. Let me explain: we currently have three types of frames for Toyota SUVs, which are classified by the size of their cross-sections. The largest is F1, the Land Cruiser 200; the medium is F2, the Land Cruiser Prado; and the smallest is F3, the Fortuner. This time around, we changed the crosssection of the Fortuner, which is now almost the same as the Land Cruiser Prado, or F2. Has the weight increased considerably, say by 200kg, with the new platform? Yes, we increased the weight of the car to comply with several safety regulations and improve quality and durability. Of course, if we can use higher-tensile steels, we can reduce the overall weight, but that is difficult from a manufacturing point of view in places like India. In North America, Europe and Japan, it is possible to get high-strength steel. Hydroforming is one way forward to reduce weight and improve the strength of body-on-frame cars. Why haven’t you used it to build the chassis? Yes, hydroforming is a way of reducing weight, but we need a special machine for it. This raises the total investment and price of the vehicle. At places, we used high-tensile steel and made a few reinforcements, but the frame crosssection is the most important factor for us to reduce weight.

What is your outlook on body-onframe cars, especially with the world moving to electrification and body-on-frame cars attracting big penalties for weight? Body-on-frame vehicles are heavier than monocoque by only 20-30kg. But if you want to meet the same QDR levels, this frame is more suited for SUVs and pick-ups. In that sense, body-on-frame is better. If we were to build the Toyota Land Cruiser 200 on a monocoque body, it would be heavier because of the higher amount of reinforcement we would need to meet the QDR levels.



Our effort is now on developing an EPS system because we need one to make autonomous cars.

 Do you still use the C-in-C section for your frames? Yes, the design is helpful in suppressing high-frequency vibrations and this type of structure improves the bending rigidity of the frame.

Why have you increased the floor height of the new Fortuner? Won’t ingress and egress be difficult for old people? For us, Innova is a more practical people mover. With its doors opening wide and giving easy access, it is

Why have you retained the previous car’s hydraulic steering? We could switch to an EPS system in future. We chose the hydraulic system from an off-roading and endurance point of view because meeting those requirements with an EPS system was difficult. Our effort is now on developing an EPS system because we need one to make autonomous cars. And yes, future generations of the Fortuner will be autonomous. You now have a less hardcore, part-time 4x4 system, as against a full-time AWD system on the earlier car. Why? The Land Cruiser Prado and the Land Cruiser are more serious off-roaders. So we decided to stick to a full-time AWD system on them. The Fortuner is seldom used off-road – a massive 95 percent of the customers use it only on the road. Hence, we’ve used the more efficient part-time system. HORMAZD SORABJEE & SHAPUR KOTWAL

» READ OUR FIRST DRIVE OF THE TOYOTA FORTUNER P80 DECEMBER 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 45

EXCLUSIVE

A Bolt step forward The Bolt BEV is not a car you can buy. It’s a sneak peek into Tata Motors’ EV future. Hormazd Sorabjee finds out how advanced it is. t’s a nice coincidence that Tata Motors’ first electric vehicle is the very electric-sounding Bolt. Launched at the 2014 Auto Expo, it wasn’t with electrification in mind that the Tata Bolt was christened so. Today, however, it is proving to be a good platform to showcase the carmaker’s EV technology. The Bolt BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) as it is called is a one-off prototype that looks like any regular production Bolt which doesn’t deserve a second glance. The only reason I would look at it twice is because it is as rare here in the UK as a Bristol back home in India. Tata doesn’t sell the Bolt in the UK,

I

46 AUTOCARINDIA.COM DECEMBER 2016

which is a shame, because it’s just the kind of hatchback that would slip comfortably into the budget end of the UK market. Now with an electric powertrain, it makes an even better case for itself. Designed and developed by the Tata Motors European Technical Centre (TMETC) headquartered in Coventry, the Bolt BEV isn’t a purpose-built electric car and that’s the point. TMETC didn’t want to compromise the practicality of the spacious Bolt and used the car’s existing packaging to slot in the battery pack, electric motor and controllers. From the outside, the only giveaway is the subtle EV badge on the tailgate and, if you look

closely, you can tell the tyres are bigger, shod on smart-looking 15-inch alloys, and nicely fill the Bolt’s wheel arches. But it’s not for aesthetics that TMETC has changed the rubber specs. The 185/65 R15 tyres are low rolling resistance versions, which are de rigueur in EVs because they play a critical role in extending the all-important range. Also crucial is the weight and it’s commendable that at 1,195 kg, the Bolt BEV is just 35kg heavier than a top-spec diesel Bolt. No doubt, removing the heavy lump of a diesel engine and replacing it with a lighter electric motor helps. But the battery pack, which is always the heaviest item in any electric car, negates the advantage.

The Bolt BEV uses a compact 16kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which replaces the fuel tank and extends into the spare wheel well area. This leaves no space for a

Low-rolling resistance tyres help range.

ANALYSIS



Electric power has completely transformed the way the Bolt drives.



spare tyre. Run flats? Not on an EV because they are bad for allimportant rolling resistance and hence, a puncture repair kit is the best option. The lack of a spare is one of the few compromises you have to live with. Pop open the ‘fuel’ lid and the nozzle filler has been neatly replaced with a multi-pin socket which when connected to a standard 240V line takes eight hours to top-up. Using fast chargers cuts the time by half or a good four hours.

POWER-PACKED

Inside, the Bolt BEV is again just like the regular Bolt – the only big difference is that a rotary controller has replaced the gear lever. The tachometer gives way to a power meter that tells you how much power the driver is using, and the recharging effectiveness of the regenerative braking. Remember that since this is a prototype that hasn’t gone through the validations for commercial production yet; there’s a red safety cut-off switch that shuts off the high-voltage electrics if required. A 109hp electric motor drives the Bolt BEV via a single-speed transmission. It’s not as powerful or light as the Revotron turbo-petrol, but judging an electric car by its power-to-weight ratio can be quite misleading. TMETC claims, the Bolt BEV is the most exciting Tata car to drive and, for the first 100 metres that I drove, I couldn’t agree more. An EV’s best trick is the instant response it has from the get-go. Press down on the accelerator and the Bolt lives up to its name and literally bolts forward. That it does it so silently and effortlessly makes

it hard to believe I’m driving a Bolt. There’s no turbo-lag, no diesel drone, no rubbery gearshift to contend with, nothing. All the things we complained about in the regular Bolt are gone in a flash and have been replaced by a quiet, strong and linear thrust of electrical power. The beauty about electrical motors is that they dish out max power and torque from the instant you prod the accelerator pedal. It’s the immediate max torque – 160Nm – from the first rpm that gives the Bolt ample pace to smartly dart into roundabouts or accelerate from a red light without you wishing for more power. The instant torque makes electric vehicles shine in dense stop-start traffic conditions. But even on country roads around TMETC, the Bolt didn’t feel outside its comfort zone. On British A-roads and motorways, it gamely kept pace with the flow of traffic with refreshing ease. The effortlessness with which the Bolt BEV glides through the English countryside is accentuated by the silence of the powertrain. All you hear is the faint hum from the motor and a bit of road noise. The Bolt’s ride and handling have always impressed us. The BEV version felt even better, thanks to a front end that doesn’t feel as nose-heavy (because of the lighter motor), coupled with a superbly calibrated electrically assisted steering. The BEV feels distinctly better balanced and more planted over crests, undulations and corners, despite being heavier than the regular Bolt. The ride, however, is a bit firm and the Bolt has lost a bit of its supple edge with the move to lower profile tyres

Gear lever replaced by simple e-drive controller. Sport mode best for spirited driving but saps range. and a stiffer rear suspension. Top-end performance isn’t an electric car’s strength – after the initial burst to around 100kph in under-12 seconds, the Bolt BEV struggles to gather pace. On switching to Eco mode from Sport, which cuts the power by a substantial 38 percent to 68hp, the Bolt feels proportionately slower, much slower. It’s not the mode you want to drive in but it may well be the mode that gets you home. The Bolt BEV’s declared range of 120km is achieved in Eco mode, but in realworld conditions, that drops to just 80km. It’s not a particularly great range by today’s EV standards, but it’s good enough for the average round trip from home to office. The thorny issues of range,

charging infrastructure and battery costs are still big hurdles for EVs. In fact, the cost of the lithium-ion battery pack alone for the Bolt BEV is upwards of Rs 12 lakh, which pushes the price of the car to over Rs 20 lakh! Not even the most zealous of eco-warriors will pay that much for what looks like a standard Bolt. This rules out any chance of the Bolt BEV making it into showrooms and, for now, it’s just a demonstration of Tata Motors’ EV technology. The company wants to be futureready for the ‘tipping point’, or when electric cars will outsell those with internal combustion. With the barrage of tech breakthroughs in the EV world, that day is not too far away. AI

BOLT BEV Price L/W/H Wheelbase Kerb Weight Motor

Fuel filler replaced with charging socket. 109hp motor fits comfortably in the engine bay and delivers a smooth drive.

Power Torque Gearbox Tyres

Rs 20 lakh-plus (estimated) 3825/1695/1562mm 2470mm 1380kg (as tested) Tata e-Drive electric motor 109hp 160Nm Single-speed auto 185/65 R15

DECEMBER 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 47

F I R ST D R I V E S

PhotograPhy omkar dhas

n E w c a R S T E ST E D a n D R aT E D

price Rs 13.75 l akh (ex-showRoom, Delhi) on sale now

NissaN TerraNo amT The Terrano is now part of the AMT SUV club. first VerDict AMT gearbox boosts Terrano’s appeal.

HHHHHHHIII so gooD n Brilliant ride n Torquey engine

no gooD n Hasn’t been freshened up since launch n No touchscreen infotainment

t

he Nissan Terrano came to India around three years ago and is now a familiar face. Essentially, it is Nissan’s version of partner Renault’s Duster. While Renault has been routinely updating the Duster, the Terrano hasn’t changed much since its launch. The version you see here may not look very different from

the one already on sale, but it’s got one trick up its sleeve – an automated manual transmission or AMT. Save for the new gear lever for the affordable automatic gearbox, the Terrano’s interior isn’t very different either. However, there’s a new instrument cluster and the door panels now come with a dualtone black-beige shade, which helps freshen up things a bit. However, what’s still missing from this SUV are auto climate control, a touchscreen infotainment system or steering-mounted controls. Features such as dual airbags, ESP, Bluetooth, a driver-side armrest and leather seats are available in the XV Premium trim, which is the only version the AMT gearbox is offered in. Speaking of the seats, they are flat, yet comfortable, with the driver seat being adjustable for height. The large boot, however,

remains one of the highlights of the Terrano. The AMT addresses one of the biggest weaknesses of the standard Terrano manual – the heavy clutch. With the AMT hardware looking after gear changes, the driving experience is now a whole lot nicer. The six-speed AMT gearbox is offered only with the more powerful 1.5-litre 110hp engine. At mild throttle inputs during city driving, the shifts are quite quick and timely. You won’t find the gearshifts seamless, but they are smooth as far as AMTs go. Take-off is smooth too, with the creep function gradually getting the SUV moving. The Terrano gearbox allows you to shift manually via the gear lever, and this way, you can rev the motor to nearly 5,000rpm before the gearbox upshifts. There is a noticeable delay before the gearbox decides to shift down a gear. Being

essentially the same unit as the Duster’s, this AMT gearbox is certainly one of the better ones in the market today. However, it loses out to the Hyundai Creta’s sophisticated, smooth automatic transmission. The Terrano feels sure-footed at all times though, and it has a number of positives: excellent ride quality, a refined engine, safe handling and a reasonably good gearbox. Trouble is, the updated Duster offers all of the above in a distinctly newer package. Also, at Rs 13.75 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), the Terrano is costlier than the Duster AMT which is priced at Rs 12.97 lakh. Nissan is said to be readying a mid-cycle refresh for the Terrano that will reach showrooms in a few months. Until then, the Terrano AMT’s cousin from Renault might be a better choice. akbar merchant

nissan TeRRano amT Price

AMT gearbox gets manual shifting.

475-litre boot still a highlight.

No touchscreen even on top-spec trim.

Rs 13.75 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) Engine 4 cyls, 1461cc turbo-diesel Power 110hp at 3900rpm Torque 248.1Nm at 2250rpm Gearbox 6-speed AMT Suspension MacPherson struts/ (F/R) Torsion beam axle

DeceMBer 2016 aUToCaRinDia.Com 49

price Rs 4.25 l akh (ex-showRoom, Delhi) on sale Now

Renault Kwid aMt With every update, the Kwid seems to get stronger.

first verDict A smooth-shifting AMT wrapped around the impressive Kwid.

HHHHHHHHII so gooD n Smooth and progressive start n Minimal pause between shifts

no gooD n No ability to manually shift gears

PhotograPhy PRIYANK CHHAPWALE

n No creep mode for start-stop traffic

50 aUToCaRiNDia.Com DeceMBer 2016

e

ver since its launch, Renault has kept the Kwid on the boil. It introduced the car at a competitive price, and just 11 months later, it added a new 1.0-litre engine option to the lineup. And that the Kwid is a success doesn’t really come as a surprise. In a segment full of bland cars, it stands out with its SUV-like looks, its strong list of features, especially the much-coveted touchscreen, and unlike what was expected from a small car, it offers space and a decent ride as well. And now with a new

Automated Manual Transmission (AMT), buyers have one more reason to buy the Kwid. Once the preserve of highersegment cars, automatic gearboxes are in demand in the budget segment too, thanks to the affordable AMT technology. On the styling front, the Kwid 1.0 AMT looks just like the regular car, except for a small ‘EASY-R’ (Renault speak for AMT) logo at the rear. The AMT is also only offered on the top-end RXT (O) trim which gets a driver airbag as standard.

What sticks out, or rather does not, is the lack of a gear lever. In its place is a fairly deep storage space. Where all other AMTs have a gear lever to select the driving mode, the Kwid has a dash-mounted rotary knob instead. The next surprise is the inability to manually influence a gearshift, as there is no lever to tip or paddles to flip, and the knob only offers three choices – Drive, Neutral and Reverse. Coming to the rest of the cabin, the AMT variant has a lot in common with the manual car. This

FIRST DRIVES

A creep function would be handy in traffic, but clutch engagement is smooth. is a good thing as you get that ample room and usable storage spaces like the twin gloveboxes and the large 300-litre boot. There is also the unique touchscreen and the digital speedometer unit. With the Kwid AMT’s new setup (see box) and by not offering any option to manually change gears, Renault seems very confident about the AMT’s gear-shifting abilities. So, how does it work? First, there is no creep function, so you can take your foot off the brake pedal and the car remains stationary in neutral. While this may be convenient, it’s not too

safe as you can unintentionally roll back on a gentle incline. According to Renault, this function has been given a miss due to feedback from AMT car owners, but we would have preferred it as it is also quite handy in start-stop traffic. Having said that, most AMTs fail to get it right though, and the creep feels more like a jump or leap. Once you press the accelerator, the clutch engages smoothly and offers you a controlled and progressive start. Of course, it would have been smoother with a manual, and it is still no match for a conventional

automatic gearbox but as far as AMTs go, this one makes quite an impression. I began my drive on open roads, and while the pause between shifts that gives AMTs the typical ‘head nod’ is perceptible, it is quite minimal. It is only when you open up the throttle will this pause get more noticeable and some gear changes may be accompanied by a clunky sound. But everyday driving situations with part throttle won’t really be a hassle. Renault’s decision to use only one ECU seems to have paid off. The gearbox also does not second-guess that often, and the shifts, in most cases, are exactly what you would expect. Like every AMT, the Kwid too requires the use of the handbrake on inclines. There is some amount of rollback before the car moves forward, but here too it is a lot lesser than typical. We’ve tested some AMTs that require so much throttle input that they move straight into wheelspin. With the Kwid, however, there is no such drama. The 1.0-litre engine is the same unit that powers the manual, and outputs the same 68hp at 5,500rpm and 91Nm of torque at 4,250rpm. So, there is adequate power for most overtaking moves and highway cruising. What’s nice is that the Kwid AMT delivers 24.04kpl, which is over 1kpl higher than the manual

K W iD fact RenAulT hAs given the Kwid AMT unique setup, and a lot of the work has been done in-house in collaboration with Bosch for the hardware and Fev for the software. Where other AMTs use two eCus (one each for the engine and gearbox), in the interest of cost, the Kwid uses a single unit for both. The other benefit is that using a single ‘commander’ to tune the controls is a lot easier than getting two different units from different suppliers to work seamlessly.

car thanks also to taller ratios on the first, second and third gears. With a Rs 30,000 premium over the non-AMT model, the pricing is competitive and only about Rs 14,000 over an Alto AMT. There are times when you’ll miss having the option of shifting gears manually, like when you’re in a hurry and would like a greater degree of control. But Renault’s AMT is one of the best gearboxes we have tested. It doesn’t have the drawbacks AMTs are known for, the clutch engagement is smooth and progressive, offering you a well-controlled start, and shifts are quick with very little pause between them. Additionally, the AMT-equipped variant offers slightly better mileage than the manual one. So, with one of the best AMTs in business, and established strengths such as cabin space, feature list and excellent ride, this is the Kwid we strongly recommend. SERGIUS BARRETTO

renaUlt kwiD amT Price

Dial has three options only, no ability to manually influence gearshifts; no in-gear display, mode (D, N or R ) indicator only.

Handy storage space in place of the gear lever; ‘EASY-R’ badge on the rear hatch is the only external indicator on this Kwid.

Engine Power Torque Gearbox Suspension (F-R) Tyres

Rs 4.25 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) 3 cyls, 999cc, Petrol 68hp at 5500rpm 91Nm at 4250rpm 5-speed AMT Ind. McPherson Strut/ Non Ind. with coil springs 155/80 R 13

Acceleration (from rest) Kph 20 40 60 80 100 120

Sec 1.09 3.81 7.26 10.49 16.10 21.86

In-gear acceleration 20-80kph (kickdown) 40-100kph (kickdown)

9.11 11.97

DeceMBer 2016 aUToCaRiNDia.Com 51

price Rs 25.99 l akh (ex-showRoom, Delhi) on sale now

volkswagen gti

PhotograPhy omkar dhas

With a 192hp turbo-petrol under its hood, India’s hottest-ever hatch is ready to set the roads on fire.

first verDict The best hot hatch by far, but grossly overpriced.

HHHHHHHHII so gooD n Engine and gearbox combo n Near-perfect handling

no gooD n Looks like a regular Polo n Too expensive

52 aUToCaRinDia.Com DeceMBer 2016

i

f you had to sum up the VW GTI in one word, it would be ‘quick’. While there obviously is a lot more to it, the quickness stands out like Usain Bolt at a college athletic meet. On straights, around bends, up mountain curlies, down back roads, the GTI just powers on; unsurprising, considering this 1,273kg hatch is pulled by 192 horses. My rant, I am sure, fails miserably at painting a clear picture of the GTI, so let’s take a step back and deconstruct this red-hot hatch. For starters, the car loses the ‘Polo’ tag and two doors to become the VW GTI, moves to clearly

distinguish it from its mundane sibling. It even sits on larger wheels, comes with slick LED headlamps and redesigned taillamps, and bears a differently designed grille, but these are nuances that will be missed by those who don’t scrutinise automobiles with stalker-like obsession. VW says that it launched the GTI with three doors to give it some ‘exclusivity’, but the fact of the matter is that it simply doesn’t stand out in a parking lot. And for someone paying close to MiniCooper money, the lack of a ‘wow’ factor could be a deal-breaker.

It also does not help that the India-spec car loses the more hunkered-down, sporty stance of its European counterpart. Its 16-inch wheels shod with relatively high profile tyres (the European GTI’s 17-inchers are optional in India) and jacked-up ground clearance take away from the aggressiveness of its styling, but on the flip side, they are bound to be appreciated on potholed roads and over monster speed breakers. True car buffs, however, will appreciate what the three letters stand for. GTI is to VW what AMG is to Mercedes or Abarth

FIRST DRIVES

to Fiat – a shot in the arm that transforms ordinary vehicles into rubber-burning, air-splitting speed machines. So then, what does it mean when these letters are slapped on to a regular Polo? Most importantly, the engine bay is filled by a four-

cylinder, 1.8-litre turbocharged petrol engine, essentially the same one that can be found under the Skoda Octavia’s hood. The unit is tuned to belt out 192hp and 250Nm, and is mated to a sevenspeed dual-clutch automatic – the same DQ200 unit found in the

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it’s the purists who will appreciate what ‘gti’ brings to a Polo.

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Polo GT TSI, but with a bespoke software map for faster, more aggressive gearshifts. And then, to tame the extra horses and make it difficult for the car to misbehave, there’s an electronic differential lock that’s hooked up to the stability control system, and a beefier suspension with stiffer anti-roll bars. VW isn’t offering the option of a manual gearbox though.

Just Around the corner

The GTI’s appeal becomes obvious when you slide into the driver seat, wrap your hands around the

steering wheel, tip the gearstick into ‘S’ and flex your right leg real nice. There’s a momentary hesitation typical of a twin-clutch, after which power flows like water through the sluices of a post-monsoon dam. Turbo lag is barely noticeable and peak torque kicks in as early as 1,250rpm, ensuring that the car pulls well enough in the lower rev range. As you climb higher into the rev band – and you do so rapidly – you notice that the meaty power delivery is linear all the way past the 6,000rpm redline. What is most striking though is the responsiveness of the engine; ◊

DeceMBer 2016 aUToCaRinDia.Com 53

FIRST DRIVES It might look like a regular Polo, until you spot those ominous three letters on the grille.

∆ gently nudge the accelerator at any given point of time and the GTI eagerly lunges forward. Equally sensitive are the brakes. The all-round discs have plenty of bite, so much so that many will find it a task getting used to them. Acclimatise yourself to them though, and you find out how adept they are at shedding speed or bringing the car to a standstill. The kinetic performance is augmented by the auditory experience. The exhaust note spat from the twin exhausts is not particularly loud, but it’s crisp and sporty. Under hard acceleration, every upshift is accompanied by a satisfying snort and every downshift by a bassy ‘bop’. The seven-speed DSG gearbox feels like a perfect match for the engine. It is eager and aggressive, upshifting in mere milliseconds, and downshifting willingly (though with a bit of shift shock) when the throttle is depressed hard. In ‘S’ mode (I highly recommend you stick to this for maximum grins), the gearbox obstinately holds revs until the redline, before

changing to a higher ratio. Things are not too bad in ‘D’ mode either, with upshifts executed slightly earlier and the sensitivity of the throttle reduced, to make the car more amiable to drive in traffic or otherwise. The algorithm underpinning its ECU is adaptive

in nature, which means that the gearbox adapts to your style of driving. In fact, the DSG does such a great job that you don’t miss the involvement offered by a manual box. The engine and the gearbox work together to create an impressive

repertoire of numbers – 0-100kph is achieved in 6.75sec, and the speedo needle will spin to a lofty claimed 233kph. Punching out power is one thing; putting it to the roads is a whole different ballgame, one which the GTI plays well. Enter a corner at ◊

Devil is in the detail and red streaks.

The heart of the beast: 192hp in a 1,273kg hatch. Let the madness begin!

The long doors open unusually wide. DECEMBER 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 55

Powered By

THE ROAD GETS BETTER

TRENDZ

FIRST DRIVES ∆ high speeds and you will be surprised by the amount of grip offered and the containment of body roll. The nose is a tad hesitant to change direction, but beyond that, the GTI goes around bends with remarkable neutrality. It feels composed and tight, gripping onto the road like a barnacle on a sea-washed rock. In fact, you have to try very, very hard to make it depart from the line you’ve selected. The steering adds to the great handling. It is quick, accurate and well-weighted, offering adequate feedback, and while there is a bit of torque steer, it is surprisingly well contained. The GTI’s handling is complemented by the surprisingly pliant suspension. The original sporty setup has been softened up slightly to deal with India’s poor roads, and while an enthusiast may dislike the absence of a stiffer ride, the ability to tackle bumps and lumps is definitely welcome. The ride is reasonably absorbent at both low and high speeds, though I did feel the car unsettle a bit when driven fast over bad roads.

Yes, the dash is just like the normal Polo’s, but look harder and you notice the flat-bottomed steering wheel and red stitching.

InsIder’s vIew

Tartan seats, roller knob for seat recline and exposed seatbelt anchors constantly remind you that this is a hot hatch. same, though the touchscreen infotainment system and instrument cluster are different. The rear seats are accessed by pulling a lever mounted conveniently at shoulder level on the flip-down front seats. The Polo’s rear seat was cramped to begin with but in the GTI, you feel even more claustrophobic due to the smaller windows and poor front visibility (on account of the large front seats). Knee room is surprisingly better than the regular Polo because the back of the front seats has been cleverly scooped out. For a car that costs Rs 25.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), the GTI comes with a relatively shorter equipment list. Features such as keyless entry, an engine start/stop



The GTI is a pure driver’s car, and one of the best ones at that.

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button, rear camera, electronicallyfolding external mirrors, navigation and auto headlamps and wipers are conspicuously missing. On the flip side, you do get paddle shifters, auto start/stop to improve fuel efficiency in traffic, six airbags and the aforementioned touchscreen, with Apple CarPlay.

IllogIcal reasonIng

After spending some time with it, you realise that the GTI is a pure driver’s car, and one of the best ones at that. While I could go on and on about how great a car it is from behind the wheel, it is a bit too much from behind the wallet. Yes, this is an import, so the build quality is very European and with only 99 for sale, it comes with a certain amount of ‘exclusivity’, but these are meek justifications for a car that will cost upwards of Rs 30 lakh on road. But that’s the thing: the GTI is not about value propositions or rational economic decisions. It is for purists who want to enjoy driving it, not enjoy showing it. So, before you write it off as just another

rich man’s toy, know that when everything is said and done, every minute spent behind the wheel of a GTI will be a minute spent grinning from ear to ear. sIddhant ghalla

VOlkswagEN GTI Price L/W/H Engine Power Torque Gearbox Top speed Tyres

Rs. 25.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) 3976/1682/1452mm 4 cyls, 1798cc, turbo-petrol 192hp at 5400-6200rpm 250Nm at 1250-5300rpm 7-speed DSG automatic 233kph* 215/45 R16

Acceleration (from rest)** Kph 20 40 60 80 100 120

Sec 1.26 2.35 3.39 4.86 6.75 9.14

In-gear acceleration** 20-80kph (in 3rd gear) 40-100kph (in 4th gear)

4.18s 4.46s

DECEMBER 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 57

*CLAIMED **PERFORMANCE FIGURES NOT TO AUTOCAR TEST STANDARDS

The GTI’s cabin is accessed by one of two doors. These are longer than usual to give easier access to the rear seat, but they require more than usual space to open – a practical issue in tight parking spots. Keeping the price in mind (it’s hard not to), the GTI’s cabin feels slightly Spartan and ordinary, but there’s a purposefulness about it that works well with the hothatch character. Once you settle down into the driver’s seat, there’s enough to tell you that this is not your regular Polo. You get tartan fabric seats (a GTI signature) that are large and supportive, and hold you snugly when you are cornering hard. Red cross-stitching, exposed seatbelt anchors and a flat-bottomed steering wheel with the ‘GTI’ logo further point to the car’s pedigree. The dashboard, though, will be familiar to Polo owners. The basic layout and much of the switchgear are similar if not the

price rs 8.35-12.78 l akh (ex-showroom, Delhi) on sale now

Skoda rapid facelift

PhotograPhy OMKAR DHAS

The Rapid gets sharper looks, an updated engine and a bit more equipment, making it an even more appealing package than before.

firsT verDicT A winning combination of sharp looks, driving pleasure and build quality.

HHHHHHHHII so gooD n Engine performance n Build quality

no gooD n Power delivery a bit abrupt n Gruff-sounding engine

T

he Rapid has been Skoda’s best-seller in India, accounting for nearly 70 percent of its total sales, but it’s still far from being the most popular car in its segment. With this facelift – the first substantial one in the five years since the car’s launch in India – the Rapid is now armed with sharper aesthetics, a more powerful diesel engine and extra features to make

58 aUToCarinDia.Com DeceMBer 2016

it more appealing. In fact, Skoda hopes that the update will empower the Rapid’s sales number to almost double, taking it to 20,000 units by the end of 2017. The Rapid’s fascia is completely new. The new grille and angular headlamps bring it more in line with its bigger brothers, the Octavia and Superb. Below the grille sits a redesigned bumper, with a new air dam and fog lamps. In profile, the Rapid has not changed at all, and the only change around the back is the lightly redesigned bumper with a spoiler and tailgate-mounted chrome strip. Also notable are the projector headlights with “jewel-shadow” DRLs and chrome moulding on the door handles. On the whole, the clean lines and sharp edges make the Rapid look fresh and purposeful. On the inside too, little has changed. The dash design is still restrained, though a new, reasonably crisp 6.5-inch touchscreen that comes with USB, Aux, Bluetooth as well as MirrorLink connectivity,

The restrained dash is almost unchanged, except for a new 6.5-inch touchscreen.

FIRST DRIVES

The new, angular headlamps with DRLs look sharp; electronically folding exterior mirrors are a norm in this segment now.

The 6.5-inch touchscreen gets MirrorLink; the auto-dimming rear mirror also houses the sensor for rain-sensing wipers.

dominates the centre console. Other additions to the equipment list include rain-sensing wipers and electronically folding exterior mirrors, which help bridge the gap between the Rapid and its betterequipped rivals. Skoda’s trademark ‘clever features’ manifest in the form of a cardholder clip in the centre console, to hold your toll passes and the like. Other notable equipment include a tilt and telescopic steering adjust, automatically dimming rear-view mirror, cruise control, cooled glovebox, climate control, rear AC vent, one-touch power windows and remote-controlled opening and closing of windows. Certain features are prominently missing though, such as a rear camera and an engine start/stop button. The Rapid is reasonably comfortable to sit in. The front seats are comfortable, though their lumbar section feels a bit hollow. At the rear, the seats are firm and supportive, offering adequate leg and kneeroom.

However, you don’t get the same sense of space as rivals like the Honda City and Maruti Ciaz. The Rapid’s 460-litre boot is not the roomiest in its segment, but its loading lip is wide and low. The lack of an opening button on the boot itself is slightly annoying, though it is nice that the spring-loaded boot lid opens fully. In terms of safety, driver and passenger airbags and ABS are standard across all variants. Under the hood, the principal change is the new diesel engine. Well, ‘new’ might not be the most accurate term because this engine is an updated version of the 1.5-litre TDI available in the pre-facelift car. This engine features a larger turbocharger that allows the power to be bumped up from 105hp to 110hp. Its torque rating, at 250Nm, remains unchanged. The diesel engine is available with a five-speed manual as well as a seven-speed automatic DSG gearbox. At idle, the TDI engine greets you with its usual clatter. The clatter, in fact, is audible at all times, which is a bit of a downer. What is very impressive though, is performance. There is loads of torque available at low revs, which allows you to

comfortably potter around town. However, when the turbo kicks in in earnest, it does so rather abruptly. This sudden spike makes the engine quite peaky and we would have preferred a more linear power delivery. From 2,000rpm until 4,500rpm, this free-revving diesel delivers a constant stream of power. The five-speed manual gearbox offers short, nice throws, though the clutch is on the heavier side. The DSG gearbox, as usual, is lightning quick and smooth to upshift, though there is a bit of a lag when downshifting. Nevertheless, it is undeniably the best automatic gearbox in this segment. The Rapid’s suspension setup is unchanged from before, which is not a bad thing at all. The lowspeed ride is absorbent, and only the largest of potholes thump through to the cabin. As you speed up, you notice that the car bobs slightly on undulating roads, but never to a point that it feels uncomfortable. Stability, on the whole, is quite good, making the Rapid an acceptable highway cruiser. The Rapid scores well in terms of handling too. While the steering does not offer too much feedback, it is light and accurate. However, it

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the bulk of the engine’s power is available between 2,000rpm and 4,500rpm.

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does not feel tight around corners, and as such, isn’t a car that you will confidently swing into bends. At Rs. 11.56 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), the Rapid is competitively priced. By arming it with popular features such as a touchscreen, Skoda has brought it up to speed with the competition, while its superior build quality – the way the switchgear feels, the ‘whump’ made by the doors as they shut, the general feeling of robustness you get – still sets it apart. Furthering the Rapid’s case is Skoda’s current emphasis on ownership experience in its ongoing bid to shed its reputation for poor service. Skoda is now offering a best-in-class warranty programme and the promise of transparent aftersales service and costs. While those looking for a family car might find more value in rivals like the City or Ciaz, those who will spend most of their time behind the wheel will enjoy the relatively-more-involving drive of the Rapid. siddhant ghalla

skoDa rapiD 1.5 D (mT)/(aT) Price

Rs 9.57-12.78 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) L/W/H 4413/1699/1466mm Engine 4 cyls, 1498cc, turbo-diesel Power 110hp at 4000rpm Torque 250Nm at 1500-2500rpm Gearbox 5-speed manual/ 7-speed DSG automatic Suspension Ind/ Mc Pherson struts(F-R) Non-ind/multi-link Tyres 185/60 R15

DeceMBer 2016 aUToCarinDia.Com 59

PhotograPhy Ashley BAxter & PriyAnk chhAPwAle

price Rs 71.06 l Akh (ex-shOwROOM, MUMbAI) on sale NOw

Mitsubishi Montero Mitsubishi has just relaunched an updated version of the classic Montero. Is it worth its exorbitant price tag? first verdict Very capable off-roader, but way too overpriced for what it offers.

HHHHHHIIII so good n Rugged and off-road capable n Classic SUV styling

no good n Too expensive n Cabin feels dated

60 AUTOCARINDIA.COM december 2016

m

itsubishi has stayed true to its off-road credentials and given us a rugged-looking and very capable SUV. It’s got the oldschool charm of the go anywhere, survive anything SUVs of yesteryear. Discontinued in 2012 due to low sales, Mitsubishi has reintroduced the Montero to India in 2016, albeit at a very premium price.

Air of nostAlgiA

As far as looks are concerned, the updated Montero has retained those classic SUV rugged lines that seem to have been toned down from the

boxy Pajeros it descends from. This base design has been around for almost 15 years, except for some updates to the front and rear styling. The interesting part of the slightly updated front grille is that it contains these small, directed vents that channel air to cool all engine pistons equally. It is a technology developed from Mitsubishi’s active participation and success in gruelling rally events. The Montero’s swanky new headlamps have a high discharge output, headlight washers, and an automatic high beam that is

controlled by a camera. The air dam and the front bumper have been revised with DRLs integrated into the bumper near the fog lamps. The side profile looks almost the same as the old model, except for the chromed-out ORVMs. The rear also gets a fog lamp on the spare wheel, as well as slight changes in the contours of the rear hatch. It has a locking mechanism to keep the door ajar; something that would help when camping. The Montero comes with a panoramic sunroof, a Rockford Acoustic Design sound system

FIRST DRIVES

The fancy new headlamps get washers, high-output discharge and auto high beam. and an infotainment system that offers Bluetooth connectivity. There is also a central information display to relay data from a compass, as well as altitude and fuel consumption. The dash has nice soft-feel plastics to it but looks quite dated and basic. The Montero also misses out on features like a USB port, keyless stop-start and a navigation system. The spacious cabin has ample headspace for tall drivers and passengers, thanks to the highraked roofline. The second row has a decent amount of legroom, and enough space to seat three passengers comfortably. However, the central armrest might make things uncomfortable for the middle passenger on long drives. The space in the third row is pretty tight, and could probably fit just two children. The seats, however, fold neatly on the floor for over 1,000

litres of boot space. The second row folds to add approximately another 700 litres.

torQUE it oUt

The Montero comes with the same 3.2-litre, direct-injection diesel engine that has been tweaked for more refined performance and smoother torque delivery. This engine churns out a peak power of 192hp at 3,800rpm and has a peak torque output of 441Nm at 2,000rpm. It gets a five-speed automatic gearbox and four driveline modes – 2WD High (2-H), 4WD High (4-H), 4WD High with locked centre differential (4-HLc), and 4WD low with locked centre differential (4-LLc) for the really gnarly stuff. All modes can be changed on the go up to 90kph, except for the 4-LLc mode. The Montero feels composed and is relatively stable at high speeds.

The airiness of the cabin is further enhanced by the new panoramic sunroof. It, however, gets a bit bouncy at low speeds and has a bit of body roll which is characteristic of robust, body-on-ladder frame. But it doesn’t feel intimidating to drive, which is a bonus for city driving. The large steering, on the other hand, feels quite heavy to operate. It is also a bit vague with initial inputs from the centre. The double-wishbone suspension setup at the front and a multilink setup at the rear soak up the bumps pretty well. Safety features include AWC (All Wheel Control) and switchable ATSC (Active Stability and Traction Control), as well as a multi-mode ABS and EBD. The 17-inch ventilated discs do a stellar job in bringing you to a halt. But civil behaviour aside, it is immensely fun to drive off-road. With 4WD engaged, the Montero absolutely gobbles up difficult terrain. One neat off-road trick

is the sonar, which detects large, submerged rocks while driving through water.

BrAss tACKs

But, because it is an import, the Montero has an exorbitant price tag of Rs 71.06 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai). This elevates it into the league of premium SUVs such as the Audi Q7, the Volvo XC90, the Jaguar F-Pace and the BMW X5. And while it retains that old-school SUV charm that a lot of seasoned drivers will appreciate, the quality of the product and the brand just does not do the price tag justice. In fact, SUVs like the Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour, which are less than half the price, offer more features and equipment. With Mitsubishi struggling as a brand as it is, the rather outdated Montero is likely to find few takers. shErmAn nAzArEth

mitsubishi MONTeRO DI-D gls Four driveline modes for all terrains.

Price

Infotainment system gets Bluetooth.

Engine Power Torque Gearbox L/W/H Wheelbase Ground clearance Suspension (F/R) Tyres Kerb weight

Subtle changes in contours of the rear hatch. Still maintains an air of ruggedness.

Rs 71.06 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai) 4 cyls, 3200cc, diesel 192hp at 3800rpm 441Nm at 2000rpm 5-speed automatic 4900/1875/1870mm 2780mm 235mm Ind. Double-wishbone/ multi-link with stabiliser 265/60 R18 2335kg

december 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 61

price Rs 76.84 l akh (ex-showRoom, mahaR ashtR a) on sale Now

Porsche Macan The new base Macan is an impressive entry point to Porsche’s India range. Start saving.

62 aUtoCaRINDIa.Com DeceMBer 2016

FIRST DRIVES first verDict 2.0 petrol engine takes little away from the Macan experience.

HHHHHHHHII so gooD n Brilliant handling n Punchy engine

no gooD n Still pricey for its size n Expensive options

PhotograPhy omkar dhas

e

ngine downsizing is big at Porsche today. Where the 911’s engines have lost cubic capacity, the Boxster and Cayman have made an altogether more dramatic shift to smaller, boxer fours. It’s a change that Porsche nutters have been up in arms against, and I’m sure a lot of you are part of that tribe. But before you go all “Et tu, Brute?”, you should know why we are more accepting of this Macan and its smaller engine. In a word, price. Porsche has launched this Macan (no suffix) at Rs 76.84 lakh (ex-showroom, Maharashtra) which makes it a whopping Rs 30 lakh cheaper than the next Macan in the line-up, the S Diesel. And on paper at least it doesn’t come across as a meek sibling either. Its petrol engine makes 252hp, which is actually up on the S Diesel V6’s 245hp. Now that the basic facts have got the petrol flowing in your veins, here’s a bit more detail about the car. First and foremost, the engine. The engine is not new to the Macan or India, but it is new to the Macan in India. It’s a 2-litre, direct-injection turbo-petrol unit with its four cylinders arranged in-line. Note, this engine has little in common with the Boxster’s new fangled four and is actually a variation of the petrol engine the Audi Q5 was available in India with a few years ago. Fuel-efficiencyenhancing automatic start/stop and a coasting function (it decouples the engine and transmission for prolonged coasting) are a standard

fit here with the Macan having been certified with a reasonable 12.71kpl ARAI fuel economy figure. But this is a Porsche, so over to the actual figures that matter. Equipped with the optional Sport Chrono package that gets launch control, the Macan charges to 100kph from a standstill in a very satisfactory 6.6 seconds. Interestingly enough, that’s 0.1 second better than what we managed with the Macan S Diesel. In fact, acceleration up to 180kph and in kickdown is near identical to the diesel version. The Macan’s 370Nm is significantly down to the S Diesel’s 580Nm, but then it also has to lug 1770kg, or 110kg less. That partly explains why the gap in performance is negligible. Why no mention of the petrol Jaguar F-Pace yet? Simple. The 2-litre petrol F-Pace is not yet on sale in India. Even away from the drag strip, the Macan feels quick and athletic. Flooring the throttle won’t result in neck-snapping acceleration, but that gentle push back into your seat happens. The Macan is quick to build speed, though the mid-range is where the action really begins. There on, the engine pulls all the way to 6500 rpm and beyond, with a sporty, if slightly muted, snarl giving a nice soundtrack. Just don’t expect this one to sound like your friend’s Macan Turbo. The 7-speed PDK dual-clutch and its quick shifts (manually actuated via the paddles or gear lever) are integral to the Macan’s brisk performance, but upshifts aren’t imperceptibly smooth at max attack. Still, that’s an inconsequential complaint in the big picture. There’s enough and more performance for our driving environment and you’ll seldom find yourself wondering what it would have been like with a more powerful engine. What that means is you can attack your favourite set of corners with a free mind. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, the Macan is more high-riding sportscar than sporty SUVs and that’s what makes it stand out. The quick turn-in, the precision of the steering, the ◊

2.0-litre turbo-petrol is an in-line four, not the Boxster’s flat four; Off-road setting raises clearance by 40mm. DeceMBer 2016 aUtoCaRINDIa.Com 63

FIRST DRIVES

High-quality materials and straightforward dash design are very Porsche. You sit a lot lower than you would in other SUVs.

It’s comfy but the back seat is not the reason to buy a Macan. ∆ balance of the setup and even the way it brakes just elevate the Macan into a different league. The clever all-wheel-drive system (it can send up to 100 percent torque to both axles) ensures that there’s always an immense reserve of grip while the standard adjustable dampers do their bit to keep the Macan settled and composed at all times. Ride quality is also a highlight with the air suspension and high-profile 18-inch tyres easily absorbing most of what our roads can throw at them. What’s also impressive is that you won’t need to

Sport Chrono Package gets you launch control too.

shy away from off-road tracks either. The stock tyres provide reasonable grip, the all-wheel-drive system supplies the requisite power and you can even raise ride height by 40mm to clear obstacles. Whatever be the environment outside, the setting inside the Macan’s high-quality cabin is very business-like. The dashboard is typical Porsche, so the centre console is a mass of buttons with a dedicated switch for virtually every feature on board. It seems a bit intimidating at first but you quickly get used to the layout. Thankfully, the touchscreen

and navigation system are part of standard equipment but, like any other Porsche, your options tally can easily run into lakhs (see box). You’d probably end up ticking the one that reads ‘Comfort Memory Seats’ when you learn the stock setup includes a manual adjustment for the front passenger chair. For their part, the standard front seats are comfortable and supportive. The rear seat is also well-shaped but space is down on most SUVs of this size. Then again, if it’s the rear seat experience you are most concerned about, you are looking at the wrong SUV.

Price (Rs) 1,37,500 2,19,800 2,27,200 2,67,500 Standard Standard 2,47,300 1,65,000 1,81,300 7,31,100

PORsChE MACAN Price

L/W/H Engine Power Torque Gearbox Kerb weight Tyres

Quicker than you expect but, like other Macans, feels most alive on a windy road.

Rs 76.84 lakh (ex-showroom, Maharashtra) 4697/1923/1624mm 4 cyls, 1984cc, turbo-petrol 252hp at 5000-6800rpm 370Nm at 1600-4500rpm 7-speed, dual-clutch auto 1770kg 235/60 R18

Acceleration (from rest) Macan Kph 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180

FEatuREs aND OPtiONs Options Metallic paint 19-inch rims 14-way front seat adjust LED headlights Bi-xenon headlights Rear parking camera Panoramic sunroof Sport Chrono Package Bose sound system Burmester sound system

On the outside, there are no obvious telltale signs that this is the entry-level Macan. The part-SUV, the part-coupe look is distinctly Porsche and though there are similarities to the Cayenne up front, if not the lower height, it’s the Macan’s ‘tiger claw’ vents on the bumper that help identify this as the smaller model. The 18-inch rims are a standard fit, but you can upsize to 21-inchers too, for significant consideration. Also, part of the expansive paid options list are LED headlights, custom paints, roof rails and body kits. And if Sir would like the Porsche logo painted, that’s possible too. But before we get too ahead of ourselves, let’s just take a step back to see if the Macan is worth the money as is. We’ve been critical of the Macan range’s price in the past, so the lower price tag on this version of the SUV certainly makes big amends. However, the Macan is still not a cheap SUV by any standard and continues to score low on priceto-size. But seeing a Macan as just any other luxury SUV isn’t the right approach. What you need to do is to think of this version of the Macan as a junior sportscar that just happens to offer the practicality and comfort of a mid-size luxury SUV too. See it as such and you’ll be sold on the car. I know I am. Nikhil Bhatia

(sec) 0.69 1.62 2.83 4.50 6.60 9.32 12.85 17.33 23.39

Macan S Diesel (sec) 0.85 1.85 2.99 4.66 6.70 9.33 12.89 17.77 24.84

In-gear acceleration (in kickdown) 20-80kph 4.19s 4.20s 40-100kph 5.22s 5.39s

DECEMBER 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 65

PhotograPhy ashley baxter

price Rs 60 l akh (ex-showRoom, Delhi) on sale Now

Mercedes-Benz c 300 caBriolet Merc’s C-class loses its roof and gains a lot of cool. first verDict All that’s nice about the C–class sedan, but with a folding roof.

HHHHHHHHII so gooD n Classy cabin n Refinement

no gooD n Could have been sportier n Small boot

66 aUToCaRiNDia.Com DeceMBer 2016

t

hank heavens the land mafia and property circus haven’t made it to this part of Lonavala yet. Because, surrounding the pristine road that leads up to the Aamby Valley city are the beautiful fields of gold, canopies of trees and fabulous unhindered views of the Western Ghats. It’s also a place where taking in a mouthful of air has only positive health implications. The setting is just fitting for the car I have with me. It’s the Mercedes-Benz C 300 Cabriolet and, in a nutshell, it’s the convertible version of the

C-class sedan we’re familiar with. Both cars are built on the same platform and in fact are identical in length, width and wheelbase. There are similarities elsewhere too, but let’s get straight to what makes this one special. Of course, the list starts with the roof. It can fold/unfold in 20sec and what’s nice is you don’t need to be at a standstill to lower or raise it; it’ll do so at speeds up to 50kph. The C Cabriolet’s multi-layer fabric roof incorporates sound-insulating material to minimise noise levels in the cabin, and it does its job

well. There’s no undue wind noise creeping into the cabin on the move. What’s even more impressive is how well contained wind buffeting is with the roof down. The cabriolet gets what Mercedes calls ‘Aircap’, which uses an extendable spoiler atop the windscreen and a screen behind the rear seats to reduce turbulence in the cabin. It’s a particularly useful feature for those who will drive their C 300 wearing a cap, hat or toupee as the case may be. The driving experience is rather pleasant too. The C 300 uses a

go along. There are no induced pops or crackles, but a very naturalsounding rumble. At times when you are really going for it, you can tell from the sound that this is a small engine being made to do big things. Then again, if you crave a convertible with a larger engine, Merc will sell you the V6 E Cabriolet or the V8 S Cabriolet. Other elements work fine too. Merc’s 9G-Tronic gearbox is responsive to manual inputs when you time shifts right, but won’t acknowledge random tugs at the paddles. There are five drive modes (including a customisable ‘Individual’ setting) on offer that primarily alter engine, gearbox and steering characteristics. Sport and Sport + keep the engine in the midrange and offer reasonable weight at the steering while Eco and Comfort tone things down. But even in the sportier settings, don’t expect the C Cabriolet to drive like a sportscar.

 it’s a car for when you just want to take the surroundings in at an easy pace.



This is a luxury cabriolet first and darting in and out of corners isn’t part of its job description. Sure, the steering is neat and precise, but the tyres will protest when loaded up in a corner and there is plenty of roll in the bends too. Again, if it’s a sporty Merc convertible you seek, you’d probably do well to check the SLC 43 AMG. What ties in well with the C Cabriolet’s positioning as a luxury

FIRST DRIVES convertible is its ride quality. The Indian car misses on air springs but the suspension still works quite well to absorb the rough stuff. Worth bringing in is that the C Cabriolet also feels quite rigid as convertibles go. It’s only when you drive over a bad patch at speed does the body feel a bit loose. Where the C Cabriolet could have been better is in practicality. With the roof down, the already small boot that also hosts the space-saver spare wheel has just about enough space for a few soft bags. However, the bigger issue is rear-seat comfort. Sure, the large doors open wide, the front seats slide forward electrically and the thick carpets serve as a nice point of initial contact for the rear-seat occupants. But the backrest is way too upright and there’s not much headroom with the roof in place. Undoubtedly, the best seats in the ◊

Fabric roof opens/folds in 20 seconds. Top up or down, you’ll love the cabin for its design and the rich materials used inside. 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine that makes 245hp and 370Nm, same as on the GLC 300 SUV. While the power figures are not outstanding, performance won’t leave you wanting. The Merc will do the 0-100kph dash in a claimed 6.4sec and, given the room, can reach a limited top speed of 250kph. It’s a sweet engine that offers the necessary oomph. It pulls well from low in the rev range but saves the best for the last 2,000rpm before the nine-speed gearbox intervenes with an upshift around 6,500rpm. It’s also got a nice soundtrack to

Burmester system and multi-way adjust for seats standard.

Rear seats are usable but backrest is way too upright. DeceMBer 2016 aUToCaRiNDia.Com 67

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FIRsT DRIVEs

∆ house are the ones up front. The shapely seats are large, offer fullelectric adjust and also get cool ‘belt feeders’ that extend the seat belts towards the occupants for easier access on entry. In all other respects, the cabriolet’s cabin is identical to the C sedan’s, which is a very good thing. There is a level of richness to the cabin that makes it feel really special indeed. Mercedes hasn’t skimped on equipment either. On board is a Burmester surround sound system, 3-colour adjustable ambient lighting, front seats with memory, park assist (it will locate and steer the car into parking automatically), LED headlights and satellite navigation. The cabriolet also runs Merc’s latest infotainment system though a faster processor and a larger screen



Roof up or down, it is as refined as a Merc should be.



for the display wouldn’t go amiss. Coming to the way it looks, I think Mercedes designers have done a splendid job of translating the C sedan’s style theme on to a convertible form. The front-end is classy and the wedge-shaped tail (à la the S-class Cabriolet) is nicely done. There’s also some scope for customisation with the fabric roof offered in four colours, in addition to the four body paint options. If there’s anything to

bring up, it’s that fatter rubber and perhaps larger rims (these ones are 17-inchers) would have helped draw less attention to the slightly awkward mass of metal above the rear wheel arches. But, overall, the shape is the right blend of regal and sporty. So, how much would a C 300 Cabriolet set you back by? The answer is Rs 60 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). While that is a significant jump over the C-class sedan, you

have to remember, this is a whole different category of car and one that’s also burdened by the import duty structure. Moreover, if you see it in perspective of other convertibles, the price puts C 300 slap bang between the smaller Audi A3 Cabriolet and the larger but ageing E 400 Cabriolet, so in a sense, it’s a fair proposition. The C 300 might not be the raciest of convertibles but what it is, is a car that’s refined and comfortable enough for everyday use, yet one that also offers all the romance of open-top motoring when the opportunity arises. It really is one of those cars that will charm you into saying yes to it. But before you do so, just be sure, you have a set of places where you can enjoy it the way it’s meant to be. Nikhil Bhatia

MERCEDEs-BEnz C 300 CAbRIOleT

Space-saver spare wheel eats into an already small boot.

Extendable spoiler atop windscreen cuts turbulence in cabin.

Rs 60 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) L/W/H 4686/1810/1409mm Wheelbase 2840mm Engine 4 cyls, 1991cc, turbopetrol Power 245hp at 5500rpm Torque 370Nm at 1300-4000rpm Gearbox 9-speed auto Kerb weight 1740kg 0-100kph 6.4 sec* Top speed 250kph* Tyres 225/50 R17

DECEMBER 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 69

*claimed

Price

pRiCE Rs 68.40 l Akh - 1.12 CRORe (ex-shOwROOM, DelhI) on salE NOw

Jaguar F-Pace

PhotograPhy Ashley bAxter

Jaguar’s first-ever SUV is a rounded package that feels at home in the urban jungle and on winding roads.

70 AUTOCARINDIA.COM DECEMBER 2016

FIRST DRIVES

fiRst vERDiCt A car that appeals to the head and heart, but not your wallet.

HHHHHHHHHI so gooD n Excellent ride and handling n Smooth yet punchy V6 diesel engine

no gooD n Expensive n Service network still limited

J

aguar, a brand associated with iconic sportscars and stylish luxury sedans, has given in to the rising global demand for SUVs and introduced its first SUV – the F-Pace. Built on the same platform as the XE and XF, this SUV uses an aluminumintensive architecture, which results in a low kerb weight and high chassis stiffness. It’s unmistakably a Jag, characterised by the familiar ‘J-Blade’ DRLs and LED headlamps, and the signature chrome mesh grille. The bonnet gets a muscular ◊

DECEMBER 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 71

FIRST DRIVES

Dashboard design is identical to the XE sedan’s and parts sharing is evident. Overall quality of materials is nice, but there are some hard plastics which feel a bit cheap.

Front camera helps detect objects that are out of sight; Driving modes – Dynamic, Normal, Eco and Rain Ice Snow; 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster looks great. ∆ bulge in the centre, and the high shoulder line flows nicely to meet the SUV’s F-Type-like rear, which gets a steeply sloped windscreen and spoiler. Its tall stance, 19-inch wheels and high ground clearance scream that this is an SUV. It’s all very beautifully integrated and this is one handsome-looking car. The twin muffler tips at the back, however, seem like an after-thought. There are two diesel engines on offer – a 2.0-litre Ingenium four-cylinder engine churning out 177hp and 430Nm and a 3.0-litre V6 making 296hp and 700Nm. Both the motors are mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox that transmits power to all four wheels. The beautifully crafted interiors are similar to the XE’s due to a high percentage of parts shared. Yes,

overall quality of materials is nice, but some areas of the cabin make use of hard plastics. The front seats are supportive and comfy, and can hold occupants in place if the driver gets too enthusiastic behind the wheel. While the steering wheel is great to hold, it looks cluttered with the numerous buttons on it. These are for toggling between screens and menu options of the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and then there are more for the superb Meridian sound system.

The expansive glass area and the massive panoramic sunroof flood the cabin with light. All-round visibility is good too. While you do get parking sensors and camera, there’s also a front camera which proves handy while driving off-road; it helps reveal rough patches and obstacles that are usually hidden from the driver’s view. Even though the overall ergonomics are sorted, the window controls located on the door sill – like in the Land Rovers – will take some getting used to.



The 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine makes a sporty growl as the revs build.



The rear seats recline electrically in a 60:40 ratio, but there’s no fore-aft seat adjustment. However, there’s plenty of knee room and ample under-thigh support. Additionally, rear passengers can set the air-con temperature individually, thus making this quite a comfortable place to be in. The 3.0-litre V6 diesel is fairly silent at idle and the passengers are cocooned from the outside world. There’s no diesel clatter here. Instead, as the revs climb, there’s a sporty growl which is very un-diesel like. Drive around town with a light foot and the engine upshifts early and there’s ample torque lower down the rev range to potter around. Demand for aggressive acceleration and the 700Nm of ◊

DECEMBER 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 73

FIRST DRIVES

Full-size spare tyre with an alloy wheel is quite rare; Rear seats recline electrically but don’t have fore-aft adjustment; Front seats are large, comfy and supportive.



Twisty roads are where this SUV shines. Grip levels are amazing.



out the rough stuff in a very mature manner. This is also an ideal SUV for attacking a set of corners at high speeds. On a twisted section of road is where the F-Pace shines. Grip levels are great, thanks to the stiff springs, all-wheel-drive system and the fat 255-section tyres. Get too enthusiastic around curves and the torque vectoring system applies the brakes independently to either or both the inside wheels to reduce understeer, thus holding the line better. There’s a hint of body roll

but for an SUV this tall, it’s actually well controlled. The sharp and precise steering only adds to the brilliant driving dynamics of this car. The F-Pace offers excellent driving dynamics, a good balance between ride comfort and sportiness and a superb engine. The only fly in the ointment is its price. The 2.0litre Pure and Prestige variants start at Rs 68.40 lakh and Rs 74.50 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), respectively. That’s four cylinders for the price

of six from its German rivals. The 3.0-litre R-Sport and First Edition variants are priced in the Porsche Macan territory (Rs 1.06 crore), at Rs 1.02 crore and Rs 1.12 crore, respectively, making this is one pricey wild cat. Saumil Shah

JaguaR F-pACe R-spORT 3.0 Price Engine Power Torque Gearbox Top speed Suspension

Tyres

Rs 1.02 crore (ex-showroom, Delhi) V6, 2993cc, turbo-diesel 296hp at 4000rpm 700Nm at 2000rpm 8-speed automatic 241kph* (F-R) Independent aluminium double wishbone/ Independent multi-link 255/55 R19

F-Type-inspired tail-lamps, sloping rear windscreen and spoiler are nicely integrated. The twin muffler tips seem like an afterthought on an otherwise handsome SUV. DECEMBER 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 75

*Estimated

∆ torque makes the needle climb with a lusty boost from 2,000rpm until 4,500rpm, after which progress is slow. Overtaking fastmoving vehicles out on the open road is simply effortless. In most scenarios, the eight-speed gearbox doesn’t need manual intervention. When you use the paddles though, the shifts aren’t as quick as DSGs or BMW’s ZF unit. There are four driving modes – Dynamic, Normal, Eco, and Rain Ice Snow – which change the throttle response, steering weight and gearshift pattern to suit different conditions. The First Edition gets adaptive dampers and its stiffness is electrically controlled too. Despite being a performance SUV, there’s no hint of underlying stiffness to the suspension. It irons

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SUV and your surroundings, plan your

departure angle which indicates the

route and when your visibility will be

degree of a slope from which your

limited; yes, that will happen, you need

vehicle can depart without scraping or

to drive carefully while using only your

hitting the undercarriage.

judgement. If you think this will be like a stage from the World Rally Championship, you’re wrong. It’s about covering the distance between two points, in the safest way possible. Not fastest, safest. It needs the

Your tyres are the most important things to check when you go off-road.

driver to have nerves of steel, caution and a boatload of patience.

Your vehicle Before you go get muddy, you need

Your TYres

to inspect your vehicle thoroughly.

This is simply the most important thing

This could be the difference between

to check when you go off-road. Your

you driving back home or spending

tyres need to be in great condition. SUV

the night in the middle of the jungle

tyres come in three types. Let’s take a

as the rain pours down and the

look at each of them.

animals come ever closer. We’re not

Highway tyres: Highway Terrain

being dramatic. You need to know

tyres like the Apollo Apterra HT have

your vehicle inside out, over and

a rib design that makes the ride quiet

under. And you start by getting down

and helps the tread last longer. The

and checking under your SUV. Learn

pattern consists of symmetrical blocks

Th E ART O F

DR Iv I NG

that make the ride smoother too. This

All Terrain tyres: These are usually

consistent pattern also provides straight-

the most versatile tyres for on-road and

line stability on highways. They also

off-road use. They usually feature a

allow for quick steering response and

larger block pattern and increased

better vehicle control. Their design

voids between the large blocks to help

also helps optimise grip on wet roads.

with better grip while driving over

Because they’re built for SUVs, they’re

loose surfaces like gravel. They

tough. You can even take them off

provide enhanced traction off-road

paved roads onto dirt roads and maybe

while allowing for a smooth drive

Everything depends on traction. Traction depends on your tyres.

even into rougher terrain. All you have

on the highway. Tyres like the

to do is be careful.

Apollo Apterra AT are built to rule off

driving requires drivers to go ‘nice and

High Performance tyres: These tyres

road. They provide excellent off road

easy’ instead of full throttle. Talented

are meant for SUVs and are designed

grip, fast and precise steering control on

driver manage getting around with

to provide enhanced handling and

mud and slush with durability during

minimum power and minimum speed.

improved braking on the road. A good

off-road as well as on-road driving.

Sometimes this lets them go faster than

example is the Apollo Apterra HP. It allows for precise steering control,

GeTTinG sTuck

superior vehicle control at high

All true off-road drivers know this will

buckle and Tie

speeds and provides superior

happen. They also know that their SUV

Everything in the SUV needs to be

safety as its design helps improve

is the only thing that can get them out

secured. Every single passenger needs

braking performance.

of sticky situations. Therefore, off-road

to buckle up and everything you’re

those who prefer to charge ahead.

a B r i e F G U i d e to G o i N G o F F- roa d a N d G e t t i N G BaC K Sa F e lY.

carrying need to be tied securely. Your

They are hard and compromising and a

SUV will explore a lot of different angles

mistake can seriously damage your

and this tends to let things that aren’t

beloved SUV and leave you stranded.

tied down, fly around. If you roll the car,

Be very careful, very gentle and very

then these loose bits could cause you

slow. The term of this part of off-road

and your passengers serious damage.

driving is aptly called rock crawling.

Similarly, anyone not wearing a seat belt

Your tyres are tough but if you go

could crush another passenger or get

fast they could get damaged. Driving

thrown out of the vehicle.

slowly also saves all the expensive parts of your SUV. Remember to grip

When in doubT, GeT ouT

the steering wheel with your thumbs on

Off-road driving requires a lot of walking.

the outer side of the wheel. A bump can

You’ll need to get out of the vehicle and

cause the steering wheel to turn wildly

scout the terrain on foot. This will help

and break your thumb or even your

you plan your route so that you don’t

wrists if they’re on the inside.

end up driving off a cliff or breaking your car on hidden obstacles. If you can’t

GeTTinG WeT

walk over a certain area, you probably

The trick here is to keep moving at a

footprint, increase traction to try and get

can’t drive over it either. Turn around

steady speed. This will create a small

the vehicle free. Remember to re-inflate

and find a different route.

eave in front of you and help keep

your tyres once you’re out.

water out of the engine bay. Don’t go

Off-road driving is a great thrill and

on The rocks

too fast or water will enter the engine

can allow you to explore places few get

Go slow. That’s the golden rule when

compartment. If your engine cuts off

to see. Remember to drive safely and

you’re tackling rocks and boulders.

midstream do not restart it. Set up a tow

have fun. As with most things, start

line and get someone to tow you out. If

small and then up the difficulty as you

water has entered a cylinder, the engine

get more experience.

gets hydrolocked. If you try and crank it

Connect with Apollo:

over, you could destroy it.

loose ThinGs If you get stuck on loose surfaces like mud or snow, try rocking the vehicle from side to side while slowly accelerating. If one or two tyres gain traction, they could help set the vehicle free. Don’t accelerate hard as you could dig yourself further in. You could also let the tyres sink in until they hit the hard surface below and then drive it out. Or you could deflate the tyres by about 75 percent to increase the tyre

www.apollotyres.com 1800 212 7070 (Toll-free)

/apollotyresltd

/apollotyresltd

/apollotyres

/apollotyresltd

price Rs 25.92-31.12 l akh (EstimatEd, Ex-showRoom, dElhi) on sale Now

toyota fortuner

PhotograPhy ASHLEY BAXTER

The rugged Fortuner has always struck a chord with Indian SUV buyers. The all-new second-generation model off-roader takes the game a big step ahead.

80 aUtoCaRiNdia.Com DeceMBer 2016

FIRST DRIVES first verDict Retains the Fortuner’s rugged SUV appeal and comes in a far more luxurious package.

HHHHHHHHII so gooD n Feels indestructible n Space and comfort

no gooD n Engine noisy when revved n Some important features missing

t

he road that leads up the mountain fills me with dread. It’s only wide enough for a single car and there are sharp drops all along the way. But what really gives me the shivers is that the road isn’t consistently wide. There is a bit of a shoulder on each side, and this does provide some relief, but I’m wary of the blind corners. Trusting the other driver is not something I’m particularly comfortable doing here in Kerala, not with every third driver thinking he’s chasing a time on a rally stage. What also makes this a

particularly bad fit is the fact that the Fortuner isn’t exactly size zero. It’s wide enough around the hips to ‘break-the-internet’, it’s tall enough to brush low-lying branches and it’s so long, I’m genuinely worried about scraping its sculpted sides on some of the tighter corners here. What was Toyota thinking?

BREAKING GROUND

So, initially, I approach the road gingerly, on tippy toes. Yes, I’ve driven the new Fortuner before and I know it is a bit more agile, but this still feels like threading an elephant

through an alley; it’s tight. I crawl through the first few bends, and am almost at a standstill around some of the blind corners. So, progress isn’t easy or effortless initially. In addition, there are the potholes, hairpins, rock walls and overgrown bushes to contend with. After a few minutes of abject torture, the road opens out a bit, and this allows me to pick up pace. I’m not expecting to work up any sort of rhythm and I’m still cagey, but at least I can drive normally. Then, with greater familiarity and ◊

DeceMBer 2016 aUtoCaRiNdia.Com 81

∆ improving conditions comes more confidence and pace. Much to my surprise, I’m soon flying along. Despite my earlier reservations, I’m really enjoying this tight mountain road that leads up to one of Kerala’s finest tea estates. What comes as a surprise is that not only am I going quicker, I’m actually cornering the beast. Clearly, handling over the earlier car isn’t just a bit better; it’s a big step forward. I find the new car rolls less, feels much more agile in general, and what impresses me no end is that it even feels happy changing directions when I flick the wheel. That wooden, block-like feeling you get with the old car is gone. The steering is lighter than on the Innova and the brakes have been improved massively. The new Fortuner now gets discs all around, and pedal feel and bite are

82 aUtoCaRiNdia.Com DeceMBer 2016

so much better, it just transforms the driving experience. Even the ride has been refined considerably. While the lumpiness and the constant up-down movement, typical of heavy bodyon-frame SUVs, are still present over poor surfaces, the new Fortuner is clearly more settled; the suspension is a lot more absorbent and the ride is flatter too. Where the Fortuner does its best work though is on

some of the really bad sections we encounter along this road; I just lift off the accelerator, allow the SUV to glide over large holes and deep ruts, and the suspension seems happy to take a pummeling. Post lunch, my drive takes me back down onto wider and faster roads, and it’s here that I truly come to appreciate other aspects of the new Fortuner, like the greater straightline stability, the accuracy of



the 2.8 diesel is smaller now, but there’s nothing downsized about the punch in the mid-range.



the steering at speed and its ability to fly around high-speed corners with almost the same confidence as a sedan. And this is despite its 184mm ground clearance. The open roads also allow me to appreciate the greater punch of the diesel engine. The new 2.8-litre diesel, also used on the Innova, produces 177hp and 450Nm of torque. Existing Fortuner 3.0L owners will relate to this motor quite easily. It offers plenty of low-end torque and turbo lag is negligible. It is even happy pottering around in a higher gear, and that makes this SUV very relaxing to drive. What makes it fun, however, is that there is a solid shot of boost when the turbo comes in; the Fortuner is shot down the road with plenty of energy. And this is all but available in any of the six gears. However, power tapers after 3,500rpm and ◊

FIRST DRIVES

The large front seats are very supportive, offer 8-way power adjust for driver.

Ample legroom, supportive squab, adjustable recline make middle row very comfy.

Even with all three rows in place, there’s space for two big suitcases in the rear.

Easy to access, spacious third row. Good enough for adults for short journeys. DeceMBer 2016 aUtoCaRiNdia.Com 83



the step up in comfort is huge and the cabin feels much more luxurious than before.



∆ the motor isn’t very rev happy either, so I find it’s best to upshift early and ride the wave of torque. Like the Crysta, the Fortuner comes with three driving modes – Eco, Power and Normal (default). Being over 200kg heavier than the outgoing car, for performance it is best to use the Power mode, as it is here that the throttle responses are sharpest. The Fortuner feels eager to lunge past slower traffic on the highway and you often find yourself backing off the throttle, especially if the road ahead isn’t open. In Normal too, responses are sharp and the initial surge of torque does give you a sense of the power you have at your disposal. When driven in a relaxed manner, the Fortuner cruises beautifully. The engine only purrs at lower engine speeds, though it does get clattery and rattles when you put it under load. Past 3,500rpm, the motor drones a lot and gets quite vocal, without too much increase in forward speed. So I use the top end of the powerband only if I have to. Another area of improvement is the six-speed automatic that is

now quite responsive. It shifts gears smoothly and there are paddle shifters that allow for manual intervention. It doesn’t mind being hurried and there isn’t too much shift shock, but ask for a quick downshift and, at times, you’ll experience a delay, accompanied by a ‘beep’ that asks you to be patient until revs drop. The ‘S’ mode, however, is quite useful for long climbs; it holds on to gears and prevents unnecessary gear shifts. However, the automatic transmission saps more power than the manual, and as a result, the automatic Fortuner is lethargic in comparison. The short-throw six-speed manual works well but is less relevant, especially on a car at this price. The clutch is quite light and the travel isn’t too long either. Toyota has done well to get rid of the longthrow-commercial-vehicle-like shift action present on the earlier car, and though the gearbox isn’t light per se, you don’t need to put your shoulder in either. What also works quite well on this gearbox is Toyota’s Intelligent Manual Transmission

(iMT) system that blips the throttle automatically as you come down to a lower gear. Though conditions weren’t ideal, I managed to do a few acceleration runs on diesel Fortuners. The automatic took 12.65sec and the manual 11.21sec, which means neither is as quick as a Ford Endeavour. Later in the day I also drove Toyota’s 166hp petrol, the same 2.7-litre unit that powers the Innova. As on that car, what I really enjoy is the additional refinement. The extra dose of smoothness is really pleasing at low speeds, there’s a good amount of power when you accelerate, and the fact that the motor makes its maximum power above 5,000 rpm, allows you to spin the engine fast as well. You do, however, miss the torque of the diesel when you need to execute a quick overtaking manoeuvre. And there’s also the fact that this motor isn’t particularly zingy and happy to rev out either. Fundamentally, the Fortuner is an off-roader and a fairly successful one at that, but Toyota has changed the system completely. Instead of the more hardcore full-time fourwheel drive found on the earlier car, you now get 2WD, 4WD and 4WD Low. Known as Sigma 4, the system is more efficient and comes with a virtual limited slip system that works through individual braking of the wheels. I did get a chance to drive the car off road, but the conditions were too mild to get a real feel. ◊

Some Innova bits are visible, but the insides have their own character and appeal.

Twin, large gloveboxes; upper one is cooled.

iMT blips throttle to smoothen downshifts. 84 aUtoCaRiNdia.Com DeceMBer 2016

FIRST DRIVES

the fraMe of a weightlifter

Paddle shifters add to the driving experience; Powered tailgate a welcome feature.

Drive modes help performance greatly; Electronic key gets Fortuner pictogram.

The FoRTUneR haS always been one of the toughest SUVs around. This comes as no surprise. a blood relative of the nearindestructible hilux pick-up, the Fortuner shares many of its vital parts with it, and that includes that incredibly tough frame. Designed to deal with overloading and the general abuse a truck has to face, the earlier generation truck frame was already overbuilt for the first-generation Fortuner. Toyota now claims it has taken this toughness to the next level; the new frame is a full 30 percent stiffer than the old car. The new one gets larger cross-section main

rails for even greater strength, a higher grade of steel has been used for additional strength and new frame also gets stouter crossbeams. The new frame is now in fact so tough, its rating is right up there with the larger Land Crusier Prado, another legendary tough Toyota SUV made infamous by the Taliban. So, while this new Fortuner may be all smart and sophisticated on the outside, underneath it all, it’s stronger than ever.

DeceMBer 2016 aUtoCaRiNdia.Com 85

FIRST DRIVES

 Driving dynamics have hugely improved and the earlier Fortuner’s bumpy ride is gone.



TOTAL EvOLuTiOn

The look, to begin with, is a complete departure from the current car. Sharper and less block-like, the new Fortuner is actually rakish looking, with plenty of stylistic flourishes embellishing its sides. In fact, there are more than a hint of Lexus design cues. Toyota’s designers have used a high bumper line to make it look imposing, there are slim LEDequipped headlight units that add to the futuristic look and plenty of chrome details have been used in an effort to give it the feel of an upmarket luxury car. Strips of chrome line the grille, there are big chrome brackets around the fog lights, and there is chrome in the headlights and along the waistline of the car too. This is not a design you’ll like instantly because the rakish lines don’t exactly gel perfectly with the rugged dimensions, but give it time and it’ll eventually grow on you. The interiors of the Fortuner have

received a much-required upgrade too. The dashboard is no longer bland, and unlike the earlier car, it isn’t a copy-paste job of the Innova Crysta’s. Getting in, however, is a bit of a climb. The floor of this car is now higher off the ground, and making that stretch, via the running board, requires more of an effort. Once you are inside, however, there’s more shoulder- and headroom, and Toyota has also succeeded in freeing up more legroom by using slimmer seats and a slimmer dashboard. The new leather seats are much nicer to sit in as well. Perfect for large frames, the seats offer great shoulder, back and thigh support, and you don’t get tossed around from side to side because the bolstering is good. Coming to the second row, there’s more kneeroom and you aren’t sat too low, and this makes it very comfortable. Even the tall backrest holds your upper back nicely, so the Fortuner is now a lot more

Big Toyota ‘T’ and loads of chrome: it’s a real SUV.

comfortable on long drives. The middle bench can seat three in comfort, and there’s a threepoint seatbelt suspended from the roof for the middle passenger too. The third row is a bit better to sit in now, and more importantly, both passengers get three-point seatbelts. Getting in is a bit easier, the seats flip beautifully with one touch, there’s a bit more space to slide in, and the seats are a bit bigger and placed slightly higher, so you can tolerate longer stints in the back. There is a rear air-con system with dedicated blowers in the roof, as well as other practical bits like cupholders and power sockets. There’s only one USB slot, however, and that for a seven-seater isn’t enough. And for a car as expensive as this, the fuzzy roof lining feels a bit too low rent.

Sharp headlights remind you of ‘eagle-eyed’ BMW 5-series.

The dashboard is more of a mixed bag. Yes, it is much more upmarket than the earlier Fortuner by a considerable margin and is better equipped too, but it isn’t really much of an improvement compared to the rest of the car. The well-defined centre console and beautifully detailed instrument panel lift the ambience of the cabin tremendously. The leather-lined and chromed-over bits look great and the touchscreen at the centre further adds to the appeal. Even the steering wheel and the instrument panel work really well. Areas that you constantly touch like the armrests and the centre console are finished in plush-feeling, soft-touch materials. However, there are quite a few low-quality plastic bits here. The plastics on the lower ◊

Kink in the window line gives design real character. DECEMBER 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 87

FIRST DRIVES Long travel and well-calibrated suspension make Fortuner shine on rough roads.

lamps, puddle lamps, leather seats, paddle shifts, cruise control and even park assist. The tailgate that can be both electrically opened and closed at the touch of a button has a feature called jam protection, and it allows you to stop the tailgate at a pre-programmed height. This is particularly useful if your garage has a low roof or you’re simply not tall enough to reach the open/ close button! The SUV’s long equipment

2.8-litre diesel a bit down on power but makes up with massive 450Nm of torque.

Sigma 4 is Toyota’s new 4WD system.

Tiny aero stabilisers, but do they work?

list does, however, have some key features missing. There is no sunroof, not even as an option because the roof-mounted air-con vents have taken up the space for it. Other surprising omissions are parking sensors and dual-zone climate control. There’s also no terrain management system or electrically folding for the third row of seats, which are available on the Endeavour.

REIGNING oN

The Fortuner, Toyota’s traditional body-on-frame SUV, has remained a strong seller from the time it came to our market in 2009. Big, burly and loaded with a fearsome reputation for toughness, and longevity, it lorded over the segment like a king. Much of these ‘traditional’ values are carried forward on this new Fortuner. But now you also get a much sharper design, a more upmarket look and a more attractive cabin. What the looks don’t tell you, however, is just how vast an improvement over the earlier car it is. To begin with, it is larger and more comfortable on the inside. It is better equipped, comes with a more accomplished set of engines and gearboxes, and rides and drives a whole lot better too. Yes, the diesel engine could do more refinement, and the cabin falls short in terms of equipment, especially for a

car in the Rs 25–Rs 31 lakh price range. But for someone looking for a dependable vehicle with an air of indestructibility that has the potential to outlast all its rivals put together, the new Fortuner is the SUV to go for. SHAPUR KoTWAL

NEw TOyOTa FORTUNeR (P/D/D AT) Price

Rs 27.61 lakh/Rs 30.05 lakh/ Rs 31.12 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) L/W/H 4795/1855/1835mm Wheelbase 2745mm Kerb Weight 1900kg/2145kg/2140kg Engine 4 cyls, 2694cc/2755cc Power 166hp at 5200rpm/ 177hp at 3400rpm Torque 245Nm at 4000rpm/ 420Nm at 1600-2400rpm/ 450Nm at 1600-2400rpm Gearbox 5-speed manual, 6-speed auto/6-speed manual/ 6-speed auto Suspension Double wishbone, (F/R) coil spring/anti-roll bar, 4-link, coil spring Tyres 265/65 R17/265/60 R 18 Acceleration (from rest)* 4x4 D MT Kph (sec) 20 1.16 40 2.88 60 4.86 80 7.81 100 11.21

4x4 D AT (sec) 1.02 2.68 5.02 8.29 12.65

DECEMBER 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 89

*PERFORMANCE FIGURES NOT TO AUTOCAR TEST STANDARDS

∆ portion of the dash and glovebox feel hard and a bit cheap, and the doorpads too don’t feel that well made either. So, overall, the cabin is quite attractive but it’s not as well-put together as we would have liked. The new Fortuner is pretty wellequipped across variants. You get electronic stability control (ESC), downhill assist control, hill assist control, seven airbags, pedestrian protection on the bonnet, LED

special feature

niSSAn TErrAnO

Bridging diSTAncES The Nissan Terrano is on a mission to bridge the emotional and physical distances between people.

Ashutosh enjoyed every minute spent behind the wheel of the Terrano.

“I

t’s been seven years since I last visited dadi,” said Ashutosh in a voice that was a mixture of sadness, nostalgia and hope. “I just haven’t gotten the time to go to Vadodara, and she refuses to set foot in Mumbai.” Ashutosh Lobo-Gajiwala is a 24-year-old Mumbai-based tech entrepreneur. After graduating from college, he nosedived into the tech world, working on several projects before diverting all his resources, mental and otherwise, into an upcoming social and informational opinion aggregating

The 6-speed gearbox offers tall ratios for easy cruising.

What distances is the Terrano bridging? In this busy, information-buzzing, workoriented world, people often tend to lose touch with those who are important. Distances develop between people, sometimes physical, sometimes emotional, and sometimes a combination of both. In a world where people are rapidly losing

real relationships in favour of virtual ones, the Nissan Terrano will attempt to bring people together, road-trip style. Share your personal experiences of emotional and/or physical distancing at bridgingdistances@ haymarketsac.com, and we just might take you on a road trip to bridge that distance.

platform. The last few years, he ruses, have been “hectic”. There was college and all its peripherals, and then, the fully involving exercise of trying to build a business in today’s attention-deficit and ever-dynamic world. “I have barely had time for myself,” he says. Ashutosh grew up in Vadodara, with parents who were both doctors. “My parents were constantly on call, so I spent most of my childhood with my grandmother.” When he was 12, however, his parents moved to Mumbai. He visited Vadodara as often as every quarter, but with the onset of college life, these visits reduced annually till they became zero. “It’s not only the visits that stopped, so did the phone calls,” he says with a hint of guilt in his voice. When Ashutosh read about the “Bridging Distances” concept, he was immediately inspired to take that critical first step to re-forging his relationship with his grandmother. “Repairing the damage I had caused to my relationship with my

2

1

grandmother and going for a road trip – it was like killing two birds with one stone!” he exclaimed. Ashutosh was excited about driving the Terrano. He likes compact SUVs because they offer the elevated driving position of an SUV without being too big to conveniently drive around the city. He also felt that they were better highway cruisers than sedan. “I just feel more secure in them,” he quips. Ashutosh, along with the Autocar India team, set off for Vadodara on a cool November morning. The roads were empty, and Ashutosh took complete advantage of that from behind the wheel. He fell in love with the engine almost instantly. The Terrano’s K9K-series 1.5-litre turbo-diesel produces 110hp and a meaty 248Nm of torque. There is plenty of torque available before the turbo kicks in, so traffic situations are handled with ease. The fun, though, starts once the turbo is spooled up. There is a distinct surge in power, leading

into a most meaty mid-range. The power delivery feels muscular. Build speeds through the gear, and then you can slot the stick in sixth and just cruise. Ashutosh kept a steady pace all the way to Vadodara, complemented by Gujarat’s great roads. 400-odd kilometres flew by

before we knew it. We entered Vadodara around lunch time and were forced to snake through traffic and dodge criss-crossing twowheeler riders. “This is where the compactness of the Terrano comes in handy,” grinned Ashutosh with that ‘I-told-

5 1. 2. 3. 4.

An early start ensured that most of our 400km to Vadodara were traffic-free. The 1.5-litre diesel was punchy but smooth. Ashutosh thought that the Terrano complemented him perfectly. We passed the Laxmi Vilas Palace, a defining structure of Vadodara.

5.

6.

3

6 4

you-so look’ on his face. Ashutosh had not told his grandmother that he would be paying her a visit that day. A surprise, he decided, was the best way to go. He was quite nervous and excited at the same time as we approached his grandmother’s house. When she opened the door and saw him, she was so shocked, she did not react for a few seconds, until she embraced him with tears in her eyes. Ashutosh and his grandmother spent the rest of the day catching up, during which time the tears of joy converted into resounding laughter. When he finally had to take her leave (work in Mumbai beckoned), he left with a promise to keep in touch regularly. “I’m sad to leave, but I am happy to be driving back,” he chuckled as we started back for Mumbai.

Not every goodbye has to be sad: Ashutosh promised to keep in touch.

Ashutosh and his grandmother’s reunion was filled with laughter. Ashutosh spent some quality time with his grandmother after 7 long years.

Price Rs 18.99-24.99 l akh (ex-showRoom, Delhi) on sale Now

hyundai tucson The Tucson makes a comeback in India. We drive the all-new, third-gen model to see if Hyundai can replicate the Creta’s success in the SUV-crowded market.

first verDict

PhotograPhy priyank chhapwale

Ideal urban SUV for the money.

HHHHHHHHII so gooD n Strong and refined diesel engine n Space and equipment

no gooD n Under-performing petrol engine n Not very involving to drive

94 aUToCaRiNDia.Com DeceMBer 2016

t

he Tucson is back. When Hyundai launched the firstgeneration Tucson in 2005, it failed to get any traction in India and sold just 1,810 units in the five years that it was around. A slightly cheaper Honda CR-V offered more badge value, and though the Tucson had a diesel advantage, people thought it silly to pay Honda money for a Hyundai. Stung by its failure, Hyundai did not bother to launch the second-generation model, but the hiatus is over because since then, times have changed.

Creta plus

India has gone crazy about SUVs, and it shows no sign of cooling off. Every carmaker is joining the bandwagon, wanting to cash in on the SUV fever. They used to be big, rugged vehicles built on ladder-on-frame chassis, but today, they come in all shapes and sizes, from sub-four-metre compacts to hatchbacks and crossovers. Hyundai is already riding the SUV craze with its runaway success, the Creta; the carmaker has made deep inroads into the upper reaches of â—Š

FIRST DRIVES

DeceMBer 2016 aUToCaRiNDia.Com 95

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B

uying or selling a pre-owned vehicle can be a big hassle, especially when it comes to the pricing. Whether a buyer or a seller, most of us fail to understand the fair market value of a used vehicle. In this case, it becomes very important to consult experts or trusted sources who could suggest the accurate price of any used vehicle. But what if consumers could get a fair price of a vehicle within 10 seconds, right at their fingertips? And this is where Orange Book Value (OBV) by Droom, India’s pioneering online automobile transactional marketplace, comes in.

Orange Book Value is an initiative which was highly needed in the rapidly growing usedvehicle market in India. It has brought transparency between buyers and sellers, and along with that, OBV has proved that buying or selling a pre-owned vehicle is not a problem anymore. Thanks to OBV, now the buyers and sellers can be on the same page in terms of pricing, and this will ease negotiations making the whole process a lot smoother thus giving higher confidence in transacting used vehicles. Even the automotive experts of the industry have recognised and appreciated this step taken by Droom. Appreciating the efforts of Orange Book Value, well-known personality of the auto industry, Jagdish Khattar, Founder and CEO, Carnation Auto, said, “Many people are willing to sell or buy a used vehicle, but they are not sure of what it (price) is. That is where Orange Book Value comes and plugs in the gap.” OBV is India’s first and only algorithmic pricing engine for used vehicles which determines the fair market value of any second-hand vehicle. It includes cars, motorcycles, scooters, bicycles and even planes - covering 24000+ products from 100+ makes, nearly 1000 models and 4000 variants.

Using OBV to determine the value of a vehicle is very simple. All users have to do is select their purpose (buying/selling), select vehicle category, and parameters (make, model, year, condition, trim, and km driven etc) in order to get an independent, unbiased and datadriven report on the fair value of any vehicle. Orange Book Value is available on www.OrangeBookValue.com, Android and iOS. Sandeep Aggarwal, Founder & CEO, Droom

Acknowledging OBV’s method of obtaining the accurate data for used-vehicle pricing, wellknown automotive journalist, Nabeel A Khan, Editor, ETAuto.com, said, “Pricing for used vehicles, specially cars and two-wheelers, has always been a big trouble for buyers as well as sellers. There is no standardization of pricing, and so I think the step that Droom has taken using data science to develop an almost standard price for a vehicle looking at its age, the number of kms it has driven and the other factors, that is really going to help the industry a lot, specially the buyers and the sellers as well.”

Hyundai i20 2010 ASTA 1.2

55,000

2010

Automobile from dealer in Good condition is valued at

Rs. 3,08,798 - Rs. 3,27,899

Speaking about the approach of Orange Book Value, Sandeep Aggarwal, Founder and CEO, Droom, said, “With the demand of pre-owned vehicles in the country outstripping that of new vehicles, there was a pressing need for an objective pricing mechanism. Through its data science-based approach, Orange Book Value gives a fair market value of a used vehicle in under 10 seconds. This ease of usage and trust factor has driven great user traction, and has seen nearly 90 million pricing queries generated through OBV’s web and mobile platforms till date.”

Fair

Good

Very Good

Exellent

FIRST DRIVES The Tucson wears the new Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 well; looks well balanced and proportionate.

∆ the market that eluded it at one point. Moreover, the skew in demand for more expensive variants of the Creta has proved that there is a demand for premium SUVs. Its success in the segment and growing brand appeal has emboldened Hyundai. It’s now looking at customers who want something more premium than a Creta but are not ready to commit to a full-size SUV like its own Santa Fe, or the Toyota Fortuner or Ford Endeavour. It’s this sweet spot where Hyundai has slotted the new Tucson, thus completing its SUV range.

with the flow

The new third-gen Tucson wears Hyundai’s Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design language with confidence. It shares a family resemblance with both the Creta and the Santa Fe. However, the Tucson looks more a shrunken Santa Fe than a grown-up Creta. What gives it away are the very detailed headlights that are dual-barrel LED units offered in the top-end trim. The front is dominated by the signature hexagonal grille flanked by swept-back headlights.

A horizontal line divides the lower half of the bumper and splits the fog lamps and daytime-running lights. A sharply rising window line kinks upwards with the rear quarter glass taking design cues from the larger sibling. The Tucson sits on 18-inch 225/55 tyres and is 172mm off the ground. The manual models of both petrol and diesel variants make do with 17-inch wheels. The rear is clean and simple, with the tailgate flanked by slim LED lights. The most difficult thing for a designer is to get a car’s proportions correct. But Hyundai’s designers have got it spot on with the Tucson. It looks well balanced and proportionate. It doesn’t try to be a big butch SUV. It’s an urban softroader that’s stylish and dynamic. Overall, the styling will definitely be a plus for those who want an urban SUV.

Dual-barrel LED headlights on top spec; tailgate flanked by slim LED lights.

familiar ground

Inside, the Tucson is more Creta than Santa Fe. That’s not to say it’s bad. On the contrary, the interior quality of the Tucson is good for its class. However, it’s not a big step ◊

It has a 513-litre boot. If you want more space, rear seat splits forward 60:40.

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The Tucson looks more a shrunken Santa Fe than a grown-up Creta.

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Twin chrome exhausts and 18-inch alloy wheels give the Tucson a sporty look. DECEMBER 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 97

FIRST DRIVES

High-quality cabin with beige and black two-tone interiors and soft-touch plastics. ∆ up from the Creta, which is very good to begin with. The Tucson has the same logical layout of the dash as the Creta, with its two-tone beige and black design making a distinct separation between the air-con and infotainment systems. What’s not like the Creta is its larger 8.0-inch touchscreen with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The dials in the instrument panel are crisp to read and have a 4.2-inch colour panel between them for trip computer and other information. The Tucson has several first-in-class features like full-LED headlamps, a drive mode selector, heated wing mirrors and an electric parking brake. We liked the

Handbrake on non-GLS models rob storage; steering controls from Creta; 8-inch touchscreen; 10-way power adjustable seats. static bending headlamps that are genuinely useful when driving on a twisty road at night. Hyundais are fast approaching the best global standards when it comes to cabin quality and the Tucson is no exception. Extensive use of soft-touch plastics and leather for the steering, transmission knob, console and door armrests make it

look classy. And leather seats on all but the base variants only add to the premium feel. The cabin has generous amounts of space and is closer to the Santa Fe, but minus the third row. What this does is allow the second row to be optimised, whereby five averagesize adults can enjoy enough width, legroom and headroom to ◊

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Two 12-volt sockets and one USB port make sure you never run out of charge. Easy access to USB port; compass on rear-view mirror; rear seatback also reclines.

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DECEMBER 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 99

The diesel motor scores over the petrol when it comes to performance and efficiency.

∆ be comfortable. The rear seatbacks recline, adding to the rear passenger comfort. The only gripe is that the seats are set quite low and the window line is higher than usual, which reduces your view outside. The other complaint we have is the inexplicable decision to give two 12-volt sockets and one USB port. In today’s connected age, shouldn’t it be the other way around? A much bigger miss is the option of a sunroof, which is not available even in the top-spec version. Sunroofs are inexplicably popular in India and owners who must have one will have to wait until around April next year when Hyundai launches a highergrade Tucson with a panoramic sunroof and AWD. Like the passenger space, the boot too is commodious with 513 litres of storage. The 60:40 split rear seats open up even more space, should you need it. The boot on the top-end diesel GLS can be accessed through an auto-opening feature that opens the boot if you stand near with the key on you. This is meant for times

100 AUTOCARINDIA.COM DECEMBER 2016

when you return from shopping with both your hands occupied. As on the Elantra, here too, we had trouble getting it to work uniformly. All the trims apart from the base diesel and petrol manuals get six airbags. ABS and EBD are standard, but if you want electronic stability control, hill start, brake assist and downhill brake control, you have to opt for the top-end diesel GLS.

Torque available low in the rev range on the excellent new R2.0L 185hp diesel.

2.0-litre 155hp petrol engine same as on the Elantra, but doesn’t feel as lively.

Motor KoMbat

Hyundai offers the Tucson with a choice of petrol and diesel engines which can be paired with six-speed automatic or manual transmissions. The automatic diesel variant gets another option with the GLS and is the top-end model on this line. The petrol is the same 2.0-litre unit from the Elantra and makes 155hp at 6,200rpm and 192Nm of torque. While on the Elantra this engine feels very lively, the Tucson’s extra weight blunts the performance considerably. It’s fine for daily driving, but for even a moderate amount of performance, you really

 Tucson is not a car that likes to be driven hard but it can be driven briskly.



have to work it hard. Even in Sport mode or with the manual change, the car’s performance isn’t all that lively – the engine sounds more enthusiastic than the performance it delivers. This is for you if only you’re worried about the future of diesel and don’t bother about the fuel bills. The diesel on the other hand is a completely different beast. It’s a brand new engine in Hyundai’s stable and the R2.0-litre unit puts out a healthy 185hp at 4,000rpm and 400Nm of torque. A buttery wave of torque is available right from the lower rev range, and it’s only when the revs shoot north that the engine starts getting vocal. The transmission is smooth and quick to engage, but you do miss the paddle shifters. In Sport mode, however, the automatic transmission holds on to the gear and works just fine. The surging stream of torque makes driving the Tucson effortless and the engine’s refined nature and suspension mask speed really well – you don’t realise how fast you are going. The diesel is clearly the one to pick over petrol for both performance and efficiency. The ride is very comfortable,

but the handling doesn’t lend itself to a very spirited driving. It’s safe and secure but not as sharp and incisive as the CR-V. The Tucson’s steering is well-weighted, but there’s a bit of vagueness around the straight-ahead position. Also, the feel isn’t very consistent, especially when you pile on the lock. Overall, the Tucson is not a car that likes to be driven hard, but it can be driven briskly.

SWEEt SPot

Hyundai has priced the Tucson very aggressively. The base petrol starts at Rs 18.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), and the higher GL trim is Rs 21.79 lakh. These are both lower than the CR-V, which is around Rs 22.23 lakh. The diesel Tucson begins at Rs 21.59 lakh and the GL is at Rs 23.48 lakh. The top-trim GLS is priced Rs 24.99 lakh and gets goodies such as ESC, powered tailgate, dual-barrel LED headlamps and electric parking brake. The Tucson’s closest rival is the Honda CR-V, but that’s sold only in petrol and is priced higher. For similar money you can get the new Fortuner or the Endeavour, but they’re different SUVs – big, old-

FIRST DRIVES school, body-on-frame vehicles with seven seats and four-wheel drive. The Tucson is a smart-looking SUV with good equipment levels. The space inside is quite generous too, as is the quality. Enthusiasts won’t find the handling sharp or incisive, but that’s because this everyday SUV is sprung more on the softer side for better comfort. This is a soft-roader with a monocoque construction, five seats and 2WD for now. There are more such SUVs on the way such as the VW Tiguan and Jeep Compass, but they are for later next year. Also, remember, they aren’t from brands as established as Hyundai in India. So, if you’re looking for a modern SUV perfect for the city and the odd weekend getaway, the Tucson fits the bill perfectly. joy chaudhuri

HyuNDai TUCsON GL/GLs (P AT/D AT) Price Length Width Height Wheelbase Engine Power Torque Gearbox Tyres

Rs 21.79 lakh/24.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) 4475mm 1850mm 1660mm 2670mm 4 cyls, 1999cc, petrol/ 4 cyls, 1995cc, turbo-diesel 155hp at 6200rpm/ 185hp at 4000rpm 192Nm at 4000/ 400Nm at 1750-2750rpm 6-speed automatic 225/55 R18

Petrol or diesel? Manual or automatic? Any combination is possible. DECEMBER 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 101

A u d i R8 SpydeR V10 T he R8 Spy de roads of Sp r V10 takes to t he coa a i n. Pr iyad sta l a r s h a n Baw i k a r tel ls you wh at to expec t.

his year, the Audi R8 has gone topless, but just how much difference has peeling off the roof made? Well, quite a bit actually, and with Audi’s mantra for this car being “lighter, stiffer, faster,” you’d better believe they mean serious business.

T

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LighTer and FasTer

The entire aluminium carbon-fibre hybrid space frame of the R8 has been reworked. Through the use of thicker cross sections of aluminium in certain areas such as the sills, A-pillars and windshield frame, not only is this car lighter and about 50 percent stiffer than the

previous-generation Spyder, it also has as much torsional rigidity as the last-gen coupé. The entire chassis now weighs just 8kg more than the current coupe’s, and the car tips the scales at 1,720kg, just 80kg over the hard top. The 5.2-litre naturally aspirated V10 motor from the Spyder isn’t

available in the ‘Plus’ specification but still makes a fairly ridiculous 540hp of peak power and 540Nm of peak torque. With about 15hp more than the previous-generation Spyder, this one is obviously faster when you put your foot down. It can dispense the run to 100kph from a standstill in just 3.6sec (two-tenths

audi R8 spydeR drive

The centre console’s placement makes the cabin extremely driver-focussed. (optional, but the test cars came equipped with it) stiffen up the ride, allowing you to feel everything the car is doing through your backside. The seven-speed dualclutch transmission becomes a lot more responsive too. On top of that, the quattro all-wheel-drive system has been revised too, and now gets a water-cooled electro-hydraulic clutch for the front axle, as well as a mechanical locking differential at the rear. The amount of grip the system provides is just incredible. Chucking the car through the tight, twisty mountain roads of Costa Brava felt extremely easy, and even when I got overly bold around some of the corners, the car never felt hairy. Apart from the Drive Select modes, the Spyder also comes with optional driving performance programmes, which can be set by pressing the chequered flag button on the steering and then rotating the knurled metal dial around it. It

offers three performance modes – Dry, Wet, and Snow – that are best used in controlled conditions, as they back off the stability control and here, I simply didn’t have the right roads to test them out. While this new car is definitely faster, Audi has focused on delivering that extra dose of drama as well. In ‘Dynamic’, the new sports exhaust roars like a wild animal every time you floor the throttle. And as you lift your foot, you hear loud pops and crackles from the back end. Of course, when you’re done hooning around, one of the satellite buttons on the steering wheel lets you toggle the flaps in the exhaust to bring the noise to a far more tasteful level, without sacrificing the performance.

green machine

The boffins at Audi have really worked on the motor to make it more efficient and environmentally friendly than before. While the ◊

faster than before), and in a mere 11.8sec, it can get to 200kph.

The drama unFoLds With the Drive Select programme in Dynamic mode, the electromechanical steering weighs up nicely and gets a lot more direct, while the magnetic dampers

Traditional instruments are replaced by a TFT screen; multiple performance programmes are available at the turn of a dial. deceMBeR 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 103

audi R8 spydeR drive

Seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox shifts super fast; both headrests get built-in speakers; the brilliant laser lights really help in increasing the range of the high beams. ∆ direct injection system has been maintained, Audi has also added an indirect injection system, which squirts fuel into the intake manifold instead of directly into the cylinder. This indirect injection works prominently at lower rpms and provides much better bottom-end response. At the mid-range, while indirect injection is playing a bigger role, the direct injection starts to come into play, and at the top end, almost 85 percent of the fuelling is done through direct injection. Apart from cylinder deactivation, there’s a new coasting feature that will disengage both clutches in the transmission and let the car freewheel if the driver gets off the throttle at speeds above 55kph, making it more efficient than before.

Beautiful lines

the front along with a larger and lower trapezoidal grille, and this carries over on the new Spyder. The new canvas soft top is extremely well designed and finished, and weighs just 44kg. To operate its mechanism, it features ten small hydraulic pistons driven by an electric motor, which can elegantly open or close the roof in about 20 seconds, at speeds of up to 50kph. The interiors are well appointed too and the sheer driver focus of the cabin is highly enjoyable. While there is no central infotainment screen, it does get Audi’s Virtual Cockpit – the 12.3inch TFT display – in place of a traditional instrument cluster. This screen displays the speedometer, tachometer, GPS route navigation and a plethora of other information. What’s nice is that the R8 comes with new optional laser lights and

that really increases the range of the high beams.

Heading your way

The Audi R8 Spyder V10 is an extremely enjoyable car that offers a lot of approachable performance and everyday practicality. There’s plenty of performance on reserve and that can be thoroughly exploited on a race track. All of that clubbed together with the theatricality it offers makes the R8 Spyder irresistible. Now the car is going on sale in Germany next month and will head to India by mid-2017. Since it is priced very similar to the R8 V10 Plus Coupe in its country of origin, we can expect Audi to

follow a similar strategy in India and price it at about Rs 2.50 crore. While that is plenty of money, it will still be one of the more affordable supercars in India. AI

Audi R8 SpydeR V10 Price Engine

Rs 2.50 crore (estimated) 5,204cc, naturally aspirated V10 Power 540hp at 7800rpm Torque 540Nm at 6500rpm Gearbox 7-speed DCT Wheelbase 2650mm Kerb weight 1,720kg 0-100kph 3.6 sec (claimed) Top speed 318kph (claimed)

This second-generation R8 features much sharper lines at

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The new sports exhaust roars like a wild animal every time you floor the throttle.

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Only After DArk

We have a spanking new 2017 Nissan GT-R with us. Sergius Barretto gets aquainted with the incoming Japanese Ambassador under the city’s lights. PhotograPhy pRiyANk chhApWAle & omkAR dhAs ’ll be honest – I like the GT-R, but not to the same extent as its vast legion of die-hard fans; the type who are simply besotted by Nissan’s icon. In my head, this Japanese ‘supercar’ has always been more of a sportscar, so when Shapur asked me to drive it this month, I was, according to him, merely ‘happy’, and not as bouncing-off-the-walls crazy as I should’ve been. “Supercar slayer, tuner’s muse, Japanese precision – GODZILLAAAAA!” he screamed, in an impassioned bid to get me on board with just how iconic this car really is. “Maybe it’s not the car; maybe it’s me,” I thought to myself as Shapur’s boisterous appeal continued in the background, now with added exhaust mimicry. Now I’m curious; it would be foolish not to give it a go. But for the GT-R to win me over, I need to do this right. To really understand this car, I have to be in the right frame of mind; a Zen-like state, if you will. I will drive it at night when the roads are free and, hopefully, the neon glow of the city lights will enlighten me to the mystical ways of this ballistic Nissan.

I

The GT-R was unveiled in 2007 as the successor to the legendary Skyline GT-R that ended production in 2002. In a nod to its legacy, it uses the code ‘R35’ – a carryforward of the last Skyline’s R34 code, even though it no longer bears the Skyline name. The car I’m going to drive is the facelifted 2017 GT-R. After nearly a decade, you’d expect Nissan to have an allnew model, but the car has been updated regularly over the years, and this one is the biggest yet, with numerous cosmetic and technical improvements. I’m looking forward to seeing it in the flesh as the handful of GT-Rs that have been unofficially imported are rarely ever seen out on the road.

Meet and Greet

I reach the dealership and there it is, sitting on the delivery ramp in blood red; nice! The car now wears Nissan’s new design signature – the ‘V-motion’ grille – in a matte finish. The grille opening itself is now larger to aid cooling, and though this does increase drag, the car has other tweaks to its shape to retain its 0.26 drag coefficient. The hood has been reinforced for better highspeed stability, and now features ◊

Hand-built 3.8L V6 pumps out 570hp and sings like a high-pitched tenor. 106 AUTOCARINDIA.COM December 2016

NISSAN GT-R fIrSt DrIVe

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PASSION + ENGINEERING = BEST SEASON EVER

Eight podium finishes, including three wins.

Give a missed call to 011 6676 5252 and stand a chance to win Mahindra Racing merchandise. www.mahindraracing.com

NISSAN GT-R FIRST DRIVE

∆ more pronounced lines, though the twin air intake nostrils are still there. The front bumper is new with a more prominent chin spoiler that really makes the car look more aggressive. The side sills are pushed out to aid airflow and at the rear, next to the massive exhausts, are functional air vents. Of course, this is a GT-R, so the hallmark four-ring tail-lights are there to send chills down the spines of everyone it overtakes. Overall the car seems wider, lower and meaner. Which begs the question – how am I going to get it off that ramp? A lengthy exercise involving a few planks and flattened cardboard boxes later, it still couldn’t escape scraping its chin. Mumbai’s roads aren’t going to be kind to it. Finally onto the

road now. I sit inside for a while to take it all in. The interiors are new and a big leap over the original, 2007 car. The dash top and door pads are covered with doublestitched leather, there’s a carbonfibre treatment on the transmission tunnel, and a larger touchscreen infotainment system with a new jog dial controller. And in true Japanese, techie-obsessed fashion, the touchscreen displays not just music and navigation screens, but also various real-time performance readouts like oil pressure, boost, various G-force numbers, throttle position and tons more. The interiors, though, do have some decidedly old-feeling bits, like reflector-covered bulbs in the doors and a simple Micra-like key fob. The overall layout and styling ◊

This supercar is a four-seater, and while the rear is cramped, adults can and will, happily clamber in.

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Lights dials and displays, GT-R has plenty to please the boy racer in you.

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NISSAN GT-R FIrST drIVe ∆ does show its age, but on the contrary, if retro’s your thing, then it actually looks very cool.

Strutting About

It’s still only dusk, the roads are still crowded and I’m thanking the GT-R’s tall seating position and good all-round visibility (by sportscar standards, of course). My path is littered with speed breakers and potholes, but I manage to get

through unscathed. Not bad; I expected the worst. Then again, this is no SUV, so every speed breaker has to be crossed diagonally it if you want to spare the underside. I finally break away from the grind and head off into the city. The sixspeed dual-clutch transmission swaps cogs smoothly and you can barely notice a shift; see, this isn’t an edgy, high-strung supercar at all! But it isn’t always quick to

shift and I find myself reaching for the paddles, which have now moved from the steering column to behind the wheel. The suspension, however, is typically supercar like, it rumbles over uneven surfaces and even setting the dampers to ‘Comfort’ mode really only makes it relatively so. Everywhere I go heads turn, people scream, wave, smile, take pictures, and even get off their bikes

to get a better shot when I stop at the lights. For better or worse, quite a few kids scream “Ferrari! Ferrari!” And that’s exactly why Nissan is launching this car. Very few Indians are aware that the Japanese carmaker is even capable of building such an outrageous machine, and the brand could really do with an image boost over here. Taking the GT-R round some bends, the steering is really ◊

 The pipes do growl but the overall soundtrack is more wail – typically Japanese.

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december 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 111

We tried very hard to soak in as much Japanese as we could that night.

∆ beginning to impress me. The feel and weight are simply super at any speed. It’s the old-school hydraulic unit retained from the earlier car, but elsewhere there are a host of other changes. The body has been stiffened and the suspension has also been recalibrated, with stiffer mounting points. These updates have added bulk and, with no real weight-reduction attempts, the GT-R tips the scales at a heavy 1,752kg. It might pay a small price in a sprint, but makes up for that with a more planted feel. The fourwheel drive has a rearward bias, but can vary the amount of power it delivers to the front wheels. The car has prodigious grip and very predictable handling that’ll make a hero out of anyone. Push it harder and the front begins to run wide, but even a novice like me can rein it in easily.

Show time

Night has finally descended; time for our shoot and finally a chance to let the motor sing! For 2017,

112 AUTOCARINDIA.COM december 2016

the GT-R’s twin-turbo 3.8 litre V6 gets a very small bump in power to 570hp and 637Nm of torque. The climactic chapter in the legend of the GT-R is this engine. Nissan builds it like it builds its race engines – by hand, by one of just five ‘Takumi’ or master craftsmen. Ours was built by Tsunemi Ooyama, God bless him. It’s delightful – the engine just feeds in power and more power, and the acceleration is head-spinningly fast. In its time, the GT-R had built a reputation as a supercar slayer with some of the quickest acceleration times. This 2017 car is quick, no doubt, doing the dash to 100kph in a still-ballistic sub-three seconds, but frankly, today’s supercars have simply gotten quicker. The GT-R is finally paying the price for its weight. The pipes do growl, but the overall soundtrack is more of a wail – typically Japanese, I guess – and you can hear the twin-turbos whine. Do we test the navigation, the touchscreen and the AC effectiveness? Not really. I’m sure

NISSAN GT-R FIrST drIVe

they all work and we’ll save that for a full road test. But the Bose sound system is great, and comes with active noise cancelling to negate wind and road noise. Oh, what we do test are the rear seats, which can pack two adults in like sardines (I get no complaints from my eager volunteers) and the boot is large enough for your weekend luggage too. So with all its talents, will the GT-R find any takers in India? That really depends on the asking

price. The GT-R has always been considered affordable relative to the performance it offers, and it will be interesting to see if Nissan can keep the same equation for India too.

A hArd dAy’S night

We wrap up our shoot at 5am, and I ponder my time with this car. Do I get it finally? I want to say yes, I really do, but the answer is no. Perhaps it’s just me, or maybe this just isn’t the age for the GT-R to win over a new legion of fans.

There are many modern competitors that have moved the game forward. The GT-R isn’t the supercar slayer it once was, but it’s still one heck of a sportscar. And gosh I really did enjoy this car – I had a ball, grinned like a little kid and would definitely insist you consider it carefully, should you be in the market for something quick yet relatively practical. It may not be at the top anymore but it is very much in the game. AI

NISSaN gT-r Est. price L/W/H Wheelbase Engine Power Torque Top speed 0-100kph Gearbox Kerb weight Tyre size (f-r)

Rs 2 crore (ex-showroom) 4710/1895/1370mm 2780mm V6, 3799cc, turbo petrol 570hp at 6800rpm 637Nm at 3600-5800rpm 315kph (claimed) under 3 seconds (claimed) 6-speed, dual-clutch auto 1752kg 255/40 R20-285/35 R20

december 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 113

Business class The new S90 and second-gen XF are very different takes on the mid-size luxury sedan. But do the Volvo and Jaguar offer enough of the right stuff to beat the Germans at their own game? Nikhil Bhatia finds out.

Location courtesy: raheja Xion, MuMbai

PhotograPhy AShley BAXTer

114 AUTOCARINDIA.COM deceMBeR 2016

orget sales numbers and market share. A couple of minutes of casual observation at the porch of a five-star hotel will tell you all you need to know about the mid-size luxury sedan segment in India; that it’s dominated by three models – the Audi A6, BMW 5-series and Mercedes-Benz E-class. You might spot a Jaguar XF or two, too, but a Volvo? Unlikely. This well-established order could be in for a major shake-up, though. And that’s thanks to the arrival of the two cars in the foreground. The

F

distinctive S90 on the left is the latest from a resurgent Volvo, and on the basis of our first drive last month, we can tell you the Swedish carmaker has given this model it’s all. Sold only with a single diesel engine option (for now), the S90 is all-new in every sense, and feels two generations ahead of the prehistoric S80 it replaces. To the S90’s right we have the second-gen Jaguar XF. It’s larger, lighter and more luxurious than the original and is a more wholesome package as a result. The Jag also has great handling to boot and an interesting engine – JLR’s latest

and very own ‘Ingenium’ 2.0-litre diesel engine. Of course, you are familiar with the German trio that currently provides the benchmarks in the segment. The Audi A6 was the recipient of an update last year, one that gave it a revised diesel engine, a new gearbox and those very technical Matrix LED headlamps. Then there’s the 520d that’s recently been updated with BMW’s latest 2.0-litre diesel engine and is making its presence felt here in its new M Sport form. And finally, there’s the ever-popular W212 Mercedes E-class in what will

go down as its last face-off with these rivals; the next-gen W213 E-class, due for launch in the first half of 2017, will come with a stretched wheelbase and move half a segment higher. What that means is, for a limited period, this E is available with huge discounts of as much as Rs 8 lakh, so it could just pull a big surprise on value. And let’s not forget also that the E has taken top honours in this segment in the past too. We’ve got the famous five together. Now to the hard job of deciding on one winner. ◊

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jaguar Xf 25t useD for PhotograPhy onLy

diesel luxury sedans COMPARISON

First impression

These cars are symbols of power and wealth and each of them looks the part. But you’ll probably agree when we say the Volvo is easily the most unique in its appearance. The upright front with the concave grille, the ‘Thor’s Hammer’ LED daytime-running lights in the headlamps, the long, flat bonnet that looks like it’s home to a V8, the cut of the rear quarter glass – it’s all very distinctive. The Volvo is also the longest car here, but the proportions are just right and give it a very regal air. If there’s anything that could divide opinion, it’s the styling at the rear. The large, C-shaped tail-lights are radical and ensure you won’t confuse an S90 for anything else.

On the other hand, the new Jag XF isn’t immediately identifiable as the new Jag XF. The design is an evolution of the first-gen car’s and the family look is also a bit too strong. It is an attractive car, no doubt, and the low-bonnet, hightail look works really well. Do note, however, that lesser versions of the XF get smaller 17-inch wheels (rather than this top Portfolio’s 18-inchers) and they hurt the car’s aesthetics. Still, the detailing is really nice and we particularly like the F-type-like LED highlights in the tail-lamps. Lights are perhaps a bigger deal at Ingolstadt, so much so that Audi has named the A6’s top trim after its ‘Matrix’ LED headlamps. The sophisticated headlights

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You’ll get noticed stepping out of their back doors, but each offers a varying level of rear seat comfort.

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automatically adjust individual diodes to ensure max visibility without blinding oncoming road users. It’s also really cool how the indicators swipe in the direction of a turn. It must be said, last year’s mild facelift that brought with it these advanced lights and a reworked grille and bumpers has helped keep the A6 looking sharp even five years into its life. BMW has also done well to wind the clock back on the greying 520d with the new M Sport trim. The contoured bumpers, fivespoke wheels and the exclusive Mediterranean Blue paint really add a lot of sportiness to the 5’s look. Should you prefer more sober styling, BMW also offers the 520d in Luxury Line trim for the same money. It’s saying something that this Merc E’s stately appearance still manages to look special right at the very end of its life. Think about it, even the last facelift was all the way back in 2013.

inside lines

Entering the S90’s cabin is like entering a Swedish spa. The ◊

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the sun and that the air-con fan is a touch noisy too. What’s also noteworthy is that there’s no electric steering adjustment, though the sheer level of adjustability on the Volvo’s front seats make up for this to a large extent. The seats get a memory function, can be adjusted for thigh

support and side bolstering, and are the only ones here with ventilation and heating too. The sculpted seats also offer remarkable comfort and it all adds up to a great experience up front. Unfortunately, the S90’s rear seat isn’t as special. There is acres of legroom but the seat is down on thigh support, headroom is limited

and there is a touch too much cushioning for your lower back. It’s a bit disappointing, especially since Volvo has a knack of getting its seats spot on. Seat comfort is an area where Jaguar has upped its game and how. The 51mm increase in the new XF’s wheelbase has resulted ◊

w h at you ge t foR youR Mone y

Price* LED headlights Climate control Electric steering adjust Digital instrument cluster Heads-up display Satellite navigation Camera/Park assist Paddle shifters Sunroof Air suspension Front seat adjust from rear Powered boot lid

Volvo S90 D4 Inscription Rs 53.50 lakh

Jaguar XF 20d Portfolio Rs 62.10 lakh

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∆ environment inside is very soothing and you can feel your pulse rate drop as you ease yourself down onto the seats and shut the doors. There are a few uneven panels if you really look for them, but initially at least, you’ll be bowled over by the combined effect of the nappa leather, unlacquered wood, brushed metal and brilliant knurled buttons and knobs that make up this rich cabin. The dash that is dominated by a 9.0-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen looks equal parts elegant and futuristic, but we think Volvo has gone a bit too far in its quest for a minimalist look. The screen is your go-to place for virtually all settings and, despite being as slick as an iPad in operation, it’s a bit fiddly to use on the go for routine things like changing the air-con temperature. You do get used to it over time, but a few physical shortcut buttons would have helped. Of the other bugbears, one is that the chunky metal starter knob tends to get quite hot when the car is parked out in

diesel luxury sedans COMPARISON

 These cars can be split into two camps. The S90, A6 and E are clearly comfort-oriented, while the XF and 5 have a sporty side too.

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diesel luxury sedans COMPARISON

S90 dash is new-age Swedish cool; touchscreen is slick but more physical shortcut buttons would have helped; S90 is quicker than it feels; rear seat could have been more supportive.

∆ in considerably more legroom at the back and there’s more headroom too, though not excessively so. The rear seat itself is arguably the best here as well. It’s supportive in all the right places, seats occupants in a comfy position and comes with very well judged cushioning. The XF also scores very high on front-seat comfort, with the top Portfolio trim’s perforated leather seats being no less than thrones. In fact, the way the extendable seat squab curls out for more thigh support is something we’ve only seen in cars from a class above. The top-spec Jag also gets you a large 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and it works fluidly and displays everything in good clarity. But for all its comfort and tech, the new XF’s cabin doesn’t quite have that sense of occasion the S90’s does. The dash isn’t radical in design and

material quality also hasn’t taken as much of a leap as we’ve come to expect of new-age luxury cars. It’s well put together, but there are a few scratchy plastics around, and when you focus on smaller bits like the ordinary-looking power window buttons, you know Jaguar hasn’t been overtly lavish with the cabin. What we can’t complain about is the ‘Jaguar handshake’ which has the rotary gear lever rise up and the side air-con vents fold open on engine ignition. It’s a gimmicky touch from the first XF but we’ve not tired of it in all these years.

Unexpectedly, we weren’t quite taken by the A6’s cabin on this acquaintance. The fact is, Audi itself is to blame for this. And we mean that in a good way. The carmaker has taken dash design and quality to such heights with the new Q7 and A4, that it’s made the older A6’s cabin look a bit last-gen well before its time. Even the MMI infotainment system (operated via a dial and touchpad) doesn’t come across as cutting edge today. Mind you, the A6’s interior is still a very premium place to be. Save for some average plastics on the centre

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S90’s soothing cabin is almost therapuetic in the way it can lower your pulse.

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console, quality is consistently good throughout the cabin. The A6 also gives drivers a great view out, but the front seats could have been more supportive. Those seated in the back of the A6 will have similar observations. The large rear windows allow excellent visibility but the well-cushioned seat could have offered more thigh support. The A6 is down on the S90 and XF on rear legroom, but comes with a party trick to make amends – at the touch of a button on the rear door, the front passenger seat can be slid forward to free up space. A big surprise in this test was how good the 5-series’ cabin felt. Yes, the dash looks just like any other BMW’s, but the M Sport trim’s faux aluminium seems to have breathed new life into the cabin. Quality too is among the best. The 5’s dashboard is high set and that hurts the feeling of ◊

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diesel luxury sedans COMPARISON ∆ space to some extent, but what remains nice is how neatly everything is laid out. The iDrive system, still operated via a rotary controller, is intuitive to use, its shortcut buttons allow quick access to key functions, and the 10.2inch screen’s interface is polished too. We also liked the sporty feel imparted by the M steering wheel, though some of us found the rim a bit too chunky. We were, however, unanimous in our appreciation of the Bimmer’s seats. The front seats are large, accommodating and well padded and the rear ones are second only to the XF’s on comfort. You don’t get the same level of legroom as the other cars here but you won’t be cramped for space either. Want to see this E-class in its best light? If so, go straight to the rear seat, because it still offers a very good experience. The seat is

 If you frequent twisty roads, the slick-handling XF will serve you best. comfy, there’s plenty of headroom, the large windows and twin sunroofs make the cabin feel airier than it is, and it’s the only car here where a middle rear passenger will not feel like a hostage. Shift to the front and the impression goes a bit downhill. You’ll have to be very benevolent to say this E-class’ cabin matches up to the others in look and feel. It is an old car and many elements of the cabin, such as the button-heavy centre console and angular buttons on the steering reflect that. The front

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seats also don’t offer the same level of adjustability you get on newer rivals, though the updated infotainment system works fine. But if there’s one area where the E-class trumps its rivals, it is build quality. You just don’t get the same deep thunk from shutting the doors on the other cars, and the fear is even the new E-class may not be quite as special on this front. For this comparison, we’ve taken the top-spec (albeit pricey) version of the XF, while the M Sport is the best equipped of the 520ds.

The S90, A6 35 TDI and E 250 d are sold only in single, fully loaded forms. All these cars come with LED headlights, sunroofs, navigation and power-adjusted front seats. Ventilated front seats aside, a powered boot lid and Apple CarPlay compatibility are class-first features on the well-equipped S90. The S90 and A6 offer four-zone climate control while the E-class gets three-zone, and the 520d and XF get only dual-zone setups. All cars feature rear cameras but the XF goes one up on the others with its 360-degree surround camera system. The XF and S90 can also play valet thanks to their park assist systems that can spot and steer into (and out of) a parking spot: we did find the XF’s system to work better. Again, the XF and S90 are the only cars here with heads-up displays. Full-digital dials are offered on ◊

Top-spec XF’s cabin looks rich but some plastics are so-so; touchscreen is large and works well; it’s not the quickest but feels strong; rear seat holds occupants really well and cushioning is good too.

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diesel luxury sedans COMPARISON

Blame the new A4 and Q7 for making the A6 cabin look a bit dated before its time; MMI system is easy to use; power delivery is genteel yet effective; space is great but seating position isn’t.

∆ the XF, S90 and 5-series but the Bimmer’s screen is way superior to the other two. High-end sound systems are the norm, but to our ears, the podium, in descending order, is occupied by the Volvo’s Bowers & Wilkins system, the Jag’s Meridian setup and the Audi’s Bose unit. Finally, party animals will be well informed to know the Jaguar has the most comprehensive ambient lighting program.

Moving on

The S90, XF, A6 and 520d are each powered by 2.0-litre, fourcylinder diesel engines, while the Merc uses a slightly larger 2.1litre four pot. However, the Merc engine features two turbos and is correspondingly the most powerful at 204hp and 500Nm. The S90, A6 and 520d’s engines make an identical 190hp and 400Nm while the XF’s unit is good for 180hp and

430Nm. What’s interesting is that there’s no massive difference in their performance numbers, both in flat-out as well as kickdown acceleration. Still, these cars feel quite different from behind the wheel. Hear an S90 from the outside and you’ll scoff at how loud the engine is. But very little of that clatter actually makes its way into the cabin and the net result is the engine feels very refined. What’s also good is that the engine provides good thrust early on and low down in the rev range, and

this helps the large S90 feel light on its feet. You can happily press on as the engine will continue providing a steady stream of power till 4,000rpm or so. Dynamic mode helps speed things up, but when you want to drive hard, you’ll miss paddle shifters for the eight-speed gearbox. Manual shifts via the gear selector are possible, but the clunky lever takes away from the experience. Merely looking at the numbers will tell you the XF is the slowest car here. The fact is, it doesn’t feel so. It’s not got the S90’s immediate

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The headlights may be the talking point but there’s a lot else to like about the A6 too.

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power delivery but once the engine is in its flow, it feels strong. The eight-speed gearbox does well to keep the engine in the meat of the powerband and it’s the only car here that lets you manually hold gear (operated via the paddles) at about 4,900rpm in its sporty Dynamic mode. The thing is, the XF’s engine is quite loud for a brand-new modern unit. The engine booms when pushed and there’s also an audible clatter at idle. On a related note, it’s commendable how much of a difference the new engine has made to the BMW 520d’s refinement. From being one of the loudest, the 520d is now among the quietest cars in the class. However, the new engine is also different in its character; it seemingly doesn’t pull as quickly or as hard as we remember the older one to have. That said, performance betters ◊

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diesel luxury sedans COMPARISON ∆ the older 520d’s (and most rivals), and no doubt the tweaked eight-speed gearbox has helped bring the best out of the engine. Gearshifts are the most fluid and, in Sport mode, it’s easily the most engaging gearbox too. You’ll get quick shifts on the Audi A6’s seven-speed dual-clutch auto too, but they aren’t quite as smooth as the BMW’s. Again, last year’s engine update has changed the way the A6 drives. Gone is the punchy mid-range and quick-revving character of the old engine. What you get now instead is a more linear build-up of power. The Audi still revs hard, especially so in Dynamic mode, but engine noise levels at the limit will keep you from exploring the top end often. It’s all rather hushed at low speeds though, and in a sense, the A6 is best enjoyed in a relaxed manner with the gearbox left to its own devices.

 The new engine has done its bit to up the 520d’s refinement to new levels.

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That’s true about the E 250 d also, which is a bit ironic given it’s the most powerful car here. The E is quick off the line and performance is good, but you won’t want to push it hard. Because doing so reveals the engine’s noisier, harsher side and also that the old seven-speed gearbox isn’t as willing with manual gearshifts. The best way to enjoy the Merc is to drive it smoothly and enjoy its measured rise in pace.

The ride sTuff

How these cars cope with our roads

and how well they shield occupants from the happenings beneath is a key differentiator. The good news is you won’t be uncomfortable in any of these cars, but differences do exist. The S90 that comes standard with a rear air suspension is nice and absorbent at low speeds, but up the pace and the Volvo tends to bob. You can trade some level of bump absorption for better body control by setting the suspension to the firmer Dynamic mode though. In fact, in Dynamic, the S90 also

makes for a very sure-footed highspeed cruiser. The Jaguar XF also feels nice and tied down at speed and is rather good at dealing with our average-quality roads. The setup is clearly firmer than the S90’s (it’s the firmest here, but not by much) so it picks up more of the road’s imperfections and there’s a bit more side-to-side movement too. There is also more road noise than we’d have like, but suspension noise is well contained. On the other hand, the A6’s suspension can get noisy at times. It will protest with a sharp thud if you don’t slow down enough for a large pothole. The A6 uses air suspension all round and comes with two settings, but neither is perfect. The best compromise is to use Comfort in town, as it does a really good job of ironing out ◊

M Sport trim helps liven up BMW’s familiar dash; updated iDrive system interface is great; Bimmer is quick as ever and now quiet too; rear seat really comfy but not as spacious as rivals.

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E-class cabin has aged gracefully but is undeniably old-school now; infotainment system is decent; twinturbo engine is the most powerful here; best seat for three passengers.

∆ bumps at low speeds, and Dynamic at speed, which arrests undue body movement. We wish BMW provided some form of damper control on the 520d too. BMW has softened the 5-series’ ride over the years, and while it’s terrific at dealing with bumps, there is a lot of residual body movement. As a result, the 520d feels floaty and very un-BMW-like. The Merc’s suspension is very, well, Mercedes-like. The low-speed ride is pliant and free from any thumps and kicks. And the faster you go, the better it gets. The ride remains flat and composed at all speeds. And while the E-class is oriented towards comfort, it is nice to drive on a winding road too, in part thanks to its wonderfully fluid steering. But if its sporty handling you are after, the rear-wheel-drive XF it has to be. The steering is well-

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weighted and precise, body control is impressive for what is a large car and there’s a nice balance to the chassis that eggs you on to let your hair down behind the wheel. The softened BMW 520d simply doesn’t provide the same level of connection today. You can enjoy yourself behind the wheel, but the body and steering feel too loose for a pukka BMW. The A6 has sporty pretensions too but the steering feels too artificially weighted to engage keen drivers and there’s also only so much a large, front-wheel-

drive sedan can do in the corners. Likewise, the S90 won’t put a smile on your face around the bends either. Handling is safe and predictable, but no more. Still, the steering gives a good sense of control and you’ll like how easy it is to use in town.

The chosen one

That the W212 E-class, now in its seventh year on sale in India, could stand tall among new rivals just goes to show the depth of its engineering. We never expected it to feel as modern as the Jag or

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This is probably the last of the Mercs to offer that renowned vault-like build.

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Volvo but there’s no denying that the luxury-car basics are all in place. It’s got a good back seat, a comfy ride and still feels built like a tank. It’s hard to recommend one wholeheartedly, but for the few who wouldn’t mind driving home a last-gen car, this is as good a time as any to buy one. Think about it – an E-class for C-class money. The Audi A6’s Rs 51.8 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) asking price is officially the lowest here, and there’s always scope for some haggling too. Price aside, things that should steer you to an Audi showroom for an A6 include its lengthy features list and generally pleasant demeanour. It’s just that the A6 doesn’t feel as special as it once did. The driving experience doesn’t particularly excite, the cabin has started looking a bit old and newer rivals offer more by way of

DIesel lUxURy seDANs cOMPARISON

tech too, which was always the A6’s calling card. The Jaguar is the clear driver’s choice with the nicest handling. At the same time, the Jag also offers the best rear seat. It is quite a complete package, but it’s not perfect. The engine, for one, is on the noisier side. But what really works against the XF is pricing. The top-spec diesel XF Portfolio costs Rs 62.10 lakh, which is just

too expensive for what you get. Lesser Pure and Prestige trim cars are available for more reasonable money, but they feel decidedly like pared down ‘corporate editions’ and are just not as desirable. Priced at Rs 54 lakh, the BMW 520d M Sport is not cheap, but now that the next-gen 5-series has been revealed, you can expect prices to tumble in the coming months. The 520d may not drive

Volvo S90 d4 Inscription

want. Sure, the rear seat could have been better, but even that’s not a deal breaker. Only helping the S90’s case is its pricing. Rs 53.50 lakh is good value for what is a cutting edge and well-equipped luxury sedan. So, in this season of political upsets, here’s one in the car world. The Volvo S90 is the best large luxury sedan you can buy. Volvo is no longer the underdog. AI

Audi A6 35 TdI Matrix

BMW 520d M Sport

Mercedes-Benz e 250 d Avantgarde

Newer rivals have taken away its tech advantage.

Scores where it counts. Too soft for a BMW though.

Manages to hold its own in many areas despite vintage.

HHHHHHHIII 4933/1874/1455mm 2912mm 1735kg 4 cyls, 1968cc, turbo-diesel Front-wheel drive 190hp at 3800-4200rpm 400Nm at 1750-3000rpm 7-speed dual-clutch auto 245/45 R18

HHHHHHHHII 4907/1860/1464mm 2968mm 1695kg 4 cyls, 1995cc, turbo-diesel Rear-wheel drive 190hp at 4000rpm 400Nm at 1750-2500rpm 8-speed auto 245/45 R18- 275/40 R18

HHHHHHHIII 4879/1854/1474mm 2874mm 1725kg 4 cyls, 2143cc, bi-turbo-diesel Rear-wheel drive 204hp at 4200rpm 500Nm at 1600-1800rpm 7-speed auto 245/45 R17

PerforMance Kph 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 20-80 (in kickdown) 40-100 (in kickdown)

Classy Swede feels the most Great to drive but pricier special. Sensibly priced too. than it ought to be. HHHHHHHHII HHHHHHHHII 4963/1895/1443mm 4954/1880/1457mm 2941mm 2960mm our CE CHOI 1717kg 1760kg 4 cyls, 1969cc, turbo-diesel 4 cyls, 1999cc, turbo-diesel Front-wheel drive Rear-wheel drive 190hp at 4250rpm 180hp at 4000rpm 400Nm at 1750-2500rpm 430Nm at 1750-2500rpm 8-speed auto 8-speed auto 245/45 R18 245/45 R18 Acceleration (from rest) Acceleration (from rest) Sec Sec 1.00 0.81 2.33 2.13 3.84 3.80 5.92 6.12 8.50 9.04 11.90 12.72 16.01 17.32 21.48 24.25 5.29 5.26 6.55 6.70

Acceleration (from rest) Sec 1.23 2.39 3.93 5.86 8.58 11.92 16.30 21.75 4.87 6.99

Acceleration (from rest) Sec 0.88 1.91 3.48 5.46 8.32 12.24 17.37 23.30 5.10 6.51

Acceleration (from rest) Sec 0.94 1.92 3.56 5.75 8.31 11.95 16.16 22.21 5.85 7.31

whaT iT cosTs Price (ex-showroom, Delhi)

Rs 53.50 lakh

Rs 51.80 lakh

Rs 54 lakh

Rs 52.19 lakh

verdicT raTing L/W/H Wheelbase Kerb weight Engine Type Power Torque Gearbox Tyre size (f-r)

Jaguar XF 20d Portfolio

like a sporty BMW should, but it sure delivers on luxury and comfort. Refinement is better than ever too, making the 520d a very tempting proposition indeed. But none of the other cars leave quite as lasting an impression as the new Volvo S90. It’s refreshingly different and in its clear focus on comfort means it gives the majority of Indian luxury sedan buyers what they

Rs 62.10 lakh

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Siddhant Ghalla takes a break from his regular life to explore the luxury quotient of India’s palaces, by road. PhotoGraPhy PrIyank ChhaPwale

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india palace drive FEATURE

LIVING LIFE KING-SIZE

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The Crystal Suite at the Jai Mahal Palace boasts Rajput-style furniture and artwork.

A life-size chessboard with intricate pieces is a highlight at Jai Mahal Palace.

The pillars at the Marble Arch cafe are 270 years old. here’s a famous saying that goes, “Luxury is not a state of being, it is a frame of mind.” At first read, it comes across as supremely profound, informing those of us who do not sleep on sheets made of silk that we too can live a life of so-called ‘luxury’, if only we condition our minds to think that our life, as it is, is luxurious. But then, mull the thought over in your head the way you would roll a button between your fingers, and you realise that the saying is nothing but a cop-out. Because luxury is, very well, a state of being. It is about large mansions set amidst sprawling gardens, or living in a 5-star hotel every time you go on vacation, or eating at a restaurant that provides you with three forks and three spoons and three glasses. Luxury is about silk and gold, about exquisite views and comfortable cars, about croquet and polo, and most importantly, about tangible comfort in every sense of the phrase. But simply ranting against that saying was not enough. We needed to prove, to ourselves and others, that true luxury exists beyond the confines of your mind. So we decided to go out there and experience it for ourselves. And a thought emerged in my mind: What better way to experience luxury than through the life of the royalty of India, and what better way to experience the life than the royalty of India than by living in their palaces! The Indian royalty, as I am sure folk stories and

T

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Few things shout ‘luxury’ like a spa experience. mainstream movies have told you, represent the epitome of luxury. And having decided that I was to experience their life, I set about the business of doing so in just the way the maharajas in the past would have: in luxury, but by road. My chariot of choice was the new Hyundai Elantra. I am personally a fan of Hyundais, the Elantra was brand new and waiting to be put through the long-distance test, and from a brief, earlier stint in it, I was won over by how comfortable it was.

The firsT sTop: pink CiTy To choose the first location of my luxury-

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Jai Mahal has served as the residence of three prime ministers of Jaipur.

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exploration drive, I played a small wordassociation game – I thought ‘palaces’, and the first location that popped into my head, unsurprisingly, was Rajastathan. The grand palaces of Rajasthan occupy a prominent place in India’s cultural and travel scene. While there are hundreds of palaces, small and big, scattered all over the desert state, an elite bunch of them, most of which are currently 5-star hotels, have consistently made headlines. The first palace we visited was the Jai Mahal Palace, a large Indo-Mughal building set amidst scenic Mughal gardens. It is currently a Taj hotel located in the midst of Jaipur’s hustle and bustle, but somehow still, completely isolated from it. Jai Mahal Palace, in its 270-year history, has served as the residence of three prime ministers of the princely state of Jaipur. Currently a 100-room, its luxury quotient is obvious from the moment you enter the marble-floored lobby. As you make your way through the cool hallways, your eyes are drawn to the intricate latticework and ornate furnishings that adorn the walls. The six suites of the Jai Mahal Palace are all unique, and we got an opportunity to meander within the Crystal Suite. Named so on account of the large crystal chandelier in the bedroom, the fourroom suite was fitted with fine ◊

india palace drive FEATURE

Our bright blue Elantra added a dash of colour to the otherwise drab and unchanging landscape of Rajasthan.

The lily pond at the Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur once the personal recreational area of the queen, is now an oasis of calm.

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The Lake Palace in Udaipur was built as a ‘pleasure palace’ and later served as a means to beat the summer heat.

An astrologer waits to tell discerning guests what their future holds. ∆ Rajput furniture, murals, tapestries and artwork. The study tables were particularly fine, with their wooden bases and marble tops. The charm of the Jai Mahal Palace, in my opinion, is best experienced when you walk about its open spaces, such as the life-sized chess board with intricately designed pieces and the Marble Arch cafe, with its nearly 300-year-old marble pillars and open-air dining. There is a distinct tranquillity to being served tea from a silver teapot as you look upon a setting sun that is bathing the green lawns in front of you in a pastel orange. Moments like these are rare in our quotidian lives.

Love is in The air

We drove out of the Pink City in our bright blue Elantra, positively riled up about our waiting

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The royal guards at the Lake Palace dutifully welcome us, royalty-style.

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The Lake Palace is an island unto itself, accessible only by boat.

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adventures. Jai Mahal was splendid, and it was just the beginning! Our next destination was Udaipur, the lake city. It was a good 400km away, but Rajasthan is known for its straight, flat roads, so I was actually looking forward to the journey. As the sun rose to its peak in the sky, Rajasthan’s trademark heat made an appearance. The temperature gauge in the Elantra told us it was a simmering 35 degrees outside, but sitting in the comfortable backseat, with cool wind being blown my

india palace drive FEATURE way through the rear AC blower, it was easy to forget that. As the unchanging scenery rolled by, kilometre after kilometre, I started dozing off. When I woke next, we were making our way through crowded streets as wide as the car itself. We had arrived. Udaipur is a romantic city; the love in the air is palpable, be it in its crowded old city or along the banks of Lake Pichola. There is something about this city that just makes you woozy with warmth. But nowhere is the romanticism as obvious as in the Taj Lake Palace. As the name suggests, it is located in a lake. But here’s the kicker – you can’t access it by a bridge – the palace is an island unto itself, and to get to it, Taj whisks you over the blue waters of the lake in a boat. As you make your way towards it, it strikes you as serene. The serenity could be on account of its white walls, or its isolation from the crowded city, but it’s there, in abundance. Unlike what you would expect of a palace, the Lake Palace is not very large; a forgivable compromise considering it had to be built on a jagged rock in the middle of a lake. And it is this compactness that makes it so special – unlike the aloofness of leviathan palaces, there is a cosiness to it. Step in, and you immediately feel at home. The Lake Palace was originally constructed as a ‘pleasure palace’ by Maharana Jagat Singh II in 1746 to frolic around with the ladies, and was later used as a summer palace by the royal family of Udaipur. Temperatures in the middle of the lake are about 4°C lower than on the mainland, and when you are living the luxury life, having an entire palace to beat the summer heat – makes sense. The sense of serenity projected by the exterior of the Lake Palace carries on inside. One of the defining features of this palace is the lily pond, which used to ◊

A marble-and-gold sundial tells us that time is a luxury no one can afford.

Weekend break

I had a free Sunday while Siddhant and the team were palace-hopping, and I couldn’t resist the chance to spend some time on Rajasthan’s great roads. adding to my temptation was the fact that they were touring in the petrol-manual Elantra. There’s nothing like having a manual ‘box and a free-revving engine for the open road. The Elantra’s 2.0-litre petrol works best when it’s wound-up and proved to be very entertaining. The Udaipur-Jodhpur stretch I joined for is one of the nicest routes in Rajasthan to drive on. The roads are largely empty and the divided two-lane highway makes powering down the well-surfaced roads effortless. The Elantra’s easy manners make you complacent, but that’s the last thing you should be on these roads where manic bikers tend to dart across without any warning. I had a heart-stopping moment dodging such a biker. I slammed on the brakes so hard that I could feel the brake pedal pulse with the aBS working overtime. Thank God for the all-round discs which shed speed remarkably well. driving in Rajasthan comes with its caveats. Before long, however, it was time for me to leave, but I have to say, this was a Sunday well spent. hormazd sorabjee

This jetty serves as the access point for the Taj Lake Palace.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX deceMBeR 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 137

The Elantra kindly offers to take us to a fuel pump; brass knobs controlled Umaid Bhavan’s vintage AC system. ∆ be the queen’s personal recreational area. Called so on account of its lily-like shape, this pond inspires mental calm and peace like few other places. Every evening, a flautist sits in an alcove above the pond and plays soulful music, which, on account of the acoustics of the building, can be heard distinctly in every open area of the palace. While calm and comfort is one aspect of luxury, opulence is another, equally important one. And the Lake Palace scores well on that front too. Its beautifully ornamented bar serves a wine that was specifically crafted for this hotel and the Neel Kamal restaurant serves food on Versace plates. The Lake Palace is a magical place in the truest sense of the phrase. Its air is crowded with many elements – love, wonder, opulence, tranquillity. It is so special that it has even starred in the 1983 Bond film, Octopussy. We left the Lake Palace when the sun was about to set, and as the boat chugged away to the mainland, the sight of the white palace being turned into the colour of burning embers by the last rays of the sun made a profound impression on me. Luxury, I mused, has to be a state of being.

Time for The bLues

When you think of royalty touring India by road, you would imagine them cooped up in a sumptuous backseat, reading a book or pondering upon life or napping, while a chauffeur did all the driving work. While that is not a misplaced picture to have, fact of the matter is that the maharajas and princes of yore were automobile enthusiasts who loved driving, given that the car was a great driver’s car. Keeping that in mind, I moved to behind the wheel of the Elantra for our 260km drive to Jodhpur, Rajasthan’s blue city, because the Jodhpur-Udaipur stretch, I have been told, is rather brilliant for driving. The 2.0-litre petrol engine under the hood is distinctly responsive, with a vast reserve on power available on tap. We were confronted with scenic mountain twisties and flat straights, and I drove on both with a grin plastered on my face. Whenever I needed a surge of power, all I had to do was twitch my right foot and the Elantra would eagerly lunge forward, like a cat on the prowl. I could feel the anticipation bubbling in my stomach as the map on the touchscreen

infotainment system showed the ETA for Umaid Bhavan Palace as just 15 minutes away. This palace hotel, after all, holds the title of the world’s best hotel, and that is no small title to live up to. As we pull into the palace grounds, we are greeted by a truly breathtaking, visually arresting and viscerally intimidating structure. There is something about it, perhaps the shade of the stone used, or the perfect symmetry, or the immaculate angles, that make you think, “This is perfect.” The Umaid Bhavan Palace is a relatively new palace, with construction completed only in 1943. It took 15 years to build, and unlike most palaces that were built simply to reflect the affluence and opulence of their owners, this palace was actually built to provide employment to thousands of people during times of famine.



Umaid Bhavan is visually arresting and viscerally intimidating.



The central atrium of Umaid Bhavan, with its marble floor and intricate pillars, is awe-inspiring. 138 AUTOCARINDIA.COM deceMBeR 2016

INDIA pAlACe DRIve FeATURe It really does not get more ‘palatial’ than this.

The large central dome is the crowning glory of the Umaid Bhavan Palace. I step out of the Elantra, and my senses are inundated by the sights and sounds of something that I am later informed was a royal Rajput welcome. As I climb the red-carpeted stairs, rose petals are strewn under my feet, trumpets are blared, drums beaten and a canopy held-up over my head by four swords. As I walk into the front lobby, I am greeted by immaculately preserved tiger and leopard trophies. Walking further, I find myself standing in a large, circular atrium topped by a massive dome and supported by sculpted pillars, beyond which is a sprawling garden frequented by peacocks and squirrels. Umaid Bhavan Palace featured an airconditioning system when it was built all the way back in 1943 – concealed ducts placed throughout the building circulated air cooled by large blocks

The art-deco-styled Maharani suite had five rooms, including a personal spa.

of ice and controlled by strategically placed knobs. Beats building a palace within a lake in terms of practicality, if not flamboyance. The courteous Taj management walked us through the history of the palace, but the highlight came when they opened the Maharani suite to us. This is the largest and most expensive room in the hotel. Made up of five individual rooms – dining room, living room, bedroom, spa and dressing/wash room – the Maharani suite is bigger than most apartments you would find in an Indian metro. Decorated in the art deco style, it is fitted with the best of furniture and materials and offers breathtaking views of Jodhpur from the balcony. It is so opulent that I can barely imagine living like this on a daily basis. Umaid Bhavan Palace is one of the finest examples of luxury. You will be hard-pressed

to find a single square-inch in the entire palace that does not make you feel special. As I walked through its marble-floored and chittar-walled hallways, I could not help but straighten my spine, puff my chest and strut with an air of sophistication. Luxury, I now concluded, is more than just comfort or a state of being; it is the brimming over of richness, of the feeling that you are above everything. The next morning, as the first rays of the sun fell on the dome of the Umaid Bhavan Palace, we loaded are bags into the Elantra’s boot and drove out of Jodhpur. It was time to leave Rajasthan’s gems behind and make our way to a different part of India, where different palaces awaited us. (Our exploration of luxury is far from over; count the days till the next issue to continue on this journey of indulgence.) AI

deceMBeR 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 139

india

Spare partS price Survey

december 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 141

Spare a thought Our comprehensive price survey of spare parts for over 150 of India’s most popular cars is back. Sergius Barretto and Siddhant Ghalla crunch the numbers. or most people, buying a car is a major financial decision and at times a complex one. While we commonly tend to link the affordability of a car to its ex-showroom or on-road price, purchasing and owning a car comes with a long list of other costs. While some costs are obvious, such as insurance and fuel, others, such as repairs and maintenance, are more implicit and abstract. Of course, people do talk about how the service costs for a particular brand, but such assertions are not always based on hard numbers. Thus, the Autocar Spare Parts Survey. At the time of purchase, two cars might cost roughly the same, but the burden on your pocket may differ substantially over the years. The cost of ownership of a vehicle is made up of a number of components, including but not limited to the cost of spares, servicing costs, service intervals, component service life, and even depreciation. The multiplicity of these components is what makes calculating the accurate cost of ownership of a vehicle a tricky affair. ◊

F

the alto narrowly beats the nano to have the lowest basket price amongst budget hatchbacks.

BUDgET HATCHBACkS

Datsun ReDigo

HyunDai eon 0.8

HyunDai eon 1.0

MaRuti MaRuti Renault alto 800 alto K10 KwiD 800

tata nano

service parts

Air Filter Oil Filter Fuel Filter Wiper Blades (pair) Spark Plug (for entire set) Timing Belt/ Chain Fan Belt/ Drivebelt Front Brake Pads (set of 4)

166 112 244 349 122 1459 192 1149

164 96 397 551 228 629 152 1062

238 96 397 551 228 1331 915 1062

225 90 320 255 375 590 150 1050

185 90 320 255 300 631 240 2280

166 112 244 349 122 1459 184 1149

166 112 244 349 122 2620 184 1149

166 94 55 230 130 481 126 776

569 185 1361 952 1300 2500 2068*

1699 453 1156 941 706 1738 579

1699 453 1156 1486 706 2673 579

1450 160 1185 630 635 1725 580

1800 235 1480 675 635 1800 580

1800 480 1449 952 1300 2500 2068

1800 480 1449 952 1300 2500 2068

3009 310 1665 1121 944 1180 381

1429 1126 2216 4076 1950 7326 5318 1819 1328 2900 578 40726

1168 687 998 2769 2343 4345 3503 2381 1328 2673 578 33324

1168 687 998 2769 2499 4345 3503 2381 1328 2673 578 36499

1195 574 950 2584 2100 5200 4894 2013 883 2900 443 33156

1250 965 1119 2975 2475 5200 4700 2129 1346 2900 500 37065

1429 1290 1729 4076 1950 6280 5318 2200 1529 2900 1150 44185

1429 1290 1729 4076 2076 6280 5318 2200 1529 2900 1208 45530

1625 937 2773 4130 1890 4187 4338 1812 786 2529 704 36379

254062 16.0%

344061 9.7%

465233 7.8%

330286 10.0%

369084 10.0%

298513 14.8%

419847 10.8%

238201 15.3%

Mechanical parts

A/c Evaporator Coil Radiator Hose Set Front Strut/ Shock Absorber Front Brake Disc/ Drum Front Suspension Lower Arm Clutch and Pressure Plate Clutch Release Bearing accident repair parts

Front bumper Wheel rim (each) Front fender Bonnet Radiator Front door Bootlid/ tailgate Headlight Assy. (each with bulb) Tail-light Assy. (each with bulb) Front windscreen glass Side mirror (with casing) Total Price Basket Vehicle price (ex showroom, Mumbai, base version) Percentage of parts to car price *Estimated based on Kwid price Percentage of parts to car price Total price basket (All values in thousands)

20 15 10 05

40 16.0%

36

33 9.7%

7.8%

37

33 10.0%

NOTE: Figures in blue are lowest, red are highest. Prices in rupees are M.R.P. (Mumbai), effective Aug-Nov 2016. Prices are indicative and may vary. All prices from manufacturers. N/A- Not Available/Not Applicable.

142 AUTOCARINDIA.COM december 2016

Renault KwiD 1.0

10.0%

14.8%

44

45 10.8%

15.3%

36

SPARE PARTS PRICE SURVEY

sharing platforms, the Redigo and the Kwid have virtually identical part prices.

ENTRy-LEVEL HATCHBACkS

CHevy Beat PetRol

CHevy Beat Diesel

252 162 292 599 404 3540 197 2354

477 453 1376 599 NA 1501 197 2354

232 175 NA 295 125 1190 1214 2306

247 96 392 469 316 629 152 1137

190 90 320 265 300 631 240 1048

185 90 700 280 300 631 240 2280

2900 477 1661 1065 2400 2413 1003

2618 522 1730 1065 2400 3255 3518

3971 450 1691 930 1289 2974 NA

1773 420 1092 999 1130 1711 579

2165 185 1315 675 916 1800 580

1599 954 1891 4034 3015 7000 5277 4122 1426 3466 1364 53867

1599 954 1891 4034 5779 7000 5277 4122 1426 3466 1364 58977

1490 950 1295 4200 2490 6980 5690 2720 1110 3895 768 48430

1337 732 1068 3247 2526 4999 3711 2995 1397 2980 762 36896

457771 11.8%

557842 10.6%

353629 13.7%

53

58

Datsun go

nissan MiCRa aCtive

tata inDiCa PetRol

tata inDiCa Diesel

tata tiago PetRol

tata tiago Diesel

259 170 1254 280 NA 840 225 2280

232 175 NA 994 125 1190 692 2306

313 132 629 359 97 981 313 1587

313 204 179 359 NA 850 516 1587

455 119 387 511 258 1607 457 1468

321 204 2242 511 NA 931 457 1468

1350 177 1450 960 1050 1900 580

1350 290 1750 960 1325 3050 3137

2600 595 1774 1310 1968 2722 4970

1987 231 1809 809 1949 2634 610

1987 391 1809 841 1949 2474 610

4731 358 1938 1053 3132 3139 715

4731 358 1938 1053 3132 1442 715

1223 785 1374 2878 2527 5219 5529 2293 1148 2922 554 37172

1300 860 1375 2990 2450 5250 4800 2444 1346 3200 900 39088

1300 1075 1375 2990 3100 5250 4800 2444 1346 3200 900 44950

2030 1143 1790 5250 2980 9980 6190 2723 1320 3550 1032 59641

2398 795 2977 4700 4479 8843 6156 1718 1443 4135 1252 53336

2398 795 2977 4700 4885 8843 6156 1718 1443 4135 1252 53371

1774 844 2192 7046 3200 7652 6131 2836 1370 4569 1149 59091

1774 844 2192 7046 3133 7652 6131 2836 1370 4569 1149 58199

454248 8.1%

398581 9.3%

427915 9.1%

533162 8.4%

479827 12.4%

421741 12.6%

511925 10.4%

342654 17.2%

422340 13.8%

36

37

39

44

59

53

53

59

HyunDai i10

MaRuti wagonR

MaRuti CeleRio PetRol

MaRuti CeleRio Diesel

service parts

Air Filter Oil Filter Fuel Filter Wiper Blades (pair) Spark Plug (for entire set) Timing Belt/ Chain Fan Belt/ Drivebelt Front Brake Pads (set of 4) Mechanical parts

A/c Evaporator Coil Radiator Hose Set Front Strut/ Shock Absorber Front Brake Disc/ Drum Front Suspension Lower Arm Clutch and Pressure Plate Clutch Release Bearing accident repair parts

Front bumper Wheel rim (each) Front fender Bonnet Radiator Front door Bootlid/ tailgate Headlight Assy. (each with bulb) Tail-light Assy. (each with bulb) Front windscreen glass Side mirror (with casing) Total Price Basket Vehicle price (ex showroom Mumbai, base version) Percentage of parts to car price

Percentage of parts to car price Total price basket (All values in thousands)

20 15 10 05 11.8%

10.6%

48 13.7%

8.1%

9.3%

9.1%

8.4%

12.4%

12.6%

10.4%

17.2%

58 13.8%

december 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 143

been grouped into three categories: service parts, mechanical parts and accident repair parts. Service parts are those that require routine, periodic changes, such as air and oil filters, wiper blades and brake pads. Mechanical parts require changing upon wearing out and failure, and include brake discs/ drums and shock absorbers. Accident repair parts include wheel rims or bumpers, and usually require changing only when damaged due to an accident.

Depsite being two segments above, the swift spares are only slightly more expensive than the alto’s. ∆ There is, however, a simpler way around this. The cost of spare parts of a car is a great indicator of its cost of ownership. It is critical that these costs are not considered synonymous to the cost of ownership. It is merely a good indicator, and should always be considered in conjunction with other information such as the service life of components and the manufacturer-recommended service intervals. Another factor that needs to be kept in mind is the service package. Several manufacturers and dealers today offer service packages that, for a fixed prepaid sum, cover all your servicing needs over a certain period. These packages also help you hedge against future ownership expenses as well as inflation. Autocar India’s Spare Parts Survey, an extensive collection and analysis of the cost of spares of more than 150 cars currently on sale in India, allows you to compare the indicative cost of ownership of one vehicle to that of any other. In this survey, the spare parts have

MID-RANgE HATCHBACkS

CHevRolet Fiat Punto sail u-va PuRe PetRol PetRol

HonDa BRio

Budget hatchBacks

Price sensitivity is particularly high for budget car buyers, making the cost of ownership an important metric for them. The budget car segment has seen some exciting

HyunDai gRanD i10 PetRol

HyunDai gRanD i10 Diesel

MaRuti swiFt PetRol

service parts

271 162 582 623 824 1038 508 2354

422 215 540 799 500 890 657 3590

453 432 1775 799 NA 2615 936 3590

482 166 507 900 420 600 300 2400

199 96 397 469 1128 999 549 1582

199 459 1245 469 NA 798 377 1582

305 90 356 385 780 530 240 1583

2549 559 2178 1065 2640 3473 715

4390 919 2195 1390 2090 3490 638

4390 325 2195 1390 2090 4964 638

1686 500 2300 723 1700 2639 700

3098 517 1356 993 1722 2574 579

3098 820 1356 993 1722 5284 1317

1950 129 1250 1137 2200 1820 580

2805 1244 1981 5244 3455 9100 5975 3249 1930 4368 1377 60269

2162 799 1880 4715 2990 4925 3665 2293 725 4190 854 51923

2162 799 1880 4715 2990 4925 3665 2293 725 4190 854 55790

1900 1316 1800 3277 2950 5400 5639 3021 1022 3000 1350 46698

1441 899 1068 2769 2499 5411 3656 2293 1118 2997 1058 41467

1441 899 1068 2769 2779 5411 3656 2293 1118 2997 1058 45208

1735 905 650 3563 2500 3500 3500 2794 1250 3000 1125 37857

507675 11.9%

480152 10.8%

589491 9.5%

501099 9.3%

516399 8.0%

611093 7.4%

504929 7.5%

60

51

55

Air Filter Oil Filter Fuel Filter Wiper Blades (pair) Spark Plug (for entire set) Timing Belt/ Chain Fan Belt/ Drivebelt Front Brake Pads (set of 4) Mechanical parts

A/c Evaporator Coil Radiator Hose Set Front Strut/ Shock Absorber Front Brake Disc/ Drum Front Suspension Lower Arm Clutch and Pressure Plate Clutch Release Bearing accident repair parts

Front bumper Wheel rim (each) Front fender Bonnet Radiator Front door Bootlid/ tailgate Headlight Assy. (each with bulb) Tail-light Assy. (each with bulb) Front windscreen glass Side mirror (with casing) Total Price Basket Vehicle price (ex showroom Mumbai, base version) Percentage of parts to car price

Percentage of parts to car price Total price basket (All values in thousands)

20 15 10 05 11.9%

144 AUTOCARINDIA.COM december 2016

Fiat Punto PuRe Diesel

The cost of all the surveyed spare parts for each car is listed at the bottom of the table as the total basket price, a quick-glance number to estimate how heavy a car might end up being on your wallet.

10.8%

9.5%

46 9.3%

45

41 8.0%

7.4%

37 7.5%

SPARE PARTS PRICE SURVEY disruption in the past year, what with the introduction of the Renault Kwid and the Datsun Redigo, both featuring more than 95 percent localisation. Despite heavy localisation attempts by Renault and Datsun, it is the Maruti Alto 800, India’s bestselling car, which features the lowest basket price in this segment. However, it is important to note that the Kwid, Redigo and Alto 800 are all priced similarly in terms of service parts; the disparity occurs in mechanical and accident repair parts. The Hyundai

the low-selling Japanese duo of the Honda Brio and the nissan Micra have mid-priced spares.

MaRuti swiFt Diesel

nissan MiCRa PetRol

259 390 1254 385 NA 1160 240 1583

232 175 NA 994 125 1190 692 2306

2050 194 1800 1137 2200 3088 3137

Renault Pulse PetRol

Renault Pulse Diesel

tata Bolt PetRol

tata Bolt Diesel

toyota etios liva PetRol

398 370 1640 994 NA 2980 1221 2306

232 175 NA 800 125 1190 692 2306

855 541 1900 800 NA 1897 1221 2306

235 132 387 625 664 743 271 1580

260 396 1829 625 NA 3516 1119 1580

249 347 1200 599 638 860 687 2839

249 499 1001 599 NA 3090 2793 2839

2600 595 1774 1310 1968 2722 4970

2600 847 1774 1395 1968 9990 1194

2600 595 1774 1395 1968 2722 4164

2600 847 1774 1395 1968 11664 4164

1987 262 1600 1711 1381 3139 610

1987 157 1600 1711 1381 3050 625

2843 634 1834 1841 1919 2929 912

2843 1036 1834 1841 1919 5588 912

1735 905 650 3563 3600 3500 3500 2794 1250 3000 1125 44499

2030 1143 1790 5250 2980 8460 6190 3385 3080 3550 1231 60742

2030 1143 1790 5250 4126 8460 6190 3385 3080 3550 1231 69912

2827 1143 1890 5513 2980 7250 6500 3927 1412 3550 1231 58961

2827 1143 1890 5513 3430 7250 6500 3927 1412 3550 3022 74396

2301 1322 1604 4450 4956 6923 5214 3688 1375 2950 1328 51438

2301 1322 1604 4450 4956 6923 5214 3688 1375 2950 1328 55947

2566 5336 1662 5380 3655 7484 6287 3499 1651 4165 1287 63300

2566 5336 1662 5380 3828 7484 6287 3499 1651 4165 1287 70185

631811 7.0%

577152 10.5%

682871 10.2%

531723 11.1%

654695 11.4%

489716 10.5%

610936 9.2%

557920 11.3%

701124 10.0%

44

60

69

58

51

55

63

7.0%

10.5%

nissan MiCRa Diesel

10.2%

11.1%

74 11.4%

10.5%

9.2%

11.3%

toyota etios liva Diesel

70 10.0%



Maruti’s low-price supremacy is carried forward in almost all of its segments.



Eon 0.8 is close on the heels of the Alto 800, and the Eon 1.0 actually has a lower basket price than the Alto K10, demonstrating Hyundai’s persistent effort to catch up with Maruti in terms of low-cost car ownership. The Kwid and the Redigo feature identical prices for most service and mechanical parts since they are based on the same platform. The difference in their basket prices is mainly on account of the difference in accident repair parts. ◊

december 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 145

the i20 and the Baleno are close competitors and are closely matched in terms of spare parts prices too. ∆ The Tata Nano, while still the cheapest car in this segment to buy, is not the cheapest in terms of cost of spare parts. At Rs 36,279 for the basket, it potters in at third place, and also has a high parts percentage to car price value. This is mainly on account of the unusually high cost of its AC evaporating coil (Rs 3,009).

entry-level hatchBacks

The entry-level hatchback segment is where diesel engines make their most affordable appearance. The difference between petrol and diesel variants of the same car is approximately Rs 5,000. The difference is mainly on account of more expensive air, oil and fuel filters as well as clutch and pressure plates and clutch-release bearings. However, the variation between the spare part prices for petrol and diesel variants is negligible for Tata cars, which probably reflects on the economies of scale achieved by the carmaker with respect to diesel drivetrains. In this segment, it is Hyundai

PREMIUM HATCHBACkS

Fiat Punto evo PetRol

FoRD Figo PetRol

FoRD Figo Diesel

HonDa Jazz PetRol

HonDa Jazz Diesel

service parts

422 215 540 799 500 890 657 3590

453 432 1775 799 NA 2615 936 3590

226 90 356 375 400 631 150 1583

226 399 1406 375 NA 1238 462 1583

482 166 507 950 420 600 450 2850

295 425 1320 950 NA 1150 1000 2850

4390 919 2195 1390 2090 3490 638

4390 325 2195 1390 2090 4964 638

1900 124 788 1137 2200 1616 1702

1900 122 788 1137 2200 3605 1702

2400 400 2200 1560 1750 2639 700

2400 500 3200 1560 1750 8950 1300

2190 799 1990 5390 2990 4925 3665 2590 2490 4490 1290 55534

2190 799 1990 5390 2990 4925 3665 2590 2490 4490 1290 59401

1735 950 1196 3563 3150 5200 5320 2800 1294 3000 1333 42819

1735 950 1196 3563 4310 5200 5320 2800 1294 3000 1333 47844

2300 825 1175 3495 3650 5600 4400 3700 2700 2950 3577 52446

2300 825 1175 3495 3750 5600 4400 3700 2700 2950 3577 62122

608318 9.1%

706993 8.4%

481875 8.9%

597514 8.0%

602505 8.7%

740746 8.4%

59

42

47

52

62

Air Filter Oil Filter Fuel Filter Wiper Blades (pair) Spark Plug (for entire set) Timing Belt/ Chain Fan Belt/ Drivebelt Front Brake Pads (set of 4) Mechanical parts

A/c Evaporator Coil Radiator Hose Set Front Strut/ Shock Absorber Front Brake Disc/ Drum Front Suspension Lower Arm Clutch and Pressure Plate Clutch Release Bearing accident repair parts

Front bumper Wheel rim (each) Front fender Bonnet Radiator Front door Bootlid/ tailgate Headlight Assy. (each with bulb) Tail-light Assy. (each with bulb) Front windscreen glass Side mirror (with casing) Total Price Basket Vehicle price (ex showroom Mumbai, base version) Percentage of parts to car price

Percentage of parts to car price Total price basket (All values in thousands)

20 15 10 05

55 9.1%

146 AUTOCARINDIA.COM december 2016

Fiat Punto evo Diesel

8.4%

8.9%

8.0%

8.7%

8.4%

SPARE PARTS PRICE SURVEY



Ford beating Maruti and hyundai in spare parts prices is a commendable feat. that leads in terms of affordability of spares, with its basket price totalling Rs 36,896 for the i10. Close behind is the Maruti WagonR, followed by the Maruti



Celerio petrol and diesel. However, it is noteworthy that most Maruti service parts are still, on an average, cheaper than the Hyundai’s.

HyunDai i20 PetRol

HyunDai i20 Diesel

MaHinDRa veRito viBe

MaRuti Baleno PetRol

321 96 496 766 1128 999 841 1579

321 459 2050 766 NA 798 377 1579

635 550 1524 644 NA 2396 1099 2395

310 90 200 270 780 2290 320 2145

3498 468 1497 1235 1293 4364 579

3498 548 1497 1235 1293 6621 1317

5400 582 2452 2890 2073 5770 1858

1441 856 1258 3499 3049 5642 3762 3728 1998 2815 1344 48552

1441 856 1258 3499 3692 5642 3762 3728 1998 2815 1344 52394

589148 8.2%

719588 7.3%

48

52

8.2%

7.3%

MaRuti Baleno Diesel

vw Polo PetRol

vw Polo Diesel

vw Polo tsi

450 390 1700 270 NA 1160 420 2145

307 325 1202 594 900 4094 1327 1844

392 420 2626 594 NA 2980 976 1844

788 670 1834 594 3512 5712 1939 1844

2600 265 1650 1075 1200 3125 580

2600 520 1890 1075 1200 3088 2625

4707 507 1819 2174 1300 11368 1710

4707 1889 1861 2174 1300 7320 2250

4707 2371 1861 2174 1300 NA NA

4236 1466 3999 5999 5558 9997 6500 3599 2132 4756 1183 79693

1750 910 1150 3100 2150 5530 2850 3649 2552 3565 1125 45231

1750 910 1150 3100 3500 5530 2850 3649 2552 3565 1125 49214

4060 1151 3634 5700 3900 8041 7574 9000 1600 4382 850 84070

4060 1151 3679 5700 3900 8041 7574 9000 1600 4382 850 81270

4060 1151 3634 5700 3900 8041 7574 9000 1600 4254 850 79070

678098 11.8%

554970 8.2%

672792 7.3%

559202 15.0%

709082 11.5%

935046 8.5%

84

81

79

79

49

45 11.8%

8.2%

7.3%

15.0%

11.5%

Ford’s hard work on reducing service costs has paid off; Figo has the lowest priced basket in its segment. The four Tata cars in this segment, the Indica petrol and diesel, and the Tiago petrol and diesel, are on the expensive side of the spectrum, as are the Chevrolet Beat petrol and diesel and the Nissan Micra Active. At 17.2 percent, the Tiago petrol has a very high percentage of parts to car price. The Tatas’ spare part prices are inflated again by the expensive AC evaporator coil (for the Tiago), as well as the generally expensive accident repair parts. The high cost of accident repair parts is an issue with the Beats and the Micra Active too.

Mid-range hatchBacks

Hyundai and Maruti emerge as the most affordable manufacturers in this segment as well. The Maruti Swift petrol features one of the lowest basket prices across this survey, no doubt on account of massive economies of scale, coming close to its much-smaller sibling, the Alto K10. In fact, it is ◊

8.5%

december 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 147

The Toyota Etios Liva is yet another expensive mid-size hatchback in terms of spare prices, primarily due to its expensive accident repair parts. At Rs 42,971, the Liva petrol’s accident repair parts costs are nearly double than that of the Swift petrol’s.

preMiuM hatchBacks Ford has worked hard to improve its service infrastructure and lower the ownership cost of its cars, evident in the fact that the Figo

the verito has the distinction of the most expensive price basket. ∆ more affordable in every category of spare parts as compared to its peers. The diesel variant scores equally well. The Hyundai Grand i10 follows the Swift. The outlier, though, is the Renault Pulse diesel – its basket price is a whopping



Despite being more premium, the Zest has a lower-priced basket than the indigo ecS.

 Rs 74, 396. That’s nearly 70 percent more than that of the Swift diesel and 35 percent more than the average in this segment. This high basket price is driven by expensive service parts and an unusually expensive clutch and pressure plate, and clutch release bearing; an anomaly also evident in its badgeengineered sibling, the Nissan Micra diesel.

ENTRy-LEVEL SEDANS

CHevRolet CHevRolet sail sail PetRol Diesel

Fiat linea ClassiC Diesel

FoRD Figo asPiRe PetRol

FoRD Figo asPiRe Diesel

HonDa aMaze PetRol

service parts

Air Filter Oil Filter Fuel Filter Wiper Blades (pair) Spark Plug (for entire set) Timing Belt/ Chain Fan Belt/ Drivebelt Front Brake Pads (set of 4)

271 162 582 623 824 1038 508 2354

271 453 1376 623 NA 1501 719 2354

422 215 540 799 500 890 657 3590

453 432 1775 799 NA 2615 936 3590

226 90 356 375 400 631 150 1583

226 399 1406 375 NA 1238 462 1583

482 166 507 900 420 600 300 2800

2549 559 2178 1065 2640 3473 715

2549 592 2178 1222 2640 5378 6045

4390 919 2195 1390 2090 3490 638

4390 325 2195 1390 2090 4964 638

1900 124 788 1137 2200 1616 1702

1900 122 788 1137 2200 3605 1702

1686 500 2300 1050 1700 2639 700

2805 1244 1981 5244 3455 9100 6911 3249 1992 4368 1377 61267

2805 1244 1981 5244 4349 9100 6911 3249 1992 4368 1377 70521

2099 1049 1828 5990 2990 4925 5397 4240 2910 4190 854 59197

2099 1049 1828 5990 2990 4925 5397 4240 2910 4190 854 63064

1735 950 1196 3563 3150 5200 3000 2800 1399 3000 1333 40604

1735 950 1196 3563 4310 5200 3000 2800 1399 3000 1333 45629

2100 700 1800 3091 2950 4800 5796 3021 1900 3000 1350 47258

610758 10.0%

749537 9.4%

663580 8.9%

771371 8.2%

560940 7.2%

677268 6.7%

589380 8.0%

61

70

59

63

Mechanical parts

A/c Evaporator Coil Radiator Hose Set Front Strut/ Shock Absorber Front Brake Disc/ Drum Front Suspension Lower Arm Clutch and Pressure Plate Clutch Release Bearing accident repair parts

Front bumper Wheel rim (each) Front fender Bonnet Radiator Front door Bootlid/ tailgate Headlight Assy. (each with bulb) Tail-light Assy. (each with bulb) Front windscreen glass Side mirror (with casing) Total Price Basket Vehicle price (ex showroom Mumbai, base version) Percentage of parts to car price

Percentage of parts to car price Total price basket (All values in thousands)

20 15 10 05 10.0%

148 AUTOCARINDIA.COM december 2016

Fiat linea ClassiC PetRol

petrol and diesel variants feature the lowest basket price in this segment. In fact, the Figo’s cost of service parts is nearly half that of the Maruti Baleno or the Hyundai i20. On the whole though, the Maruti Baleno and the Hyundai i20 are not that far behind the Figo. Notably, the Baleno diesel parts account for just 6.7 percent of the car price. Most expensive of the lot, unsurprisingly, is the VW Polo. VW is infamous for its high ◊

9.4%

8.9%

8.2%

40 7.2%

47

45 6.7%

8.0%

SPARE PARTS PRICE SURVEY

Cheaper bootlid makes the Figo aspire’s price basket lower than that of the Figo hatchback.

HonDa aMaze Diesel

HyunDai XCent PetRol

HyunDai XCent Diesel

MaHinDRa veRito

MaRuti swiFt DziRe PetRol

MaRuti swiFt DziRe Diesel

tata inDigo eCs PetRol

tata inDigo eCs Diesel

tata zest PetRol

tata zest Diesel

toyota etios PetRol

toyota etios Diesel

295 425 1320 900 NA 1150 400 2800

199 96 397 469 1128 999 549 1582

199 459 1245 469 NA 798 377 1582

635 550 1524 644 NA 2396 1099 2395

305 90 356 385 780 530 240 1583

259 390 1254 385 NA 1160 240 1583

313 132 629 336 388 981 313 1587

313 204 179 359 NA 850 516 1587

235 132 387 625 664 743 271 1580

260 396 1829 625 NA 3516 1119 1580

249 347 1200 599 638 860 687 2839

249 499 1001 599 N/A 3090 2793 2839

1686 750 2300 1050 1700 8950 2900

3098 517 1687 993 1722 2574 579

3098 820 1356 993 1722 5284 1317

5400 582 2452 2890 2073 5770 1858

1950 129 1250 1137 2200 1820 580

2050 194 1800 1137 2200 3088 3137

3686 231 2759 841 4125 3519 610

3686 182 2555 841 4125 3890 715

1987 262 1600 1711 1381 3139 610

1987 157 1600 1711 1381 3050 625

2843 634 1834 1841 1919 2929 912

2843 1036 1834 1841 1919 5588 912

2100 700 1800 3091 4100 4800 5796 3021 1900 3000 1350 58284

1441 899 1068 2769 2499 5411 3299 2293 1397 2997 1058 41720

1441 899 1068 2769 2779 5411 3299 2293 1397 2997 1058 45130

4236 1466 3999 5999 5558 9997 6500 3599 2132 4756 1183 79693

1735 905 650 3563 3200 3500 3100 3094 1142 3000 1125 38349

1735 905 650 3563 3600 3500 3100 3094 1142 3000 1125 44291

3769 844 2977 4700 4479 8843 7705 4783 1187 4388 1252 65377

3769 844 3017 4700 5172 8843 7705 4783 1187 4388 1252 65662

2301 885 1604 4450 4956 6923 5026 3584 2262 2950 1503 51771

2301 844 1604 4450 4956 6923 5026 3584 2262 2950 1503 56239

2566 5336 1662 5380 3655 7484 4701 3499 1745 4165 1287 61807

2566 5336 1662 5380 3828 7484 4701 3499 1745 4165 1287 68692

717771 8.1%

569758 7.3%

661431 6.8%

769264 10.4%

559629 6.9%

696073 6.4%

504569 13.0%

562128 11.7%

546842 9.5%

667738 8.4%

683655 9.0%

802394 8.6%

58

41

45

44

65

65

51

56

61

68

38

8.1%

79 7.3%

6.8%

10.4%

6.9%

6.4%

13.0%

11.7%

9.5%

8.4%

9.0%

8.6%

december 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 149

among the top three selling sedans, the Maruti Ciaz has the cheapest price baskets. ∆ ownership costs, evident in the Rs 84,070 basket price, nearly double than that of the Ford Figo petrol. The Polo’s high price is driven by an unusually expensive fuel filter (for the diesel), timing belt, clutch and pressure plate, front door, headlight assembly and tailgate. The Mahindra Verito Vibe is also pricey, with its Rs 79,693 basket price. The Fiat Avventura and Punto Evo are not particularly well priced either, but an analysis of their numbers shows that their high cost of spares can be attributed largely to the high cost of accident repair parts.

entry-level sedans

The numbers in the entry-level sedan segment reflect the ones in the premium hatchback segment, an unsurprising observation since most entry-level sedans are based on premium hatchbacks. Thus, the Ford Figo Aspire once again ranks No.1 in terms of affordability of its spare parts. In fact, the Figo Aspire’s basket price is even lower than that of the Figo

MID-SIzE SEDANS

HonDa City PetRol

HonDa City Diesel

422 215 540 799 500 890 690 3590

453 432 1775 799 NA 2615 936 3590

482 166 507 975 1600 800 450 2850

295 425 1320 975 NA 1150 1000 2850

321 219 397 984 1128 1826 699 1259

321 219 397 984 1128 1826 699 1259

346 459 2050 984 NA 798 377 1259

346 459 2050 984 NA 798 377 1259

4390 919 2195 1390 2090 3490 638

4390 325 2195 1390 2090 4964 638

2400 650 3200 1560 1800 2639 700

2400 875 2500 1560 1800 8950 1300

2467 820 1768 1235 2359 4754 1317

2467 820 1768 1235 2359 4754 1317

2467 892 1768 1235 2359 6621 1317

2467 892 1768 1235 2359 6621 1317

2099 1049 1828 5990 2990 4925 5397 4240 2910 4190 854 59230

2190 1049 1828 5990 2990 4925 5990 4240 2910 5502 2195 66401

2349 950 1800 4124 5464 6908 5052 4700 1550 4900 3120 61696

2349 950 1800 4124 5464 6908 5052 4700 1550 4900 3120 68317

2477 1175 1593 3051 3049 6599 3688 3381 1709 3216 3220 54711

2477 1175 1593 3051 3049 6599 3688 3381 1709 3216 3220 54711

2477 1175 1593 3051 3876 6599 3688 3381 1709 3216 3220 56917

2477 1175 1593 3051 3876 6599 3688 3381 1709 3216 3220 56917

812614 7.3%

930144 7.1%

871263 7.1%

1000314 6.8%

833108 6.6%

957995 5.7%

967397 5.9%

1088917 5.2%

59

66

61

68

54

54

56

56

Air Filter Oil Filter Fuel Filter Wiper Blades (pair) Spark Plug (for entire set) Timing Belt/ Chain Fan Belt/ Drivebelt Front Brake Pads (set of 4)

HyunDai HyunDai HyunDai HyunDai veRna 1.4 veRna 1.6 veRna 1.4 veRna 1.6 PetRol PetRol Diesel Diesel

Mechanical parts

A/c Evaporator Coil Radiator Hose Set Front Strut/ Shock Absorber Front Brake Disc/ Drum Front Suspension Lower Arm Clutch and Pressure Plate Clutch Release Bearing accident repair parts

Front bumper Wheel rim (each) Front fender Bonnet Radiator Front door Bootlid/ tailgate Headlight Assy. (each with bulb) Tail-light Assy. (each with bulb) Front windscreen glass Side mirror (with casing) Total Price Basket Vehicle price (ex showroom Mumbai, base version) Percentage of parts to car price

Total price basket (All values in thousands)

150 AUTOCARINDIA.COM december 2016

Fiat linea Diesel

service parts

Percentage of parts to car price

the oil filter for every single petrol Maruti costs Rs 90.

Fiat linea PetRol

20 15 10 05 7.3%

7.1%

7.1%

6.8%

6.6%

5.7%

5.9%

5.2%

SPARE PARTS PRICE SURVEY



in the mid-size segment, vW and Skoda spares are nearly 40 percent costlier than Maruti’s and hyundai’s.



hatchback, on account of a cheaper tailgate. The Figo Aspires are followed by the Maruti Swift Dzires and the Hyundai Xcents. At the top of the basket price

spectrum sits the Mahindra Verito, asking for a lofty Rs 79,693. This high basket price is a result of the priciest mechanical and accident repair parts of the lot. We do not

MaRuti Ciaz PetRol

MaRuti Ciaz Diesel

nissan sunny PetRol

nissan sunny Diesel

Renault sCala PetRol

Renault sCala Diesel

sKoDa RaPiD PetRol

sKoDa RaPiD Diesel

vw vento PetRol

305 90 390 430 780 1250 240 2125

259 390 1254 430 NA 1160 470 2125

288 175 NA 800 176 1190 1214 3920

398 370 1640 800 NA 2980 1221 3920

288 175 NA 800 176 1190 1214 2306

855 541 1900 800 NA 1897 1221 2306

350 670 NA 594 300 4094 1765 1844

392 420 1287 594 NA 2977 976 1844

350 670 1202 594 1272 4094 1765 1844

392 420 2626 594 NA 2980 976 1844

788 670 1834 594 3512 5712 1939 1844

1800 295 1900 1137 1560 2365 1250

2650 340 3200 1137 1560 3320 1250

2600 473 1960 1395 1968 4260 4970

2600 847 1960 1395 1968 9990 1194

2600 473 1960 1395 1968 4260 4164

2600 847 1960 1395 1968 11664 4164

4707 3762 1861 2174 1300 5717 1710

4707 3762 1861 2174 1300 7320 2250

4707 1483 1819 2174 1300 5717 1710

4707 1889 1861 2174 1300 7320 2250

4707 2371 1861 2174 1300 NA NA

2690 1060 1450 3900 4315 6300 4800 4555 1607 5000 3050 54644

2690 1060 1450 3900 5000 6300 4800 4555 1607 5000 3050 58957

2350 1143 2390 6885 4000 13716 7400 3980 2250 3790 1231 74524

2350 1143 2390 6885 4126 13716 7400 3980 2250 3790 1231 80544

2975 1143 2390 6250 2980 9900 7770 3980 2906 3790 1231 68284

2975 1143 2350 6250 4126 9900 7770 3980 2906 3790 1856 81164

2150 1500 4000 7419 3900 11556 9213 4231 2415 4254 850 82336

2150 1151 4000 7419 3900 11556 9213 4231 2415 4254 850 83003

4330 1151 4450 9000 3900 11556 11600 9000 3490 4254 850 94282

4900 1151 4450 9000 3900 11556 11600 9000 3490 4382 850 95612

4330 1151 4450 9000 3900 11556 11600 9000 3490 4382 850 93015

809338 6.8%

890259 6.6%

847373 8.8%

941247 8.6%

833672 8.2%

944855 8.6%

953077 8.6%

946911 8.8%

840445 11.2%

975264 9.8%

1070328 8.7%

80

68

81

82

83

95

93

58

74

94

54 6.8%

6.6%

8.8%

8.6%

8.2%

8.6%

8.6%

8.8%

11.2%

vw vento Diesel

9.8%

vw vento tsi

have spare parts price data for the VW Ameo yet, though reference to the premium hatchback table suggests that it could present a basket as expensive, if not more, as the Verito’s. The Honda Amazes and Tata Bolts sit somewhere in the middle of the spectrum. A curious observation is the disparity in basket price between the Tata Indigo eCS and the Zest. The basket price for the Indigo eCS is nearly 20 percent more than that of the Zest, despite the Zest being a more premium vehicle, driven by the higher prices for its mechanical and accident repair parts. It is noteworthy that the Toyota Etios diesel holds the title for the most expensive service parts in this segment. Its brake pads, timing belt and fan belt are all more expensive than that of other entry-level sedans.

Mid-size sedans

Maruti and Hyundai come back on top in the mid-size sedan segment with the Ciaz and the Verna. The Ciaz boasts the lowest prices for service parts and mechanical parts in this segment, though the cheapest accident repair parts are available for the Verna. ◊

8.7%

december 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 151

the newly launched elantra is the only car in its segment with a basket price lower than Rs 2 lakh.

ExECUTIVE SEDANS

CHevRolet CRuze

HyunDai elantRa PetRol

HyunDai elantRa Diesel

sKoDa sKoDa oCtavia oCtavia PetRol 1.4 PetRol 1.8

sKoDa oCtavia Diesel

toyota toyota CoRolla CoRolla altis PetRol altis Diesel

vw Jetta PetRol

vw Jetta Diesel

service parts

982 3160 2261 1958 NA 4159 3249 12580

706 219 1238 1521 2996 4351 1459 4599

953 459 2050 1521 NA 3701 1399 4599

839 501 NA 2729 1665 3626 774 6576

900 1221 NA 2729 2404 9900 2074 5034

900 400 2207 2729 NA 5557 898 6576

1013 562 3575 1450 1344 7021 3885 4985

1330 562 2741 1450 N/A 3090 2793 8056

1348 420 2019 2697 4140 7505 2638 5767

1348 670 1834 2755 NA 5865 976 5767

16181 2817 6794 5395 12720 17023 11522

11798 1318 5752 4482 5998 10178 1317

11798 2852 5752 4482 5998 10534 1317

30000 6409 8591 4564 6504 12183 2250

30000 6409 9065 5517 6504 NA NA

13322 6409 5067 4564 6504 12183 3910

34840 1861 4133 5940 11659 13660 2059

12954 2247 5839 5940 11659 16131 2059

23151 2931 8836 3866 7680 7690 1710

15254 3503 8836 3866 7680 NA NA

16769 15067 8660 21808 11518 23450 18454 10508 7815 10385 14806 260041

8695 14696 7586 15869 10967 18265 16896 13448 4823 18478 7773 195428

8695 14696 7586 15869 14156 18265 16896 13448 4823 18478 7773 198100

11609 5667 9374 20333 10274 22316 34523 13617 9711 17786 3210 245631

11609 6941 9374 20333 10274 22316 34523 25567 9711 17797 3210 253412

11609 6941 9374 20333 10274 22316 34523 10739 9711 17786 3210 228042

9258 20485 11626 18488 11432 30582 21576 20471 9504 8936 11263 271603

9738 20485 11626 18488 11328 30582 21576 20471 9504 8936 11263 250842

16100 1792 9192 17651 15714 23000 35000 10456 8588 19342 3210 242443

16100 1792 9192 17651 12422 23000 35000 10456 8588 19342 3210 215107

1478231 17.6%

1374213 14.2%

1564688 12.7%

1628428 15.1%

1984092 12.8%

1790333 12.7%

1457267 18.6%

1565933 16.0%

1512234 16.0%

1633020 13.2%

198

245

253

228

271

250

242

Air Filter Oil Filter Fuel Filter Wiper Blades (pair) Spark Plug (for entire set) Timing Belt/ Chain Fan Belt/ Drivebelt Front Brake Pads (set of 4) Mechanical parts

A/c Evaporator Coil Radiator Hose Set Front Strut/ Shock Absorber Front Brake Disc/ Drum Front Suspension Lower Arm Clutch and Pressure Plate Clutch Release Bearing accident repair parts

Front bumper Wheel rim (each) Front fender Bonnet Radiator Front door Bootlid/ tailgate Headlight Assy. (each with bulb) Tail-light Assy. (each with bulb) Front windscreen glass Side mirror (with casing) Total Price Basket Vehicle price (ex showroom Mumbai, base version) Percentage of parts to car price

Percentage of parts to car price Total price basket (All values in thousands)

20 15 10 05

260 17.6%

152 AUTOCARINDIA.COM december 2016

195 14.2%

12.7%

15.1%

12.8%

12.7%

18.6%

16.0%

16.0%

215 13.2%

SPARE PARTS PRICE SURVEY ∆ The Verna is available in 1.4litre and 1.6-litre engines for both petrol and diesel variants, and the cost of spares for different capacity engines running on the same fuel are the same. Thus, ownership costs between a 1.4-litre and a 1.6litre Verna will change largely due to the varying fuel consumption. VW, once again, charges the most for its spare parts. The price basket for the Vento diesel is 62 percent more expensive than that of the Ciaz diesel. In fact, the

Ventos will be heavier on your pocket than their peers in terms of service, mechanical and accident repair parts. It is interesting to note that the basket price for the Skoda Rapid, though high, is lower than that of the Vento, even though they are essentially the same cars. The principal difference in their basket prices stems from the lower prices for the Rapid’s accident repair parts. The Honda City, arguably the most popular car in this segment,



the Jetta’s relatively cheap price basket comes as a pleasant surprise.

 is 15 percent more expensive than the Ciaz on average in terms of basket price.

executive sedans

PREMIUM ExECUTIVE SEDANS

sKoDa suPeRB PetRol

toyota CaMRy HyBRiD

toyota CaMRy

900 1221 NA 3830 1665 9900 2074 5034

1302 770 2784 4469 1144 2827 5075 5956

1550 562 4916 4502 1144 2827 2990 6256

27788 5244 11000 5517 15230 30011 3910

34973 2349 13518 6212 11657 12665 1399

27963 1960 10210 6212 11657 12665 1399

31500 21000 13158 26000 12000 28000 37000 42000 10853 23636 17867 386338

11765 42460 13987 29814 44292 40933 32610 44581 12328 39789 21777 441429

11095 42153 13897 27910 50241 42165 31126 35610 12328 46176 21908 431415

2506725 15.4%

3215278 13.7%

3522216 12.2%

service parts

Air Filter Oil Filter Fuel Filter Wiper Blades (pair) Spark Plug (for entire set) Timing Belt/ Chain Fan Belt/ Drivebelt Front Brake Pads (set of 4) Mechanical parts

A/c Evaporator Coil Radiator Hose Set Front Strut/ Shock Absorber Front Brake Disc/ Drum Front Suspension Lower Arm Clutch and Pressure Plate Clutch Release Bearing accident repair parts

Front bumper Wheel rim (each) Front fender Bonnet Radiator Front door Bootlid/ tailgate Headlight Assy. (each with bulb) Tail-light Assy. (each with bulb) Front windscreen glass Side mirror (with casing) Total Price Basket Vehicle price (ex showroom Mumbai, base version) Percentage of parts to car price

Percentage of parts to car price Total price basket (All values in thousands)

The new Hyundai Elantra boasts the lowest basket price here, though the Renault Fluence, Skoda Octavia diesel and VW Jetta diesel feature adequately (and relatively) low basket prices too. The most expensive basket is for the VW Jetta petrol. It is notable that for all VW Group cars here, namely the Jettas and Octavias, the diesels feature a lower basket price as compared to the petrols. The Chevrolet Cruze will drain your pocket when it comes to service parts and mechanical parts – its brake pads cost Rs 12,580 as compared to Rs 4,599 for the Elantra and its oil filter is a pricy Rs 3,160 as compared to the Elantra’s Rs 219. The most expensive accident parts, however, belong to the Jettas – the bootlid costs a whopping Rs 35,000 as compared to Rs 16,896 for the Elantras. On a side note, you might want to take extra care of the front

door if you own a Toyota Corolla Altis. At Rs 30,582, a single Altis front door costs as much as the Maruti Alto 800’s entire spare parts basket.

preMiuM executive sedan

The premium executive sedan segment is a relatively small segment, consisting of just three

cars. In descending order of affordability of the spare parts basket, they are the Skoda Superb, the Toyota Camry Hybrid and the regular Toyota Camry. While the service parts for all three cost more or less the same and the ◊

20 15 10 05

386 15.4%

441 13.7%

431 12.2% of the three premium executive sedans, the superb has the lowest-priced spares.

december 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 153

∆ mechanical parts for the Camrys are actually cheaper than that of the Superb, the gap in basket price appears when you look at the accident repair parts – the Camrys’ accident repair parts are priced at nearly a 30 percent premium over those of the Superb. However, it is worth noting that the Superb will set you back more when it comes to the clutch and pressure plate, clutch-release bearing and front bumper – all of which cost about

COMPACT SUVS

three times Camrys’ parts.

coMpact suvs

The spare part prices for the compact SUV segment reveal a drastic departure from the trends we have been witnessing until now. Slotting in with the lowest basket price is the Mahindra KUV100, and topping the segment off with the highest basket price is again a Mahindra – the NuvoSport. For the first time, Maruti and Ford have lost the supremacy in

uncharacteristically, Maruti loses its low-price supremacy with the Brezza against the ecosport diesel.

FoRD eCosPoRt PetRol

FoRD eCosPoRt Diesel

MaHinDRa Kuv100 PetRol

MaHinDRa Kuv100 Diesel

MaHinDRa MaHinDRa nuvosPoRt tuv 300

MaRuti vitaRa BRezza

service parts

226 90 822 780 776 631 150 3725

226 399 1406 780 NA 1238 462 3725

385 185 310 415 400 775 350 1549

385 185 595 415 NA 1275 435 1549

611 185 595 539 NA 1290 956 3595

642 185 595 245 NA 1290 665 2945

345 390 1660 520 NA 1160 420 2750

4786 1235 2395 1501 1872 9010 1702

4786 764 2395 1501 1872 3605 1702

3100 225 1400 1100 1500 3100 550

3100 210 1400 1100 1500 3200 550

1324 356 1863 2416 5095 4484 3990

6800 251 1990 2473 5095 4350 1216

4200 780 2400 1390 1475 3088 3137

1900 1501 1497 8977 4310 6973 9009 4313 1655 4280 2567 76683

1900 1501 1497 8977 4310 6973 9009 4313 1655 4280 2567 71843

3990 1005 1650 4500 3378 5100 2100 2690 1650 2900 1200 45507

3990 1005 1650 4500 3790 5100 2100 2690 1650 2900 1200 46474

3978 2776 2142 8262 4955 10200 11600 3809 1150 5171 415 81757

3150 1900 2800 7700 4955 10100 11530 3807 1150 4200 1460 81494

3100 1500 1825 6870 4830 9030 9040 4700 2820 4270 1950 73650

731049 10.5%

807582 8.9%

482731 9.4%

580282 8.0%

790578 10.3%

771667 10.6%

763686 9.6%

Mechanical parts

Air Filter

482 166 507 986 1600 800 450 4083

Oil Filter Fuel Filter Wiper Blades (pair) Spark Plug (for entire set) Timing Belt/ Chain Fan Belt/ Drivebelt Front Brake Pads (set of 4) Mechanical parts

A/c Evaporator Coil Radiator Hose Set Front Strut/ Shock Absorber Front Brake Disc/ Drum Front Suspension Lower Arm Clutch and Pressure Plate Clutch Release Bearing accident repair parts

Front bumper Wheel rim (each) Front fender Bonnet Radiator Front door Bootlid/ tailgate Headlight Assy. (each with bulb) Tail-light Assy. (each with bulb) Front windscreen glass Side mirror (with casing) Total Price Basket Vehicle price (ex showroom Mumbai, base version) Percentage of parts to car price

Total price basket (All values in thousands)

HonDa BR-v PetRol

service parts

Air Filter Oil Filter Fuel Filter Wiper Blades (pair) Spark Plug (for entire set) Timing Belt/ Chain Fan Belt/ Drivebelt Front Brake Pads (set of 4)

Percentage of parts to car price

MID-SIzE SUVS

accident repair parts

20 15 10 05

76 10.5%

154 AUTOCARINDIA.COM december 2016

1770 420 1884 3200 2300 2639 700

A/c Evaporator Coil Radiator Hose Set Front Strut/ Shock Absorber Front Brake Disc/ Drum Front Suspension Lower Arm Clutch and Pressure Plate Clutch Release Bearing

81

71 8.9%

9.4%

Percentage of parts to car price

81

73

46

45 8.0%

10.3%

10.6%

Front bumper Wheel rim (each) Front fender Bonnet Radiator Front door Bootlid/ tailgate Headlight Assy. (each with bulb) Tail-light Assy. (each with bulb) Front windscreen glass Side mirror (with casing) Total Price Basket Vehicle price (ex showroom Mumbai, base version) Percentage of parts to car price

9.6%

Total price basket (All values in thousands)

2814 1650 1908 4621 4898 6080 12403 12000 3580 4500 2031 78472 940867 8.3%

20 15 78

10 05 8.3%

SPARE PARTS PRICE SURVEY



the 1.6 S-cross has a 35 percent costlier price basket than the 1.3 S-cross. terms of spare parts affordability – the Vitara Brezza and the EcoSport are both only about 10 percent cheaper than the NuvoSport in basket price terms.

HonDa BR-v Diesel

HyunDai CReta PetRol

HyunDai CReta 1.4 Diesel



The Vitara Brezza’s service parts, specifically the oil and fuel filters, are surprisingly pricey compared to all other rivals in this segment. It also displays a higher-than-usual ◊

HyunDai CReta 1.6 Diesel

MaHinDRa sCoRPio s4

MaHinDRa sCoRPio s2

MaHinDRa Xuv500

MaRuti s-CRoss 1.3

MaRuti s-CRoss 1.6

nissan teRRano Diesel

Renault DusteR PetRol

Renault DusteR Diesel

tata saFaRi stoRMe

295 425 1320 986 NA 1185 400 3600

321 219 860 533 1128 2927 699 3775

346 459 2050 533 NA 798 377 3775

346 459 2050 533 NA 798 377 3775

642 209 1595 700 NA 1826 925 4386

642 209 248 700 NA 2822 956 4180

995 209 1595 1122 NA 1826 1395 4995

280 390 1254 475 NA 1160 420 2750

910 830 1254 475 NA 2780 1100 2750

398 370 1640 366 NA 1897 1221 3334

435 261 NA 653 684 3006 1542 3334

855 541 1598 653 NA 1897 1221 3334

793 250 2351 776 NA 2085 656 3441

1770 420 1884 3200 2300 8950 1300

5899 1111 3099 3299 2359 5248 1317

5899 1097 3099 3299 2359 6621 1317

5899 1097 3099 3299 2359 6621 1317

7490 346 2397 2851 5441 7358 3700

7490 376 1389 2196 4865 5253 1250

8155 876 4073 3380 5995 10200 4113

4200 395 3450 1390 1475 3088 3137

4200 530 3450 1390 1475 11405 3137

5767 3251 3582 3300 5284 11664 2068

5390 3320 3582 3300 5284 8313 2068

5390 2567 3582 3300 5284 11664 3332

3349 433 3375 2602 1945 13151 NA

2814 1650 1908 4621 5464 6080 12403 12000 3580 4500 2031 85086

1628 1699 1886 6996 3985 12979 9199 4985 2276 4585 1999 85011

1628 1699 1886 6996 3985 12979 9199 4985 2276 4585 1999 84246

1628 1699 1886 6996 3985 12979 9199 4985 2276 4585 1999 84246

5100 2958 3600 8970 7995 10400 13265 5900 1699 6242 1884 107879

5100 3090 3600 8970 7604 10400 13265 4924 1699 4916 1690 97834

6090 3672 6018 9690 8900 10670 14849 12669 3876 7038 6106 138507

4290 1500 2000 6750 5000 8400 8000 4394 2645 4800 2800 74443

4290 2050 2000 6750 15360 8400 8000 4394 2645 4800 4700 99075

7170 3990 5300 11986 3375 15645 13335 6950 3148 4874 1410 121325

7162 3205 5671 16628 7139 17000 17666 6733 3601 5020 1625 132622

7162 3205 5671 16628 7139 17000 17666 6733 3601 5020 1625 136668

4956 2548 3771 8740 7836 13489 17076 8695 1607 6823 4785 115533

1058350 8.0%

975529 8.7%

1063177 7.9%

1315654 6.4%

977668 11.0%

1036191 9.4%

1229284 11.3%

859768 8.7%

1091381 9.1%

1023136 11.9%

890241 14.9%

971634 14.1%

1101393 10.5%

121

133

136

85 8.0%

85 8.7%

84

84 7.9%

6.4%

138

107 11.0%

97 9.4%

99

74 11.3%

8.7%

9.1%

11.9%

14.9%

14.1%

115

10.5%

december 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 155

lodgy spares cost nearly twice as much as the ertiga’s.

∆ price for accident repair parts. Also, notably expensive are the headlight assemblies for the EcoSport and Vitara Brezza.

Mid-size suv

Mahindra once again offers the most expensive basket price, with the XUV500, while Maruti is back as the manufacturer with the most affordable basket price with the S-Cross 1.3. The mid-size SUV segment is the first one in which Honda has shown price

CHevRolet enJoy PetRol

MPVS

CHevRolet enJoy Diesel

Datsun go +

HonDa MoBilio PetRol

HonDa MoBilio Diesel

MaHinDRa BoleRo

MaHinDRa Xylo

MaRuti oMni

MaRuti eeCo

service parts

268 131 554 1103 660 1561 174 1824

278 453 1518 1103 NA 1501 449 1824

232 175 NA 295 125 1190 1214 2306

482 166 507 886 1600 800 450 3299

295 425 1320 886 NA 1185 400 3299

447 209 595 496 NA 325 325 1995

611 209 1595 590 NA 3203 1056 3448

520 90 325 230 195 830 95 564

240 90 299 340 448 775 140 1050

5170 321 2345 2115 2880 3105 1242

5170 410 2345 2115 2880 3492 2287

3971 450 1691 930 1289 2974 NA

1770 420 2100 1906 2443 2639 700

1770 420 2100 1906 2443 8950 1300

3045 267 1260 1690 1679 5253 1295

7135 338 1527 2448 4889 5247 1306

NA 147 2585 550 383 1361 510

2610 228 1740 855 477 1825 895

1815 1849 1708 6194 3851 12250 11473 2822 1230 5018 1625 73288

1815 1849 1708 6194 4407 12250 11473 2822 1230 5018 1625 76216

1490 950 1295 4200 2490 6980 6716 2720 1110 3895 768 49456

2700 2010 1800 3277 7327 10826 13500 3021 2258 3000 2550 72437

2700 2010 1800 3277 4100 10826 13500 3021 2258 3000 2550 75741

3850 2700 2995 8188 4900 9180 10302 3999 899 4141 215 70250

4809 2958 2142 8262 6344 10195 9000 3995 1536 5171 1680 89694

890 890 4272* NA 2300 3932 5637 453 371 2305 220 29655

1150 865 986 2968 3009 4956 4904 2644 773 3422 60 37749

690605 10.6%

835133 9.1%

413825 12.0%

773098 9.4%

931734 8.1%

698972 10.1%

872845 10.3%

288981 10.3%

352789 10.7%

75

70

Air Filter Oil Filter Fuel Filter Wiper Blades (pair) Spark Plug (for entire set) Timing Belt/ Chain Fan Belt/ Drivebelt Front Brake Pads (set of 4) Mechanical parts

A/c Evaporator Coil Radiator Hose Set Front Strut/ Shock Absorber Front Brake Disc/ Drum Front Suspension Lower Arm Clutch and Pressure Plate Clutch Release Bearing accident repair parts

Front bumper Wheel rim (each) Front fender Bonnet Radiator Front door Bootlid/ tailgate Headlight Assy. (each with bulb) Tail-light Assy. (each with bulb) Front windscreen glass Side mirror (with casing) Total Price Basket Vehicle price (ex showroom Mumbai, base version) Percentage of parts to car price *Front panel assembly Percentage of parts to car price Total price basket (All values in thousands)

20 15

10.6%

156 AUTOCARINDIA.COM december 2016

76

73

10 05

72

49 9.1%

12.0%

89 29

9.4%

8.1%

10.1%

10.3%

10.3%

37 10.7%

SPARE PARTS PRICE SURVEY competitiveness, with the sevenseater Honda BR-V that takes on the Hyundai Creta in terms of basket price. The Renault Duster’s basket price is nearly as high as the XUV500’s. Surprisingly, its badge-engineered, slightly-morepremium sibling, the Terrano, features a lower basket price, mainly on account of cheaper accident repair parts. In fact, the Duster’s front door and tailgate are the most expensive

in this segment, costing nearly thrice as much as the BR-V’s. Another interesting observation is the nearly 35 percent difference in the basket price of the 1.3-litre and 1.6-litre Maruti S-Cross. Unlike in the Creta, the bigger engine in the S-Cross does drive up costs, principally on account of more expensive service parts, clutch and pressure plate, and radiator. The Tata Safari Storme is not very competitive either, with a basket price nearly 20 percent

MaRuti eRtiga PetRol

MaRuti eRtiga Diesel

305 90 478 432 780 631 240 3239

259 390 1254 432 NA 1160 470 3239

600 541 2567 828 NA 1897 1221 3753

925 339 1863 306 NA NA 481 2067

1787 444 1772 897 NA 2696 4221 5019

1810 444 2290 4234 NA 2296 5291 5993

1900 129 1796 1793 2380 3345 3137

1900 194 1796 1793 2380 3088 3137

4857 3251 1955 7896 3579 11664 3332

8222 546 1777 1261 3172 8696 929

12298 979 3609 6211 5906 9198 4558

12954 1697 7271 6211 5906 13075 4632

1625 1680 1617 6002 4013 8845 10646 2755 1276 4898 2112 66144

1625 1680 1617 6002 3600 8845 10646 2755 1276 4898 2112 66548

2482 1698 3390 10600 3375 13800 13490 10563 6854 4772 1862 120827

3101 2050 2942 4335 5563 6119 5688 3115 794 4040 1482 69813

6300 19765 4408 9512 11259 24561 14702 5911 3706 9538 5839 175092

9282 17822 4006 11060 13558 25301 14703 10162 3786 8914 6263 198957

681368 9.7%

821395 8.1%

846881 14.3%

721744 9.7%

1471255 11.9%

1698020 11.7%

Renault loDgy

tata suMo golD

toyota innova CRysta 2.4

toyota innova CRysta 2.8

198

175 120 66 9.7%

69

66 8.1%

14.3%

9.7%

11.9%

11.7%

higher than its most direct competitor, the Mahindra Scorpio. It is also interesting that the Hyundai Creta diesels feature lower basket prices, on account of lower service costs, as compared to the Creta petrol.

preMiuM suvs

The lowest basket price here belongs to the Hyundai Santa Fe, despite being the priciest car in the segment. The price of its service parts is more or less equal to that of the Elantra. In fact, the Renault Koleos aside, all SUVs in this segment feature roughly similar prices for service parts as well as mechanical parts; the major differences are in the accident repair parts – these vary widely, from Rs 1,76,251 for the Rexton to Rs 2,52,557 for the Endeavour. The Rexton, though cheapest on the whole, features the most expensive AC evaporator coil in this survey at Rs 39,303. The Skoda Yeti and Ford Endeavour are also expensive in terms of the basket price, mainly on account of expensive accident repair parts, especially the headlight assemblies.

Mpvs

The MPV segment ranges from the humble Omni to the popular



the omni holds the distinction of having the lowest-priced spare basket in this study.



Innova Crysta. As such, it is advisable to consider them in smaller groups. At the bottom of the MPV segment are the Maruti Omni and Maruti Eeco. The Omni features the lowest basket price in this survey, but then again, it is one of the cheapest and most rudimentary cars in the market today. The Maruti Eeco is not too far behind, and features one of the cheapest components in the entire survey – Rs 60 for the side mirror. ◊

december 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 157

∆ Above these entry-level people movers sit the Mahindra Bolero and Tata Sumo Gold. The basket prices for both are similar, though the Sumo Gold’s service as well as mechanical parts are more expensive than the Bolero’s. Where the Sumo Gold wins is in its lowerpriced accident repair parts. Then come the Chevrolet Enjoy, Maruti Ertiga, Honda Mobilio, Mahindra Xylo and Renault Lodgy. Of these, the Ertiga offers the lowest basket price. Its service part

PREMIUM SUVS

prices are the lowest, and so are those for the mechanical (except for the Mobilio petrol) and accident repair parts. Noteworthy here is the exceptionally high basket price of the Renault Lodgy. At Rs 1,20,827, it is almost twice that of the Ertiga. The Lodgy’s mechanical as well as accident repair parts are exceptionally expensive, owing to a pricey clutch and pressure plate, headlight and tail-light assembly. At the top of this segment is the Toyota Innova Crysta. Not only is

CHevRolet tRailBlazeR

FoRD enDeavouR 2.2

FoRD enDeavouR 3.2 autoMatiC

Despite being the priciest premium suv, the santa Fe has the lowest price basket.

HonDa CR-v 2.0

HonDa CR-v 2.4

HyunDai santa Fe

HyunDai santa Fe 4X4

ssangyong ReXton

sKoDa yeti

service parts

1600 600 1400 2950 NA 3500 1900 12600

1513 449 1324 1565 NA 5197 3804 5960

1513 449 1324 1565 NA 5197 3804 5960

482 166 1835 1809 3844 3133 1862 9952

482 166 1835 1809 3844 3133 1862 9952

819 499 1376 1968 NA 2214 3221 4811

819 499 1376 1968 NA 2214 3221 4811

1395 415 2100 1345 NA 8800 3495 5186

1210 420 1971 2405 NA 2980 976 5767

11000 2000 8543 6200 17500 NA NA

8279 2104 11280 5845 14011 16050 3916

8279 2104 11280 5845 14011 NA NA

22859 540 6834 5237 13722 15639 2900

22859 540 6834 5237 13722 15639 2900

14618 865 4730 6077 11398 15075 3997

14618 865 4730 6077 11398 NA NA

39303 1245 9000 6007 6500 12200 5703

20087 3503 10727 4564 8645 19953 3910

17500 22000 13000 24000 23000 35700 38000 25000 7500 17500 19500 312493

15990 30500 16216 20077 14450 38305 25971 46999 7045 18455 18549 333854

15990 30500 16216 20077 14450 38305 25971 46999 7045 18455 18549 313888

11458 9334 11425 34158 16842 32217 32935 19721 5450 25089 4825 294268

11458 9334 11425 34158 16842 33184 32935 19721 5450 25089 4825 295235

14985 18178 9628 19115 10999 23318 33452 40237 9439 19850 19328 290197

14985 18178 9628 19115 15210 23318 33452 40237 9439 19850 19328 275336

12050 4834 5352 16900 15892 35000 25000 27223 8200 14648 11152 278945

24532 17899 13139 26743 15714 24283 37436 37000 12703 18711 4640 319918

2808056 11.1%

2529468 13.3%

2757457 11.4%

2373485 12.4%

2812346 10.5%

3016031 9.6%

3378121 8.2%

2210341 12.6%

2241877 14.3%

313

294

295

290

278

319

Air Filter Oil Filter Fuel Filter Wiper Blades (pair) Spark Plug (for entire set) Timing Belt/ Chain Fan Belt/ Drivebelt Front Brake Pads (set of 4) Mechanical parts

A/c Evaporator Coil Radiator Hose Set Front Strut/ Shock Absorber Front Brake Disc/ Drum Front Suspension Lower Arm Clutch and Pressure Plate Clutch Release Bearing accident repair parts

Front bumper Wheel rim (each) Front fender Bonnet Radiator Front door Bootlid/ tailgate Headlight Assy. (each with bulb) Tail-light Assy. (each with bulb) Front windscreen glass Side mirror (with casing) Total Price Basket Vehicle price (ex showroom Mumbai, base version) Percentage of parts to car price

Percentage of parts to car price Total price basket (All values in thousands)

20 15 312

10 05 11.1%

158 AUTOCARINDIA.COM december 2016

333 13.3

11.4%

12.4%

10.5%

9.6%

275 8.2%

12.6%

14.3%

SPARE PARTS PRICE SURVEY it nearly twice as expensive as its MPV cousins to buy, it is that much more expensive to own too. Notably expensive are its clutch and pressure plates and body panels.

leads us to believe that these are prohibitively high. Many luxury car manufacturers also shied away from this survey citing its conflict with the promotion of their service packages. Provided here is Volvo’s spare parts list for your reference, though we understand that as a standalone, it might not be too useful. In any case, it can serve as a rough indication of what luxury cars in the corresponding segment might cost in terms of spare parts. AI

luxury cars

All luxury car manufacturers, except Volvo, refused to participate in our 2016 Spare Parts Survey. We can only assume that this is because they are reluctant to publicly reveal the prices of the spare parts, which further

VOLVO

s60 PetRol

s60 D4 Diesel

s60 CRoss CountRy Diesel

volvo was the only luxury brand brave enough to participate in this survey.

v40 Diesel

v40 CRoss CountRy PetRol

XC60 D4 Diesel

XC60 D5 Diesel

XC90 Diesel

service parts

Air Filter Oil Filter Fuel Filter Wiper Blades (pair) Spark Plug (for entire set) Timing Belt/ Chain Fan Belt/ Drivebelt Front Brake Pads (set of 4)

2563 1282 3434 4727 7483 13430 4561 9226

2563 1282 3434 4727 NA 13430 3588 8201

2563 1282 3434 4727 NA 13430 3588 9226

2102 1282 3434 4727 NA 13430 3023 7893

2102 923 3434 4727 7483 13430 4561 7893

2563 1282 3434 4727 NA 13430 3588 9226

2563 1282 3434 4727 NA 13430 3588 9226

2922 1282 3588 4727 NA 16914 4562 10148

51836 5165 11687 8919 15605 NA NA

51836 5165 11687 8919 15605 NA NA

51836 5165 11687 8919 17655 NA NA

41948 5165 10559 7483 15605 NA NA

41948 5165 10559 7483 15605 NA NA

51836 5165 10559 10353 17655 NA NA

51836 5165 13633 10353 17655 NA NA

51835 8050 18554 11482 67090 NA NA

63700 58365 32627 71045 32121 67796 58050 78595 19591 58023 26412 706243

63700 58365 32627 71045 32121 67796 58050 78595 19591 58023 26412 696762

63700 58365 32627 71045 32121 67796 58050 78595 19591 58023 26412 699837

59887 45380 29661 63277 27234 64548 54095 58710 19592 58023 24152 621210

59886 30754 29661 63277 27234 27234 54095 58661 19592 36495 24152 556354

71186 45380 36440 84887 32121 79519 84604 53080 22211 52589 24152 719987

71186 45380 36440 84887 32121 79519 84604 53080 22211 52589 24152 723061

78248 92947 54943 103248 44537 103671 102401 143521 22667 70941 42640 1060918

4613325 15.3%

3875876 18.0%

4470696 15.7%

3099007 20.0%

3694507 15.1%

5237654 13.7%

5581984 13.0%

7759440 13.7%

621

556

723

1060

Mechanical parts

A/c Evaporator Coil Radiator Hose Set Front Strut/ Shock Absorber Front Brake Disc/ Drum Front Suspension Lower Arm Clutch and Pressure Plate Clutch Release Bearing accident repair parts

Front bumper Wheel rim (each) Front fender Bonnet Radiator Front door Bootlid/ tailgate Headlight Assy. (each with bulb) Tail-light Assy. (each with bulb) Front windscreen glass Side mirror (with casing) Total Price Basket Vehicle price (ex showroom Mumbai, base version) Percentage of parts to car price

Percentage of parts to car price Total price basket (All values in thousands)

20 15 706

10 05 15.3%

696 18.0%

699 15.7%

20.0%

15.1%

719 13.7%

13.0%

13.7%

december 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 159

OUR CARS

A M O N T H I N T H E L I F E O F AU TO C A R ’S F L E E T

final RepoRt

maRuti celeRio

PhotograPhy priyank chhapwale

The dependable diesel Maruti became the fuel economy champion during its stay with us.

he Celerio diesel, with its tiny 793cc, twincylinder diesel engine, wasn’t really one of the most sought-after cars in our fleet. However, in the long time it spent with us (since June 2015), the Celerio delivered an astounding figure of around 17kpl in Mumbai city driving right from day one, and on the highway, the numbers were even better. The diesel Celerio’s ARAIclaimed overall fuel efficiency figure is 27.62kpl and in real-world testing, it managed to hover around that mark, and that is a big deal. Sure, the fuel economy numbers from this lightweight two-cylinder diesel engine were fantastic, but a big

T

160 AUTOCARINDIA.COM decemBeR 2016

downside is the refinement. Yes, this car is noisy, both inside and out. The shiny new Celerio received dubious stares from my neighbours every time I brought the engine to life, thanks to the commercial-vehicle-like engine note. Despite all the additional sounddeadening material that Maruti says it has added, there’s a fair bit of engine

noise that creeps into the cabin. You don’t expect this from a car that costs almost Rs 7 lakh. On the highway, I realised that the engine loses breath when pushed hard. It feels best while cruising at 80-90kph in fifth gear; the Celerio diesel can do this the whole day without complaining. But it’s in



The Celerio’s engine is at its best while cruising at 80-90kph in fifth gear.



the city that the Celerio feels most at home, with enough poke to keep up with the flow of traffic. Also, the clutch is quite light and doesn’t tire you out in stop-go traffic. The electrically-powered steering, however, is heavy for such a car, unlike the petrol-powered Celerio which requires noticeably less effort to steer. Also, over time, the gearshifts became notchy, and slotting it into reverse gear was quite a task. The model we had was the topspec ZDi (O) variant. It gets a decent four-speaker music system with USB, AUX and Bluetooth. And being a topspec trim, it’s got steering-mounted controls as well, even for Bluetooth telephony. Safety is taken care of

l ov e i T

fuel economy Steering on the diesel Celerio feels a lot heavier than that of the petrol car.

Delivered more than 17kpl, even in heavy Mumbai traffic.

The Celerio’s styling may not be eye-catching, but is simple and practical.

Single-piece seats placed well and are high on comfort too.

fRont seats l oaT h e i T

The 235-litre boot was wide enough to hold my grandmother’s wheelchair. by ABS and dual front airbags. It also comes with a height-adjustable driver’s seat, power wing mirrors and a rear wash/wipe which make the features list quite decent for a car in this category. I used the Celerio for what it was intended – city driving, especially during the Mumbai monsoons. Those who know Mumbai know that the roads – figuratively speaking – have more craters than the surface of the moon, and the Celerio did pretty well in ride quality. Its suspension has decent amount of travel, which means it did absorb most of the bumps, save for a few sharp ones which thud through. Although I am not a big fan of the

one-piece front seats in the Celerio and most new Marutis, they are fairly comfortable. My grandmother found the front seat to be at the right height for comfortable ingress and egress. What she was also happy about was the boot. At 235 litres, it may not be class-leading but the opening is wide enough, which means we could fit her wheelchair in easily (see photo). Mechanically, the Celerio didn’t skip a beat in its time with us. And though we put it through quite a lot, there was not a single squeak from this Maruti. No doubt, the diesel engine with its poor refinement and very modest performance falls far short of the classbest and leaves me wanting for a better

power plant. But in all fairness, the Celerio did a fair job of transporting me to office daily and taking my family around town on the weekends. With its ultra-frugal nature, decent boot size, roomy cabin and decent ride quality, the Celerio diesel did its job well. If only it was a nicer car to drive. akbar MerChanT

enGine noise a big turn-off for many prospective buyers.

test data MaruTi Ce le r i o Z D i(o ) odometer 18,500km Price Rs 7.14 lakh (on-road, Mumbai) economy 17.5kpl (overall) Maintenance costs None Faults None Previous reports September 2015, December 2015, April 2016, September 2016

GeaR shift Slotting gears requires some effort over time.

decemBeR 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 161

OUR CARS l ov e i t

torquey engine PhotograPhy omkar dhas

1.5 dCi motor delivers power in a linear manner.

86,500km report

mahindra Verito The oldest long-termer in our fleet chugs along but is now showing signs of wear and tear.

es, we still have the Verito in our fleet and it’s been a long while since we spoke about it. The last report of this car was way back in June 2015 and since then, the Verito has been slogging it out daily, driving me and my heavy camera kit from home to office and for multiple shoots. It has earned the status of being the longestrunning car in our fleet, both in terms of the time it has been with us and the distance clocked. I’ve covered over 86,500km which is more than what most owners do during the life cycle of their cars, so it’s safe to claim that the Verito has become a part of not just the Autocar India family but my family too. While many of our staffers do find the car to be quite old-

Y

school and boring, I don’t mind it at all. This car is more about its interiors, comfortable ride and roomy cabin, in addition to the great mileage and workhorse nature. The Verito hasn’t missed a scheduled service all through its stint with us so far, which is critical for the long durability of any car. Expected wear and tear aside, the car hasn’t experienced any major breakdown. Recently, in one of its out-of-the-city Autocar shoot sorties, we had to go through a really bad patch of road, and that resulted in a clunking noise from the front suspension. To get this sorted, I took the car to Mahindra’s NBS International service centre in Mumbai for a check-up. It turned out that the front suspension had worn out and needed replacement, as did the two front disc brakes and rear brake pads. According to a Mahindra technician, the possible reason for the front suspension failure was that the car was run with a faulty damper, which damaged the other suspension components, like the lower arms. The gear knob was also replaced as the plastic

had become brittle with the intensity of direct sun. The hot summer affected other bits as well; the top of the steering wheel started peeling off and the plastic headlight cover saw some discolouration. The entire repair work, which included the lower arm assembly, replacing both the front dampers, front discs and rear brake pads, took a little over a week and cost Rs 52,144. That was quite a dent on my wallet, but when you consider that these repairs were carried out at the 82,000km mark, it’s a small price to pay from a Rs per km perspective. Since then, the Verito has done over 4,000km and it seems to be in good shape. It continues to be my trusted and most reliable travel companion and it gets me to where I want without a hitch. The way things look, the Verito is sure to cross the 1,00,000km mark quite effortlessly. aShleY BaXteR

Wide rear seats Spacious enough to seat three in comfort.

l oat h e i t

steering Wheel Chunky steering wheel wore out over time.

test data Mah i N D R a ve R ito D6 odometer 86,500km Price Rs 9.60 lakh (on-road, Mumbai) economy 15.5kpl (overall) Maintenance costs Rs 52,144 Faults Suspension Previous report June 2015

headlights Discoloured headlights reduced effectiveness.

decemBer 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 163

W H Y YO U n E E D a U s E D

Rs 2.5 lakh

I n YO U R L I F E

PhotograPhy ashley baxter

Plummeting resale value of Fiat cars means the Punto is ideal for a second-hand car buyer.

fiat punto

ItalIan FlaIr It’s a handsome and solid hatch, but finding a Fiat workshop could be a task. GOOD FOR Affordability, ride and handling LOOK OUT FOR Limited service network, poor plastics FactFIle Years produced 2009-2014 Price when new From Rs 6.27 lakh Engine 1248cc, 4 cyls, turbo diesel Power 75hp Torque 197Nm 0-100kph 17.84sec Top speed NA Economy 13.7/17.5kpl (City/Highway)

ith the Punto, a successor to the Palio, Fiat gave us what is clearly one of the most handsome hatchbacks to have ever hit Indian

W

164 AUTOCARINDIA.COM december 2016

shores. The car is also built like a tank. You’ll hear many owners appreciating the reassuring thud that its hefty doors shut with. In 2009, Fiat introduced the Punto with two petrol engines – a 1.2 and a 1.4 litre – and the ubiquitous 1.3-litre Multijet, now popular for powering Marutis. In 2010, the car received a more powerful 90hp version of the 1.3 diesel in the Grande Punto 90, which was a better highway car. Among the petrols, the 90hp 1.4-litre is what you should pick if you plan on driving yourself

around. However, we’d suggest that you stick to the diesels. Although the engines never gave the Punto the hot-hatch creds of its predecessor, the Palio 1.6, it impressed with the way it handled, be it on our pockmarked roads or expressways. Fiat even increased the ground clearance of the car to 185mm in 2012, making it better for our conditions. Its well-weighted steering too gave high-speed manners that no car in its class could offer. For a car with such an attractive

profile, it’s quite practical too. The cabin is decently spacious, the front seats are comfortable, but some may find the driving position to be a bit awkward. The rear bench has

Used car Index High Medium Low Depreciation

Spares

Running costs

used cars H O W T O G E T O n E I n YO U R Ga R aG E

a decent amount of space and you even get a 280-litre boot. The 75hp diesel is quite frugal too, returning 13.7kpl in the city and 17.5kpl on highways. In addition to the reassuring build quality, the car was quite high on safety as well. Wellspecced models came with ABS and dual front airbags. Fiats are notorious for shedding their value quite heavily, which is a big plus for used car buyers. For instance, you can fetch decently maintained cars from 2013 with as less as 30,000km on the odo for around Rs 3.5 lakh. Older models that have done about 50,000km are available for under Rs 2 lakh. A caveat with owning a Fiat

though is the company’s dwindling dealer network. So, despite the fact that spare parts are cheap and a regular service (every 15,000km) costs about Rs 4,000-5,000, finding a service centre could prove to be tedious. However, these factors aside, what you have here is a stylish hatchback that’s quite easy to live with. HaRI mEnOn

buyer beware…

n aIR COnDITIOnER Faulty AC compressors and evaporators are common, and replacing them will cost you Rs 25,000 and Rs 12,000, respectively. These are parts you should check before buying.

n DIEsEL PUmP Diesel Puntos with high odo readings have reported instances of leaking fuel pumps. A new fuel pump costs Rs 24,000, and hence is a part that must be inspected.

deal oF tHe montH FIaT PU nTO D I Es E L Price Rs 2.6 lakh (July 2011, 62,000km) Price when new Rs 6.87 lakh (on-road, Mumbai) savings Rs 4.27 lakh Where Mumbai Call 9833634141

n TImInG CHaIn Fiat prescribes changing the car’s timing chain at 60,000km. It costs Rs 10,000, so check if the owner of a high-mileage car has changed it.

also worth knowing

Remember to check the underbody. Heavy damage could indicate a manhandled sample, and could result in unnecessary expenditure after purchase.

How much to spend

R s 2 -3 . 2 L a K H Given how quickly Fiats shed their value, it should be easy to find a decently maintained Punto. Because of the poor resale value, many owners even get the cars insured.

CaRs WE FOUnD

*Data supplied by Indian blue book

The front seats are comfortable, but some may find the driving position awkward. All prices are in Rs lakh for Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Bengaluru*

Used ca r Pr Ices — FI at PUnto variant 1.3 D M/T

2009 Min 1.5

Max 2.65

2010 Min 2.25

Max 2.75

2011 Min 2.6

Max 3.49

2012 Min 3.05

Max 4

www.indianbluebook.com

Rs 3.5 LaKH The Punto from October 2012 comes with a one-year insurance. Car courtesy Rohit Kaul, Pune Call 9822194672

Rs 2.35 L aKH This March 2010 diesel model from Navi Mumbai has run 1,05,000km. Car courtesy Raphy Joseph Call 9969984799

If you would like to see your used car featured here, please e-mail a picture and details to usedcars@haymarketsac.com

It’s one of the most attractive hatchbacks and packs a practical 280-litre boot.

december 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 165

Deals What We found

bmW 3-series

The all-new Fortuner already commands a twomonth waiting period.

How much? Up to Rs 2 lakh off The recently updated 3-series sedan now comes with a strong petrol and a punchy diesel engine. Discounts of around Rs 2 lakh are on offer on most variants.

Wait gets longer for the neW fortuner he second-generation Toyota Fortuner diesel launched recently is priced starting at Rs 27.52 lakh, making it around Rs 2.3 lakh costlier than its predecessor. It is also positioned at a premium over the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport (Rs 27.12 lakh) and the new Ford Endeavour (Rs 23.78 lakh), its direct rivals. Order books for the new Fortuner were officially opened on November 7, and in less than 10 days, the SUV

T

saw the waiting period cross two months in many cities. The Fortuner comes with a 2.8litre diesel engine with optional 4WD and, for the first time, a 2.7litre petrol with only 2WD (priced from Rs 25.92 lakh), with both engines available in manual as well as automatic gearboxes. Dealers in major cities tell us that the auto ’box-equipped diesel models (2WD and 4WD) are in high demand. Deliveries for them are being promised sometime late December

or early January. Market buzz is that dealers are asking customers to buy the ‘2017-manufactured’ SUV to reduce this backlog. The 2017 Fortuner will be available for delivery from late February. The petrol model, however, is readily delivered at most locations where stock is available. Just like its predecessor, the Fortuner’s Pearl White shade has gathered most orders. A new ‘Phantom Brown’ is the next in-demand colour.

deal of the month B M W X3 M S p o r T U p T o r S 5 l a k h o f f BMW’S anSWeR To the audi Q5 and the recently launched Mercedes GLC, the updated X3 M Sport gets additional equipment like the unique BMW M steering wheel, 18-inch alloy wheels, BMW M front, rear bumpers and side skirts, front sport seats and an upgraded audio and navigation system. It is powered by a punchy 255hp 3.0-litre diesel engine. Most BMW dealerships are offering yearend discounts of around Rs 5 lakh on the X3 M Sport. The current X3 is likely to be replaced in 2017.

hyundai Verna How much? Up to Rs 1 lakh off Hyundai’s stylish rival to the City, the Verna has seen a decline in popularity over the years. Benefits of around Rs 1 lakh are offered across the range.

skoda rapid (Pre-facelift) How much? Up to Rs 1 lakh off The older Rapid gets good quality interiors and punchy engines. Discounts of around Rs 1 lakh are on offer on leftover stocks.

renault duster amt

The M Sport package gives the car a strong athletic stance and added features.

How much? Up to Rs 75,000 off The clutchless variant of the popular Duster SUV gets a decent discount as well as other benefits making it a very attractive purchase.

december 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 167

Discounts vary from city to city. Please check with your local dealer for exact discounts, which may not match figures quoted in this issue.

Bookings opened on November 7; waiting period crossed two months in 10 days.

Image for representational purpose only

helpline

Ford Endeavour faces quality issues K Chandrashekhar, a resident of Hyderabad and a keen reader of Autocar India, became the proud owner of a 2016 Ford Endeavour this April. But within a few months of taking delivery of the vehicle, he started experiencing a couple of problems. The external temperature sensor malfunctioned, the Sync 2 infotainment system failed, especially with respect to the radio function, the sunroof and tailgate gave him trouble and the headlights did not focus properly when switched to high beam. While Chandrashekhar is quite satisfied with the car otherwise, and accepts these are minor issues, he was annoyed, and rightly so, that they appeared this early on in the car’s life. He approached Ford and his dealer, but their responses were inadequate. So he contacted us, and at our behest, Ford expedited his case. His Endeavour was taken in for a thorough checkup, but it came back with just the left headlight motor replaced. At the time of going to press, the other problems Chandrashekhar faced weren’t addressed by the company. However, we are still pressing Ford to deliver a solution.

SAYS Reliability issues on the popular Endeavour are the last thing Ford needs right now, especially since the all-new Toyota Fortuner, known for its bullet-proof reliability, has just been launched. These niggling problems which Chandrashekhar faced don’t reflect well on Ford’s quality control and the company should look into this seriously by addressing the root cause of such problems.

Thank you for your kind words. Though the Chevrolet Enjoy is tempting after recent price cuts, we would advise against buying it as the sales, and aftersales ury SUV and is – which is so The Q5 makes for a good lux k. wor net vice crucial for any backed by Audi’s reliable ser fleet manager – may become an issue, especially once Please tell me which one is the better the model is discontinued. option when it comes to features and GM’s dealers are struggling due to off-roading. poor sales and we are not sure how Sahil Dua, New Delhi strong the network is. The Ertiga is If you are happy with your Audi, it’s a also a good car but it’s not the most good idea to stick to the same brand, as spacious. We have heard of gearbox it appears that your dealer is looking after your car well. The Discovery Sport issues after 40,000km, especially if the vehicle is used in hilly areas is a much bigger car than the Audi Q5 where you have to constantly shift and though there are no reports of it between first and second gears. The giving problems, Land Rovers in India Lodgy is the better choice overall, don’t have the best of reputations when thanks to its superior ride comfort, it comes to reliability. We feel the Audi performance and space. However, Q5 will be a better bet, if you can live Renault dealers are not as efficient without a third row of seats. But bear as Maruti’s. So if you want to play in mind that an all-new Q5 will come safe, go for the Ertiga. to India in the second half of 2017.

On itS way Out

I have been a fan of Autocar India for the last 15 years. All my car-buying decisions have been made based on the reviews in your magazine, and I have no regrets. Now I have my own fleet company and am planning to buy two Chevrolet Enjoys, as the model is cheaper due to the recent price cut. But I heard that GM plans to discontinue it soon. Is this true? If yes, which other people mover (under Rs 10 lakh) should I look at? How about the Lodgy or the Ertiga? Though the prices make the Enjoy a tempting option, I rather not buy it if it is getting shelved in the next six months. Also, does the Enjoy have any reliability issues? Sarath Madathil, via email

an upwarD MOve

I own a 2010 Honda City and am planning to upgrade to an SUV. I really liked Skoda Kodiaq, but is it worth waiting for? Should I go for some other car in that range, like the CR-V, Santa Fe, Q3 or X1, as I really doubt that the Kodiaq will be launched next year. Srikanth reddy, Hyderabad The CR-V is a good urban SUV, but being only available in petrol, it is not quite as economical as diesel-powered SUVs. The Santa Fe is a spacious and comfortable SUV, but it lacks the appeal of the German SUVs. Between the Audi Q3 and the BMW X1, the latter is the far better choice as it drives better, is more spacious and has more of an SUV look.

E-mail your grievances with your contact details, along with a photo of you and your car to helpline@autocarindia.com.

BranD Shifting

I have been using an Audi A4 for two years now and am very happy with it in terms of performance, mileage, etc. But since Delhi roads have a water-logging problem, the low ground clearance of a luxury sedan doesn’t really help. So I’m planning

168 AUTOCARINDIA.COM deceMBeR 2016

to buy a luxury SUV, and the first choice that came to mind was the Q5. But ever since I read about the Land Rover Discovery Sport, I have been confused. I also heard that the Discovery Sport has high maintenance costs. My experience with Audi has been great so far.

With the Enjoy to be discontinued, buying one now may not be a great idea.

motorIng

faMily Space

A DV I C E

The Toyota Innova Crysta is easy to own and maintain.

I live in a joint family and own an Innova, a Duster and a Swift. I want to buy another car and my budget is Rs 25 lakh. Should I buy the Innova Crysta or go for the Skoda Octavia. Skoda has a dealership in Jamshedpur and not in Dhanbad, and they are not able to provide test drive. I am also considering the pros and cons of aftersales service, as well as the resale value after four-five years. The car will be used in city and for long highway trips. Please advise. rahul gupta, Dhanbad The Skoda Octavia is much nicer to drive than the Innova Crysta, but given your requirements, the Innova Crysta is a more sensible choice. It is spacious, practical and will give you far more peace of mind in the long run. The Octavia won’t be backed by the same level of service support and is likely to be more expensive to maintain.

BeefeD-up Stance

I want to modify my 2014 Maruti Celerio. What’s the best way to make my car look more bulky? Krishna, Hyderabad To be honest, we wouldn’t recommend any extreme modifications to the Celerio as it may cause unreliability and poor performance. However, depending on the variant, your car may be equipped with 13- or 14-inch wheels. If your car comes with 13-inch wheels, we can recommend that you upsize to 14-inch wheels and get new 175/65R14 tyres to go with them. In case your car is already on 14-inch rims, you can just upsize to 175/65R14 rubber. We

Will it be the small mid-sizer or the big small car? And is that a ghost in your engine or an actual problem? AAA (Ask Autocar Anything), the guru-cum-agony uncle, has all the answers. Email aaa@autocarindia.com

recommend the Michelin Energy XM2 for the combination of good grip and reasonable tyre life.

Oil MatterS

I drive a Hyundai i20 CRDi and want to use fully-synthetic engine oil in my car. In India, Shell has Helix 5W40 Ultra as an option. But according to my car’s manual, 15W-40, 10W-30, 5W-30 are the recommended choices. I mailed Shell and they said I could use the 5W-40. Please confirm this and also let me know if there are any other options. Also, service centres only have mineral oil from Indian Oil. vinod chawla, Faridabad You can definitely use the Shell Helix 5W-40. It is a fairly superior product compared to mineral oils in the grades you have mentioned. But before you make the switch, we recommend that you ensure that all the pumps, lifters and sumps are cleared thoroughly, using an engine flush like Bardahl. This will get all the sludge out too. This is to ensure that the last remnants of the older mineral oil are expelled from the engine before you put in the fresh synthetic, to ensure maximum efficiency from day one.

unwelcOMe nOiSe

I have been using a Linea T-Jet Plus

If you must modify, play safe and stick to upsizing the wheel size or tyres.

since 2011. From the second year, I noticed a rubbing noise coming from the front right, but only during sudden acceleration. The sound lasts for a second and is heard around 2,200 rpm. Under normal driving conditions, however, there isn’t any noise, even at 140kph. When I took the car to a service centre for a regular servicing, the technicians heard the noise as well, but were unable to locate it. Now they think it could be from the flywheel. They wanted to open it up and check. What do I do? Sunil, Kochi This seems to be a case of harmonic

T He

rumbling or resonance. Before rushing to dismantle the transmission – an expensive and labour-intensive job – we’d suggest that you look for small niggles in the engine bay. For example, a slightly loose exhaust manifold heat-shield or any other item might have come loose, causing a vibration at certain speed/rpm combination. This is the most likely scenario. If everything is fine, check the front wheel bearings for wear, and if worn out, that may be a factor. If all is well, then it is likely to be something with the transmission – the throwout bearing or final drive may be the culprit. AI

SHOPPeR

Not sure which new vehicle to buy? Autocar India points you towards the right one.

parMeet Kaur – Maruti Baleno

D

elhi-based Parmeet Kaur was looking to replace her ageing Hyundai i20 with a more spacious, well-equipped diesel hatchback. Her shortlist included the current Hyundai i20, the Honda Jazz or the Maruti Baleno, but unable to make a decision, she approached us for help. In addition to the above criteria, she wanted the new car to deliver good mileage and a peaceful ownership experience. She had a budget of around Rs 9 lakh, so we recommended she opt for the Baleno as it ticked all the right boxes and came with Maruti’s reliability. Following our opinion, she checked out the Baleno and knew she had found a suitable replacement. The car impressed her with its spacious interiors, premium feel and ease of driving, while its eye-catching design, aggressive pricing and the Nexa experience persuaded her to put her money down. Parmeet took delivery of the Baleno some time back and is very happy with her new car.

deceMBeR 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 169

Features of Fibro

tWo-WhEELErS

N E WS

how duke are you? KTM’s latest 390 Duke finally breaks cover. Check it out in our EICMA 2016 coverage.

N E WS to S h a r E ? Call: 022-23787500 Email: editorial@autocarindia.com

Pg 190

ageless charm

middle ground

Moto Guzzi’s latest retro-style midcapacity bikes, the V9 Roamer and V9 Bobber, have us smitten.

The Benelli 302R seems to strike the right balance between sport and street.

Pg 180

Pg 186

Mahindra Two Wheelers’ plans for the future unveiled

Pg 174 Find the answers to all your motorcycle-related queries

Pg 196 december 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 173

Mahindra steers into a new direction

The two-wheeler maker plans to shift its focus towards premium niche segments which will have products from three different brands.

m

ahindra & Mahindra recently shared plans for a revamp of its two-wheeler business, with focus shifted almost completely towards the premium niche segments. Pawan Goenka, executive director, Mahindra & Mahindra, however, clarified that the company isn’t focusing on the low double-digit volume segments, but on sizeable volumes. After Reva Electric, SsangYong Motor Company, SYM two-wheelers, Peugeot Motorcycles and even legendary design house Pininfarina, Mahindra & Mahindra has added Birmingham Small Arms Corporation (BSA), the British classic bike company, to its list of firms it has acquired stakes in. But the company’s foray in the two-wheeler segment has not gone according to plan. Mahindra couldn’t effectively put to use the Pune-based two-wheeler company, Kinetic Motor Company, acquired in 2008, nor has it managed to bring the

Peugeot brand to India until now. Thus, the revamp now focuses on premium models that will roll out of Classic Legends Pvt Ltd, Mahindra Two Wheelers (CLPL), and Peugeot Scooters (PMTC). Mahindra recently acquired 60 percent of CLPL, a company that was formed with the intent of bringing back classic brands. CLPL acquired BSA, as well as its global brand rights. Sadly, BSA will not be launched in our market as the brand ownership rights in India are currently under dispute. A surprise announcement was the rebirth of Jawa. Unlike BSA, CLPL has not bought out the Czech brand, but acquired exclusive licensing rights for India and a few other neighbouring markets where there exists a strong brand recall. Both BSA and Jawa bikes will not fall under the Mahindra brand and the management highlighted that they will be established as independent labels. Stylistically, the bikes will hark back to the older models, but will naturally

lau n c he d

kawasaki h2, h2r, h2 carbon new 2017 Kawasaki h2 family of supercharged sports bikes now in India with h2, h2 Carbon and h2R costing Rs 33.30 lakh, Rs 39.80 lakh and Rs 69.80 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), respectively.

174 AUTOCARINDIA.COM december 2016

feature new technology. When asked about the engineering inputs required to develop bikes under these brands, Goenka stated that the company would tap into Mahindra Racing (the Moto GP racing company), Peugeot, as well as other independent firms. While

both brands will be niche, the BSA bikes will be at the higher end and the Jawa bikes on the lower. BSA will be built overseas at a location still undecided, whereas Jawa bikes will be built in India at Mahindra’s Pitampur plant. The bikes, however, are about two years away

from a market launch. Mahindra acquired a 51 percent stake in the French two-wheeler manufacturer early last year. however, there isn’t any clarity on an India launch. The management stressed that it plans to bring the brand to India, but are yet to arrive at a sustainable business case. The plan as of now is to expand the brand globally, and strengthen its larger-displacement offerings. Mahindra has increased its R&D spend by 30 percent, and the cash will go towards updating current products, meeting new emission norms and developing new products. On the whole, Mahindra looks ready to shift tracks and make its two-wheeler business successful. The company was quick to point out that this was just a headstart in a new direction and no fixed time frame has been set for its profitability. SergiuS Barretto

The fuTure of mojo ThE BIG nEWS here is that Mahindra will be virtually exiting the massmarket segment. Its two brands, the Centuro motorbike and the Gusto scooter, have not been successful, and Mahindra feels the segment isn’t working for them. This is not to say that the company will be axing the brands. Both the commuter bike and scooter will remain in production and will even receive full support in terms of spares and service. What changes, however, is the fact that Mahindra will significantly cut down the advertising spends on these two products and put a cap on future development for them. The company will exclusively focus on the Mojo. Encouraged by the positive reception, Mahindra plans to convert the Mojo into an umbrella brand for motorcycles that will cover different segments and price points, much like how Bajaj has done (quite successfully at that) with the Pulsar. For now, Rajesh Jejurikar, chief executive of the company, stated that four Mojo derivatives have been planned and will be released to the market in the next 24 months.

TriumPh boneville T100 Based on the 900cc Street Twin and with classic styling borrowed from the larger T120, the new Bonneville T100 is now available in India at Rs 7.78 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Triumph brings in the Bobber

Triumph has managed to achieve a perfect blend between old-school style and modern technology. BACK In ThE day, there was a niche of custom bike makers who used British

parallel twin motorcycles such as Triumphs to build Bobbers. As a nod to

Hero lends Aether a hand

Aether’s S340 will be first smart electric scooter on Indian roads. AThER EnERGY, ThE Bengaluru-based smart electric two-wheeler startup announced a fresh round of funding of Rs 180 crore from two-wheeler major hero MotoCorp for a 26-30 percent stake. The funding marks the third round of investments in Ather Energy, which is building the S340 – India’s first smart, electric scooter. It packs a lithiumion battery pack, and has a

top speed of 72kph with a range of 60km. The funding from hero MotoCorp is likely to accelerate the commercial launch of the S340, which has been pushed to early 2017 from end-2016. Moreover, Ather might be able to leverage the country’s largest twowheeler maker’s expertise in domains like marketing and supply post launch of the scooter.

the popularity of the old Bonneville in these circles, Triumph has just launched

BIKE NEWS its own Bobber based on the latest-generation T120 Bonnie. It shares most of its frame and front suspension with the T120, but Triumph has engineered an entirely new cage-type swingarm and a neatly-hidden monoshock rear suspension to mimic a hardtail look. The floating single seat not only allows riders to slide it forward or backwards as required, but the entire rail on which it is mounted can be tilted up or down, for a customised riding position. Since the hT (high torque) spec 1,200cc parallel-twin motor has been borrowed from the T120, this Bonneville Bobber makes 80hp of peak power and 105nm of peak torque. The slick shifting six-speed gearbox has been maintained

as has been the ride-by-wire throttle and riding modes. To ensure that the Bobber gets its own unique sound, Triumph has developed a new twin-airbox system with two separate filters and a unique intake system. The exhaust system has been redesigned as well, and the bike gets brushed stainless-steel, twinskin exhausts with ‘slashcut’ sawn-off peashooter silencers. The Bobber rides on bespoke Avon Cobra tyres with a 19-inch front wheel and a 16-inch rear, and will be available with a variety of custom parts, including ape-hanger handlebars. While Triumph hasn’t officially announced whether this bike will be coming to India, we suspect it should hit Indian shores sometime early next year.

bmw’s vision of The fuTure

The BMW Group has now revealed its next progressive solution for the world of motorcycling: the BMW Motorrad Vision Next 100. Design includes a black frame triangle, white lines and classic, boxer engine forms. The bike has a compact zero-emissions drive unit that extends outwards only when the bike sets off, to enhance aerodynamics and protect the rider from the elements. Its unique Flexiframe allows the bike to be steered without the various joints found on today’s motorcycles. It has an active self-balancing system that keeps the bike upright at a standstill, yet delivers an agile, dynamic riding experience. BMW says, this makes the bike uncrashable, negating the need for protective gear such as a helmet. Instead, riders will wear a pair of data glasses that use eye gestures to bring up relevant information.

moToguzzi mgX-21

suzuki hayabusa

Company’s first ever bagger motorcycle, with a 1,380cc V-twin engine, nicknamed “The Flying Fortress”, now available in India on order only for Rs 27.78 lakh (ex-showroom, Pune).

2017 version of legendary hayabusa has started assembly in India and is priced at Rs 13.88 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Available in three new colours: black/ white, blue/black and all-black.

december 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 175

yamaha updates ageing yZf-r6 with fresh new look YAMAhA’S POPULAR 600CC supersport offering, the YZF-R6 has finally got an update for 2017. Yamaha claims the new fairing makes it 8 percent more efficient. The frame remains unchanged from the outgoing R6 right down to the steering geometry, but the new magnesium subframe is a bit slimmer and allows for a flatter

The new fairing resembles that from the latest Yamaha R1.

The Numbers Game 7,00,000 6,00,000

6,63,153 uNiTs sold iN july 2016 4,92,367

5,00,000 4,00,000 3,00,000

2,72,229

2,00,000 1,00,000 0

Hero MoTo Corp

HoNda

sold 3,02,946 scooters in October 2016, making it the fourth consecutive month it has sold over three lakh scooters. Bajaj’s performance might have

Tvs

three selectable riding modes. There are a couple of other critical mechanical differences which include new 43mm KYB forks (2mm fatter than the previous model’s) as well as a 25mm front axle that’s supposed to offer stability and better feel under braking and cornering. There are no plans to bring the R6 to India any time in the foreseeable future.

suzuki’s rocking new 150s

Festivity sales skyrocket ThIS FESTIVE SEASOn has seen sales for twowheeler makers reach remarkable highs. All big players in the market continued to register impressive growth in October 2016 on the back of navratri, Dhanteras and Diwali. hero MotoCorp recorded its third consecutive month of over 600,000 sales, and claims to have sold more than a million units during this year’s festive season even before Dhanteras day. honda breached the one million unit sales mark during this season as well and even

seat. The bike also gets a new aluminium fuel tank that’s about 1.2kg lighter. The R6’s 599cc inline-four motor is unchanged and should make the same amount of horsepower and torque, though the company hasn’t revealed the figures. however, this bike does feature a new switchable six-level traction control system along with

2,12,997

Bajaj auTo

86,428

58,379

yaMaHa

royal eNfield

been a few units lower than from September 2016, but all others like TVS and Yamaha saw big jumps, with Royal Enfield registering its highest monthly sales ever.

Suzuki has unveiled two new small capacity motorcycles, the fully faired GSX-R 150 and the naked GSX-S 150. The pair gets a liquid-cooled and fuelinjected 150cc single-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed gearbox that puts out 19.17hp of power and 14Nm of torque. That makes these bikes more powerful than the Indian Suzuki Gixxer. Their design is close to what you find on the company’s bigger bikes. Unfortunately, there are no plans of these coming to India, though it’s possible we might see similar styling on the Gixxer family going forward.

Say hello to FAB ThE FABULOUS AnD Beyond Group, known for its Regal Raptor brand of cruisers and choppers announced a new line of “budget bikes” ranging from mopeds to sports bikes, costing between Rs 40,000 and Rs 2

BIKES THAT EXCITE

Czech company FGR has spent 10 years developing the Midalu, a sporty muscle cruiser powered by an insane 2.5-litre V6 engine that puts out an incredible 240hp! Tipping the scales at about 262kg, it’s a heavy beast, but gets top-spec suspension

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lakh. FAB Motor Cycles was launched by a hyderabadbased business house with a line-up of two 150cc street bikes – the XP150-2 and JF150-2X (priced at Rs 76,000 and Rs 70,000, ex-showroom, respectively),

components from Ohlins as well as Brembo brakes. It’s got a wide trellis frame to house that monstrous motor. Adding to the menacing design are 6-tip carbon fibre mufflers. The initial production run will consist of just six bikes.

two 200cc sports bikes – the DLS200-4X and LY200-8X (priced at Rs 1.55 lakh and Rs 1.45 lakh, exshowroom, respectively), as well as a 125cc scooter, the 125T-21C (priced at Rs 52,500, ex-showroom).

BIKE NEWS

Vespa launches special-edition scooters

C S Santosh

Da k a r D i a ry t H e c o u n t D o w n B e g i n S

Vespa’s 946 Emporio Armani (left) and 70th anniversary edition. PIAGGIO InDIA hAS introduced two limitedrun scooters to its Vespa line-up, the Vespa 946 Emporio Armani and a 70th anniversary special edition. The Vespa 946 Emporio Armani commemorates the 40th anniversary of Georgio Armani and the 130th anniversary of the Piaggio Group, and is styled with inputs from Giorgio Armani, the famed Italian fashion house. This fully imported, made-to-order scooter is priced at a whopping Rs 12.04 lakh (ex-showroom, Pune), which makes it the second costliest scooter in India; the first being the Aprilia SRV 850 ABS.

It comes with a fourstroke 125cc engine, which makes 11.7hp of power and 10.3nm of torque, and is paired to a CVT automatic. The scooter gets LED lights all around, Michelin tyres, 220mm front disc brakes, dual-channel ABS and traction control. The 70th anniversary edition celebrates 70 years of the brand. Only 500 of these will be made in India. At Rs 96,500, it’s Rs 11,000 costlier than the Vespa VXL on which it is based. It’s powered by a four-stroke 150cc engine that makes 11.6hp and 11.5nm of torque and comes mated to a CVT automatic.

Having spent so much time travelling and practicing, I find a piece of home away from home.

a Harley-Davidson adds two

new bikes to India line-up hARLEY-DAVIDSOn InDIA has launched its 2017 model year line-up which features two new motorcycles – the Roadster and Road Glide Special. The Roadster, priced at Rs 9.70 lakh, is the latest member of the harleyDavidson Sportster family, and will be assembled at the company’s Bawal plant in haryana. It gets the same V-twin 1,200cc air-cooled engine first seen on the 1200 Custom last year. The Road Glide Special Tourer is powered by the all-new Milwaukee-Eight engine. The engine is offered in two variants – MilwaukeeEight 107 (1,745cc) for the

Road Glide Special (left) and Roadster are now on sale. Street Glide Special, Road Glide Special and Road King; twin-cooled Milwaukee-Eight 114 (1870cc) for the CVO Limited. While the Road Glide Special is priced at Rs 32.81 lakh, the Street Glide Special costs Rs 31.25 lakh (all prices, ex-showroom, Delhi). All 2017 models get ABS as standard.

re you excited about the Dakar? That’s a question that’s frequently thrown my way, and I usually blurt out something like, “I’m not even thinking about the Dakar yet.” But this time, I have been feeling the Dakar pulsating through me. I am excited and I think it’s that time of the year when I imagine going over the start podium in Asunción in Paraguay. The Dakar is one very long race! To think about the 14 days we will be out racing is just overwhelming. I’m taking it one day at a time, and making it to the first rest day is the first goal I have. The teams have been loading the bikes and trucks that head out to Dakar on November 21. And I am in Italy breaking

So much of the Dakar this year will be raced in Bolivia at high altitudes and cold temperatures. We decided to go up to the Italian side of the Alps to spend a few days at 3,500 metres. This was part of the training and to understand how the body reacts to a sudden rise in altitudes; I covered these days without any problem. I have been away from home so much this year, and right now as I write this, I’m sitting at my hotel lobby in Florida. But I will head home this month and stay put for three weeks, before I ship out to Dakar. I’m going to enjoy the time I have with my family before I take on what’s going to be the hardest two weeks of my life in pursuit of the greatest challenge on two wheels!

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To think about racing for 14 days is just overwhelming.  in my new bike that’s now ready to be shipped along with all my gear. With the gear being ready, we had to also put our bodies to the test by first going to a German fitness centre to gauge how well-prepared we were and identify the little things we could work on in the two months to race day. Well, I did find a few minor imbalances that I hope to fix.

geT in Touch Forums at autocarindia.com

@cs_santosh22

december 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 177

All the geAr All the time

B u il d you r ow n G S

leGo Technic BMW R1200 Gs advenTuRe It can be said that today’s Lego sets feature too many unique parts capable of building only specific models. Surprisingly, the same has also become applicable for the more mechanically-inclined Lego Technic sets. Gone is the era where you had only generic parts and you could build whatever your imagination let you. But we really don’t mind when the only model you can build is a faithful replica of a BMW R1200 GS Adventure motorcycle. This Technic GS is 18cm high, 33cm long and 10cm wide, and features working handlebars as well as an adjustable windshield. You have to give credit to the team and Lego and BMW when you see the accurate and working reproduction of the Bavarian bike maker’s iconic telelever front suspension, along with its shaft drive and twin-cylinder boxer motor where the pitons move as you push the model ahead – all in distinct Technic fashion. Even the black spoke wheels with studded tyres resemble those of the model’s real counterpart, and it gets three hard panniers at the back. This mini GS will hit stores on January 1, 2017, to mark the 40th anniversary of the Technic brand with a smartphone app that gives 3D building instructions along with a specially-designed Lego Technic piece. Where: Lego stores Price: TBA

B oo t ca m p

RsT TRacTech evo BooTs A lot of motorcycle riders are now starting to take riding a lot more seriously. After all, as this section of the magazine clearly states, it’s just better to have on All The Gear All The Time. These RST Tractech Evo Boots are quite versatile and good all-round multi-purpose ones. They’re fully CE certified, got moulded TPU shins, ankle and heel protection. They also feature anti-slip multi-density soles, ensuring enhanced grip on the footpegs. They also got aggressive styling that riders will appreciate. So, if you’ve got a few track-days in mind or would just like a good-quality boot for those weekend rides, the RST Tractech Evo could be the boots for you. Where: www.teamdriven.com Price: Rs 15,499

touch y f eely

Glove TacTs We all know how frustrating it is when you take a halt after a long ride and you experience all the fumbling involved to get your gloves off before you can access your smartphone. Well, Glove Tacts seems to have the solution to that conundrum. It has come up with what is essentially a little adhesive patch that fits onto your gloves and allows you to use your touch-screen device with your gloves on. A lot of research and development has gone into this product to make a fabric-like material that produces conductivity like your fingers would normally do. This little adhesive patch is easy to apply on your gloves, and its conductivity does not fade or wear out. It’s quite durable as well; it’s machine-washable and can be removed if necessary. Where: wwww.glovetacts.com Price: Rs 670, plus shipping ($9.99)

hheadWave el m e t TaG o rch e S t r a

If you’re one of those riders who like to spend hours leisurely cruising along highways, listening to music that makes your ride more enjoyable, you may want to keep your eyes peeled for this one. The Headwave TAG is an adhesive acoustic device that is called a Concert Capsule, and fits onto your helmet and literally makes music through vibrations. Yes, you read that right. It doesn’t have any speakers that you’ll need to stick inside your helmet and slightly change the way it fits. It turns your helmet into a music device and harnesses vibrational energy from an Exciter, which in-turn sends audio waves through your helmet itself, for a rather unconventional surround sound experience. So, if you’d like to see what a musical vibrating skull feels like, you should definitely examine this device closer. Where: www.headwave.de Price: Rs 21, 855 (EUR 299)

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F I R ST R I D E n E w B I K E T E ST E D a n D R aT E D

pRice Rs 13.60 l Akh (ex-shOwROOM, MUMbAI) on sale NOw

PhotograPhy Paul dewars & ashley Baxter

MOTO GUZZI V9 ROAMER And BOBBER

fiRst veRdict The V9 Roamer and Bobber may have their flaws, but are extremely likeable motorcycles.

HHHHHHHHII so good n Styling and aesthetics n Ride ability

no good n Vibrations at idle

The Roamer is the more chromed of the siblings and is just stunning to look at. It gets a more upright stance than the Bobber. 180 AUTOCARINDIA.COM deceMBeR 2016

n Seat too cramped with pillion

The exotic Italian motorcycle manufacturer has presented us with two flavours of the unique middleweight motorcycle. Do they justify their CBU price tags?

t

he Italians have gone and done it again. They’ve presented us with two more stunning works of art on two wheels, and it’s not the conventional look you’d expect from a cruiser. Then again, would you really expect any less from a manufacturer that takes pride in producing these exotic, two-wheeled rolling sculptures?

Sure, there are the almost forgotten decades of racing history and success of Moto Guzzi; but those are the days of the past. Moto Guzzi has taken a bit of a relaxed tangent in recent times, one that has seen it keep the transversemounted, V-twin engine alive since the 1960s. Now, these V9’s stand as a testament to the Guzzi heritage;

it’s not about speed any more, it’s about being as aesthetically pleasing as can be. But how does that translate into these V9’s doing what they’re actually supposed to do – i.e. simply be a motorcycle.

V9 Roame R

Standing in front of the V9 Roamer, you realise it holds your attention

completely. In typical Moto Guzzi fashion, some will fall in love with it instantly, while others may take a tad longer. Its charming retro styling and stunning paint schemes will have you standing and admiring it for a good deal of time before you actually hop on to it. It’s got the single, circular headlight with a chromed lip, and ◊

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Moto Guzzi have succeeded in making a very rider-friendly motorcycle. ∆ the single-dial instrument gauge that keeps things simple. However, contrary to its retro theme, the speedometer gets a small digital display that has temperature, traction control, odometer and two trip meter read-outs. The switches have a solid feel to them. It gets a concealed kill-switch, a flat button to toggle through the modes of the speedo display, as well as a tiny button on the inside of the left handlebar to switch between the 2-stage traction control modes. There’s also a USB port tucked away under the forward part of the fuel tank. The fuel tank on the Roamer is its defining feature. It’s quite different from the regular cruiser-styled tank, with the stellar paint quality

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making it stand out even more. Deviating from the typical cruiser stance, it appears to resemble a very pretty-looking flat tracker, with the engine cylinder heads sticking out authoritatively from under the shapely tank. There’s a nice flat seat that is comfortable for a single rider; a pillion aboard makes things a bit cramped. Even the side panel on the Roamer reminds you of flat tracker styling, with

the integrated ventilation holes and old-style badging. The tail ends in a nice swooping design that compliments the flow of the chromed-out twin exhausts. Once you get astride the Roamer, the seating position is upright and comfortable. The wide, raised handlebars will again remind you of the seating posture of a flat tracker; but flat-tracker-riding shenanigans will have to be kept



deviating from the typical cruiser stance, it resembles a very pretty-looking flat tracker.



on hold with the 199kg kerb weight. The foot pegs, however, are rather forward set, and sit almost under the engine’s cylinder heads. While most riders may not have any issue with this seating geometry, taller riders may end up having bruised shins after every outing with the motorcycle. Thumb the start button and you feel the 853cc, transverse-mounted, 90-degree V-twin engine thunder to life; you will, however, feel a fair amount of vibration at idle. And because of this transverse engine layout, you will also feel a slight lug to the right at abrupt throttle revs. Moto Guzzi has stuck to its guns and retained the air-cooled, two-valve-per-cylinder layout. Also, there isn’t much heat that

FIRST RIde

Single-dial analogue speedo stays retro; start button gets a concealed kill-switch; 19-inch rim looks great on the Roamer; seat looks great but is a bit too small. emanates from the cylinder heads, even though your knees are almost resting against them. Let the clutch out and you can instantly feel the 55hp of power and 62Nm of torque. The peak torque kicks in early at 3,000rpm, so there is an actual surge forward from idle. It’s not a ridiculously fast engine, but it gets the job done; this should be ideal for short blasts in

city traffic. The six-speed gearbox is a bit strange though. It feels smooth and precise on the upshift, but downshifts are a bit clunky. The shaft drive to the rear wheel makes the Roamer quite responsive to throttle inputs. The Roamer’s initial turn-in feels slightly slow owing to the large 19-inch front rim, but requires little effort at the handlebar.

And once you really get into the corner, it feels planted and stable, and actually encourages you to lean deeper into it. The 40mm traditional, telescopic front forks soak up bumps quite well, but feedback leaves a little more to be desired. The adjustable twinshock absorbers at the rear, on the other hand, do feel a bit stiff. They manage to soak up high-speed

bumps a lot better than low-speed ones, sending them straight up your spine. The ABS-equipped 320mm steel, floating disc at the front, and the 260mm steel disc at the rear, coupled with the Pirelli Sport Demon tyres, do an excellent job of bringing the Roamer to a halt. Moto Guzzi have succeeded in making a rather rider-friendly motorcycle that isn’t all that ◊

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∆ refined; maybe the company wanted to bring back the feel as well, since it’s got the look of the cruisers of the 1970s. The V9 Roamer stays true to its Italian exotic appeal and does everything a motorcycle is supposed to without any drama. However, it isn’t particularly excellent at anything specific. And the CBU price tag is equally exotic. At an asking price of Rs 13.60 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai), this middleweight cruiser is propelled into the price range of larger-displacement, more powerful cruisers. It is costlier than even the Harley-Davidson Street Bob and the Indian Scout. But if you figure you’d like to look as cool as ever and earn the bragging rights of owning an exotic Italian motorcycle, the V9 Roamer could be your daily dose of nostalgia.

V9 BoBBeR

As we said before, the V9 comes in two flavours and the Bobber’s personality stands out as the sportier one. The oodles of chrome are replaced by blacked-out

You need to put in slightly more effort to steer the Bobber owing to the fatter front tyre.

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The 853cc engine’s heads stick out prominently on either side of the bike.



With the sportier seating position, the Bobber definitely feels more eager.



details. It really is amazing how much difference flat black paint on the twin exhaust pipes and mirrors, along with the black rear shocks, makes to the bike’s overall aesthetics. The black is complemented by an immaculate matte paint job on the fuel tank. Although the tank and pretty much everything else such as the engine, suspension and lights are identical in design to the Roamer, the Bobber stands out as a different motorcycle. Further compounding its differentiation is the shorter rear fender and contrasting racy decal on the fuel tank, which in the case of this light grey bike, is finished in red. Where the Bobber really stands apart from its sibling is in the ergonomics department. The bike gets a short, flat matte black handlebar with brushed aluminium bar mounts. Combined with a thinner seat, and hence a lower seat height, the Bobber gets a much more aggressive riding position. With no change to the slightly forward-set foot pegs, you’re

FIRST RIde

Chunky 130-size front tyre looks just solid; immaculate matte paint looks stunning; upshifts are smooth but downshifts are clunky; Bobber gets a thinner seat that’s lower. The V9 Roamer and Bobber do have their setbacks, but they are charming characters.

certainly not going to mistake this for a sports bike. However, with a slight forward lean required to reach the handlebars, the bike is quick to remind you of its ‘bob-job’ inspiration and you’ll find it easier to access your inner hooligan when you get astride. Then you’ve also got the chunky 130/90 16-inch front tyre that sets the bike apart, giving it a more solid look. Start riding and you’ll realise that there’s really no difference in the motors. With a kerb weight identical to that of the Roamer, straight-line performance is identical too. However, thanks to that sporty riding position, we found ourselves more eager to open the throttle all the way to the stop on the Bobber. Of course, 55hp isn’t really enough to give you any great high-speed jollies,

but the torquey nature of the motor offers plenty of grunt at pretty much any rpm of your choice. Just twist, and go! In fact, on the Bobber, we also found ourselves switching off the two-stage MGTC traction control more often for some old-fashioned hooning by getting the rear tyre spinning. When it comes to handling, however, the Bobber feels distinctly different even though both bikes share the same frame, suspension components, and steering geometry. But the smaller front wheel on the Bobber gives it a shorter trail by 9mm. This makes the steering that much sharper and more precise, but you do need to put in slightly more effort at the handlebars to overcome the resistance of the fatter front tyre. And speaking of tyres, the Continental tyres on this bike offer

plenty of confidence in the corners when leaned over, and you’re sure to run out of clearance at the foot pegs well before you reach the limits of the tyres. When it comes to ride quality and brakes, the Bobber is every bit as good as the Roamer, although over longer distances, that leaned forward posture could affect your back. The asking price for this Bobber is as prohibitive as the Roamer – a solid Rs 13.60 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai) – and whether it’s worth it is a very subjective matter. However, this bike has an ability to put such a big smile on your face whenever you take it out for a ride and that makes it impossible to deny its charm. This typical Moto Guzzi charm really is like none other. sHeRmaN NaZaReTH & PRiyadaRsHaN BawikaR

Moto guzzi ROAMeR & bObbeR Price

Rs 13.60 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai) Engine 853cc transversemounted V-twin, four-stroke, air-cooled Power 55hp at 6250rpm Torque 62Nm at 3000rpm Gearbox 6-speed/1-down, 5-up Kerb weight 199kg LxWxH 2240 x 865 x 785mm 2185 x 840 x 780 Wheelbase 1480mm Fuel tank capacity 15-litre Suspension (F/R) 40mm Telescopic forks/twin shock absorbers Brakes (F/R) 320mm disc/ 260mm disc Tyres (F/R) 100/90-19/150/80-16 130/90-16/150/80-16 Rim size (F/R) 19/16 16/16

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The 302R’s proportions may seem slightly odd; fairing is quite wide compared to slim tail, but it’s a pretty striking machine.

price TBA on sale JAnuAry 2017

Benelli 302R We get astride the Benelli 302R pre-production version to find out what we can expect from it. first verdict It has the potential to become a lovable lowcapacity sports-tourer if a few concerns are addressed.

HHHHHHHIII so good n Comfortable riding position n Highly tractable engine

no good n Footpegs scrape while cornering n Ride quality is quite stiff

i

t’s probably not a good omen when you start a bike review with a disclaimer, but a bit of background is required before we can speak about the Benelli 302R. Now, the bike that we rode isn’t up to production spec yet. When this bike goes on sale in January 2017, DSK Benelli said that some things will change, and a few of

186 AuTOCArInDIA.COM december 2016

these could even be considered critical. So think of this as more of a preview of this near-quarter-litre faired motorcycle rather than a fullblown review.

Anniversary, BJ300GS-C, TXV and even Supermoto. Thankfully, all of these will be axed and the launched bike will be just called Benelli 302R. Phew!

A mAtter of perspective

fAmiliAr heArt

With that out of the way, let me just say that I think this Benelli is a pretty good-looking motorcycle. Sure, some of you might think otherwise and I agree that some proportions seem a bit off. The fairing does feel a bit too wide in places, especially around the bellypan, and that bulk doesn’t gel too well with the slim tail. But there are lots of delectable design details like the shape of the headlight, the windshield and even the exhaust. The stickers on the fairing, however, are rather busy, almost to the point of looking like racebike livery. And there’s so much text that you’ll be standing there scratching your head wondering what this bike is actually called – B302R,

The 302R is powered by the same motor that you get on the naked TNT 300. It’s a 300cc, paralleltwin, liquid-cooled unit mated to a six-speed gearbox. Now the international specs for the bike read slightly lower power and torque figures as compared to the Indian version of the TNT 300; we suspect that’s down to the EuroIV compliance. However, we were assured by DSK Benelli that the 302R will have the same outputs as its naked sibling, which puts peak power at 38.2hp and peak torque at 26.5Nm. So that’s one thing you can wave in the face of some other European bike makers. But as this bike isn’t productionready yet, we thought it best to keep performance measurements ◊

FIRST RIde

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What totally blew our minds was the sheer tractability of the motor.

PhotograPhy ashley baxter

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december 2016 AuTOCArInDIA.COM 187

Fairly nimble and sure-footed, but the footpegs ground too easily for proper cornering.

∆ for later. It suffices to say that the 302R feels peppy enough, but like the TNT 300, it’s not as quick as you would expect a bike with those power figures to be. However, it could reach and hold speeds of up to 150kph fairly easily. But what totally blew our minds was the sheer tractability of the motor. It just seems unreal when you open the throttle at 30kph in sixth gear and the bike gets going just smoothly, without the slightest judder. Going to have to chalk that one up to some black magic on Benelli’s part. Of course, when I say smooth, I mean that relatively, as this bike does have vibes – quite a few more than the TNT 300 (which is actually almost vibe-free) – and they are felt at pretty much all rpms. Hopefully, this should get addressed by the time the bike hits showrooms. The exhaust note too

188 AuTOCArInDIA.COM december 2016



even with a moderate amount of lean, the feelers are ready to dig into the tarmac.



is a bit rough compared to that of the naked. Clearly, DSK Benelli has gotten rid of that TNT’s exhaust box that housed a metal replica of Pavarotti’s vocal chords and replaced it with a bit of Slip Knot. But it should make cornering easier as one doesn’t have to fear scraping that exhaust box in right-handers. Or, so I thought!

two left feet

Twin disc brakes are okay at best.

Exhaust note gruffer than the TNT300.

While there was no exhaust box to scrape the corners, the low-set footpegs were a serious concern. Even with a moderate amount of lean, the feelers are ever ready to dig into the tarmac. And that’s really a crying shame because the 302R is actually a pretty decent handling machine. It doesn’t get the trellis frame from the TNT, but instead opts for a new steel tubular chassis, with chunky 41mm

FIRST RIde

The 302R’s tubular frame is quite different from the trellis frame of the TNT 300.

Too much livery to make sense of.

Highly tractable motor is a peach.

Competent, but plebeian instruments.

Rider’s seat is very comfortable.

upside down forks up front and a centrally-mounted rear monoshock (as opposed to the side-mounted unit from the TNT). Shockingly, rear suspension travel is just 45mm, which necessitates a really stiff spring to prevent it from bottoming out over the smallest of bumps. This makes the ride fairly stiff, but endows the 302R with good agility. And it’s confident through the corners as well, and almost as if to reiterate the point that this wasn’t a production bike, it came with a Metzeler tyre up front and a Michelin at the back. When it launches, however, it’ll be an all-Metzeler affair. So, kudos for that. DSK Benelli understands the concept of correct tyre choice. I just wish they could address the footpegs issue so it would be possible to really exploit this bike’s handling potential. However, one thing I’ll say is that the saddle is extremely comfortable, at least for my height (about 5ft 10in). The riding position isn’t too extreme, think R3 instead of RC, which should make this bike an ideal sports-tourer. Although, to really excel in this role, it’ll certainly need slightly more pliant suspension and fewer vibrations. Another small concern was the brakes. There’s a decent amount of stopping power no doubt, but the amount of free play at the lever is just ridiculous. And no matter what setting I tried on the adjustable lever, I still needed to use four fingers, even when trying to feather the brakes. But I shouldn’t be griping about this as the production bike will have revamped brakes equipped with ABS. Again, kudos DSK Benelli!

whAt to expect

I certainly believe this 302R is the best offering in DSK Benelli’s smaller-capacity range. Yes, with this test bike, we had a few nits to pick, but the company has assured that most of them will be addressed by the time it actually hits showrooms. Potentially, this is one of the most well-balanced bikes in this segment. It doesn’t go overboard on the sportiness like its Indo-Austrian nemesis, and will be (in theory) addressing the bigger drawbacks of one of its Japanese rivals. If DSK Benelli gets the pricing right, hopefully in the low Rs 3 lakh range, or if we’re being optimistic, even below that, the 302R will be an irresistible option. Fingers crossed! priyAdArshAn BAwikAr

benelli 302r Price Engine

TBA 300cc, parallel twin, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled Power 38.26hp at 11500rpm Torque 26.5Nm at 11000rpm Gearbox 6-speed/1-down, 5-up Kerb weight 180kg LxWxH 2157 x 746 x 1146mm Wheelbase 1410mm Ground clearance 180mm Seat height 790mm Fuel tank capacity 14 litres Suspension (F/R) 41mm USD forks/ monoshock Brakes (F/R) Twin 260mm discs/ 240mm disc Tyres (F/R) 110/70 R17/ 150/60 R17 Rim size (F/R) 17-inch

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EICMA 2016 A Mecca for motorcyclists around the world, this year’s EICMA in Milan witnessed a slew of interesting motorcycles set to launch next year.

KTM ThE NEW 390 Duke was seen in lots of spy pictures. Nicknamed ‘The Corner Rocket’ by KTM, the bike looks much better than what was anticipated. The

design has been revised to be sharper than before. The bike gets a new lightweight trellis frame with a bolt-on sub-frame. We expect the updated 390, along with the

200 to make its debut in India between the first and second quarter of 2017. KTM also displayed the 125 Duke, which the company calls ‘The Spawn of the Beast’ (owing to it looking like a scaled-down 1290 Super Duke R). The 125 Duke is a very Euro-centric model and it’s unlikely that it’ll come to India. KTM refers to its Super Duke R as ‘The Beast’ and for good reason. The 1290 has been the apex predator in the streetfighter segment, ever since it was launched. Now the Beast has evolved into a sharper monster. Aptly christened ‘The Beast 2.0’, this evolution of the Super Duke R takes the design to a

The 390 Duke gets a taller tank and pointy LED headlight. 190 AUTOCARINDIA.COM december 2016

The 790 Duke will be KTM’s first-ever parallel-twin engine layout. whole new level. We’ve known that KTM has been working on a new middle-weight twincylinder bike. This year at EICMA though, the company showcased a running prototype of the 790 Duke, which will become the Austrian bike maker’s firstever parallel-twin motorcycle when it goes on sale. No

other details were revealed about this prototype, apart from the fact that it’ll hit showrooms across Europe in early 2018; there is no word on an India launch yet. KTM is calling this bike ‘The Scalpel’. The promotional video too seemed to be about just how razor-sharp and accurate the handling of the motorcycle will be.

EICMA 2016

DUCATI

New Scrambler Desert Sled packs a lot of changes for off-road.

ThE DuCATI PANIgAlE 1299 is already a remarkable superbike. Ducati showed off an evolution of the Panigale, which is supposed to be the most powerful twin-cylinder production bike it has ever built. So you better believe that they mean serious business. The end result is a new Superleggera that is not only more powerful than the standard bike, but is significantly lighter as well. The Superquadro motor gets a lighter, tungsten-balanced crankshaft, titanium connecting rods, a lighter flywheel and aluminium

cylinder liners. All of these drop about 2.1kg from the engine’s weight. The Monster has been Ducati’s most successful bike and is one of the most instantly recognisable motorcycles in the world. At the pre-EICMA Ducati World Premier conference at Milan, the company took the wraps off two new Monsters for 2017. While one of the bikes is a fairly comprehensive update, the other is an allnew machine. Ducati’s extremely versatile adventure-touring motorcycle, the Multistrada

saw an addition of a new, lower-capacity model to its line-up. This new bike has been designed to draw in newer riders who found the Multistrada 1200 a bit intimidating, by offering an easier-to-ride, yet premium experience. Ducati also revealed two exciting new variants of the entry-level motorcycle, the Scrambler. The Scrambler Café Racer and the Scrambler Desert Sled should hit showrooms by 2017. Both Scramblers are expected to hit India sometime next year.

Monster 797 shares air-cooled engine with 803cc Scrambler.

Multistrada 950’s V-twin is good for 113hp of peak power.

Husqvarna AfTER KTM ACquIRED Sweden-based husqvarna Motorcycles in 2013, it displayed a couple of concepts such as the

Vitpilen and Svartpilen, which were based on the 390 Duke. Known primarily for their fantastic motocross, enduro and supermoto bikes, these concepts were husqvarna’s first real attempt at modern-day road motorcycles. At the Milan motorcycle show (EICMA) this year, the production versions broke cover and,

401 Vitpilen Aero Concept. to the joy of many enthusiasts, are nearidentical to the concepts. The Vitpilen is the café racer version of the 401, while the Svartpilen is the scrambler. Both share mechanical components with the KTM 390 Duke, and

The Vitpilen is the café racer version of the Husqvarna 401.

The Svartpilen is the scrambler version of the Husqvarna 401. as such are powered by the same 43.5hp, 373cc liquidcooled single-cylinder motor connected to a six-speed gearbox. While the trellis

frame is the one from the Duke, it’s not clear whether it’s the older unit or the new one from the 2017 bike also shown at EICMA.

december 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 191

EICMA 2016

BMW With the india launch of the BMW G310r delayed, the bike maker unveiled the adventure-touring version of the naked motorcycle at eiCMa 2016. Like its naked sibling, the G310 Gs has been developed by BMW Motorrad in Germany and will be built at tVs’ plant in hosur, india. While the smallerdisplacement adventuretouring segment has been dormant for a while now, this year’s eiCMa has seen a sudden revival of the segment by manufacturers. this can be credited to its growing demand in emerging markets like Brazil and india, where the road conditions are

R nineT Urban G/S pays homage to original R80G/S from 1980.

KAWASAKI

Could be perfect for India. With the Versys-X 300, Kawasaki added another model to its Versys adventure line-up. this new baby Versys slots into the lower end of the capacity range, with its older siblings already being a rather potent

Z650 gets Sugomi styling.

HP4 Race’s main frame and wheels are made from carbon fibre. lot. the Versys-X 300 shares its dOhC liquidcooled 296cc parallel-twin engine platform with the ninja 300, and puts down 39hp of maximum power and 27nm of maximum torque. however, this engine will be wrapped in an all-new chassis with all-new body work. While the Z900 may be an all-new machine and a replacement for the Z800, the Z650 is a replacement for the er-6n and shares its platform with the 2017 ninja 650. the motorcycles were previewed at intermot 2016 in Cologne, Germany. the 2017 Z650 from Kawasaki will share its platform with the 2017 ninja 650 and replace the older er-6n.

far from perfect. the baby Gs inherits its family styling, with the stubby front beak, radiator shrouds, headlamp cowl and tank design. it is powered by a 313cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine. BMW also showcased the carbon-framed BMW hP4 race, the r ninet Urban G/s, and an updated r ninet, r1200Gs, K1600GtL super-tourer, and F800r/ Gts.

TRIUMPH the neW triUMPh Bonneville range that was first unveiled last year has spawned some fantastic bikes. While the larger 1200cc Bonneville got multiple versions, such as the t120 and the thruxton, the entry-level 900cc Bonneville was all by itself until intermot this year.

there we got to see two new versions of the bike, the street Cup (a café racer) and the t100 (a retro street bike). the iconic British bike maker unveiled a scrambler version of the street twin, finally replacing the model with the same name.

Triumph Street Scrambler

december 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 193

EICMA 2016

HONDA

HERO heRo MotoCoRP showcased the new dawn 125 motorcycle. Unveiled by Pawan Munjal, chairman, Md and Ceo, hero MotoCorp, the dawn 125 was specifically developed with the african

market in mind. the styling is simple yet rugged, and it gets elements like black alloy wheels. the motorcycle is available in markets such as Kenya, Uganda, ethiopia, tanzania and Mozambique.

WIth sUBstantIal UPdates to honda’s dual-sport offering to get it up to euro-IV emission norms, the CRF250l also gets styling similar to its CRF450 R sibling. this extremely versatile platform has been used to create the CRF250l Rally; a stunninglooking small-displacement, adventure sport motorcycle that appears ripe with honda’s dakar heritage. the CRF250l now looks even more similar to its larger 450cc sibling, thanks to new bodywork giving it a sharper, slimmed-down look. the Rally version’s frontend also gets a larger front disc and a bash-plate. honda has always gone a bit adventurous with its scooter concepts. evidence

of the navi and Grom are more than sufficient to let us know that honda likes to experiment with scooters. Conceived by honda’s R&d team in Italy, this new X-adV takes all the fun of an adventure bike and packs it into a scooter.

Honda’s outlandish X ADV.

SUZUKI

GSX250R is more of a well-styled, everyday commuter bike. the sUzUKI GsX-250R borrows inspiration from its older sibling, the GsX1000R. however, it does have new bits such as the handlebar and seats. the switchgear and instrument cluster are identical to the current, smaller suzuki Gixxer’s. While it does have the styling, paint job and even the name of the larger GsX-R, suzuki has been careful to make a subtle distinction between this 250 and its racier cousins. the suzuki dl250 V-strom shares its engine with the GsX-250R. suzuki has taken the hugely popular V-strom’s family

styling and ethos, and blended it with an evolution of its bulletproof 248cc parallel-twin to create a smaller displacement adventure bike. no news on whether this bike will make it to India.

Suzuki DL250 V-Strom

YAMAHA Based on the Mt-09 platform, Yamaha has revealed a limited-edition abarth version of the retrostyled XsR900. It comes with a whole lot of carbonfibre bits and leans towards the café racer. It will have the same 847cc, inline triple engine borrowed from the Mt-09, and churns out 113hp. the bike is born out of Yamaha’s association with its MotoGP team and its earlier parent firm Fiat. Yamaha will revamp the 530cc tMaX sports

commuter, with the new model to be launched in europe in March 2017. the company is targeting sales of 15,000 units in the first year. since its launch in 2001, the tMaX has received a good response in europe as a commuter model and has maintained its leading popularity in the market’s large-capacity scooter category. For all the dakar enthusiasts, Yamaha has created another droolworthy masterpiece that

The Yamaha TMAX scooter. looks like it would be a whole lot of fun to ride, the t7 Concept.

december 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 195

ride with decent mileage and low maintenance. My shortlist is the new Hero Achiever, the Bajaj Discover 150 and the Hero Splendor iSmart. Can you suggest which one I should purchase? Muthu, via email We suggest you go for the Bajaj Discover 150, as this is a superior bike compared to the others selected by you, especially considering comfort, mileage and low maintenance costs, though the Hero bikes aren’t too far behind in this department.

borN-agaiN biker

I am a 60-year-old man. For leisure riding, I used a Royal Enfield Machismo for 10 years before my son commandeered it. But I never liked the brakes though. After that, I bought a light little bike for daily duties, the TVS Sport, but I do miss having a bigger bike. I’m quite interested in the KTM 390 Duke, but I’ve heard that it has some starting issues, the engine runs hot, there’s cracking of alloys, and chain sprocket failures. My other choices are a Honda CBR250R or a TVS Apache 200 4V. I ride mostly in the city, and reliability and weight are major considerations at my age. Budget, however, is not an issue. I’d be grateful if you could guide me in making a decision. L Venkateswaran, via email You are right about the problem areas and we have received feedback that the KTM 390 Duke has suffered reliability issues, but if taken good care of, the bike does run well. Also, we know reliability on a Duke is better than a Royal Enfield bike such as the Machismo. We suggest you consider the 390 Duke. Reason being, though the Honda CBR250R and TVS Apache RTR 200 4V are reasonably good bikes in their segments, they don’t match the outstanding value of the Dukes, or come anywhere close to matching their really impressive performance, or light, sporty handling.

eVeryday racer

I want your advice on the KTM RC390. I’m in college and I want to know if I should buy the RC. Is it a good bike? I really love the bike. My daily commute is around 15-20km. Can the bike be used daily? rahul thapar, via email

The Activa doesn’t shine in one specific area, but is unbeatable as a package. Yes, the KTM RC390 is a good bike and can be used on a daily basis. However, being a track-focused motorcycle, it isn’t the most comfortable bike for regularly use, because of its aggressive riding position. You can check out our detailed road test of the bike on our website. On the other hand, the KTM 390 Duke offers virtually the same performance and handling, but with relatively better comfort. So we suggest you also consider this as a sensible alternative. And the new 2017 390 Duke that was unveiled at the EICMA show recently looks even more promising. If you can, we recommend you wait until mid-2017 for the new bike.

the various Activa models on offer? What is your take on the Honda Aviator, Honda Dio and the Hero Maestro? Styling is very important to me. Along with handling, my requirements also include easy and low-cost service. Mileage may be

I want to purchase a 300-500cc bike. I’m interested in the Royal Enfield Thunderbird as I would like to take the bike out on slightly long weekend rides. Do you think it’s the right choice? If not, could you recommend other bikes in this power and price range? kul jit Singh, via email

it’S a boy thiNg

I study in Higher Secondary and am interested in buying a good-looking non-geared bike. My choices are the Honda Activa and Suzuki Access. In terms of handling, which is better – the Activa or the Access? The only problem is that there are very few Suzuki service centres in all of Goa. Also, if I were to pick the Activa, could you recommend one among

While the Thunderbird is a good bike, the ergonomics might not suit all riders. considered, but it’s not a big issue. Please don’t recommend the Hero Pleasure or even the Yamaha Ray as I find their styling to be a bit feminine. Navjyot Lambhor, via email Of all the Activas on sale at the moment, we would recommend the Honda Activa 125. This is a superior scooter compared to the Suzuki Access, or any other of its rivals in the same space. If budget is not a constraint, you could also look at the Aprilia SR150. However, you’ll have to check if there are any Vespa/Aprilia service centres in your vicinity for regular maintenance.

SeNSibLe SeLectioN The RC is a giant-killer, able to outclass bigger bikes in real-world conditions.

196 AUTOCARINDIA.COM deceMBeR 2016

thuNderStruck

I am planning to buy a commuter motorcycle. I am 30 years old and I’m looking for a comfortable

Actually, we suggest you go for any other Royal Enfield bike, barring the Thunderbird as it doesn’t offer as real a classic bike experience as the other models, or as comfortable a seating position, which makes a big difference to your riding pleasure. Any other model from the same company, such as a Classic or a Standard, 350 or 500cc, will satisfy your biking requirements better than the Thunderbird.

Seated iN coMfort

I am confused between the Suzuki Gixxer and the Honda CB Unicorn 160. Which one should I go for? I heard that aftersales support of Suzuki is bad in smaller towns. Also, I find the seats to be narrow and small on the Gixxer, and the tall

motorIng

A DV I C E

Will it be a 100cc commuter bike or a 200cc cruiser? Broken piston rings or leaking engine oil? AAA, the guru-cum-agony uncle, will troubleshoot all your two-wheeler problems. Email aaa@autocarindia.com

Comfort, refinement and efficiency are the mantras of the Unicorn 160. pillion seat is a bit uncomfortable for my liking too. My priorities are rider and pillion comfort for daily commute and occasional long rides, good handling and good aftersales support. Please help me choose a bike. Other suggestions are welcome too, except for the Yamaha FZ. ravin chandra, via email Go for the Honda CB Unicorn 160, a motorcycle that will fit your requirements and offers the seating comfort you are looking for.

upkeep aNxietieS

I am thinking of buying the Royal Enfield 350 Standard. I just want your advice regarding maintenance. Is the 350 a high-maintenance bike and are the running costs high? I plan to put in a lot of kilometres with the motorcycle. Please help. anu j Sharma, via email You can go ahead and purchase the Royal Enfield 350 Standard. Maintenance isn’t going to be a problem for you, provided you use the bike well and service it regularly within the manufacturer-specified intervals.

tick tock

I can hear a slight ticking sound from the engine on my new Bajaj Pulsar RS200, which is most noticeable when the bike is idling. The bike has done around 1,800km and I have gone through a proper running in this period. When I enquired at the service centre, they told me that they will adjust the tappet clearance and that will eliminate the sound. But what I am worried about is that they will have to dismantle the whole body to get to the engine, which I fear can lead to vibrations, if not perfectly put back

together. Kindly tell me what needs to be done. Is this sound a matter of concern and can it cause problems in the long run? aloke Mohan, via email The service centre is right. The sound is caused by tappet clearance, as is easily adjusted by an experienced mechanic with the right gauges and tools. This is a common occurrence on new motorcycle engines, especially for small-capacity bikes. Also, you will be happy to learn, this sound causes no damage, only a very small/negligible loss in engine performance (unlike most other ‘out of place’ sounds from a bike engine which cause damage). Opening the fairing should be no problem if done properly, and Bajaj must have properly trained their mechanics for this.

MiddLe-weight MeLee

suggest which 600cc bike would be the best for me? I had a Royal Enfield Machismo earlier and now I’m interested in something sportier. gopal Joshi, via email Two good and similarly priced options we can recommend in this class of motorcycle are the Benelli 600i and the Kawasaki Ninja 650. However, between these two, we think you might like the Benelli more as it has an inline-4 motor (while the Ninja has a parallel twin) and the new model is available with ABS, which the Ninja 650 still doesn’t have. However, if you really like the Ninja 650’s sportier looks, it might be worth waiting until next year when the mandate for ABS will ensure that this bike will be equipped with it. On another note, if you’re looking for a fully faired inline-4 motorcycle in this segment, then the only real option is the Honda CBR650F. It’s a great bike, if you don’t mind shelling out the extra cash for it.

wheeLer deaLer

get them from? Can I use original Harley-Davidson wheels for my Classic 350? Simon James, via email We can’t suggest any aftermarket alloy wheels as being good for the Royal Enfield Classic 350, as this is a retro bike on which alloy wheels will look very out of place, apart from possibly causing handling trouble to the bike once fitted. The best thing will be to stick to stock parts and wheels which came with the bike.

right coMproMiSe

I’m looking to buy a sporty 150cc motorcycle. Which one should I choose between the Yamaha

A return to the ergonomics of the V1.0 makes

I currently own a Royal this R15 S a lot more comfortable than the V2.0. Enfield Classic 350. I would like to buy a new set of alloy wheels for it. Please suggest YZF-R15 and Honda CBR150? I the best-quality branded alloys require great handling, but comfort for the bike. The product should is a big priority too, as I have to travel be of superior quality. Where can I about 60km every day. Nabin babu, via email The Yamaha YZF-R15 is a better bike as compared to the Honda CBR150R. The Yamaha has a much more tractable engine and is the superior handler. However, you need to understand that better handling (especially with regard to sportbikes) comes at the expense of some comfort. The R15 V2.0 has a more aggressive riding position which you might not find as comfortable for longer commutes as the CBR150. But, thankfully, Yamaha offers the R15 S, which is styled like the V1.0 bike, and has a more comfortable seating position. We suggest that’s the one A bit pricey, but the CBR650F makes for a great superbike to start off with. you choose. AI

I want to buy a 600cc motorcycle but I’m an amateur rider. It is a bit confusing for me to select the right one as there aren’t too many options, or too many owners from whom I can get feedback. Can you please

deceMBeR 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 197

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Hamilton keeps tHe title flame burning in mexico Lewis Hamilton drove a near-perfect race to ensure he drew out the battle for the 2016 Formula 1 title, whilst Rosberg finished a comfortable second to maintain his overall advantage. Feature

Feature

212

218

222

What do F1 drivers drive when they’re not racing?

2016 edition of India’s most gruelling motorsport event

On his latest title success and nordic versatility

ROAD CAR QUIZ

RAID De HIMALAYA

News

In COnveRsAtIOn: MAttIAs ekstRöM DECEMBER 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 211

Ferrari F40

aston Martin vantage

Mercedes C 63

honda accord

Mercedes GLe Coupe

Ferrari F12tdf

Jaguar F-type svr

shelby Cobra

renault talisman

volkswagen Golf Gti

Who 212 AUTOCARINDIA.COM DECEMBER 2016

Mercedes 280sL

renault twizy

audi rs6

Ferrari 458

volkswagen Golf tDi

Mercedes C 63 aMG

BMW M1

aston Martin vantage

McLaren P1

Nothing

Ferrari F40

Porsche Panamera

Drives What? What cars do the current stars of Formula 1 run as their daily drives? Who has the tastiest? And who doesn’t own a car at all? INTERVIEWS Chris MedlAnd

DECEMBER 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 213

Who Drives What? Max Verstappen

aston Martin vantage

Sebastian Vettel

Ferrari F40

Lewis Hamilton

shelby Cobra

“i love the design of the F40. it’s got great shapes and is a real icon. it was the last turbo Ferrari produced until the California T in 2014. i like the form of the older supercars. Plus it was the last car to be made while enzo Ferrari was still alive.”

Valtteri Bottas

Mercedes C 63

“i’m driving mainly the Aston Vantage, so i’m happy. it’s a cool car and looks very aggressive. You have to be very careful though, you don’t want to crash it – it’s pretty expensive! i don’t drive it that much. i’ve only done 500km in it so far.”

Nico Hülkenberg Kimi Räikkönen “My favourite car is my shelby Cobra. it’s such a unique-looking car. it’s got a beautiful wooden steering wheel, a nice V8 block and great power. it’s also a soft top and i keep it in the states, so it’s great for driving around California.”

Nico Rosberg

Mercedes 280sL

Ferrari F12tdf

“My favourite is my Ferrari F12tdf, a V12 GT car. i like the handling and engine noise. it has all the road-car comforts, yet the engineers have done such a great job that you feel like you’re in a racing car even though the engine is in the front.”

“When i was 17 or 18, i dreamed about the C 63 and it was the first car i bought. i like the engine, the sound and the feeling, and you can use it every day. it has plenty of space for luggage and four seats. it’s a sportscar, but you can still use it.”

Daniel Ricciardo

aston Martin vantage

Felipe Massa “i love the look and feel of this car, and sitting high up with my wife – we can’t take Alaïa because the baby seat doesn’t fit in there! it’s not a car i’d always wanted, but dC lent me his for my wedding. i drove it and it was just unbelievable.”

Ferrari F40

“i have a la Ferrari and an F40, but i’d pick the F40 because i remember when i was a kid, the F40 was always the dream. i keep both of them in Monaco. i’ll go for a coffee in them, just driving slow, enjoying them and not even pushing.”

214 AUTOCARINDIA.COM DECEMBER 2016

volkswagen Golf tDi

“My Golf Tdi is fine. it’s convenient; it doesn’t drink too much, and it’s comfortable. it’s not really quick, but it doesn’t matter – my job is quick. You can’t drive those fancy cars on a day-to-day basis. But i’d love a Porsche 918 spyder.”

Sergio Pérez “i’ve got the V12 s. i haven’t had it for long. The noise is great – that’s definitely the coolest thing about it. But it looks good as well, which is important. For me, the newer Astons are a bit more aggressive looking; a bit younger in a way.”

Ferrari 458

“The Ferrari 458 is my only car. it’s so fun to drive – it feels like a kart! it’s really pointy and there’s a lot of grip. i’ve had it for two years, i think, and it has always been a car i wanted. There’s just something special about having a Ferrari.”

Daniil Kvyat

Jenson Button

Kevin Magnussen

renault talisman

“i don’t have a car. Maybe i’ll get one soon. last year i had an infiniti Q50 for the whole year, and it was nice to drive. We’ll see what the next one will be – at the moment i’m walking or getting taxis. i’d love to have a Ferrari … maybe the 488.”

McLaren P1

Felipe Nasr

audi rs6

Carlos Sainz “i don’t own a car, but i use a renault Talisman and it’s great. it’s big – i don’t know how much it does to the gallon, but it’s a lot. it can go once around the earth on a tank of fuel! it’s not meant to be a race car, it’s meant to be a comfortable car.”

Jolyon Palmer

renault twizy

volkswagen Golf Gti

“in my family we’ve always had Volkswagens. My dad had a Porsche. he never used it because he didn’t want to go to Madrid in it because it would seem like showing off. The Golf still has power, but nobody notices me – and it’s easy to park.”

“This is the most fun car i’ve had. i live in london, so i’m pretty limited on speed anyway, but it’s a silent assassin. You cruise around, no windows, everyone’s saying things. it’s distinctive, tough to avoid, but you’re at one with the city.”

“i really like Porsches, i think they make good cars. i had a 911 Carrera 4s for a month this summer as well, which was pretty nice. it’s the quality of the drive which is the main thing for me. This Porsche Panamera is just for driving at home.”

Romain Grosjean

Jaguar F-type svr

Esteban Ocon “This is a spectacular car. i mean, the look isn’t very racy, but when you drive it you say: ‘Woah!’ how much this car can do is incredible: it has nearly 600bhp (608hp), yet it’s a car i can drive to all the european races. it’s nice not to have to take a plane.”

Fernando Alonso

honda accord

Marcus Ericsson

Porsche Panamera

“i own plenty of great cars – some modern classics, some vintage American muscles. The best is the Mclaren P1. it’s just unbelievable: fast but welcoming. it’s the kind of car you see and think, ‘i wish i had one of those...’ Then i smile and realise i do.”

Mercedes C 63 aMG

“Mercedes gave me the C63 for the year, and i’ve got a renault Clio rs Trophy. My favourite is the one that has more horsepower, of course, but when i want to go shopping or something the Clio is quicker in slow corners. i enjoy driving both.”

“The F-Type is cool – it’s four-wheel drive and also rear-wheel drive, so you can really play with it on the circuit. it’s a great car and i love the sound of the engine. it’s a V8, 5.0-litre! i’ve got two Jaguars; the other is an F-Pace.”

Esteban Gutiérrez

BMW M1

Pascal Wehrlein “i have a honda Accord that i keep at home in dubai. it’s spacious and comfortable and i use it every day. i can leave it for days or even weeks in the airport parking. it’s powerful, but fuel in the emirates doesn’t cost too much, does it?”

Mercedes GLe Coupe

“i bought the M1 five years ago, and there weren’t many in this version that were released. All the time i get offers from people to buy it for a lot more than i paid for it, but i keep saying it’s not for sale – it has no price.” AI

“The Gle Coupe is nice, but it’s not my dream car. My favourite is an sls. i want to try to get hold of one of those. i like the style and, for me, it’s the best car; i really like it. i don’t have one at the moment – i need to score a few more points for that.”

DECEMBER 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 215

PhoTos: Glenn dunBAr/lAT; sTeVen Tee/lAT; AndY hone/lAT; sAM BloxhAM/lAT; ChArles CoATes/lAT; sTeVe eTherinGTon/lAT; JusTin leiGhTon; denis Meunier; FerrAri; rex FeATures; Audi AG; AMeriCAn hondA MoTor Co ArTiCle rePrinTed FroM f1 Racing

Nothing

Finishing straight

race debrief by Stuart Codling Mexican Grand Prix

30.10.2016 / Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Mexico City

Success isn’t a four-letter word Hamilton’s win in Mexico was as impressive as Sebastian Vettel’s command of Anglo-Saxon. Bernie Ecclestone has long lamented the damaging effect of regular Mercedes one-two finishes on Formula 1’s viewing figures, so he must surely have experienced a frisson of delight this weekend. Yes, Lewis Hamilton won from pole position in Mexico, controlling the race beautifully after an opening-lap scare, but in doing so he kept the world championship battle alive; and, even better, a splenetic radio rant by Sebastian Vettel ensured that the events of an otherwise relatively processional race received top billing worldwide. The Mexican Grand Prix was a slow burner, largely because the selection of tyre compounds available pointed almost unavoidably to a onestop race. Red Bull tried to buck the trend with an opportunistic early stop for Daniel Ricciardo, taking advantage of a Safety Car period, but in the final reckoning he (on track at least) crossed the line in the same position he would probably have occupied had he stopped just once. Hamilton was on edgy form this weekend, undeniably fastest in first practice but then failing to top the timesheets until qualifying. Even when

216 AUTOCARINDIA.COM DECEMBER 2016

he set pole position, tidily clear of his Mercedes teammate and championship rival Nico Rosberg, he moodily dismissed Q3 as “my worst session this weekend”. Rosberg, though, never quite got on top of this track and was fourth in the final qualifying session until a final all-out effort elevated him to a surprising second place ahead of the two Red Bulls. Most teams viewed the soft Pirelli as the ideal tyre on which to start the race, to be followed by a long stint on mediums. That all depended on whether or not you could make the soft tyre work in Q2, and a combination of the weather conditions and the rough, low-grip nature of the Mexico track’s asphalt militated against that. Mercedes went for softs, as did Ferrari (Kimi Räikkönen tried supersofts for his second run in Q2, but had to back out of the lap because of traffic). Red Bull went for supersofts. Williams, desperate to reclaim fourth place in the championship from Force India, tried softs but just couldn’t get them to work, and had to use supersofts to make it through to Q3. From pole, Hamilton got away easily, but then

locked his right-front into Turn 1 – he blamed a glazed brake disc, which grabbed suddenly – and skittled over the grass. He retained his lead, though, thanks in part to Rosberg and Max Verstappen banging wheels as they fought over second place. The real damage came as the rest of the field funnelled through and Esteban Gutiérrez tagged the back wheel of Pascal Wehrlein’s Manor, pitching him into the Sauber of Marcus Ericsson. Wehrlein was out on the spot and the Virtual Safety Car was immediately deployed, swiftly followed by the on-track version, to enable swift removal of the mess. Ricciardo pitted for mediums under the Safety Car, but he was going to have to make progress to make this strategy work. Emerging outside the top ten, he quickly made his way up through the field until he came up behind a four-car battle for sixth, led by Vettel. Not only had both the Ferraris qualified behind the two Red Bulls, they had also fallen behind Nico Hülkenberg’s Force India – and Vettel, meanwhile, was stuck behind Felipe Massa’s Williams. When those cars pitted for

Mexican Grand Prix stats All you need to know from the weekend at Mexico City... the race faSteSt laP the conservative tyre choice led to a largely uneventful race barring Sc periods.

Daniel Ricciardo, lap 53, 1min 21.134s

the reSultS (71 laPS) 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th 13th 14th 15th 16th 17th 18th 19th 20th 21st

lewis hamilton Mercedes 1h 40m 31.402s nico rosberg Mercedes +8.354s daniel ricciardo Red Bull +20.858s Max verstappen Red Bull +21.323s* Sebastian vettel Ferrari +27.313s** Kimi räikkönen Ferrari +49.376s nico hülkenberg Force India +58.891s valtteri bottas Williams +65.612s felipe Massa Williams +76.206s Sergio Pérez Force India +76.798s Marcus ericsson Sauber +1 lap Jenson button McLaren +1 lap fernando alonso McLaren +1 lap Jolyon Palmer Renault +1 lap felipe nasr Sauber +1 lap carlos Sainz Toro Rosso +1 lap*** Kevin Magnussen Renault +1 lap daniil Kvyat Toro Rosso +1 lap* esteban Gutiérrez Haas +1 lap romain Grosjean Haas +1 lap esteban Ocon Manor +2 laps

*Includes five-second penalty for leaving the track and gaining a lasting advantage **Includes ten-second penalty *** Includes five-second penalty for forcing another driver off the track

retirements Pascal Wehrlein Manor

0 laps – accident

thrOuGh SPeed traP

Fastest: Felipe

Slowest: Daniil

Massa, 227.36mph

Kvyat, 216.42mph

faSteSt PitStOP

Lewis Hamilton, 21.709s (entry to exit)

driverS’ StandinGS 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th 13th 14th 15th 16th 17th 18th 19th 20th 21st 22nd 23rd 24th

nico rosberg Mercedes lewis hamilton Mercedes daniel ricciardo Red Bull Sebastian vettel Ferrari Kimi räikkönen Ferrari Max verstappen Toro Rosso/Red Bull Sergio Pérez Force India valtteri bottas Williams nico hülkenberg Force India fernando alonso McLaren felipe Massa Williams carlos Sainz Toro Rosso romain Grosjean Haas daniil Kvyat Red Bull/Toro Rosso Jenson button McLaren Kevin Magnussen Renault Jolyon Palmer Renault Pascal Wehrlein Manor Stoffel vandoorne McLaren esteban Gutiérrez Haas Marcus ericsson Sauber felipe nasr Sauber rio haryanto Manor esteban Ocon Manor

349pts 330pts 242pts 187pts 178pts 177pts 85pts 85pts 60pts 52pts 51pts 38pts 29pts 25pts 21pts 7pts 1pt 1pt 1pt 0pts 0pts 0pts 0pts 0pts

cOnStructOrS’ StandinGS 1st Mercedes 679pts

9th Renault

2nd Red Bull

427pts

10th Manor

8pts 1pt

3rd Ferrari

365pts

11th Sauber

0pts

4th Force India 145pts

hamilton was in great form throughout and won in a flawless fashion.

5th Williams

136pts

6th McLaren

74pts

7th Toro Rosso 55pts 8th Haas

29pts

for comprehensive f1 statistics visit www.forix.com

DECEMBER 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 217

photos: lat

medium rubber they freed up the Ferraris to push on, and it was in this part of the stint that Vettel started to lay down the groundwork for his podium challenge. By stretching his soft tyres out to lap 31, during which time they had been around the Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez 36 times, including their qualifying duties, Vettel held onto his lead for several laps. When he eventually did dive into the pits to change rubber, the strategy paid off since he emerged from his one and only stop ahead of Hülkenberg. Hamilton resumed his lead and was never headed thereafter – and Rosberg never got close. He had his own worries, as Verstappen closed in and pressured him in the second half of the race. Verstappen had one shot at Rosberg, when Carlos Sainz baulked him at Turn 1 on lap 49, but Verstappen’s subsequent lunge at the Mercedes at Turn 4 came to nothing. Räikkönen fell out of contention for the podium when Ferrari called him in for a second stop that left him bottled up behind Hülkenberg for 16 laps, but Vettel closed on Verstappen in the final laps, joined by Ricciardo, who had made a second stop and taken on new soft tyres that gave him a great turn of pace. With just four laps still to run, Verstappen overshot Turn 1 and rejoined the track ahead of Vettel, who immediately began to protest, as seems to be his wont these days. Red Bull told Verstappen that he should “probably” cede position to Vettel, but he didn’t, and as Vettel proceeded to turn the airwaves blue, Ricciardo closed to within DRS range and made his own lunge at Turn 4. The two nearly-but -not-quite touched; Vettel remained ahead of Ricciardo but behind Verstappen, and that appeared to be that. Only it wasn’t. Verstappen was handed a five-second time penalty, and had to suffer the indignity of being hauled out of the pre-podium ‘green room’ to make way for Vettel. And then Vettel, too, went through the revolving door – albeit three hours after the flag – when the stewards judged his defence against Ricciardo to have been dangerous and erratic. Ricciardo was the beneficiary of Vettel’s ten-second penalty, but was he pleased? Hell, no. He’d missed the chance of doing his ‘shoey’ routine on “the best podium of the year”. AI

TOP OF THE WORLD Highest and toughest, the 18th Raid de Himalaya lived up to its reputation of being the ultimate test of man and machine. WORDS SaptaRSHi SHukla PICtuReS MaRuti Suzuki

It’s go time! the 18th edition of the Raid de Himalaya being flagged off at Manali.

Rough terrain and flawless tarmac showcase the range of topography the participants needed to negotiate.

218 AUTOCARINDIA.COM DECEMBER 2016

Water-crossings are all in a day’s work at the Raid. Good ground clearance is a prerequisite.

the bikers are the real heroes of the Raid, braving the elements of nature and treacherous terrain.

the S-Cross takes the Himalayan terrain in its stride.

the majestic Himalayas form the picturesque backdrop for the Raid. But the challenges they bring can rattle even the best in the business.

Vehicles take severe punishment in the Raid, necessitating the requirement for a dedicated service crew at all times.

taking their spoils, Suresh Rana and Ashwin Naik pose with the ultimate prize.

DECEMBER 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 219

INSIDER news

2017 F1 driver grid falls in place Barring Sauber and Manor, all teams have announced their 2017 line-ups.

Audi quits wec to focus on Formula e

The 2017 F1 grid seems to be shaping up with several drivers swapping teams.

With the 2017 F1 musical chairs steadily coming to a close, all teams barring Sauber and Manor have confirmed their line-ups for the 2017 season, with champions Mercedes retaining the fiery pairing of Rosberg and Hamilton. Ferrari and Red Bull have also elected to keep their pairings unchanged, with the Scuderia sticking with Vettel and Raikkonen and Red Bull continuing with Ricciardo and Verstappen. Sister squad Toro Rosso will also be sticking with Sainz Jr. and Kvyat for 2017. Apart from these four squads and the teams that haven’t confirmed their lineups yet, all others have opted for new pairings. Williams have signed up Lance Stroll to

partner Valtteri Bottas, after Felipe Massa’s retirement. At Force India, Esteban Ocon replaces Nico Hulkenberg, who has departed for Renault. The German replaced Kevin Magnussen there, who is now

slotted in at Haas alongside Romain Grosjean. McLaren of course, have given their homegrown prodigy, Stoffel Vandoorne, a shot at the top echelon alongside Fernando Alonso.

2017 FOrMuLA 1 Line-up sO FAr Team

Driver 1

Driver 2

Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton

Nico Rosberg

Ferrari

Sebastian Vettel

Kimi Raikkonen

Red Bull

Daniel Ricciardo

Max Verstappen

Williams

Valtteri Bottas

Lance stroll

Force India

esteban Ocon

Sergio Perez

McLaren

Fernando Alonso

stoffel Vandoorne

Toro Rosso

Carlos Sainz Jr.

Daniil Kvyat

Haas

Romain Grosjean

kevin Magnussen

Renault

nico Hulkenberg

Jolyon Palmer

Sauber

Marcus Ericsson*

Felipe Nasr*

Manor

Pascal Wehrlein*

Legend Bold: New driver; * : To be confirmed

Audi will pull out of the World Endurance Championship and end its 18-year involvement in the Le Mans 24 Hours at the conclusion of 2016. The axing of the LMP1 programme, which yielded 13 Le Mans victories and the WEC drivers' and manufacturers' titles in 2012-13, follows what has been described as a realignment of Audi's motorsport programme. The German manufacturer will focus on its participation in the Formula E

Tech chief Zander returns to sauber The Sauber Formula 1 team is set to announce that Audi technical director Jorg Zander will join the team next year. Zander, who will leave his role as Audi's technical chief in the wake of the manufacturer's withdrawal from the World Endurance Championship

Quick news

Perez cancels sponsor deal over tweet Sergio Perez ended an agreement with his sunglasses sponsor after the company tweeted a controversial comment following Donald Trump’s election as the US president. The offending tweet from Hawkers suggested Mexicans should wear glasses to hide their crying eyes when the wall between the US and their country was constructed. Perez replied to the tweet saying he was ending the relationship, with the company removing the tweet and apologising for the “serious error”.

220 AUTOCARINDIA.COM DECEMBER 2016

Championship with the AbtSchaeffler squad, having announced a greater works involvement in the electric single-seater series at the beginning of last month. Audi's all-electric production vehicles will go on sale at the start of the 2018 model year. The decision comes against the backdrop of declining sales of turbodiesels, the technology Audi showcases in the WEC, and political pressure in some markets to outlaw diesels.

at the end of the season, will fill the position that has been vacant since Mark Smith departed on the eve of the 2016 campaign. The 52-year-old has extensive F1 experience, having worked with Toyota, BAR-Honda, Williams, Honda and Brawn GP.

Bagnaia claims victory in Malaysia Aspar Mahindra Team’s Francesco ‘Pecco’ Bagnaia clinched his second and the MGP3O’s third win of the 2016 season at Malaysian GP, taking the lead on lap two, and then surviving a race of attrition. The win was a massive boost to the Italian teenager’s hopes of finishing high up in the championship, lifting him back to third overall after losing ground in recent races as the victim of other riders’

errors. It was Mahindra’s third win this year, with John McPhee taking sistermanufacturer Peugeot’s MGP3O to victory at Brno. Bagnaia’s first win of the year was at Assen in the Netherlands, by a margin of 0.030 of a second, typical in the closest class in the series. In contrast, he took the chequered flag by a yawning gulf of 7.108 seconds at Sepang, after ending up as the sole survivor when three

Mahindra Racing appoints Biaggi as team manager Mahindra has signed up four-time 250cc World Champion and double WorldSBK Champion Max Biaggi as a team manager and branding ambassador of Mahindra Racing. The project will see Biaggi operate an official Mahindra-supported team in the Campionato Italiano Velocitá (CIV), and selected races in the FIM CEV Repsol Moto3 Junior World Championship, receiving the full technical package alongside support at races and tests from factory Mahindra Racing technicians. On his appointment, Biaggi told Autocar India, “Mahindra needed a coach for their motorsport team, particularly Moto3, and in 2017, the plan is to make an all-new team for the new championship, and groom riders, hopefully some really talented ones and then bring them back for 2018 into, maybe, MotoGP or Moto3 for

Biaggi will oversee Mahindra's ciV programme

Mahindra.” “My instructions are to make the Mahindra factory team stronger than it is now. Our main goal is 2017, and to see how things go, and then take it step by step. Mahindra is focused on making the best package to compete at the highest level with players like Honda and KTM. I think that the next goal is to win as many races and maybe one day the championship.”

riders fell out of the leading group on the second lap. At that point he lay third in a close pack. Now Pecco was alone, and from there he had only to focus and concentrate, on a track where treacherous conditions saw only 17 finishers out of 31 starters. After 14 of the scheduled 18 laps had been completed – more than the required twothirds distance for a full result – the race was red flagged, with results taken from lap 13.

Bagnaia's second win takes him to third in the title standings.

Volkswagen confirms it will leave the WRC at the end of 2016 Volkswagen has confirmed it will walk away from the World Rally Championship at the end of this season. The German firm will focus its efforts on customer-based competition, with its Golf TCR and Beetle GRC rallycross car. It will return to rallying following the development of an R5-specification Polo in 2018, but the all-new Polo R WRC built for next season will not be used. "The Volkswagen brand is facing enormous challenges," Frank Welsch, the board member responsible for technical development, said. "With the upcoming expansion in electrification of our vehicle range, we must focus all our efforts on important future technologies." Volkswagen won 42 of the 51 WRC rounds since it entered with its new Polo programme in 2013, with Sebastien Ogier taking four drivers' titles and VW four manufacturers' titles.

TOyOTA TO ApprOAcH Vw DriVers Toyota WRC boss Tommi Makinen will approach all three VW refugees about 2017 Toyota World Rally Championship seats, but Juho Hanninen's drive is safe. Champion Sebastien Ogier, Jari-Matti Latvala and Andreas Mikkelsen have been released onto what had seemed a settled WRC driver market with VW's decision. With budget understood to be no problem for the Toyota

programme, there had been speculation that they could swoop for the ex-VW trio. "Inside our camp we are investigating the possibility to discuss different options," Makinen said. "Naturally, we are very interested. We are building towards our preparations for 2018, but we are looking for success as soon as possible.” "It might be possible to take one of those drivers and we will see if this strengthens those possibilities."

Quick news

Liberty’s F1 purchase faces UK investigation The planned purchase of Formula 1 by Liberty Media could face an investigation by Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). In September, Liberty Media agreed to become F1’s biggest shareholder through the purchase of shares from a consortium led by CVC Capital Partners. During the annoucement, Liberty said it was subject to conditions, including: “clearances and approvals by antitrust and competition law authorities”. The CMA will make a decision on the matter on January 5.

DECEMBER 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 221

In conversation with

Mattias Ekström With four wins and a string of consistent finishes, Swede Mattias Ekström clinched the 2016 World RX title in style. He talks about his illustrious career and the secret of the fabled Nordic driving gene. iNTERViEW SAPTARSHI SHUKLA PiCTuRES EKSRX Two DTM titles, three in Race of Champions plus stints in the WRC and now Rallycross. How does this achievement compare to the challenges of other forms of motorsport?

This may be the best achievement in my motorsport career. I’ve had so many sweet moments with Audi Sport in the DTM, the victories in Race of Champions and some other great experiences from NASCAR and the Australian V8 Supercars, but to become FIA World Rallycross Champion is really, really special. We started from scratch three years ago, and now I’m allowed to enter this FIA prize-giving ceremony I have always dreamed of.

professionalism of the series, which I also try to establish in my Rallycross team. Engineering and setup-wise, RX must be quite challenging given you have to optimise the car for two completely different kinds of surfaces?

When in October 2013 I made the decision to start my own team, there was nothing to show for it. No car, no team and no business partner. To build a Rallycross car from nothing in such a short period of time is probably a bit crazy. But we invested so many hours of work into this

Several manufacturers seem extremely committed to RX, something that can’t be said for WRC. What are the reasons in your opinion?

In terms of budget, World RX is peanuts in comparison to WRC. Ford and Peugeot entered the series and will have a look at what the future will bring. They for sure are really raising the bar and doing a better job than they have ever done. We are trying, but I feel we have come to the limit of what we can achieve as a privately-run team. If we are supposed to improve now, we will need more factory backing. That doesn’t mean it needs to become a full factory team, but we will need more factory backing on a daily basis.

Versatility across genres seems to be the hallmark of several Nordic drivers. What do you think contributes to this?

In Sweden and, I think in the rest of Scandinavia as well, children start driving very early. At the age of 15 you are allowed to go to the parking lot and practice with your parents. That’s even more fun when the parking lot is covered with snow. Then you start doing donuts and some other crazy stuff, until the police come by and ask what you are doing. You tell them that you are practicing to park. Mostly they leave you alone with a sceptical glance and you can go on. And we also have a lot of forests with nice roads and a bunch of frozen lakes in winter …

Solberg, Loeb and Ken Block – which other drivers would you personally like to compete against in World RX?

Are your WRC stints coming in handy for RX?

In 15 years of racing I learned so many things which are helpful in all kinds of motorsport. Regarding World RX, for sure, it’s the driving style on different surfaces, but also the huge

project and put all doubts aside. Although you can change much in Rallycross from the standard car, you still need the right shape and the correct dimensions. The S1 is the perfect base car and with the Audi S1 EKS RX quattro we get a car that is perfect for Rallycross. The dampers are an area where there is a lot of compromise because they need to provide good handling on tarmac, on gravel, on fast corners, slower corners, wet corners and dry corners.

RX is more like the real-world version of Need for Speed than traditional motorsport. Crazy jumps, considerable amount of contact and even shortcuts feature!

Everybody is welcome! The bigger the names, the better. F1 guys, like David Coulthard or Jenson Button who have been talking about World RX for years should give it a try. But there are many, many more. Sébastien Ogier enjoyed our little test in Munich a lot, so why not have him for a guest entry or even more one day? AI

December 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 223

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CHENNAI

KOLKATA

MUMBAI

DELHI

Prices are indicative only and vary from time to time.

NO. OF GEARS (MANUAL/AUTOMATIC)

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION

POWER (HP)/TORQUE (NM)

PRICES IN LAKHS (ON-ROAD)

ENGINE DISPLACEMENT (CC)/NO. OF CYLINDERS

MODEL DETAILS

AIRBAGS (NO.) TRACTION CONTROL

NEW CARS A-Z

44.69 48.20

48.76 52.61

39.22** 49.94

46.89 50.66

48.88 52.80

1395/4 1395/4

FOR Styling, sumptuous cabin, V12. AGAINST Unusable rear seats, price. VERDICT The DB11 is a huge leap forward for Aston in terms of technology and engineering. 8/A

P

—

—

—

—

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4739/1940/1279mm Wheelbase 2805mm Tyre size 255/40 R20(F), 295/35 R20(R) Turning circle dia NA Trunk volume NA Ground clearance NA Kerb weight 1770kg Fuel tank 78 litres SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA Headroom NA Width NA A

FOR The V12’s soulfulness, tight handling. AGAINST Cramped rear seats. VERDICT It’s different.

6/A

P

—

—

P P P

— — —

— — —

—

—

A

P

—

—

— — —

— — —

A A A

P D D D P

8.21 8.97 8.97 8.97 8.21

—

—

A

7/A 7/A

P P

— —

230 4.88 5.63 220 5.41 7.14 220 5.41 7.14 220 5.41 7.14 230 4.88 5.63

210 210

El/3

7

3

3

7 Re 3

— —

— —

3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3

El/El

F/R 7

7/7

El/3

3

3/3 3/3 3/7 7/3 3 3/3 3/3 3/7 7/3 3 3/3 3/3 3/7 7/3 3

El/El El/El El/El

R R R

7 7 7

7/7 7/7 7/7

El/3 El/3 El/3

7 7 7

3/3 3/3 3/7 7/3 3

El/El

F/R 7

7/7

El/3

7

A A A A A

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/7

7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3

3 3 3 3 3

El/M El/M El/El El/El El/El

R R F/R F/R R

7 7 3 3 7

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3

El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3

3 3 3 3 3

3

3 3 Re 3

3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3 3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3

El/El El/El

F/R 3 F/R 3

7/3 7/3

El/3 El/3

3 3

3 3 3

3

7 7 3 3 3

3 3

7 33 3 3 33 3

3 3 3

7 Re 3 7 Re 3 7 Re 3

3

7 7 3 3 3

3 8 3 Vantage

Re Re Re Re Re

3 6 3 3 6 3 3 6 3 Vanquish

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle*

7 Re 3

3 3 3 3 3

7 33 3 3 33 3 7 33 3 3 33 3 7 33 3 3 33 3

7 33 3 3 33 3

3 6 3 AUDI A3

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* 40TFSI 9.8/14.2/16.60 35TDI 12.3/17.5/20.38

3 3 3 3 3

3 3 Re 3 3 3 Re 3

7 7 3 7 7 3 7 7 3 7 33 7 33

7 7 7 7 7

3 3 3 3 3

7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 3 7

7 7 7 7 7

3 3 3 3 3

7 7 7 7 6

3 3 3 3 3 A4

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* 30TFSI 00/00/17.84

7 3 3 3 3 7 7 3 3 8 7 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 3 8

 = Standard,  = Not available,  = Optional, M = Manual, A = Automatic, F = Front, R = Rear, In = Internal, Ex = External, El = Electric, Re = Remote , NA = Not Available, T = Turbocharged, H = Horizontally-opposed, S = Supercharged. **Ex-showroom prices.

238 AUTOCARINDIA.COM DECEMBER 2016

3 8 3 Rapide S

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle*

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4726/1842/1427mm Wheelbase 2820mm Tyre size 225/50 R17 Turning circle dia 11.4m Trunk volume 480litres Ground clearance NA Kerb weight 1450kg Fuel tank 54 litres Warranty NA. SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA Headroom NA Width NA

A A

7 33 3 3 33 3

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle*

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4421-4456/1793-1796/1409-1416mm Wheelbase 2595-2637mm Tyre size 205/55 R16 Turning circle dia NA Trunk volume 320-425litres Ground clearance NA Kerb weight 1295-1430kg Fuel tank 50 litres Warranty 2 years, unlimited mileage. SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max 58/84cm Headroom 90cm Width 131cm

FOR Equipment, ride, build quality. AGAINST Underwhelming 1.4 petrol engine. VERDICT A technologically advanced luxury sedan that’s sure to take over from its predecessor as Audi’s bestseller.

150/250 150/250

7/7

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4380/1865/1241mm Wheelbase 2600mm Tyre size 255/35 R20(F), 305/30 R20(R) Turning circle dia NA Trunk volume NA Ground clearance NA Kerb weight 1680kg Fuel tank 80 litres SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA Headroom NA Width NA

FOR Ride comfort, strong petrol engine. AGAINST Mediocre rear space, mirrors offer limited view. VERDICT Capable compact luxury sedan that sets the bar high for the segment. 7/A 6/A 6/A 6/A 7/A

F/R 3

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4385/1865/1260mm Wheelbase 2600mm Tyre size 235/40 R19(F), 275/35 R19(R) Turning circle dia 11.1m Trunk volume 300 litres Ground clearance NA Kerb weight 1630kg Fuel tank 80 litres SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA Headroom NA Width NA

FOR Feels special, great mix of thrill and comfort. AGAINST Expensive. VERDICT If you want the quintessential Aston experience. 8/A

El/El

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 5020/2140/1350mm Wheelbase 2989mm Tyre size 245/40 R20(F), 295/35 R20(R) Turning circle dia NA Trunk volume NA Ground clearance NA Kerb weight 1990kg Fuel tank 90.5 litres SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA Headroom NA Width NA

FOR Aston charm, engine note. AGAINST Feels a touch old today. VERDICT There are better cars out there for the same money.

7/A 7/A 7/A

3/3 3/3 3/7 7/3 3

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle*

3 3

AU D I t o AU D I

NEW CARS A-Z

ESP ABS

CD/USB/AUX/BLUETOOTH/ TOUCHSCREEN/NAVIGATION

REAR AC VENTS BOOT RELEASE REAR DEFOGGER REAR WASH WIPE

FOG LAMPS

DRLs (DAY TIME RUNNING LED)

REAR CENTRE ARMREST

C U A B T N

AIRBAGS (NO.) TRACTION CONTROL

SAFETY

INFOTAINMENT

DOOR MIRROR (ADJUST/ ELECTRIC RETRACT)

SPLIT/FOLDING REAR SEATS

PARKING SENSOR (FRONT/REAR) PARKING CAMERA

FRONT SEATS HEIGHT ADJUST (DRIVER/PASSENGER)

LEATHER SEATS

WHEEL COVERS/ALLOYS

POWER WINDOWS (FRONT/REAR)

CENTRAL/REMOTE LOCKING

STEERING WHEEL ADJUST (RAKE\REACH)

FEATURES

AC

40-100KPH IN 4TH GEAR (SECS)

20-80KPH IN 3RD GEAR (SECS)

TOP SPEED (KPH)

0-100KPH (SECS)

PERFORMANCE

FUEL TYPE (P-PETROL, D-DIESEL, E-ELECTRIC , L-LPG)

BENGALURU

CHENNAI

KOLKATA

MUMBAI

DELHI

Prices are indicative only and vary from time to time.

NO. OF GEARS (MANUAL/AUTOMATIC)

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION

POWER (HP)/TORQUE (NM)

PRICES IN LAKHS (ON-ROAD)

ENGINE DISPLACEMENT (CC)/NO. OF CYLINDERS

MODEL DETAILS

A6

A6

A6 A mid-life update in 2015 added improved connectivity, safety features and LED headlights to the long list of reasons to be interested in an A6. The diesel engine is powerful and the petrol is rather nice too. Sadly, there is no V6 engine or Quattro all-wheel drive for the sedan. The RS6 Avant is bonkers, marrying supercar performance to genuine estate practicality. 35TFSI Premium 35TFSI Matrix 35TDI Matrix RS6 Avant A8

56.24 61.51 61.98 161.83

60.98 57.32 60.39 61.76 66.75 NA 60.04 67.74 66.67 61.53 64.96 66.53 142.00** 163.42 138.00** NA

1798/4 1798/4 1968/4 3993/V8

190/320 190/320 191/400 560/700

A8 Laden with tech, powered by strong engines and with all the space and quality you would expect of Audi’s range-topper. The A8’s problem then is that it looks a bit generic and simply doesn’t have the presence of its rivals, especially the new S-class and 7-series, and that could be a put-off for buyers. 50TDI Premium 50TDI Premium Plus Q3

136.82 143.07

148.14 154.02

135.65 142.61 147.92 141.76 143.75 154.73

2967/V6 2967/V6

250/580 250/580

Q3 Audi’s baby SUV gets all the equipment you’d want and the bold face has also made it quite eye-catching. The diesel engine is smooth and punchy and the polished ride and handling make it good to drive too. The manual variant is down on equipment and power, but its lower price makes it an interesting option. 30TDI M/T S Edition 35TDI Premium 35TDI Premium (Sunroof) 35TDI Technology Q5

36.90 41.23 43.03 45.87

39.87 44.58 46.54 49.63

37.04 41.32 43.09 45.91

38.62 44.47 46.39 50.14

39.38 45.50 47.37 51.24

1968/4 1968/4 1968/4 1968/4

140/320 176/380 176/380 176/380

Q5 The Q5’s last update brought with it revised styling and a bit more equipment. But even that was a long time ago. The cabin, especially, doesn’t look special enough by today’s standards. Reasons to be interested in the Q5 include its spacious cabin, nice engine, and pleasant ride and handling balance. 30TDI Premium 30TDI Premium Plus 30TDI Technology Q7

58.01 61.60 66.12

62.53 65.11 71.36

57.92 61.45 65.88

60.87 64.69 69.49

64.79 68.78 65.10

1968/4 1968/4 1968/4

176/380 176/380 176/380

Q7 The new Q7 feels like it’s made a two-generation leap over its illustrious predecessor. The superb cabin, strong performance and high level of refinement are some of the things that make it the benchmark among large luxury SUVs. The awkward positioning of the spare wheel in the cabin is a big irritant though. 45TDI Premium Plus 45TDI Premium Plus (Nav) 45TDI Technology RS7

86.37 88.44 95.43

93.41 NA 103.57

88.40 87.56 94.00

90.46 93.04 98.70

95.19 NA 105.17

2967/V6 2967/V6 2967/V6

245/600 245/600 245/600

RS7 Audi’s part coupé, part sedan is now sold solely in monstrous RS7 form. And this means it’s got supercar performance to go with the supermodel looks. It is easy to drive fast, thanks to the grip on offer, but lacks a bit in driver involvement. The RS7 is expensive but few cars offer this sort of performance for the money. RS7 Sportback

170.78

132.75** 171.04

NA

NA

3993/V8

560/700

FOR Equipment, ride comfort, supercar performance (RS6 Avant). AGAINST No V6 or AWD option on sedan. VERDICT A great luxury sedan that’s better value now.

7/A 7/A 7/A 8/A

P P D P

— — 8.58 3.75

233 — — 233 — — 226 — — 250 2.66 3.13

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4933-4979/1874-1936/1455-1461mm Wheelbase 29122915mm Tyre size 255/40 R19, 225/55 R17, 275/35 R20 Turning circle dia 11.9m Trunk volume 530-1680 litres Ground clearance NA Kerb weight 1735-2025kg Fuel tank 65-75 litres Warranty 2 years, unlimited mileage. SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max 66/86cm Headroom 92cm Width 136cm A A A A

FOR Space, comfort, interior quality. AGAINST Doesn’t have the presence of its rivals. VERDICT Absolutely competent if a bit too understated. 8/A 8/A

D D

6.61 250 4.60 6.68 6.61 250 4.60 6.68

D D D D

9.99 8.35 8.35 8.35

202 212 212 212

9.78 5.73 5.73 5.73

12.05 6.68 6.68 6.68

A A

D D D

11.21 11.21 11.21

— — —

6.60 8.16 6.60 8.16 6.60 8.16

A A A A

D D D

6.95 6.95 6.95

— — —

4.68 5.48 4.68 5.48 4.68 5.48

A A A

A A A

FOR Looks, performance, tech-laden interiors. AGAINST Steering could offer more feel. VERDICT Glamorous alternative to a German sports sedans. 8/A

P

3.93 250

2.70 3.24

7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3

3 3 3 3

El/El El/El El/El El/El

F/R F/R F/R F/R

3 3 3 3

7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3

El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3

3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3

Re Re Re Re

3 3 3 3

3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3 3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3

El/EL El/EL

F/R 3 F/R 3

7/3 7/3

El/3 El/3

3 3

3 3

3 3 Re 3 3 3 Re 3

7 7 7 7

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3

3 3 3 3

El/M El/M El/El El/El

R R R R

7 7 3 3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3

3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3

3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3 3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3 3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3

El/El El/El El/El

F/R 3 3/3 F/R 3 3/3 F/R 3 3/3

El/3 El/3 El/3

3 3 3

3 3 3

Re Re Re Re

3 3 3 3

El/El El/El El/El

F/R 3 3/3 F/R 3 3/3 F/R 3 3/3

El/3 El/3 El/3

3 3 3

3 3 3

3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3

El/El

F/R 3

7/7

El/3

3

3

3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3

7 7 7 7

7 3 3 3

3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3

8 8 8 8

3 3 3 3 A8

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* 50TDI NA/NA/6.0

7 33 3 3 7 3 3 7 33 3 3 7 3 3

3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3

7 7 7 7

3 3 3 3

7 7 7 7

7 7 7 3

3 3 3 3

3 8 3 8

3 3 Q3

3 3 Re 3

3 3 3 3

6 6 6 6

3 3 3 3 Q5

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* 30TDI NA/NA/14.1

3 8 3 8 3 8

3 3 3 Q7

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* 45TDI 8.3/12.5/NA

3 3 Re 3 3 3 3 3 3 7 7 3 3 3 Re 3 3 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 3 3 Re 3 3 3 3 3 3 7 3 3

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 5012/1911/1419mm Wheelbase 2915mm Tyre size 275/35 R20 Turning circle dia11.9m Trunk volume 535 litres Ground clearance NA Kerb weight 1920kg Fuel tank 75 litres Warranty 2 years, unlimited mileage. SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA Headroom NA Width NA A

3 3 3 3

3 3 Re 3 3 3 3 3 3 7 7 3 3 3 Re 3 3 3 3 3 3 7 7 3 3 3 Re 3 3 3 3 3 3 7 3 3

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 5052/1968/1740mm Wheelbase 2994mm Tyre size 255/60 R18 255/55 R19 Turning circle dia 12.4m Trunk volume 295-1955 litres Ground clearance NA Kerb weight 2330kg Fuel tank 75 litres Warranty NA SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom 52/58cm Headroom 90cm Width 144cm 3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3 3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3 3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3

3 3 3 3

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* 35TDI 10.5/14/15.73 30TDI NA/NA/17.3

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4629/1880/1653mm Wheelbase 2807mm Tyre size 235/65 R17 Turning circle dia 11.6m Trunk volume 540/1560 litres Ground clearance 201mm Kerb weight 1830-1935kg Fuel tank 75 litres Warranty 2 years, unlimited mileage SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max 59/82cm Headroom 94cm Width142cm

FOR Attention to detail, refinement, performance. AGAINST Spare wheel limits use of third row. VERDICT Cutting-edge SUV that’s a fitting successor to the original Q7. 8/A 8/A 8/A

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4388/1831/1608mm Wheelbase 2603mm Tyre size 215/65 R16 Turning circle dia 11.8m Trunk volume 460 litres Ground clearance NA Kerb weight 1520-1660kg Fuel tank 64 litres Warranty 2 years, unlimited mileage SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max 59/80cm Headroom 95cm Width134cm

FOR Ride quality. AGAINST Cabin looks a bit dated. VERDICT A good package but will be replaced in 2017. 7/A 7/A 7/A

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 5265/1949/1471mm Wheelbase 3122mm Tyre size 235/55 R18/R19 Turning circle dia 12.7m Trunk volume 510 litres Ground clearance NA Kerb weight 2010-2050kg Fuel tank 82 litres Warranty 2 years, unlimited mileage SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max 75/101cm Headroom 92cm Width 147cm

FOR Ride-handling balance, smooth powertrain, SUV-like driving position. AGAINST Top versions are expensive. VERDICT Smart and competent small SUV that delivers the Audi experience. 6/M 7/A 7/A 7/A

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* 35TFSI NA/NA/15.26 35TDI NA/NA/18.53

3 8 3 8 3 8

3 3 3 RS7

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle*

7 33 3 3 7 3 3

3 6

3

*In kick-down mode for automatics. Note: Performance and fuel economy figures are constantly updated and hence may differ from figures in earlier road tests. *Indian Driving Cycle figures are as per ARAI standards. *** Ex-Maharashtra prices.

DECEMBER 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 239

AU D I t o B M W SAFETY

C U A B T N

ESP ABS

CD/USB/AUX/BLUETOOTH/ TOUCHSCREEN/NAVIGATION

REAR AC VENTS BOOT RELEASE REAR DEFOGGER REAR WASH WIPE

FOG LAMPS

DRLs (DAY TIME RUNNING LED)

REAR CENTRE ARMREST

INFOTAINMENT

DOOR MIRROR (ADJUST/ ELECTRIC RETRACT)

SPLIT/FOLDING REAR SEATS

PARKING SENSOR (FRONT/REAR) PARKING CAMERA

FRONT SEATS HEIGHT ADJUST (DRIVER/PASSENGER)

LEATHER SEATS

WHEEL COVERS/ALLOYS

POWER WINDOWS (FRONT/REAR)

CENTRAL/REMOTE LOCKING

STEERING WHEEL ADJUST (RAKE\REACH)

FEATURES

AC

40-100KPH IN 4TH GEAR (SECS)

20-80KPH IN 3RD GEAR (SECS)

TOP SPEED (KPH)

0-100KPH (SECS)

PERFORMANCE

FUEL TYPE (P-PETROL, D-DIESEL, E-ELECTRIC , L-LPG)

BENGALURU

CHENNAI

KOLKATA

MUMBAI

DELHI

Prices are indicative only and vary from time to time.

NO. OF GEARS (MANUAL/AUTOMATIC)

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION

POWER (HP)/TORQUE (NM)

PRICES IN LAKHS (ON-ROAD)

ENGINE DISPLACEMENT (CC)/NO. OF CYLINDERS

MODEL DETAILS

AIRBAGS (NO.) TRACTION CONTROL

NEW CARS A-Z

R8

R8

R8 The original R8 was remarkable and the new one takes things up a notch. It’s blisteringly fast, drives like a track car, is beautifully built on the inside and looks stunning. And, compared to other 600hp plus supercars, it offers reasonable value as well. The ride is firm, but this is still a supercar you can use every day. R8 V10 Plus Coupe S5

294.90

295.19

295.19

NA

330.17

5204/V10

610/560 7/Stronic

S5 Think of the S5 as the standard A4’s glamorous cousin. The sportback tail gives it a lot more distinction, while the V6 gives it oomph. Frameless windows and faux carbonfibre detailing add a sense of occasion to the reasonably spacious and practical cabin. However, the A4-like dash looks dated. S5 Sportback TT

72.96

76.60

76.60

71.89

87.00

2995/V6

333/440

TT There’s no doubt that this third-gen TT is the best one yet. It looks fantastic, the cabin looks and feels special, and it now drives a lot more in sync with the way it looks. For the price, the blend of style, performance, usability and its ability to make you feel like a million bucks is hard to match. TT BENTLEY Bentayga

74.12

74.29

74.29

NA

82.90

1984/4

230/370

BENTAYGA Bentley has clearly hit the ball out of the park with the Bentayga. It’s the fastest, most expensive and most sinfully luxurious SUV currently available, and for that alone, it deserves applause. It costs the earth but you’ll still have to get in line for one. Bentayga W12 Continental

385.00** 402.32**

NA

NA

NA

5950/W12

608/900

CONTINENTAL Two doors, shorter body, lighter weight (relative, as it still weighs 2,320kg) and the same engines as the Flying Spur with a range of power outputs. The Continental is a big coupé that aims to blend the sporty characteristics of a sportscar with proper luxury. GT W12 GT V8 GT Speed W12 GT V8 S GTC W12 GTC V8 GT Speed Convertible GT V8 S Convertible Flying Spur

309.99** 289.88** 346.39** 308.62** 339.67** 317.54** 379.71** 338.16**

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

5998/W12 3993/V8 5998/W12 3993/V8 5998/W12 3993/V8 5998/W12 3993/V8

285.00** 330.00**

398.24 393.49

NA NA

NA NA

NA NA

3993/V8 5998/W12

575/700 507/660 625/800 528/680 575/700 507/660 625/800 528/680

507/660 625/800

MULSANNE Even more exclusive than a Flying Spur, the Mulsanne embodies everything Bentley stands for. And that means it’s sportier than a comparable Rolls-Royce. But we think the Mulsanne is a bit too driver-focused for its chauffeur-driven clientele and doesn’t have the pillowy ride you expect of a car like this. No complaints about the brilliant cabin though. Mulsanne Mulsanne Speed BMW 1 Series

553.53** 553.53** NA 690.00**

NA NA

NA NA

NA NA

6752/V8 6752/V8

31.00**

39.65

35.26

38.56

39.87

1995/4

3.50 330 2.44 2.49

A

FOR Smooth, punchy V6, ride quality. AGAINST Dash looks dated, numb steering. VERDICT Great mix of comfort and performance but a bit soulless. 7/Stronic

P

—

—

—

—

A

FOR Cabin quality, supple ride, user friendly. AGAINST Steering feels numb, significantly pricier than before. VERDICT Latest TT has the go to match the show. 6/A

P

5.81 250

3.01 4.76

A

FOR Performance, luxury, ride quality. AGAINST Design may divide opinion, exorbitant options. VERDICT Everything you’d expect an SUV from Bentley to be. 8/A

P

—

—

—

—

8/A 8/A 8/A 8/A 8/A 8/A 8/A 8/A

P P P P P P P P

— — — — — — — —

— — — — — — — —

— — — — — — — —

— — — — — — — —

P P

— —

— —

— —

— —

512/1020 537/1100

150/320

8/A 8/A

P P

5.3 —

296 —

— —

A

D

—

—

—

7/3 3

El/El

F/R 3

7/7

El/3

7

3

3

7 Re 3

3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3

El/El

F/R 3

7/7

El/3

3

3

3

7/3 3

El/El

F/R 3

7/7

El/3

3

3

3 3 Re 3

3

3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3

El/El

F/R 3 3/3

El/3

3

3

A A A A A A A A

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7

7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

El/El El/El El/El El/El El/El El/El El/El El/El

F/R F/R F/R F/R F/R F/R F/R F/R

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7

El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3 3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3

El/El El/El

F/R 3 F/R 3

7/7 7/7

El/3 El/3

3 3

3 3

7 Re 3

A A

—

3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3 3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3

El/El El/El

F/R 3 F/R 3

7/7 7/7

El/3 El/3

3 3

3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 7

El/El

R

7

3/3

El/3

7

3 4 3 BENTLEY Bentayga

7 33 3 3 7 3 3

3 3 Re 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 8 3 Continental

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle*

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

Re Re Re Re Re Re Re Re

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 8 3 3 8 3 3 8 3 3 8 3 3 6 3 3 6 3 3 6 3 3 6 3 Flying Spur

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle*

3 3 Re 3 3 3 Re 3

7 33 3 3 33 3 7 33 3 3 33 3

3 3

3 3 Re 3 3 3 Re 3

7 33 3 3 33 3 7 33 3 3 33 3

3 8 3 3 8 3 BMW 1 Series

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* 118d 14.2/18/20.58

3

3 3 Re 3 3 3 3 3 3 7 7 3

 = Standard,  = Not available,  = Optional, M = Manual, A = Automatic, F = Front, R = Rear, In = Internal, Ex = External, El = Electric, Re = Remote , NA = Not Available, T = Turbocharged, H = Horizontally-opposed, S = Supercharged. **Ex-showroom prices.

240 AUTOCARINDIA.COM DECEMBER 2016

3 8 3 3 8 3 Mulsanne

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle*

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4329/1765/1440mm Wheelbase 2690mm Tyre size 225/45 R17Turning circle dia 10.9m Trunk volume 360-1200 litres Ground clearance 157mm Kerb weight 1345kg Fuel tank 52 litres SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max 54/78cm Headroom 93cm Width 135cm A

3 TT

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle*

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 5575/1926/1521mm Wheelbase 3266mm Tyre size 265/45 ZR20 Turning circle dia NA Trunk volume NA Ground clearance NA Kerb weight 2585kg Fuel tank 96 litres Warranty NA SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA Headroom NA Width NA — —

3 6

7 33 3 3 7 3 3

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* TT NA/NA/14.33

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 5295/1976/1488mm Wheelbase 3065mm Tyre size 275/35 R21 Turning circle dia NA Trunk volume NA Ground clearance NA Kerb weight 2475kg Fuel tank 100 litres Warranty NA SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA/NA Headroom NA Width NA A A

3 S5

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle*

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4177/1966/1353mm Wheelbase 2505mm Tyre size 245/40 R18 Turning circle dia NA Trunk volume NA Ground clearance NA Kerb weight 1410kg Fuel tank 55 litres Warranty 2 years, unlimited mileage. SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA Headroom NA Width NA 3/3 3/3

3 8

7 33 3 3 7 3 3

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4806/1943/1404mm Wheelbase 2746mm Tyre size 275/40 R19 Turning circle dia NA Trunk volume 358litres Ground clearance NA Kerb weight 2320kg Fuel tank 90 litres SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA/NA Headroom NA Width NA

FOR Strong engine, good ride, entertaining handling. AGAINST Pricey, interior doesn’t feel special enough. VERDICT The de-facto luxury hatchback for enthusiasts. 8/A

3

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 5140/1998/1742mm Wheelbase 2995mm Tyre size 285/40 R22 Turning circle dia NA Trunk volume 358litres Ground clearance NA Kerb weight 2440kg Fuel tank 85 litres SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA/NA Headroom NA Width NA

FOR Sporty character, exclusivity. AGAINST Tyre noise, a few cheap bits in the cabin. VERDICT Want a fun-to-drive, uber-luxury sedan? This is it. 8/A 8/A

3/3 3/3

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* V10 NA/NA/NA

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4718/1854/1382mm Wheelbase 2811mm Tyre size 245/40 R18 Turning circle dia 11.5m Trunk volume 480-1283 litres Ground clearance NA Kerb weight 1820kg Fuel tank 61 litres Warranty NA SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA/NA Headroom NA Width NA

FOR Beautiful cabin, driver thrills. AGAINST Ride could be more cosseting, price. VERDICT When a Rolls is too old-school for you.

1 SERIES The 1-series is the only rear-wheel-drive hatchback around and that is its USP. Thanks to the way it goes around corners and its strong engine, it’s quite simply the luxury hatchback for driving enthusiasts. The tuned-for-India suspension does a good job of battling our roads and there’s good space in the cabin too. More frills would have helped its case though. 118d Sport Line

P

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4426/1940/1240mm Wheelbase 2650mm Tyre size 245/35 R19, 295/35 R19, 245/30 R20, 305/30 R20 Turning circle dia - Trunk volume - Kerb weight 1630kg Fuel tank 73 litres Warranty NA SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA Headroom NA Width NA

FOR Performance, cross-continent comfort. AGAINST A few cheap bits in the cabin, ride could be more cosseting. VERDICT Quite the polished brute.

FLYING SPUR Bentley’s take on a large four-door, uberluxury sedan. Think of the Flying Spur as a Rolls- Royce with sporting intentions and you’ll see it for what it is. The ‘standard’ 507hp V8 will do just well, though if you have oil wells to keep it running, consider the 625bhp W12 version. The Spur is also surprisingly agile for a car this size. Flying Spur V8 Flying Spur W12 Mulsanne

FOR Usability, performance, friendly on the limit. AGAINST Firm ride. VERDICT A fast and relatively friendly supercar.

3 6

3

BMW to BMW

NEW CARS A-Z

ESP ABS

CD/USB/AUX/BLUETOOTH/ TOUCHSCREEN/NAVIGATION

REAR AC VENTS BOOT RELEASE REAR DEFOGGER REAR WASH WIPE

FOG LAMPS

DRLs (DAY TIME RUNNING LED)

REAR CENTRE ARMREST

C U A B T N

3 Series

3 Series

3 SERIES A slight visual makeover, a strong diesel engine and the addition of a petrol engine have helped update the 3-series sedan. It remains an exciting car to drive but spacious as the cabin is, it lacks the wow factor of something like a Merc C-class. Unique 3GT adds space to the package while the utterly desirable M3 and M4 add spice to the line-up. 320i Prestige 320i Luxury Line 320d Prestige 320d Sport Line 320d Luxury Line 320d M Sport 320d GT Luxury Line 320d GT Sport Line 330i GT Luxury Line M3 M4 5 Series

36.90** 49.60 41.92 45.78 47.72 42.70** 57.22 48.50 52.91 55.15 ** 36.90 46.86 41.92 45.78 47.72 42.70** 54.05 48.50 52.91 55.14 42.70** 54.05 48.50 52.91 55.14 45.90** 58.02 52.12 56.85 59.24 46.50** 58.76 NA 57.68 59.70 ** 43.30 54.79 NA 53.74 55.60 47.50** 59.00 NA 58.91 NA 125.50** 131.85** 142.44 154.95 161.61 ** ** 127.70 134.10 144.94 157.66 163.05

1998/4 1998/4 1995/4 1995/4 1995/4 1995/4 1995/4 1995/4 1998/4 2979/6 2979/6

184/270 184/270 190/400 190/400 190/400 190/400 190/400 190/400 252/350 431/550 431/550

5 SERIES BMW’s large sedan has plenty to interest a whole gamut of luxury sedan buyers. The 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engines are competent, the 3.0-litre diesel is exciting and then there’s the M5 with its fire-breathing 4.0-litre V8. The 5-series is also spacious and well-equipped. Unfortunately, the India-spec suspension has resulted in a floaty ride and though comfy, the all important rear seats are not very airy. 520i Luxury Line 520d Prestige Plus 520d Luxury Line 520d M Sport 530d M Sport M5 6 Series Gran Coupe

54.00** 66.92 61.37 50.50** 63.72 57.40 ** 54.00 68.06 61.36 54.00** 68.06 NA 62.00** 77.99 70.44 ** ** 135.90 140.00 154.24

66.87 62.56 66.87 66.87 76.72 167.75

69.73 65.24 69.73 69.73 79.98 174.66

1998/4 1995/4 1995/4 1995/4 2993/6 4395/V8

184/270 190/400 190/400 190/400 258/560 560/680

6 SERIES GRAN COUPE The 6-series Gran Coupé is for those who want something more than a regular 5-series. With its low, brooding shape and strong engines, it delivers just that. The 640d is powerful and frugal and the M6 is powerful and thirsty. There is a price to pay for the style – the rear seats and roofline are low. 640d Eminence 640d Design Pure Exp M6 7 Series

115.00** 144.90 130.51 142.00 146.86 122.00** 121.90** 138.45 150.61 155.75 176.90** 221.54 200.93 218.39 225.74

2993/6 2993/6 4395/V8

114.00** 122.90** 144.50** 154.50** 159.50**

143.01 154.05 188.18 204.70 211.28

129.40 139.49 163.98 175.32 180.99

140.78 151.73 178.31 190.62 196.77

148.06 158.28 177.28 197.06 203.42

2993/6 2993/6 2993/6 4395/V8 4395/V8

313/630 313/630 560/680

265/620 265/620 265/620 450/650 450/650

i8 The BMW i8 is the zen-like, sustainable, low-emissions, petrol-electric, ‘new premium’ German sportscar of the future. Expressions of concept don’t get much more complicated. But, the most important word in that string gets crowded out by its louder neighbours, and that’s undoubtedly ‘sportscar’. i8 X1

214.00**

263.80

262.65 286.77 296.37

1499/3

30.99** 34.99** 36.99** 40.99**

39.53 44.49 46.97 51.93

33.98 39.75 42.02 46.55

38.52 43.43 45.89 50.81

38.36 44.87 47.43 52.56

1995/4 1995/4 1995/4 1995/4

8/A 8/A 8/A 8/A 8/A 8/A 8/A 8/A 8/A 7/A 7/A

P P D D D D D D P P P

— — — — 7.58 — 7.58 — 7.58 — 7.58 — — — — — — — 4.73 250 4.73 250

— — 4.60 4.60 4.60 4.60 — — — 3.10 3.10

— — 5.92 5.92 5.92 5.92 — — — 3.20 3.20

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4633-4671/1811-2031/1429-1424mm Wheelbase 2810-2830mm Tyre size 225/55 R16, 225/35 R20, 225/45 R18 Turning circle dia 11.3m Trunk volume 480 litres Ground clearance 120-157mm Kerb weight 1420-1630kg Fuel tank 57 litres Warranty NA SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA Headroom NA Width NA A A A A A A A A A A A

FOR Strong diesel engines, well equipped. AGAINST Rear seats can make you feel hemmed in, lacks some of the BMW ride-handling magic. VERDICT A good all-rounder but it’s been around for some time now. 8/A 8/A 8/A 8/A 8/A 7/A

P D D D D P

— — — 9.09 — 5.13 9.09 — 5.13 9.09 — 5.13 6.11 250 4.01 4.95 250 3.54

— 6.71 6.71 6.71 4.60 3.50

8/A 8/A 7/A

D D P

6.07 250 6.07 250 — —

A A A A A A

D D D P P

— — — — —

— — — — —

3.73 4.35 3.73 4.35 — —

— — — — —

362/570

190/400 190/400 190/400 190/400

6/A

P/E

—

250

—

A A A

D D D D

8.61 8.61 8.61 8.61

— — — —

5.46 5.46 5.46 5.46

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/7

7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

El/El El/El El/El El/El El/El El/El El/El El/El El/El El/El El/El

F/R F/R F/R F/R F/R F/R F/R F/R F/R F/R F/R

7 7 7 7 7 7 3 3 3 3 3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 7/7 7/7

El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

Re Re Re Re Re Re Re Re Re Re Re

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3

3 3 3 3 3 3

El/El El/El El/El El/El El/El El/El

F/R F/R F/R F/R F/R F/R

3 3 3 3 3 3

7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7

El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3

3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3

Re Re Re Re Re Re

3 3 3 3 3 3

— — — — —

—

6.41 6.41 6.41 6.41

3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3 3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3 3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3

El/El El/El El/El

F/R 3 F/R 3 F/R 3

7/7 7/7 7/7

El/3 El/3 El/3

3 3 3

A A A A A

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3

3 3 3 3 3

El/El El/El El/El El/El El/El

F/R F/R F/R F/R F/R

3 3 3 3 3

7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7

El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3

3 3 3 3 3

7 7 7 7 7 7

3/3 3/3 3/7 7/3 3

El/El

F/R 3 3/3

El/3

3

3 3 3

3 3 Re 3 3 3 Re 3 3 3 Re 3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3

3 3 3 3

El/El El/El El/El El/El

R R R R

7 7 7 7

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3

3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 3 7 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 5

7 3 3 3 7 7 3 3 7 3 3 3 7 3 3 3 7 3 3 3 7 3 3 3 6 Series Gran

7 33 3 3 7 3 3 7 33 3 3 7 3 3 7 33 3 3 7 3 3

8 3 8 3 8 3 8 3 8 3 8 3 8 3 8 3 8 3 7 3 7 3 Series

6 3 6 3 6 3 6 3 6 3 6 3 Coupe

3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 7

6 3 6 3 6 3 Series

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle*

3 3 3 3 3

Re Re Re Re Re

3 3 3 3 3

7 7 7 7 7

3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3

8 8 8 8 8

3 3 3 3 3 i8

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* i8 NA/NA/47.45

3

3

7 Re 3 3 3 3 3 3 7 3 3

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4439/1821/1598mm Wheelbase 2670mm Tyre size 225/55 R17, 225/50 R18 Turning circle dia NA Trunk volume NA Ground clearance 155mm Kerb weight 1550kg Fuel tank 51 litres Warranty NA SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA Headroom NA Width NA A A A A

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle*

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4689/1942/1297mm Wheelbase 2800mm Tyre size 245/40 R20, 215/45 R20 Turning circle dia NA Trunk volume 154 Ground clearance 117 Kerb weight 1485kg Fuel tank 42 litres Warranty 2 years Unlimited mileage SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA Headroom NA Width NA A

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* 520d 10/14.5/18.48 530d 7.9/13.8/16.20

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 5212-5238/1902/1479mm Wheelbase 3210mm Tyre size 245/40 R20(F) 275/35(R) R20 Turning circle dia 12.7m Trunk volume 500 litres Kerb weight 1980-1990kg Fuel tank 82 litres Warranty 3 years, unlimited mileage. SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA Headroom NA Width NA

FOR Fun to drive, spacious cabin. AGAINST No reverse camera, ground clearance could bea an issue off-road. VERDICT Very different from the original X1 but also better in most ways.

8/A 8/A 8/A 8/A

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4894-5011/1894-1899/1369-1395mm Wheelbase 2855-2968mm Tyre size 265/35 R20 (F), 295/30 R20 (R) Turning circle dia NA Trunk volume 450 litres Ground clearance 123mm Kerb weight 1845-2015kg Fuel tank 70 litres Warranty 2 years Unlimited mileage SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA Headroom NA Width NA

FOR Performance, technology and gizmos, interior quality. AGAINST Dash is similar to lesser BMWs. VERDICT Feature-rich luxury sedan sets a benchmark for technology. 8/A 8/A 8/A 8/A 8/A

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle*

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4899-4910/1860-1891/1456-1464mm Wheelbase 2964-2968mm Tyre size 225/55 R17, 245/45 R18, 255/55 R17, 265/35 R20, 295/30 R20 Turning circle dia 11.4-12.6m Trunk volume 520 litres Ground clearance 142mm Kerb weight 1795-1870kg Fuel tank 70-80 litres Warranty 2 years, unlimited mileage. SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max 63-64/87-100cm Headroom 90-92cm Width 140-148.5cm

FOR Style, near-silent drive, comfortable. AGAINST Doesn’t respond well to being driven hard. VERDICT The BMW i8 doesn’t quite feel as exciting as it does fast.

X1 The new X1 is a marked departure from its rear-wheel drive predecessor. This one’s built on BMW’s new front-wheel-drive platform. It looks more convincing an SUV, and cabin space is the new best-in-class. The X1 also tops the scorecards in performance and is exciting to drive as small luxury SUVs go. Opt for the all-wheel drive xDrive version and you’ll get some off-road ability too. sDrive20d Expedition sDrive20d xLine xDrive20d xLine xDrive20d M Sport

FOR Strong engines, exciting handling, spacious cabin. AGAINST Cabin doesn’t feel as special as its rivals. VERDICT Updates help bring the 3-series back into the limelight.

FOR Head-turning styling, powerful engines, grand touring abilities. AGAINST Quite heavy, so not particularly agile. VERDICT 5-series too common and a Bentley too expensive? This could be for you.

7 SERIES Cutting edge in every sense, loaded to the gills with gadgets and with an even greater focus on luxury than ever before, the latest-gen 7-series is a model you can’t ignore. It’s just down on the S-class in terms of overall comfort, but with its strong petrol and diesel engines and rewarding handling, it’s the sportiest of the luxury limos. 730Ld Pure Design Ex 730Ld M Sport 730Ld Pure Design Ex (CBU) 750Li Pure Design Ex (CBU) 750Li M Sport (CBU) i8

AIRBAGS (NO.) TRACTION CONTROL

SAFETY

INFOTAINMENT

DOOR MIRROR (ADJUST/ ELECTRIC RETRACT)

SPLIT/FOLDING REAR SEATS

PARKING SENSOR (FRONT/REAR) PARKING CAMERA

FRONT SEATS HEIGHT ADJUST (DRIVER/PASSENGER)

LEATHER SEATS

WHEEL COVERS/ALLOYS

POWER WINDOWS (FRONT/REAR)

CENTRAL/REMOTE LOCKING

STEERING WHEEL ADJUST (RAKE\REACH)

FEATURES

AC

40-100KPH IN 4TH GEAR (SECS)

20-80KPH IN 3RD GEAR (SECS)

TOP SPEED (KPH)

0-100KPH (SECS)

PERFORMANCE

FUEL TYPE (P-PETROL, D-DIESEL, E-ELECTRIC , L-LPG)

BENGALURU

CHENNAI

KOLKATA

MUMBAI

DELHI

Prices are indicative only and vary from time to time.

NO. OF GEARS (MANUAL/AUTOMATIC)

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION

POWER (HP)/TORQUE (NM)

PRICES IN LAKHS (ON-ROAD)

ENGINE DISPLACEMENT (CC)/NO. OF CYLINDERS

MODEL DETAILS

3 6

3 X1

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle*

3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3

Re Re Re Re

3 3 3 3

7 7 7 7

3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3

7 7 7 7

7 7 7 3

3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3

6 6 6 6

3 3 3 3

*In kick-down mode for automatics. Note: Performance and fuel economy figures are constantly updated and hence may differ from figures in earlier road tests. *Indian Driving Cycle figures are as per ARAI standards. *** Ex-Maharashtra prices.

DECEMBER 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 241

B M W t o C H E V RO LE T SAFETY

C U A B T N

ESP ABS

CD/USB/AUX/BLUETOOTH/ TOUCHSCREEN/NAVIGATION

REAR AC VENTS BOOT RELEASE REAR DEFOGGER REAR WASH WIPE

FOG LAMPS

DRLs (DAY TIME RUNNING LED)

REAR CENTRE ARMREST

INFOTAINMENT

DOOR MIRROR (ADJUST/ ELECTRIC RETRACT)

SPLIT/FOLDING REAR SEATS

PARKING SENSOR (FRONT/REAR) PARKING CAMERA

FRONT SEATS HEIGHT ADJUST (DRIVER/PASSENGER)

LEATHER SEATS

WHEEL COVERS/ALLOYS

POWER WINDOWS (FRONT/REAR)

CENTRAL/REMOTE LOCKING

STEERING WHEEL ADJUST (RAKE\REACH)

FEATURES

AC

40-100KPH IN 4TH GEAR (SECS)

20-80KPH IN 3RD GEAR (SECS)

TOP SPEED (KPH)

0-100KPH (SECS)

PERFORMANCE

FUEL TYPE (P-PETROL, D-DIESEL, E-ELECTRIC , L-LPG)

BENGALURU

CHENNAI

KOLKATA

MUMBAI

DELHI

Prices are indicative only and vary from time to time.

NO. OF GEARS (MANUAL/AUTOMATIC)

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION

POWER (HP)/TORQUE (NM)

PRICES IN LAKHS (ON-ROAD)

ENGINE DISPLACEMENT (CC)/NO. OF CYLINDERS

MODEL DETAILS

AIRBAGS (NO.) TRACTION CONTROL

NEW CARS A-Z

X3

X3

X3 The X3 is a well-engineered SUV that makes an impression primarily for how good it is to drive. The 2.0litre diesel engine does the job more than well but it’s the strong 3.0-litre straight-six diesel that really complements the X3’s engaging dynamics. It’s well equipped too but the rear seat isn’t the most comfortable. xDrive20d Expedition xDrive20d xLine xDrive30d M Sport X5

47.50** 53.90** 61.00**

60.00 67.94 76.75

53.99 61.25 69.31

58.87 66.75 75.49

60.89 69.09 78.18

1995/4 1995/4 2993/6

FOR Great to drive, 3.0 diesel engine’s performance. AGAINST Second-row seating position. VERDICT The driver’s mid-size luxury SUV.

190/400 190/400 258/560

X5 The X5 is sharp to drive and even with the standard 3.0-litre diesel engine, it is quick. The cabin is richly appointed and looks modern but discount the third row of seats; the knees-up seating position is really uncomfortable. Ride quality is also good on the standard 18-inch rims. The optional larger wheels look sexy but corrupt the ride. X5 M is a brute. xDrive30d Expedition 67.90** 85.46 77.21 84.15 87.29 xDrive30d Design Pure 72.90** 90.54 81.87 90.31 93.57 ** xDrive30d Design Pure 5+2 76.00 94.26 85.27 94.13 97.55 xDrive30d M Sport 78.50** 98.60 89.25 97.21 100.76 X5 M 161.50** 162.00** 183.48 199.46 207.22 X6

2993/6 2993/6 2993/6 2993/6 4395/V8

258/560 258/560 258/560 258/560 575/750

X6 Not to everyone’s tastes, but you have to admit the combination of SUV and coupé is interesting. Even more interesting is the 313hp, 3.0-litre diesel under the hood. Know that the X6 isn’t the most comfortable SUV around and, despite its size, isn’t the most spacious either but it drives well (considering its weight) and is a guaranteed head-turner. It is expensive, though. The full-blown X6M is incredibly fast. xDrive40d M Sport X6 M Z4

120.50** 120.00** 136.70 148.72 154.41 166.50** 207.32 188.85 205.62 213.31

2993/6 4395/V8

313/630 575/750

Z4 Front-engine, rear-wheel drive, classic roadster shape – there’s a lot of appeal in the Z4. It may not be the last word in driving thrills in this segment, but it makes a pretty convincing case for itself with an engine that loves to rev and a stirring soundtrack. The folding metal hard-top also gives you some measure of practicality. sDrive35i Prestige sDrive35i Design Pure CHEVROLET Beat

77.50** 78.50**

80.90** 82.00**

88.04 89.17

95.92 97.15

99.26 100.53

2979/6 2979/6

4.38 4.76 5.37 6.18

5.37 5.76 6.32 6.89

5.01 5.38 5.92 6.29

5.15 5.53 6.09 6.62

5.29 5.68 6.32 6.88

1199/4 1199/4 1199/4 1199/4

D D D

9.28 210 5.66 6.99 9.28 210 5.66 6.99 — — — —

A A A

FOR Performance, handling. AGAINST Third-row seat comfort, ride quality on optional wheels. VERDICT The vehicle that put ‘Sport’ in SUV is now better than ever before. 8/A 8/A 8/A 8/A 8/A

D D D D P

— 7.05 7.05 7.05 4.22

— — — — —

— 4.54 4.54 4.54 3.48

— 5.61 5.61 5.61 3.35

A A A A A

FOR Unique looks, performance. AGAINST Firm ride, impractical and pricey. VERDICT Distinctive but not quite as desirable as the original.

8/A 8/A

D P

5.78 240 — —

3.91 4.89 — —

306/400 306/400

7/A 7/A

P P

6.18 250 6.18 250

4.13 4.43 4.13 4.43

5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M

P P P P

14.86 14.86 14.86 14.86

159 159 159 159

15.99 15.99 15.99 15.99

22.43 22.43 22.43 22.43

El/El El/El El/El

F/R 7 3/3 F/R 7 3/3 F/R 3 3/3

El/3 El/3 El/3

3 3 3

3 3 3

3 3 Re 3 3 3 Re 3 3 3 Re 3

7 33 3 3 7 7 3 7 33 3 3 7 3 3 7 33 3 3 7 3 3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3

3 3 3 3 3

El/El El/El El/El El/El El/El

F/R F/R F/R F/R F/R

3 3 3 3 3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3

3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3

A A

3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3 3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3

El/El El/El

F/R 3 F/R 3

7/3 7/3

El/3 El/3

3 3

3 3

3 3 3 3 3

Re Re Re Re Re

3 3 3 3 3

3/3 3/3 3/7 7/3 3 3/3 3/3 3/7 7/3 3

El/El El/El

F/R 3 F/R 3

7/7 7/7

El/3 El/3

7 7

3 3 Re 3 3 3 Re 3

7/7 7/7 3/7 3/7

7/7 3/3 3/3 3/3

7/7 3/7 3/3 3/3

3/7 3/7 3/7 7/3

7 7 7 7

7/7 M/7 M/7 M/7

7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7

7/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

In/7 In/7 In/7 In/7

7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7

3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3

7 7 7 7 7

7 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3

7 33 3 3 7 3 3 7 33 3 3 7 3 3

3 3

3 3

7 In 3 7 In 3

6 6 6 6 8

3 3 3 3 3 X6

3 6 3 8

3 3 Z4

7 7 3 3

7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7

In In Re Re

7 33 3 3 7 3 3 3 6 3 7 33 3 3 7 3 3 3 6 3 CHEVROLET Beat

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* 1.2 Petrol 11.5/15.3/18.61 1.0 Diesel 16/19.1/25.44

7 7 7 7 7 7 3 3 3 3 3 3

7 7 3 3

7 7 3 3

7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7

 = Standard,  = Not available,  = Optional, M = Manual, A = Automatic, F = Front, R = Rear, In = Internal, Ex = External, El = Electric, Re = Remote , NA = Not Available, T = Turbocharged, H = Horizontally-opposed, S = Supercharged. **Ex-showroom prices.

242 AUTOCARINDIA.COM DECEMBER 2016

3 3 3 3 3

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* sDrive35i NA/NA/10.37

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 3640/1595/1520mm Wheelbase 2375mm Tyre size 155/70 R14, 165/65 R14 Turning circle dia 8.9m Trunk volume 170 litres Ground clearance 165-175mm Kerb weight 965-1027kg Fuel tank 35 litres Warranty 3 years or 1,00,000km SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max 62/80cm Headroom 90cm Width 124cm M M A A

3 3 3 X5

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* xDrive40d NA/NA/15.87

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4239/1790/1291mm Wheelbase 2496mm Tyre size 225/40 R18 (F) 255/35 R18 (R) Turning circle dia NA Trunk volume 180/310 litres Ground clearance NA Kerb weight 1525kg Fuel tank 55 litres Warranty 2 years unlimited mileage SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA Headroom NA Width NA A A

3 6 3 6 3 6

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* xDrive30d NA/NA/15.35

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4909/1989/1689-1702mm Wheelbase 2933mm Tyre size 255/50 R19 (Front) & 285/45 R19 (Rear) Turning circle dia 12.8m Trunk volume 570/1450 litres Ground clearance 212mm Kerb weight 2180-2340 kg Fuel tank 85 litres Warranty 2 years Unlimited mileage SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max 61/83cm Headroom 91cm Width 142cm

FOR Styling, comfortable ride, fuel efficiency (diesel). AGAINST Noisy diesel engine, average performance, small boot. VERDICT Plenty of style in a reasonably priced package. 78/107 78/107 78/107 78/107

3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3 3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3 3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* xDrive20d 9.1/12.7/18.56

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4886/1938-1985/1762mm Wheelbase 2933mm Tyre size 255/55 R18, 255/50 R19, 285/45 R19 Turning circle dia 12.8m Trunk volume 570/1450 litres Ground clearance 209mm Kerb weight 2350 kg Fuel tank 85 litres Warranty NA SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA Headroom NA Width NA

FOR Rev-happy motor, classic roadster appeal. AGAINST Cramped cabin. VERDICT Has plenty of sex appeal, could be more thrilling to drive.

BEAT A lot of the Beat’s uniqueness lies in its concept car looks. Under that skin is more good news – it feels well built, rides well and comes with decent comfort and practicality. The diesel Beat works as an incredibly efficient urban runabout. It is due to be replaced in 2017, so push for discounts if you are buying one. 1.2 PS 1.2 LS 1.2 LT 1.2 LTZ

8/A 8/A 8/A

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4657/1881/1678mm Wheelbase 2810mm Tyre size 225/60 R17 Turning circle dia 11.9m Trunk volume 550/1600 litres Ground clearance NA Kerb weight 1715kg Fuel tank 67 litres Warranty 2 years unlimited mileage SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max 67/90cm Headroom 94cm Width 142cm

7 7 7 3

7 7 1 2

7 7 7 7

C H E V RO LE T t o C H E V RO LE T

NEW CARS A-Z

CRUZE Tweaked styling and a bit more equipment including Chevrolet’s MyLink touchscreen infotainment system have helped bring the Cruze up to speed. However, the once popular Chevy can’t match rivals on cabin quality, space or finesse. The strong 2.0-litre diesel engine and attractive price remain the reasons to consider this car. Do note, the next-gen Cruze is due in 2017. LT LTZ M/T LTZ A/T Enjoy

16.39 19.27 20.46

17.56 20.58 21.85

15.81 18.09 19.21

16.96 20.26 21.52

17.40 20.81 22.11

1998/4 1998/4 1998/4

166/360 166/360 166/360

ENJOY Compact, spacious and comfortable best describe the Enjoy. It steers and drives well and the diesel engine is sufficiently powerful. However, it comes across as a bit utilitarian with an overall level of fit and finish that simply can’t hold a candle to the likes of the Ertiga, Mobilio or Lodgy. Private buyers may not like the taxi image its come to be associated with either. 1.4 LS 8-seater 1.4 LS 7-seater 1.4 LT 8-seater 1.4 LT 7-seater 1.4 LTZ 8-seater 1.4 LTZ 7-seater 1.3 TCDi LS 8-seater 1.3 TCDi LS 7-seater 1.3 TCDi LT 8-seater 1.3 TCDi LT 7-seater 1.3 TCDi LTZ 8-seater 1.3 TCDi LTZ 7-seater Sail U-VA

7.37 7.40 7.13** 8.08 8.01** 9.05 9.01 9.04 8.38** 9.60 9.15** 10.47

7.92 7.96 7.49** 8.69 8.41** 9.73 9.71 9.74 8.80** 10.34 9.60** 11.27

7.23 7.16 7.33** 7.93 8.24** 8.89 8.71 8.74 8.61** 9.28 9.40** 10.12

7.50 7.53 8.44 8.22 9.45 9.21 9.30 9.33 9.88 9.91 10.77 10.80

8.00 8.04 8.75 8.79 9.82 9.85 9.66 9.69 10.26 10.30 11.19 11.23

1399/4 1399/4 1399/4 1399/4 1399/4 1399/4 1248/4 1248/4 1248/4 1248/4 1248/4 1248/4

100/131 100/131 100/131 100/131 100/131 100/131 75/173 75/173 75/173 75/173 75/173 75/173

SAIL U-VA The Sail UV-A, in a sentence, is a large, spacious and practical hatch that is somewhat lacking in flair. It is powered by a 1.2-litre petrol with the option of the tried-and-tested 1.3-litre Fiat Multijet diesel as well. The interiors are boring but if you generally buy with your head (rather than your heart) you might just like its no-nonsense practicality a lot. 1.2 L 1.2 LS 1.2 LS ABS 1.2 LT ABS 1.3 L 1.3 LS 1.3 LS ABS 1.3 LT ABS Sail

5.26 5.80 6.05 6.60 6.44 7.25 7.43 8.38

5.93 6.54 6.82 7.59 7.40 8.05 8.25 9.28

5.54 6.10 6.37 7.17 6.79 7.39 7.58 8.53

5.71 6.29 6.56 7.39 7.00 7.62 7.81 8.79

5.85 6.52 6.81 7.67 7.26 7.92 8.11 9.14

1199/4 1199/4 1199/4 1199/4 1248/4 1248/4 1248/4 1248/4

84/109 84/109 84/109 84/109 75/190 75/190 75/190 75/190

SAIL The Sail may not bring anything new to the table but it is a well-rounded package. It doesn’t look like a truncated sedan, it is quite spacious, and the punchy diesel motor makes it fairly good to drive as well. Ride comfort is among the best in class too. The cabin doesn’t feel as nice as similar-priced rivals though. 1.2 L 1.2 LS 1.2 LS ABS 1.2 LT ABS

6.36 6.99 7.53 8.09

7.09 7.74 8.21 8.77

6.63 7.26 7.67 8.21

6.83 7.48 7.91 8.46

7.09 7.77 8.22 8.80

1199/4 1199/4 1199/4 1199/4

84/109 84/109 84/109 84/109

3/7 3/7 3/7 7/3

7 7 7 7

7/7 M/7 M/7 M/7

FOR Powerful engine, value. AGAINST Down on space to rivals, cabin quality could be better. VERDICT Well-priced but not as rounded as other executive sedans. 6/M 6/M 6/A

D D D

10.22 215 13.39 14.96 10.22 215 13.39 14.96 — — — —

P P P P P P D D D D D D

14.89 14.89 14.89 14.89 14.89 14.89 21.36 21.36 21.36 21.36 21.36 21.36

165 165 165 165 165 165 147 147 147 147 147 147

12.88 12.88 12.88 12.88 12.88 12.88 14.38 14.38 14.38 14.38 14.38 14.38

20.27 20.27 20.27 20.27 20.27 20.27 18.76 18.76 18.76 18.76 18.76 18.76

A A A

P P P P D D D D

14.66 14.66 14.66 14.66 15.25 15.25 15.25 15.25

162 162 162 162 165 165 165 165

14.91 14.91 14.91 14.91 11.82 11.82 11.82 11.82

24.17 24.17 24.17 24.17 14.72 14.72 14.72 14.72

M M M M M M M M M M M M

P P P P

14.52 14.52 14.52 14.52

— — — —

15.59 15.59 15.59 15.59

23.93 23.93 23.93 23.93

7 7 7 7

7 7 3 3

7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7

In In Re Re

3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 7 3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3 3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3

M/7 M/7 M/7

R R R

7 3/3 3 3/3 3 3/3

El/7 El/3 El/3

3 3 3

7/7 7/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 7/7 7/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7

3/7 3/7 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/7 3/7 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

7/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 7/3 7/3 7/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 7/3 7/3

7 7 3 3 3 3 7 7 3 3 3 3

7/7 7/7 M/7 M/7 M/7 M/7 7/7 7/7 M/7 M/7 M/7 M/7

7 7 R R R R 7 7 R R R R

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

3/3 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 3/3 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7

In/7 In/7 In/7 In/7 El/7 El/7 In/7 In/7 In/7 In/7 El/7 El/7

7 3 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 3 3 3

M M M M M M M M

3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7

7/7 3/3 3/3 3/3 7/7 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/7 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/7 3/3 3/3 3/3

7/7 3/7 3/7 7/3 7/7 3/7 3/7 7/3

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

El/7 El/7 El/7 El/7 El/7 El/7 El/7 El/7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7

7/7 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/7 3/3 3/3 3/3

7/7 3/7 3/7 7/3

7 7 7 7

7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7

7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7

7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7

El/7 El/7 El/7 El/7

3 3 3 3

7 7 3 3

7 7 3 3

7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7

7 7 7 3

7 7 7 7 1 7 2 7 Cruze

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* 2.0 M/T 10.8/15.7/17.3 2.0 A/T 9.8/15.3/NA

3 3 3

3 3 3

7 Re 3 7 Re 3 7 Re 3

7 33 3 7 7 7 7 7 33 3 3 3 7 7 7 33 3 3 3 7 7

7 7 3 3 3 3 7 7 3 3 3 3

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

7 3 3 3 7 3 3 3

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 3 3 3

7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7

3 2 7 3 4 7 3 4 7 Enjoy

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* 1.4 Petrol NA/NA/13.7 1.3 Diesel 12.3/16/18.2

Ex Ex Ex Ex Ex Ex Ex Ex Ex Ex Ex Ex

7 7 3 3 3 3 7 7 3 3 3 3

Re Re Re Re Re Re Re Re

Re Re Re Re

7 7 3 3 3 3 7 7 3 3 3 3

7 7 3 3 3 3 7 7 3 3 3 3

7 7 3 3 3 3 7 7 3 3 3 3

7 7 3 3 3 3 7 7 3 3 3 3

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 3

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 3 2 7 3 2 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 3 2 7 3 2 7 Sail U-VA

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* 1.2 Petrol NA/NA/18.2 1.3 Diesel 13.1/19/22.1

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 33 3 3 7 7 33 3 3 3 3 33 3 3 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 33 3 3 7 7 33 3 3 3 3 33 3 3

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4249/1690/1503mm Wheelbase 2465mm Tyre size 175/70 R14 Turning circle dia 10.3m Trunk volume 370 litres Ground clearance 168mm Kerb weight 1124kg Fuel tank 40 litres Warranty 3 years or 1,00,000km SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max 66/88cm Headroom 91cm Width 134cm M M M M

C U A B T N

7 7 7 7 7 7 3 3 3 3 3 3

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 3946/1690/1503mm Wheelbase 2465mm Tyre size 175/70 R14 Turning circle dia 10.3m Trunk volume 248 litres Ground clearance 174/168mm Kerb weight 1065-1124kg Fuel tank 40-42 litres Warranty 3 years or 100,000km SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max 66/88cm Headroom 91cm Width 134cm

FOR Light steering, ride quality. AGAINST Patchy cabin quality, power window switches badly placed. VERDICT Unexciting but sticks to the brief rather well. 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M

In/7 In/7 In/7 In/7

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4305/1680/1750mm Wheelbase 2720mm Tyre size 175/70 R14 Turning circle dia 11m Trunk volume 195litres /630litres Ground clearance 165mm Kerb weight 1273-1345kg Fuel tank 50 litres Warranty 3 years, 45,000 km SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max 73/85cm Headroom 98cm Width NA

FOR Spacious cabin, ride quality. AGAINST Hard rear seats, unexciting interiors. VERDICT Competent and practical but could have been more exciting. 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M

7/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

7 7 7 7

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4597/1788/1477mm Wheelbase 2685mm Tyre size 205/60 R16 Turning circle dia 10.9m Trunk volume 450 litres Ground clearance 165mm Kerb weight 1525-1560kg Fuel tank 60 litres Warranty NA SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA Headroom NA Width NA

FOR Comfy ride, space. AGAINST Interiors feel downmarket, mediocre overall refinement. VERDICT Practical and spacious but lacks sophistication and image. 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M

7 7 7 7

AIRBAGS (NO.) TRACTION CONTROL

7/7 3/7 3/3 3/3

ESP ABS

7/7 3/3 3/3 3/3

CD/USB/AUX/BLUETOOTH/ TOUCHSCREEN/NAVIGATION

7/7 7/7 3/7 3/7

REAR AC VENTS BOOT RELEASE REAR DEFOGGER REAR WASH WIPE

M M A A

FOG LAMPS

16.48 16.48 16.48 16.48

DRLs (DAY TIME RUNNING LED)

14.11 14.11 14.11 14.11

REAR CENTRE ARMREST

145 145 145 145

DOOR MIRROR (ADJUST/ ELECTRIC RETRACT)

18.59 18.59 18.59 18.59

SPLIT/FOLDING REAR SEATS

FRONT SEATS HEIGHT ADJUST (DRIVER/PASSENGER)

D D D D

SAFETY

INFOTAINMENT

PARKING SENSOR (FRONT/REAR) PARKING CAMERA

LEATHER SEATS

5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M

WHEEL COVERS/ALLOYS

57/143 57/143 57/143 57/143

POWER WINDOWS (FRONT/REAR)

936/3 936/3 936/3 936/3

CENTRAL/REMOTE LOCKING

POWER (HP)/TORQUE (NM)

6.47 6.90 7.48 8.05

STEERING WHEEL ADJUST (RAKE\REACH)

ENGINE DISPLACEMENT (CC)/NO. OF CYLINDERS

6.23 6.64 7.19 7.74

AC

BENGALURU

6.06 6.45 6.99 7.27

40-100KPH IN 4TH GEAR (SECS)

CHENNAI

6.62 7.05 7.49 8.20

20-80KPH IN 3RD GEAR (SECS)

KOLKATA

5.52 5.90 6.23 7.52

FEATURES

TOP SPEED (KPH)

MUMBAI

1.0 PS 1.0 LS 1.0 LT 1.0 LTZ Cruze

DELHI

Prices are indicative only and vary from time to time.

PERFORMANCE

0-100KPH (SECS)

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION

FUEL TYPE (P-PETROL, D-DIESEL, E-ELECTRIC , L-LPG)

PRICES IN LAKHS (ON-ROAD)

NO. OF GEARS (MANUAL/AUTOMATIC)

MODEL DETAILS

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 3 3 7 7 3 3

7 7 1 2 7 7 1 2

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 Sail

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* Petrol NA/NA/18.2 Diesel 12.9/18.7/22.1 7 7 7 7 7 33 3 7 33 3 7 33 3

7 3 3 3

7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 3 1 3 2

*In kick-down mode for automatics. Note: Performance and fuel economy figures are constantly updated and hence may differ from figures in earlier road tests. *Indian Driving Cycle figures are as per ARAI standards. *** Ex-Maharashtra prices.

DECEMBER 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 243

7 7 7 7

C H E V RO LE T t o FE R R A R I

TRAILBLAZER Big on size and image, the Trailblazer is an option for anyone looking for a tough seven-seater. The cabin is well laid out, the seats are comfy and the sole version on offers gets plenty of features too. Performance is also easily the best-inclass. Sadly, there’s no manual transmission or four-wheel drive. 2WD LTZ DATSUN Go

30.87

34.92

30.80

29.46

27.49**

2776/4

200/500

GO The Go comes across as a well-thought-out budget hatchback. You get a spacious cabin, a big boot and what is arguably the peppiest engine in its segment. It is easy to drive and fuel economy is good as well. It is affordable but does feel too pared down, lacking many creature comforts. D A T Go+

3.68 3.96 4.42

4.42 4.74 5.24

3.96 4.24 4.69

3.92 4.22 4.70

4.06 4.38 4.89

1198/3 1198/3 1198/3

4.29 4.53 5.25

5.10 5.35 6.15

4.56 4.78 5.51

4.59 4.82 5.58

4.74 4.99 5.79

68/104 68/104 68/104

1198/3 1198/3 1198/3

68/104 68/104 68/104

REDIGO The ultimate step in its goal to be a modern budget car brand, Datsun has targeted the Maruti Alto, with the Redigo. It’s done this with an eye-catching design, good ground clearance and a killer price tag. However costcutting is evident and even in this bare-bones segment, it feels a bit stripped down. D A T T(O) S FERRARI 488 GTB

2.70 3.17 3.45 3.56 3.72

3.10 3.63 3.94 4.07 4.24

2.88 3.35 3.63 3.75 3.92

2.90 3.39 3.69 3.80 3.97

2.95 3.47 3.79 3.91 4.09

388.00** 405.00**

NA

NA

NA

799/3 799/3 799/3 799/3 799/3

3902/V8

54/72 54/72 54/72 54/72 54/72

669/760

CALIFORNIA T A front-engined Ferrari with a foldable hard-top is what the California is. It’s softer than the other thoroughbreds in the Ferrari line-up and that’s what makes it that little bit more suitable to India. But be in no doubt, the California T is no slow coach. It will gladly show its thrilling side when prodded. California T FF

NA

330.00**

NA

NA

NA

3855/V8

560/755

FF The FF looks like nothing else and there’s nothing else that rivals it directly. It really seats four while the clever all-wheel-drive system allows you to make the most of the V12’s power. The shooting brake design has found few fans in India though. FF F12Berlinetta

NA

457.00**

NA

NA

NA

6263/V12

NA

472.00**

NA

NA

NA

6262/V12

7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7

FOR Strong engine, feels tough. AGAINST No four-wheel drive or manual transmission option, heavy steering. VERDICT A proper Chevrolet SUV. 6/A

D

9.89

—

5.64 7.33

5/M 5/M 5/M

P P P

14.54 155 16.56 22.05 14.54 155 16.56 22.05 14.54 155 16.56 22.05

P P P

13.96 161 16.63 21.33 13.96 161 16.63 21.33 13.96 161 16.63 21.33

5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M

P P P P P

17.21 17.21 17.21 17.21 17.21

— — — — —

18.78 18.78 18.78 18.78 18.78

A

P

—

—

— M M

P

—

—

—

661/686

7/A

P

—

—

—

— M M

— M M M M

—

A

7/A

P

—

—

—

7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7

Re Re Re Re

7 7 7 3

3/7 3/3 3/3 7/3 3

El/El

3

3 3/3

El/3

3

3

7

7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7 7/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 7

7/7 7/7 7/7

7 7 7

7 7 7

7/3 7/3 7/3

Ex/7 Ex/7 Ex/7

7 7 7

7 7 7

7 7 7

7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7 7/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 7

7/7 7/7 7/7

7 7 7

7 7 7

7/3 7/3 7/3

Ex/7 Ex/7 Ex/7

7 7 7

7 7 7

7 7 7

7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7

7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7

7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7

7/7 7/7 3/7 3/7 3/7

7 7 7 7 7

7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7

7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7

7/7 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3

Ex/7 Ex/7 Ex/7 Ex/7 Ex/7

7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 O

El/El

F/R 3

7/7

El/3

7

3

3

—

A

—

—

3/3 3/3 3/7 7/3 3

El/El

F/R 3

7/7

El/3

7

3/3 3/3 3/7 7/3 3

El/El

F/R 3

7/7

El/3

7

7 In 7 7 In 7 7 In 7

7 In 7 7 In 7 7 In 7

3/3 3/3 3/7 7/3 3

El/El

F/R 3

7/7

El/3

7

7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 3 1 7 3 2 7 Trailblazer

7 7 7 7 7

In In In In In

3 2 3 DATSUN GO

7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 3 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 O

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* 1.2 Petrol 12.6/17.7/20.6

7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 3 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 O 7 Redigo

7 7 7 7 7

7 In 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 33 7 33

7 7 3 3 3

7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 1 7 FERRARI 488 GTB

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle*

7 33 3 3 7 3 3

3 6 3 California T

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle*

3

3

7 In 7

3

3

7 In 7

7 33 3 3 33 3

3 6

3 FF

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle*

7 33 3 3 33 3 3 6 3 F12berlinetta

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle*

3

3

7 In 7

7 33 3 3 7 7 3

 = Standard,  = Not available,  = Optional, M = Manual, A = Automatic, F = Front, R = Rear, In = Internal, Ex = External, El = Electric, Re = Remote , NA = Not Available, T = Turbocharged, H = Horizontally-opposed, S = Supercharged. **Ex-showroom prices.

244 AUTOCARINDIA.COM DECEMBER 2016

7 7 7 GO+

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* 1.2 Petrol NA/NA/25.17

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4618/1942/1273mm Wheelbase 2720mm Tyre size 255/35 R20, 315/35 R20 Turning circle dia NA Trunk volume NA Ground clearance NA Kerb weight 1630kg Fuel tank 92 litres SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA Headroom NA Width NA A

7 7 7 7

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* 1.2 Petrol 12.8/17.9/20.63

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4907/1953/1379mm Wheelbase 2990mm Tyre size 245/35 R20, 295/35 R20 Turning circle dia NA Trunk volume 450 litres Ground clearance NA Kerb weight 1880kg Fuel tank 91 litres SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA Headroom NA Width NA A

7 3 3 3

3 Ex 3 3 7 3 3 3 3 7 3

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4568/1952/1213mm Wheelbase 2650mm Tyre size 245/35 R20, 305/30 R20 Turning circle dia NA Trunk volume 230 litres Ground clearance NA Kerb weight 1475kg Fuel tank 78 litres SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA Headroom NA Width NA 3/3 3/3 3/7 7/3 3

C U A B T N

7 7 7 7 7 33 3 7 33 3 7 33 3

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle*

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4569/1910/1320mm Wheelbase 2669mm Tyre size 245/40 R19, 285/40 R19 Turning circle dia NA Trunk volume 339 litres Ground clearance NA Kerb weight 1729kg Fuel tank 78 litres SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA Headroom NA Width NA

FOR Titanic engine and performance. AGAINST Overly sharp steering, price. VERDICT Thrilling in every way that a front-engined V12 Ferrari should be.

741/686

7 3 3 3

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 3995/1635/1490mm Wheelbase 2450mm Tyre size 155/70 R13 Turning circle dia 9.2m Trunk volume 48/350 litres Ground clearance 170mm Kerb weight 788kg Fuel tank 35 litres Warranty 2 years/ unlimited km SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max 63/76cm Headroom 94cm Width 125cm

FOR Foldable hard-top, performance. AGAINST Engine could be louder, noticeable turbo lag at times, price. VERDICT A fine grand tourer with a strong dose of Ferrari character. 7/A

3 3 3 3

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 3429/1560/1541mm Wheelbase 2348mm Tyre size 155/80 R13 Turning circle dia 9.4m Trunk volume 220 litres Ground clearance 185mm Kerb weight 645kg Fuel tank 28 litres Warranty 2 years/ unlimited km SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA Headroom NA Width NA

34.44 34.44 34.44 34.44 34.44

—

El/7 El/7 El/7 El/7

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 3785/1635/1485mm Wheelbase 2450mm Tyre size 155/70 R13 Turning circle dia 9.2m Trunk volume 265 litres Ground clearance 170mm Kerb weight 788kg Fuel tank 35 litres Warranty 2 years/ unlimited km SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max 62/80cm Headroom 88cm Width 125cm

FOR Manic performance, extremely communicative steering. AGAINST Slightly less exciting than the 458, price, exorbitant options. VERDICT Turbo or not, Ferrari has nailed it. 7/A

7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7

7 7 7 7

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4878/1902/1838mm Wheelbase 2845mm Tyre size 265/60 R18 Turning circle dia 11.8m Trunk volume 205-1830 litres Ground clearance 253mm Kerb weigaht 2068kg Fuel tank 76 litres Warranty 3 years/ 100,000 km SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA Headroom NA Width NA

FOR Peppy engine, easy to drive. AGAINST Third row for kids only, cheap interiors. VERDICT Best at carrying five with their luggage at this price point. 5/M 5/M 5/M

7 7 7 7

ESP ABS

7 7 7 7

CD/USB/AUX/BLUETOOTH/ TOUCHSCREEN/NAVIGATION

7/7 3/7 3/7 7/3

REAR AC VENTS BOOT RELEASE REAR DEFOGGER REAR WASH WIPE

3/7 3/3 3/3 3/3

FOG LAMPS

7/7 3/3 3/3 3/3

DRLs (DAY TIME RUNNING LED)

3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7

REAR CENTRE ARMREST

M M M M

DOOR MIRROR (ADJUST/ ELECTRIC RETRACT)

14.31 14.31 14.31 14.31

SPLIT/FOLDING REAR SEATS

FRONT SEATS HEIGHT ADJUST (DRIVER/PASSENGER)

12.45 12.45 12.45 12.45

SAFETY

INFOTAINMENT

PARKING SENSOR (FRONT/REAR) PARKING CAMERA

LEATHER SEATS

163 163 163 163

FOR Performance, traction, practicality. AGAINST Design not to everyone’s tastes, price. VERDICT A very different Ferrari experience.

F12BERLINETTA Supercar, not GT car – you’ll note that we’re inclined to make the distinction. Because although the F12 has an extremely habitable interior and a decent-sized boot this is still a car that, at heart, is dominated by its performance. But what performance. And what drama. F12Berlinetta

15.48 15.48 15.48 15.48

FOR Unique design, price, airy cabin. AGAINST Engine, some obvious cost cutting. VERDICT A smart and spacious budget hatchback but has its flaws.

488 GTB The 488 GTB is the latest in a line of mid-engined V8 Ferraris. The big difference? This one is turbocharged. However, Ferrari has worked its magic to get the engine to deliver massive thrills and it even sounds damn nice. Just be prepared to write a big cheque and wait a long time for delivery. 488 GTB California T

D D D D

FOR Peppy engine, easy to drive. AGAINST Plenty of cost cutting, sales and service network still small. VERDICT Well priced, practical and easy to drive, but feels built to a cost.

GO+ You could think of the Go+ as the estate version of the regular Go. It’s slightly larger than the standard Go, but importantly features a third row of seats. However, access to the last two seats and space are poor, making the Go+ a 5+2 seater at best. On other fronts, the Go+ feels just like the Go. D A T Redigo

5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M

WHEEL COVERS/ALLOYS

75/190 75/190 75/190 75/190

POWER WINDOWS (FRONT/REAR)

1248/4 1248/4 1248/4 1248/4

CENTRAL/REMOTE LOCKING

POWER (HP)/TORQUE (NM)

8.68 9.18 9.58 10.34

STEERING WHEEL ADJUST (RAKE\REACH)

ENGINE DISPLACEMENT (CC)/NO. OF CYLINDERS

8.34 8.83 9.20 9.93

AC

BENGALURU

8.10 8.56 8.93 9.63

40-100KPH IN 4TH GEAR (SECS)

CHENNAI

8.81 9.32 9.71 10.47

20-80KPH IN 3RD GEAR (SECS)

KOLKATA

8.10 8.57 8.94 9.64

FEATURES

TOP SPEED (KPH)

MUMBAI

1.3 TCDi L 1.3 TCDi LS 1.3 TCDi LS ABS 1.3 TCDi LT ABS Trailblazer

DELHI

Prices are indicative only and vary from time to time.

PERFORMANCE

0-100KPH (SECS)

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION

FUEL TYPE (P-PETROL, D-DIESEL, E-ELECTRIC , L-LPG)

PRICES IN LAKHS (ON-ROAD)

NO. OF GEARS (MANUAL/AUTOMATIC)

MODEL DETAILS

AIRBAGS (NO.) TRACTION CONTROL

NEW CARS A-Z

3 6

3

FI AT t o FI AT

NEW CARS A-Z

ESP ABS

CD/USB/AUX/BLUETOOTH/ TOUCHSCREEN/NAVIGATION

REAR AC VENTS BOOT RELEASE REAR DEFOGGER REAR WASH WIPE

FOG LAMPS

DRLs (DAY TIME RUNNING LED)

REAR CENTRE ARMREST

C U A B T N

FIAT Abarth 595

FIAT Abarth 595

ABARTH 595 A halo product for Fiat in India, the chic Abarth 595 packs a solid punch and is guaranteed to leave you grinning from ear to ear. The automated manual gearbox is the weak link in the package, the ride is quite unyielding for everyday use and being an import it’s very expensive, but it’s a car with a very raw appeal. Abarth 595 Competizione Avventura

34.58**

NA

NA

NA

NA

1368/4

FOR Zesty, agile handling, capable track-day performance. AGAINST Rock-hard ride, limited rear space, price. VERDICT There’s something about the 595’s enthusiasm that is hard to dislike. 160/230

AVVENTURA More than just a Punto with body cladding, the Avventura and its 205mm ground clearance makes it more of a crossover than rivals. But it has its flaws. The diesel engine isn’t very tractable. Still, the car’s fantastic ride quality, chic interiors and tastefully styled exteriors make it appealing. The Abarth offers good performance but the suspension lets it down. 1.4 Fire Active 1.4 Fire Dynamic 1.3 Multijet Active 1.3 Multijet Dynamic 1.3 Multijet Emotion 1.4 T-jet Abarth Linea

7.75 8.74 8.38 9.28 10.07 11.27

7.90 8.94 7.74** 7.09** 9.92** 8.44**

8.16 9.18 9.40 10.33 11.00 11.67

7.76 8.79 8.62 9.54 10.35 12.68

8.35 9.45 9.65 10.66 11.38 12.98

1368/4 1368/4 1248/4 1248/4 1248/4 1368/4

90/115 90/115 93/209 93/209 93/209 142/210

LINEA Fiat’s attempt to infuse a feel-good factor to its mid-size sedan has worked well. The exterior is attractive as ever and the refreshed cabin looks modern with an all-round improvement in design, materials and features. Most buyers opt for the diesel but it’s the punchy 1.4 turbo-petrols (especially in the new 125 S) that gel best with the Linea’s well-balanced chassis. FIRE Active T-jet Emotion Active Multijet Dynamic Multijet Emotion Multijet Linea Classic

7.97 12.11 10.36 11.41 12.71

8.12** 10.67** 9.30** 10.09** 10.98**

8.66 11.89 10.56 11.75 12.22

9.19 12.88 10.55 11.49 13.23

9.61 13.17 11.01 12.03 13.47

1368/4 1368/4 1248/4 1248/4 1248/4

89/115 125/208 93/209 93/209 93/209

LINEA CLASSIC The original Linea soldiers on as the Linea Classic. It’s a solid package, has a big car feel and the best ride in its class. Fiat has skimped on essential equipment and the engines are very mediocre but for the money, it’s acceptable. FIRE Classic Multijet Classic Multijet Classic + Multijet Classic + Premium Punto Evo

7.35 8.64 9.28 NA

7.51 8.85 9.52 NA

7.68 8.89 9.54 NA

7.61 8.82 9.49 7.62

7.96 9.23 9.92 NA

1368/4 1248/4 1248/4 1248/4

6.53 7.89 8.64 9.14 11.93

6.08** 7.06** 7.75** 8.21** 10.59**

7.03 8.11 8.86 9.36 11.95

6.99 8.09 8.86 9.38 12.70

7.20 8.35 9.16 9.70 12.98

1172/4 1248/4 1248/4 1248/4 1368/4

90/115 76/197 76/197 76/197

4.56** 5.62**

NA NA

4.80** 5.89**

4.67** 5.75**

4.65** 5.73**

1172/4 1248/4

68/96 93/209 93/209 93/209 147/210

68/96 76/197

URBAN CROSS You can think of the Urban Cross as a raised Punto Evo or as an Avventura without the tailgate-mounted spare wheel. Either way, what you get is an attractive hatchback with lots of ground clearance – helpful on our roads. It shares the larger traits, both good and bad, with the aforementioned Fiats. 1.3 Multijet Active 1.3 Multijet Dynamic 1.4 T-Jet Abarth Emotion

7.94 8.61 11.28

7.09** 7.74** 9.92**

7.20** 7.83** 9.85**

8.16 8.86 11.39

6.98** 7.60** 9.85**

1248/4 1248/4 1368/4

P

10.58 205

6.76 7.42

M

FOR Great ride quality, strong petrol engine. AGAINST Boot access inconvenient, odd driving position, small dealer network. VERDICT Not perfect but works as a crossover for the style conscious. 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M

P P D D D P

— — 15.10 15.10 15.10 9.19

— — — — — —

— — 11.61 11.61 11.61 10.68

— — 13.80 13.80 13.80 15.19

M M M M A A

FOR Fantastic ride, smart interiors, performance (T-jet). AGAINST Rear seat not as spacious as rivals, small dealer network. VERDICT Not the best in segment but more exciting to drive than rivals. 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M

P P D D D

15.14 10.84 17.81 17.81 17.81

182 — 170 170 170

14.04 10.64 14.28 14.28 14.28

18.67 14.41 16.45 16.45 16.45

5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M

P D D D

15.14 18.92 18.92 18.92

182 155 155 155

14.04 13.86 13.86 13.86

18.67 16.03 16.03 16.03

93/209 93/209 142/210

5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M

P D D D P

18.16 143 15.27 21.72 — — — — — — — — — — — — 9.54 — 11.28 17.49

P D

— —

— —

— —

— —

M A M A A

D D P

— — —

— — —

— — —

7/7

R

7

3/3

El/7

7

3

7

3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7

3/7 3/3 3/7 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/7 3/3 3/7 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 7/3 7/3

7 7 7 7 7 7

7/7 M/7 7/7 M/7 M/7 M/7

7 7 7 7 7 3

7 7 7 7 7 7

7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 3/3 3/3

In/7 EI/7 In/7 EI/7 El/7 El/7

7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 3 3

7 7 7 7 7 7

3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

7/3 7/3 3/7 7/3 7/3

7 3 7 7 3

7/7 M/7 7/7 M/7 M/7

7 R 7 R R

7 7 7 7 7

7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3

El/7 El/7 El/7 El/7 El/7

3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3

7 7 7 7 7

M M M M

3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7

7/7 7/7 3/7 3/7

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/7 3/7 3/7 7/3

7 7 7 7

7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7

7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7

7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3

M/7 M/7 M/7 M/7

3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3

7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 3 3

3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3

M M M A A

3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7

3/3 3/7 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/3 3/7 3/3 3/3 3/7

3/7 3/7 3/7 7/3 7/3

7 7 7 7 7

M/7 7/7 M/7 M/7 M/7

7 7 7 7 3

7 7 7 7 7

7/3 7/3 7/3 3/3 3/3

EI/7 In/7 EI/7 El/7 El/7

7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 3 3

7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 3 3

In In In In In In

7 7 7 7 7 3 7 7 7 7 7 3 3 3 3 3 3 7

3/7 3/7 3/7 7/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 7/7

7 7

7/7 7/7

7 7

7 7

7/3 7/3

In/7 In/7

7 7

7 7

7 7

M M A

3/7 3/7 3/7 7/3 7 3/7 3/7 3/3 7/3 7 3/7 3/3 3/3 7/3 7

7/7 M/7 M/7

7 7 7

7 7 7

7/3 7/3 3/3

In/7 El/7 El/7

7 7 7

7 3 7 3 3 3

7 3 7 3 3 3

7 7 7 7 3 3

7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7

7 3 7 3 3 3

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 2 7 2 7 Linea

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* 1.4 Petrol 9.4/13.4/14.9 1.4 T-jet Petrol 10.3/15.4/15.7 1.3 Diesel 13.4/17.3/20.4 In In In In In

3 3 3 3 3

7 7 3 7 7 3 7 7 3 7 33 7 33

In In In In

3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3

7 7 7 3 7 7 7 3 7 3 Linea

7 7 2 7 7 7 2 7 2 7 Classic

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* 1.4 Petrol 9.4/13.4/14.9 1.3 Diesel 13.2/17.2/19.5 7 7 3 3

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 3 7 7 3 7

7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 3 7 7 3 7 7 Punto Evo

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle*

In In In In In

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 3 3 7 3 3 7

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 3987/1687/1495mm Wheelbase 2510mm Tyre size 165/80 R14 Turning circle dia NA Trunk volume NA Ground clearance 185-195mm Kerb weight NA Fuel tank 45 litres Warranty 3 years/ 1,00,000km SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA Headroom NA Width NA M M

3 2 7 Avventura

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* 1.4 Petrol NA/NA/14.4 1.3 Diesel NA/NA/20.5

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 3989/1687/1505-1525mm Wheelbase 2510mm Tyre size 165/80 R14, 195/60 R15, 195/55 R16 Turning circle dia 10m Trunk volume 280 litres Ground clearance 155-195mm Kerb weight 1095-1198kg Fuel tank 45 litres Warranty 3 years/ 1,00,000km SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max 60/84cm Headroom 91cm Width 127cm

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 3989/1706/1542mm Wheelbase 2510mm Tyre size 205/55 R16 Turning circle dia NA Trunk volume NA Ground clearance 151-156mm Kerb weight 1210-1215kg Fuel tank 45 litres Warranty NA SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA Headroom NA Width NA — — —

7 In 3 3 3 3 7 3 7 7 7

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4560/1730/1487mm Wheelbase 2603mm Tyre size 195/60 R15 Turning circle dia 10.8m Trunk volume 500 litres Ground clearance 185mm Kerb weight 1180-1230kg Fuel tank 45 litres Warranty 3 years/ 1,00,000km SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max 65/86cm Headroom 87cm Width 134cm

FOR Ground clearance, ride quality, exciting petrol engine. AGAINST Not special enough. VERDICT A good cross hatchback, not a great one. 5/M 5/M 5/M

3/7 3/3 3/7 7/3 3

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle*

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4596/1730/1487/1494mm Wheelbase 2603mm Tyre size 195/60 R15, 205/55 R16 Turning circle dia 10.8m Trunk volume 500 litres Ground clearance 185/190mm Kerb weight 1258-1268kg Fuel tank 45 litres Warranty 3 years/ 1,00,000km SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max 65/86cm Headroom 87cm Width 134cm

FOR Feels tough, ride quality. AGAINST Lacks any frills, dull engines, small dealer network. VERDICT Doesn’t cost much but doesn’t offer much either. 5/M 5/M

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 3657/1627/1485mm Wheelbase 2300mm Tyre size 205/40 R17 Turning circle dia NA Trunk volume NA Ground clearance 105mm Kerb weight 1155kg Fuel tank NA SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA Headroom NA Width NA

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 3989/1687-1706/1505-1542mm Wheelbase 2510mm Tyre size 205/55 R16, 195/55 R16 Turning circle dia 10m Trunk volume NA Ground clearance 155-205mm Kerb weight 1190-1255kg Fuel tank 45 litres Warranty 3 years/ 1,00,000km SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max 60/84cm Headroom 91cm Width 127cm

FOR Fantastic ride and handling, performance (Abarth). AGAINST Engines lack punch (except T-Jet), small dealer network. VERDICT Oozes style both inside and out, let down by a poor dealer network.

PUNTO PURE The original Punto has been reincarnated as the Punto Pure and it caters to buyers on a tight budget. It gets basic equipment and the engines don’t excite either. What the Pure does offer is the strong build and excellent ride comfort that have been hallmarks of the Punto for not so much money. 1.2 Fire 1.3 Multijet Urban Cross

5/A

FOR Solid build, great ride. AGAINST Limited rear headroom, small dealer network. VERDICT Pared down but good enough for the money.

PUNTO EVO The Punto Evo looks hot from the outside, quite swanky on the inside and rides superbly well. It’s also reasonably good to drive though the awkward driving position takes getting used to. Also, it’s not as spacious as rivals. The Abarth is a proper hot hatch for not so big money. 1.2 Fire Dynamic 1.3 Multijet Active 1.3 Multijet Dynamic 1.3 Multijet Emotion 1.4 T-jet Abarth Punto Pure

AIRBAGS (NO.) TRACTION CONTROL

SAFETY

INFOTAINMENT

DOOR MIRROR (ADJUST/ ELECTRIC RETRACT)

SPLIT/FOLDING REAR SEATS

PARKING SENSOR (FRONT/REAR) PARKING CAMERA

FRONT SEATS HEIGHT ADJUST (DRIVER/PASSENGER)

LEATHER SEATS

WHEEL COVERS/ALLOYS

POWER WINDOWS (FRONT/REAR)

CENTRAL/REMOTE LOCKING

STEERING WHEEL ADJUST (RAKE\REACH)

FEATURES

AC

40-100KPH IN 4TH GEAR (SECS)

20-80KPH IN 3RD GEAR (SECS)

TOP SPEED (KPH)

0-100KPH (SECS)

PERFORMANCE

FUEL TYPE (P-PETROL, D-DIESEL, E-ELECTRIC , L-LPG)

BENGALURU

CHENNAI

KOLKATA

MUMBAI

DELHI

Prices are indicative only and vary from time to time.

NO. OF GEARS (MANUAL/AUTOMATIC)

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION

POWER (HP)/TORQUE (NM)

PRICES IN LAKHS (ON-ROAD)

ENGINE DISPLACEMENT (CC)/NO. OF CYLINDERS

MODEL DETAILS

7 In 7 7 In 7

3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3

7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 3 7 7 3 2 7 3 2 7 Punto Pure

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* 1.2 Petrol NA/NA/15.7 1.3 Diesel NA/NA/20.3 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 Urban Cross

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle*

3 3 3

7 7 7

7 In 7 7 7 3 3 3 3 3 7 7 In 7 7 7 3 3 3 3 3 7 7 Re 3 3 7 3 3 3 3 3 7

7 7 3 7 3 2

*In kick-down mode for automatics. Note: Performance and fuel economy figures are constantly updated and hence may differ from figures in earlier road tests. *Indian Driving Cycle figures are as per ARAI standards. *** Ex-Maharashtra prices.

DECEMBER 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 245

7 7 7

FO RC E M OTO RS t o FO R D

FORCE MOTORS Force One

FORCE ONE The Force One’s strengths lie in its tremendous cabin space, Mercedes-sourced engine and tough suspension that make it ideal for our rural roads. Some variants are reasonably well equipped but otherwise it’s too crude to really give the other seven-seater SUVs in the market a run for their money. There is a 4x4 version as well. 12.55 12.46 13.77

13.88 13.79 NA

15.80 15.30 NA

13.04 12.93 NA

15.88 15.79 17.82

2149/4 2149/4 2149/4

141/321 141/321 141/321

ECOSPORT No longer the default choice among compact SUV buyers, but the EcoSport still offers a lot to entice buyers. Its appealing styling, competent engines and good ride tick the important boxes. Handling is engaging and in general, there’s a youthful air to the EcoSport. Cabin quality is not great but thanks to the new pricing you’ll forgive the Ford for quite a few of its shortcomings. 1.5 Ambiente 1.5 Trend 1.0 Trend+ (Ecoboost) 1.5 Titanium 1.5 Titanium A/T 1.0 Titanium+ (Ecoboost) 1.5 Ambiente 1.5 Trend 1.5 Trend+ 1.5 Titanium 1.5 Titanium+ Endeavour

7.86 8.73 9.36 9.81 10.97 10.67 8.76 9.57 9.92 10.67 11.26

8.47 9.48 10.20 10.66 12.13 11.83 9.54 10.41 10.79 11.61 12.46

8.14 9.03 9.68 10.12 11.30 11.03 8.93 9.73 10.07 10.83 11.42

8.20 9.12 9.81 10.25 11.47 11.18 9.02 9.85 10.21 10.99 11.56

8.59 9.55 10.28 10.74 12.02 11.72 9.44 10.31 10.69 11.50 12.11

1499/4 1499/4 999/3 1499/4 1499/4 999/3 1498/4 1498/4 1498/4 1498/4 1498/4

112/140 112/140 125/170 112/140 112/140 125/170 100/205 100/205 100/205 100/205 100/205

ENDEAVOUR The new Endeavour is the most modern of the crop of traditional SUVs. It has the most luxurious interiors, and the steering and suspension setup make it great to drive – both at low and high speeds. There’s plenty of engine and gearbox combinations to choose from but we’d recommend the standard 2.2-litre diesel engine – it’s got adequate performance and also runs quieter than the 3.2-litre diesel. 2.2l 4X2 Trend 2.2l 4X4 Trend 2.2l 4X2 Trend A/T 2.2l 4X2 Titanium A/T 3.2l 4X4 Trend A/T 3.2l 4X4 Titanium A/T Figo

28.51 28.60 28.60 33.02 31.15 35.70

31.72 33.72 30.38 35.06 33.08 37.90

29.09 30.91 27.73 31.94 30.18 34.55

31.10 33.06 31.42 34.18 34.03 36.95

32.40 30.83 30.83 35.59 33.58 38.48

2198/4 2198/4 2198/4 2198/4 3198/5 3198/5

160/385 160/385 160/385 160/385 200/470 200/470

FIGO As a package, the new Figo has everything Indian car buyers want. Its practicality will appeal to a buyer looking for a family car and those looking for safety will be impressed too. Its power and grown-up dynamics will keep keen drivers happy, But it’s not quite as exciting to drive as the last-gen Figo and cabin quality could have been better too. 1.2 Base 1.2 Ambiente 1.2 Trend 1.2 Titanium 1.2 Titanium+ 1.5 Titanium A/T

ESP ABS

CD/USB/AUX/BLUETOOTH/ TOUCHSCREEN/NAVIGATION

REAR AC VENTS BOOT RELEASE REAR DEFOGGER REAR WASH WIPE

FOG LAMPS

DRLs (DAY TIME RUNNING LED)

REAR CENTRE ARMREST

C U A B T N

FORCE MOTORS Force One

SX 4x2 6-seater SX 4x2 7-seater LX 4x4 7-seater FORD Ecosport

SAFETY

INFOTAINMENT

DOOR MIRROR (ADJUST/ ELECTRIC RETRACT)

SPLIT/FOLDING REAR SEATS

PARKING SENSOR (FRONT/REAR) PARKING CAMERA

FRONT SEATS HEIGHT ADJUST (DRIVER/PASSENGER)

LEATHER SEATS

WHEEL COVERS/ALLOYS

POWER WINDOWS (FRONT/REAR)

CENTRAL/REMOTE LOCKING

STEERING WHEEL ADJUST (RAKE\REACH)

FEATURES

AC

40-100KPH IN 4TH GEAR (SECS)

20-80KPH IN 3RD GEAR (SECS)

TOP SPEED (KPH)

0-100KPH (SECS)

PERFORMANCE

FUEL TYPE (P-PETROL, D-DIESEL, E-ELECTRIC , L-LPG)

BENGALURU

CHENNAI

KOLKATA

MUMBAI

DELHI

Prices are indicative only and vary from time to time.

NO. OF GEARS (MANUAL/AUTOMATIC)

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION

POWER (HP)/TORQUE (NM)

PRICES IN LAKHS (ON-ROAD)

ENGINE DISPLACEMENT (CC)/NO. OF CYLINDERS

MODEL DETAILS

AIRBAGS (NO.) TRACTION CONTROL

NEW CARS A-Z

5.03 5.37 5.81 6.26 7.12 8.21

5.63 5.98 6.47 6.98 7.73 8.92

5.34 5.67 6.13 6.61 7.33 8.43

5.40 5.76 6.23 6.72 7.46 8.60

5.63 5.98 6.54 7.05 7.82 9.02

1196/4 1196/4 1196/4 1196/4 1196/4 1499/4

88/112 88/112 88/112 88/112 88/112 112/136

FOR Strong engine, cabin space. AGAINST Awkward seating position, overall quality, small dealer network. VERDICT A robust SUV that’s rough around the edges. 5/M 5/M 5/M

D D D

13.38 160 12.36 16.70 13.38 160 12.36 16.70 — — — —

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4860/1780/1885mm Wheelbase 3025mm Tyre size 235/70 R16, 245/70 R16 Turning circle dia 12m Trunk volume 215 litres Ground clearance 202/205mm Kerb weight 1860kg Fuel tank 70 litres Warranty 3 years/ 1,00,000km SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max 82/102cm Headroom 95cm Width 139cm M M M

FOR Smooth powertrains, ride-handling balance. AGAINST Narrow cabin, visibility. VERDICT Exciting compact SUV that’s also well priced.

5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/A 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M

P P P P P P D D D D D

14.01 14.01 12.54 14.01 14.01 12.54 13.67 13.67 13.67 13.67 13.67

— — 175 — — 175 158 158 158 158 158

— — 12.30 — — 12.30 11.97 11.97 11.97 11.97 11.97

— — 15.54 — — 15.54 20.70 20.70 20.70 20.70 20.70

D D D D D D

— — 12.68 12.68 11.22 11.22

— — — — — — 177 7.37 9.57 177 7.37 9.57 177 6.34 8.58 177 6.34 8.58

M M A A A A M M A A A

P P P P P P

— — — — — — — — — — 11.11 180

— — — — — — — — — — 6.93 6.68

R R R

7 7 7

3/3 3/3 3/3

El/3 El/3 El/3

3 3 3

3 3 3

3 3 Ex 3 3 3 3 3 7 7 7 7 3 3 Ex 3 3 3 3 3 3 7 7 7 3 3 Ex 3 3 3 3 3 3 7 7 7

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/7 3/7 3/7 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/3 3/3

3/7 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/7 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/7 3/7 3/7 7/3 7/3 7/3 3/7 3/7 3/7 7/3 7/3

7 7 7 7 7 3 7 7 7 7 3

7/7 M/7 M/7 M/7 M/7 M/7 7/7 M/7 M/7 M/7 M/7

7 7 7 R R R 7 7 7 R R

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

A A A A A A

M M M A A A

3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3

3 3 3 3 3 3

M/7 M/7 M/7 M/7 M/7 M/7

R R R F/R R F/R

3 3 3 3 3 3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3

3 3 3 3 3 3

7 7 7 3 3 3 7 7 7 3 3

7 7 7 7 7 3 7 7 7 7 3

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

El El El El El El El El El El El

7 3 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 3 3

7 3 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 3 3

3/7 3/7 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3

7/7 3/7 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/7

3/7 3/7 3/7 7/3 7/3 7/3

7 7 7 7 7 7

7/7 7/7 7/7 M/7 M/7 M/7

7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7

7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3

In/7 In/7 El/7 El/3 El/3 El/3

7 3 3 3 3 7

7 7 7 3 3 3 7 7 7 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 3 7 7 7 7 7 7

3 3 3 3 3 3

7 7 7 3 7 3

3 3 3 3 3 3

El El El El El El

7 7 7 3 3 3

7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7

3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3

7 7 7 7 7 7

3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3

2 2 2 6 2 6

3 3 3 3 3 3 Figo

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* 1.2 Petrol NA/NA/18.16 1.5 Diesel NA/NA/25.83

Ex El El El El El

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 3 3 3 7 3 3 3 33 3 3 7 3

7 7 3 3 3 3

7 7 3 3 3 3

7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 3

 = Standard,  = Not available,  = Optional, M = Manual, A = Automatic, F = Front, R = Rear, In = Internal, Ex = External, El = Electric, Re = Remote , NA = Not Available, T = Turbocharged, H = Horizontally-opposed, S = Supercharged. **Ex-showroom prices.

246 AUTOCARINDIA.COM DECEMBER 2016

7 7 7 3 7 7 3 2 7 3 2 7 3 6 3 3 6 7 7 7 7 3 7 7 3 2 7 3 2 7 3 6 7 Endeavour

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle*

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 3886/1695/1525mm Wheelbase 2491mm Tyre size 175/65 R14 Turning circle dia 9.8m Trunk volume 257 litres Ground clearance 174mm Kerb weight 995-1048kg Fuel tank 40-42 litres Warranty 2 years/ 1,00,000 kms SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max 63/88cm Headroom 94cm Width 133cm 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7

3 7 7 3 7 7 3 7 7 FORD Ecosport

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* 1.0L petrol 11.8/17/18.9 1.5L M/T petrol NA/NA/15.8 1.5L A/T petrol NA/NA/15.6 1.5L diesel 13.3/18.6/22.7

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4892/1860/1837mm Wheelbase 2850mm Tyre size 265/60 R18 Turning circle dia 11.7m Trunk volume NA Ground clearance 225mm Kerb weight 2238-2394kg Fuel tank 80 litres Warranty 2 years/1,00,000km SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max 70/95cm Headroom 91cm Width 145cm

FOR Safety kit, roomy interiors, performance (diesel). AGAINST Interior quality, automatic gearbox isn’t particularly smooth. VERDICT The new Figo fits the bill as a great all-rounder. Much like the last one did. 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M 6/A

M/7 M/7 M/7

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 3999/1765/1708mm Wheelbase 2520mm Tyre size 205/60 R16 Turning circle dia 10.6m Trunk volume 362 litres Ground clearance 200mm Kerb weight 1259-1297kg Fuel tank 52 litres Warranty 2 years/ 1,00,000km SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max 63/87cm Headroom 96cm Width 126cm

FOR Tough build, ride and handling. AGAINST Third-row space, 3.2-litre engine is noisy. VERDICT The best seven-seat SUV for the money.

6/M 6/M 6/A 6/A 6/A 6/A

3/7 3/3 3/3 7/3 3 3/7 3/3 3/3 7/3 3 3/7 3/3 3/3 7/3 3

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* 4x2 9.8/11.9/NA

7 7 3 3 3 3

1 2 2 2 6 2

7 7 7 7 7 3

FO R D t o H O N DA

NEW CARS A-Z

FIGO ASPIRE The Aspire is Ford’s first compact sedan and the manufacturer has given buyers what they want, in terms of both connectivity and safety and requirements of space, comfort and efficiency. Richer cabin plastics and a more oldschool Ford driving experience would have made it nicer still. The strong diesel is the pick of the range. 1.2 Ambiente 1.2 Trend 1.2 Titanium 1.5 Titanium A/T 1.2 Titanium+ 1.5 Ambiente 1.5 Trend 1.5 Titanium 1.5 Titanium+ Mustang

5.86 6.50 6.62 9.24 7.70 7.35 7.89 8.14 9.05

6.53 7.11 7.39 10.04 8.36 7.99 8.58 8.86 9.85

6.19 6.74 6.99 9.49 7.91 7.43 7.97 8.24 9.15

6.29 6.85 7.12 9.68 8.06 7.58 8.14 8.41 9.35

6.60 7.19 7.47 10.16 8.45 7.94 8.53 8.81 9.80

1196/4 1196/4 1196/4 1499/4 1196/4 1498/4 1498/4 1498/4 1498/4

88/112 88/112 88/112 112/136 88/112 100/215 100/215 100/215 100/215

MUSTANG With a big V8 engine, long bonnet and rear wheel drive this is a true American muscle car. Ford has brought to India the V8 and skipped the smaller engines. Equipment wise too, the car is well loaded. However, it does not have the fit and finish of some of the exotic German metal but makes up for it in sheer oomph and iconic appeal. Mustang GT Fastback HONDA Accord Hybrid

75.65

66.50**

NA

NA

83.10

4951/V8

401/515

ACCORD HYBRID The Accord is back but this time it’s available only as hybrid. The technology is clever and guarantees great fuel economy, but the driving experience is quite insipid. Comfort remains great as ever but this being an import, is really pricey. 2.0 i-VTEC Hybrid Amaze

42.30

38.66**

40.99** 40.00**

50.87

1993/4

145/175

AMAZE The Amaze always had a spacious cabin, a genuinely useable boot and offered the option of a peppy petrol and an efficient diesel engine. The recent facelift has addressed some of its weaknesses. The new dash now looks far richer than before, the diesel runs quieter and the exterior has been made more appealing too. In all, it’s a well-rounded package. 1.2 i-VTEC E 1.2 i-VTEC S 1.2 i-VTEC S CVT 1.2 i-VTEC SX 1.2 i-VTEC VX 1.2 i-VTEC VX CVT 1.5 i-DTEC E 1.5 i-DTEC S 1.5 i-DTEC SX 1.5 i-DTEC VX Brio 1.2 i-VTEC E 1.2 i-VTEC S

3/7 3/7 37 7/3 7/3

7 7 7 7 7

7/7 7/7 7/7 M/7 M/7

FOR All-round comfort, powerful diesel engine, safety equipment. AGAINST Petrol engine lacks punch, auto isn’t particularly smooth. VERDICT Delivers almost everything you’d want from a compact sedan. 5/M 5/M 5/M 6/A 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M

P P P P P D D D D

13.64 13.64 13.64 — 13.64 11.03 11.03 11.03 11.03

— — — — — — — — —

15.87 15.87 15.87 — 15.87 10.08 10.08 10.08 10.08

22.05 22.05 22.05 — 22.05 12.60 12.60 12.60 12.60

P

—

—

—

—

M M A A A M M A A

P/E

—

—

—

—

In/7 In/7 El/7 El/3 El/3

3 3 3 3 3

7 7 7 3 3

7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7

Ex El El El El

3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/7 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/7 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/7 3/7 7/3 7/3 7/3 3/7 3/7 7/3 7/3

7 7 7 7 3 7 7 7 3

7/7 7/7 M/7 M/7 M/7 7/7 7/7 M/7 M/7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7

In/7 El/7 El/3 El/3 El/3 In/7 El/7 El/3 El/3

7 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 3

7 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 3

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

A

3/3 3/3 3/7 7/3 3

El/El

R

3 3/3

El/3

7

3

3

FOR Spacious cabin, peppy petrol engine. AGAINST Suspension a bit firm, still not as refined as rivals. VERDICT Updates have made the good Amaze better.

3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3

El/El

F/R 3

7/7

El/3

3

3

7 7 3 3 3

7 7 3 3 3

7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

El El El El El El El El El

7 7 3 3 3 7 7 3 3

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 3 3 3 7 7 7 3 3 3 7 7 7 3 3 3 7 7 33 3 3 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 3 3 3 7 7 7 3 3 3 7 7 33 3 3 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 3 7 7 7 7 7

7 Re 3

3 8 3 HONDA Accord Hybrid

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle*

3 3 Re 3

7 33 3 3 33 3

3 8 7 Amaze

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* 1.2 i-VTEC M/T 12.5/17/18 1.5 i-DTEC M/T 15.2/20.8/25.8

6.65 7.65 8.92 8.54 8.92 10.10 8.23 9.15 9.78 10.21

6.16 7.09 8.22 7.80 8.22 9.30 7.49 8.36 8.92 9.35

6.30 7.24 8.43 8.00 8.43 9.56 7.68 8.58 9.16 9.62

6.84 7.85 9.09 8.63 9.09 10.27 8.29 9.25 9.88 10.34

1198/4 1198/4 1199/4 1198/4 1198/4 1199/4 1498/4 1498/4 1498/4 1498/4

88/109 88/109 90/110 88/109 88/109 90/110 100/200 100/200 100/200 100/200

5/M 5/M CVT 5/M 5/M CVT 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M

P P P P P P D D D D

13.27 13.27 15.00 13.27 13.27 15.00 12.97 12.97 12.97 12.97

140 140 139 140 140 139 140 140 140 140

14.09 14.09 9.86 14.09 14.09 9.86 13.53 13.53 13.53 13.53

25.87 25.87 11.83 25.87 25.87 11.83 15.09 15.09 15.09 15.09

M M M A A A M M A A

3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7/7 M/7 M/7 M/7 M/7 M/7 7/7 M/7 M/7 M/7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7

In/7 El/7 El/7 El/3 El/3 El/3 In/7 El/7 El/3 El/3

7 3 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 3

7 7 7 7 3 3 7 7 7 3

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 3 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 3

7 7 7 3 3 3 7 7 3 3

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

5.10 5.64

5.66 6.28

4.97 5.61

5.48 6.05

5.64 6.29

1198/4 1198/4

89/109 89/109

5/M 5/M

P P

— —

— —

— —

— —

M M

7/7 3/7 3/7 7/7 7 7/7 3/3 3/3 3/7 7

7/7 M/7

7 7

7 7

7/3 7/3

In/7 El/7

7 7

7 7

7 7

7 In 7 7 In 3

7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 3 3 3 7 7 7

7/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 7/3 7/3 7/7 3/7 3/7 7/3

7 2 7 3 2 7 3 2 7 3 2 3 3 6 7 7 2 7 3 2 7 3 2 7 3 6 7 Mustang

7 33 7 3 3 7 3

5.94 6.49 8.18 7.75 8.18 9.28 7.44 8.42 9.00 9.43

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

1 7 2 7 2 7 2 7 6 7 Aspire

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle*

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 3990/1680/1505mm Wheelbase 2405mm Tyre size 175/65 R14 Turning circle dia 9-9.4m Trunk volume 400 litres Ground clearance 165mm Kerb weight 940-1075kg Fuel tank 35 litres Warranty NA SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA Headroom NA Width NA 3/7 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/7 3/3 3/3 3/3

7 7 3 3 3 Figo

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* 1.2 Petrol NA/NA/18.16 1.5 Diesel NA/NA/25.83

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4933/1849/1464mm Wheelbase 2776mm Tyre size 235/45 R18 Turning circle dia NA Trunk volume NA Ground clearance NA Kerb weight 1620kg Fuel tank 60 litres Warranty 3 year/ unlimited km SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA Headroom NA Width NA A

C U A B T N

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 3 3 3 7 3 3 3 33

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4784/2080/1391mm Wheelbase 2720mm Tyre size (Front) 255/40 R19 (Rear) 275/40 R19Turning circle dia NA Trunk volume 383 litres Ground clearance 137mm Kerb weight 1770kg Fuel tank 60.9 litres Warranty NA SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA Headroom NA Width NA

FOR Green image, comfort. AGAINST Expensive, unexciting to drive. VERDICT Comfortable and has green credentials, but overpriced.

CVT

7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3

7 7 7 7 7

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 3995/1695/1525mm Wheelbase 2491mm Tyre size 175/65 R14 Turning circle dia 9.8m Trunk volume 359 litres Ground clearance 174mm Kerb weight 995-1048kg Fuel tank 42 litres Warranty 2 years/ 1,00,000 kms SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA Headroom NA Width NA

FOR Big V8 engine, good equipment list. AGAINST Cabin doesn’t feel premium enough for the price VERDICT A car for your wild side.

6/A

7 7 7 7 7

AIRBAGS (NO.) TRACTION CONTROL

7/7 3/7 3/3 3/3 3/3

ESP ABS

3/7 3/7 7/3 7/3 7/3

CD/USB/AUX/BLUETOOTH/ TOUCHSCREEN/NAVIGATION

3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7

REAR AC VENTS BOOT RELEASE REAR DEFOGGER REAR WASH WIPE

M M M A A

FOG LAMPS

11.62 11.62 11.62 11.62 11.62

DRLs (DAY TIME RUNNING LED)

9.76 9.76 9.76 9.76 9.76

REAR CENTRE ARMREST

176 176 176 176 176

DOOR MIRROR (ADJUST/ ELECTRIC RETRACT)

10.55 10.55 10.55 10.55 10.55

SPLIT/FOLDING REAR SEATS

FRONT SEATS HEIGHT ADJUST (DRIVER/PASSENGER)

D D D D D

SAFETY

INFOTAINMENT

PARKING SENSOR (FRONT/REAR) PARKING CAMERA

LEATHER SEATS

5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M

WHEEL COVERS/ALLOYS

100/215 100/215 100/215 100/215 100/205

POWER WINDOWS (FRONT/REAR)

1498/4 1498/4 1498/4 1498/4 1498/4

CENTRAL/REMOTE LOCKING

POWER (HP)/TORQUE (NM)

7.02 7.38 7.88 8.13 8.91

STEERING WHEEL ADJUST (RAKE\REACH)

ENGINE DISPLACEMENT (CC)/NO. OF CYLINDERS

6.68 7.04 7.52 7.76 8.51

AC

BENGALURU

6.61 6.93 7.37 7.61 8.33

40-100KPH IN 4TH GEAR (SECS)

CHENNAI

7.07 7.42 7.92 8.18 8.96

20-80KPH IN 3RD GEAR (SECS)

KOLKATA

6.27 6.60 7.28 7.52 8.24

FEATURES

TOP SPEED (KPH)

MUMBAI

1.5 Base 1.5 Ambiente 1.5 Trend 1.5 Titanium 1.5 Titanium+ Figo Aspire

DELHI

Prices are indicative only and vary from time to time.

PERFORMANCE

0-100KPH (SECS)

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION

FUEL TYPE (P-PETROL, D-DIESEL, E-ELECTRIC , L-LPG)

PRICES IN LAKHS (ON-ROAD)

NO. OF GEARS (MANUAL/AUTOMATIC)

MODEL DETAILS

In In In In In In In In In In

7 3 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 3

7 3 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 3

7 3 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 3

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

7 7 7 2 2 2 7 7 2 2

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 Brio 7 7 7 7 7 7

*In kick-down mode for automatics. Note: Performance and fuel economy figures are constantly updated and hence may differ from figures in earlier road tests. *Indian Driving Cycle figures are as per ARAI standards. *** Ex-Maharashtra prices.

DECEMBER 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 247

H O N DA t o H O N DA

BRIO Honda’s cheerful hatchback makes for a great city runabout. A peppy petrol engine gives it the necessary go and its small dimensions and light controls make it an easy car to live with. A new dashboard has also done its bit to spruce up the formerly plain cabin. 1.2 i-VTEC VX 1.2 i-VTEC VX A/T BR-V

6.44 7.57

7.17 8.20

6.42 7.29

6.92 7.89

7.23 8.25

1198/4 1198/4

89/109 89/109

BR-V The BR-V’s USP is that it comes with seating for seven. It offers a pleasant driving experience, decent comfort and is reasonable value thanks to its sensible pricing. However, it lacks the rugged appeal of an SUV, and its similarity to the Mobilio might not go down well with image-conscious buyers. 1.5 i-VTEC E 1.5 i-VTEC S 1.5 i-VTEC V 1.5 i-VTEC VX 1.5 i-VTEC V CVT 1.5 i-DTEC E 1.5 i-DTEC S 1.5 i-DTEC V 1.5 i-DTEC VX City

9.84 11.06 12.64 13.71 13.88 11.23 13.02 14.02 15.24

10.58 12.00 13.25 14.37 14.55 12.21 12.39 14.64 15.91

9.80 11.23 12.32 13.34 13.50 11.17 13.64 13.37 14.54

10.25 12.18 13.41 14.52 14.70 11.33 13.50 14.55 15.82

10.81 12.15 13.88 15.03 15.21 12.17 14.98 15.08 16.38

1497/4 1497/4 1497/4 1497/4 1497/4 1498/4 1498/4 1498/4 1498/4

119/145 119/145 119/145 119/145 119/145 100/200 100/200 100/200 100/200

CITY Honda’s ever popular City has all the bells and whistles that buyers of today want. It is also big on space and the seats are incredibly comfortable. There’s the lovely VTEC engine for petrolheads while efficiency-minded buyers can opt for a diesel version too. However, the diesel is noisy, the build lacks heft and top versions are expensive. 1.5 i-VTEC E 1.5 i-VTEC S 1.5 i-VTEC SV 1.5 i-VTEC SV CVT 1.5 i-VTEC V 1.5 i-VTEC VX 1.5 i-VTEC VX(O) 1.5 i-VTEC VX(O) BL 1.5 i-VTEC VX CVT 1.5 i-DTEC E 1.5 i-DTEC S 1.5 i-DTEC SV 1.5 i-DTEC V 1.5 i-DTEC VX 1.5 i-DTEC VX(O) 1.5 i-DTEC VX(O) BL CR-V

9.10 9.85 10.43 12.03 11.05 12.64 12.99 12.99 13.91 10.61 11.83 12.35 13.11 14.30 14.66 14.66

9.80 10.60 11.22 12.60 11.99 13.24 13.61 13.61 14.58 11.54 12.34 12.88 13.71 14.93 15.31 15.31

9.01 9.78 10.37 11.63 11.13 12.23 12.57 12.17 13.48 10.37 11.21 11.71 12.47 13.58 13.91 13.55

9.46 10.26 10.88 12.58 11.33 13.42 13.75 13.67 14.74 10.88 12.26 12.79 13.63 14.83 15.20 15.20

10.07 10.91 11.54 13.12 12.15 13.99 13.78 14.32 15.36 11.60 12.84 13.39 14.23 15.48 15.32 15.86

1497/4 1497/4 1497/4 1497/4 1497/4 1497/4 1497/4 1497/4 1497/4 1498/4 1498/4 1498/4 1498/4 1498/4 1498/4 1498/4

119/145 119/145 119/145 119/145 119/145 119/145 119/145 119/145 119/145 100/200 100/200 100/200 100/200 100/200 100/200 100/200

CR-V Versatile, capable and comfortable, the CR-V is a fine all-rounder. It’s just that Honda refuses to offer a diesel in the CR-V and that’s a shame – it will have much wider appeal with an oil-burner. Stick to the 2.0-litre engine version if you don’t have real use for 2.4-litre version’s all-wheel-drive system. 2.0 2WD 2.0 2WD 2.4 AWD Jazz

25.31 27.38 30.01

26.76 28.93 31.69

25.22 27.23 29.85

25.92 28.02 28.24

28.54 30.83 33.78

1997/4 1997/4 2354/4

156/190 156/190 190/226

JAZZ The Jazz should be on top of your list if space and practicality are paramount. However, the flexible ‘magic’ rear seats are only offered on the top trim. Helping it’s case is the fact that it is offered with a diesel engine and in petrol auto form meaning there’s a version for every type of hatchback buyer. 1.2 i-VTEC E 1.2 i-VTEC S 1.2 i-VTEC S CVT 1.2 i-VTEC SV 1.2 i-VTEC V 1.2 i-VTEC V CVT 1.2 i-VTEC VX 1.5 i-DTEC E 1.5 i-DTEC S 1.5 i-DTEC SV 1.5 i-DTEC V 1.5 i-DTEC VX Mobilio 1.5 i-VTEC E 1.5 i-VTEC S

FOR Peppy performance, easy to drive. AGAINST Tiny boot, suspension a bit firm. VERDICT One of the best city cars around, but it’s a touch pricey.

5/M 5/A

P P

— —

— —

— —

— —

M M

P P P P P D D D D

— — — — 12.53 14.50 14.50 14.50 14.50

— — — — — — — — —

— — — — 8.57 13.11 13.11 13.11 13.11

— — — — 10.61 15.34 15.34 15.34 15.34

P P P P P P P P P D D D D D D D

10.13 10.13 10.13 11.84 10.13 10.13 10.13 10.13 11.84 14.75 14.75 14.75 14.75 14.75 14.75 14.75

193 193 193 — 193 193 193 193 — 183 183 183 183 183 183 183

12.82 12.82 12.82 8.42 12.82 12.82 12.82 12.82 8.42 13.30 13.30 13.30 13.30 13.30 13.30 13.30

17.22 17.22 17.22 — 17.22 17.22 17.22 17.22 — 14.98 14.98 14.98 14.98 14.98 14.98 14.98

M A A A A A A A A

P P P

10.52 — 11.13

— — —

12.12 15.42 — — 7.34* 8.40*

M M A A A A A A A M M A A A A A

14.96 14.96 9.86 14.96 14.96 9.86 14.96 12.76 12.76 12.76 11.87 11.87

7/3 7/3

El/7 El/7

7 7

3 3

3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7

3/7 3/7 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/7 3/7 3/3 3/3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/7 3/7 7/3 7/3 7/3 3/7 3/7 7/3 7/3

7 7 7 3 7 7 7 7 3

7/7 M/7 M/7 M/7 M/7 7/7 M/7 M/7 M/7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7

In/7 El/7 El/3 El/3 El/3 In/7 El/7 El/3 El/3

7 7 3 3 3 7 7 3 3

7 7 3 3 3 7 7 3 3

3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 3/7 3/7 3/7 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3

7 7 7 7 7 3 3 3 3 7 7 7 7 3 3 3

7/7 M/7 M/7 M/7 M/7 M/7 M/7 M/7 M/7 7/7 M/7 M/7 M/7 M/7 M/7 M/7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 3 3 3 3 3 7 7 7 3 3 3 3

7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7

El/7 El/7 El/7 El/7 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/7 El/7 El/7 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3

7 7 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 7 7 3 3 3 3 3

7 7 7 7 3 3 3 3 3 7 7 7 3 3 3 3

M A A

3/7 3/3 3/3 7/3 3 3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3 3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3

7/7 El/7 El/7

F/R 3 3/3 F/R 3 3/3 F/R 3 3/3

El/3 El/3 El/3

3 3 3

3 3 3

7 7

7 In 3 7 In 3

7 7

7 7 7 3 7 7 7 7 3

7 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 3

In In In In In In In In In

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7

7 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 3

7 7 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 7 7 3 3 3 3 3

In In In In In Re Re Re Re In In In In Re Re Re

7 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 3 3 3 3

7 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 3

7 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 3

7 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 3

7 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

ESP ABS 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

6.59 7.32 8.56 7.95 8.37 9.58 8.93 8.09 8.88 9.47 10.01 10.49

7.06 7.83 9.13 8.48 8.93 10.19 9.51 8.64 9.47 10.08 10.65 11.15

1199/4 1199/4 1199/4 1199/4 1199/4 1199/4 1199/4 1498/4 1498/4 1498/4 1498/4 1498/4

90/110 90/110 89/110 90/110 90/110 89/110 90/110 100/200 100/200 100/200 100/200 100/200

5/M 5/M CVT 5/M 5/M CVT 5/M 6/M 6/M 6/M 6/M 6/M

P P P P P P P D D D D D

14.20 14.20 14.89 14.20 14.20 14.89 14.20 12.11 12.11 12.11 12.33 12.33

21.25 21.25 12.20 21.25 21.25 12.20 21.25 15.33 15.33 15.33 14.40 14.40

M M M M A A A M M M A A

3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7/7 M/7 M/7 M/7 M/7 M/7 M/7 7/7 M/7 M/7 M/7 M/7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7/3 7 7/3 7 7/3 3 7/3 3 7/3 3 7/3 3 3/3 7 7/3 7 7/3 3 7/3 3 7/3 3 3/3

M/7 El/7 El/7 El/7 El/3 El/3 El/3 M/7 El/7 El/7 El/3 El/3

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 3 3 3 3 7 7 3 3 3

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7.94 9.13

8.71 9.99

8.20 9.38

8.64 9.87

9.23 10.52

1497/4 1497/4

119/145 119/145

5/M 5/M

P P

11.07 150 14.27 20.51 11.07 150 14.27 20.51

M M

3/7 3/7 3/3 3/7 7 3/7 3/3 3/3 3/7 7

7/7 M/7

7 7

7 7

In/7 El/3

7 7

7 7

7 7

7 In 7 3 In 3

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 3 3 3 3 3 7 7 7 3 3 3 3

7 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 3 3 3 3

7 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 3 3 3 3

7 7 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 7 7 3 3 3 3 3

7 7 7 7 7 7 3 3 7 7 7 7 7 7 3 3

7 7 7 7 7 7 3 3 7 7 7 7 7 7 3 3

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 City

In In In In In In In In In In In In

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

2 7 2 7 2 7 2 7 2 7 2 7 2 7 2 7 2 7 2 7 2 7 2 7 2 7 2 7 2 7 2 7 CR-V

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* 2.0 M/T NA/NA/13.7 2.0 A/T NA/NA/13.7 2.4 A/T NA/NA/12

7 3 3 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 3 3

7 7 7 7 3 3 3 7 7 7 3 3

7 7 7 3 3 3 3 7 7 3 3 3

7 3 3 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 3 3

7 3 3 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 3 3

7 3 3 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 3 3

7 7 7 7 7 7 3 7 7 7 7 3

7 7 7 7 7 7 3 7 7 7 7 3

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 33 3 7 7 7 7

 = Standard,  = Not available,  = Optional, M = Manual, A = Automatic, F = Front, R = Rear, In = Internal, Ex = External, El = Electric, Re = Remote , NA = Not Available, T = Turbocharged, H = Horizontally-opposed, S = Supercharged. **Ex-showroom prices.

248 AUTOCARINDIA.COM DECEMBER 2016

7 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 6 3 6 3 6

7 7 7 Jazz

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* 1.2 M/T Petrol 12.3/16.9/18.7 1.2 A/T Petrol 11.4/16.1/19 1.5 M/T Diesel 14.4/19.8/27.3

6.26 6.96 8.15 7.56 7.96 9.12 8.49 7.68 8.44 9.00 9.52 9.98

3/3 3/3

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

3 In 3 3 3 3 3 7 7 7 3 3 In 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 In 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 7 3

6.80 7.55 8.85 8.21 8.63 9.90 9.22 8.49 9.32 9.95 10.50 11.02

7/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/7 3/7 3/7 7/3 7/3

3 2 7 3 2 7 BR-V

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* Petrol M/T 11/17/17.4-17.8 Petrol CVT NA/NA/18 Diesel 14.2/19.5/25.1-26

6.17 7.03 8.24 7.65 8.03 9.21 8.58 7.89 8.65 9.24 9.75 10.22

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

7 3 3 3 7 7 7 7 3 3 3 7 7 7

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* 1.5 M/T Petrol NA/NA/15.4 1.5 A/T Petrol NA/NA/16 1.5 M/T Diesel NA/NA/21.9

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 3955/1694/1544mm Wheelbase 2530mm Tyre size 175/65 R15, 175/70 R14 Turning circle dia 10.2m Trunk volume 354 litres Ground clearance 165mm Kerb weight 1007-1155kg Fuel tank 40 litres Warranty 2 years/40,000km SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA Headroom NA Width NA 7/7 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 7/7 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

CD/USB/AUX/BLUETOOTH/ TOUCHSCREEN/NAVIGATION

REAR AC VENTS BOOT RELEASE REAR DEFOGGER REAR WASH WIPE

FOG LAMPS

DRLs (DAY TIME RUNNING LED)

REAR CENTRE ARMREST

DOOR MIRROR (ADJUST/ ELECTRIC RETRACT)

SPLIT/FOLDING REAR SEATS

FRONT SEATS HEIGHT ADJUST (DRIVER/PASSENGER)

LEATHER SEATS

WHEEL COVERS/ALLOYS

POWER WINDOWS (FRONT/REAR)

CENTRAL/REMOTE LOCKING

PARKING SENSOR (FRONT/REAR) PARKING CAMERA 7 7

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4545/1820/1685mm Wheelbase 2620mm Tyre size 225/65R17 Turning circle dia 11.08m Trunk volume 589 litres Ground clearance 170mm Kerb weight 1470-1600kg Fuel tank 58 litres Warranty 2 years/40,000km SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max 71.5/93.5cm Headroom 96cm Width 142.5cm

FOR Massive cabin, efficient engines. AGAINST No top-end model (automatic), diesel engine is noisy. VERDICT A well-rounded hatchback that’s more practical than exciting. 172 172 165 172 172 165 172 167 167 167 — —

7 7

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4440/1695/1495mm Wheelbase 2600mm Tyre size 175/65 R15 Turning circle dia 10.6m Trunk volume 510 litres Ground clearance 165mm Kerb weight 1029-1165kg Fuel tank 40 litres Warranty 2 years/ 40,000km SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max 75/100cm Headroom 91cm Width 169.5cm

FOR Comfortable ride, strong engines. AGAINST Hard interior plastics, lethargic five-speed auto, no diesel option. VERDICT Amazing versatility. If only it had a diesel motor. 6/M 5/A 5/A

M/3 M/3

C U A B T N

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* 1.2 M/T Petrol NA/NA/18.5 1.2 A/T Petrol NA/NA/16.5

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4453/1735/1666mm Wheelbase 2660mm Tyre size 195/60 R16 Turning circle dia 5.3-5.5m Trunk volume 223-691 litres Ground clearance 210mm Kerb weight 1199-1306kg Fuel tank 42 litres Warranty NA SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA Headroom NA Width NA

FOR Efficient engines, equipment, comfort. AGAINST Noisy diesel, top versions are pricey. VERDICT Offers almost everything you’d want from a mid-size sedan. 5/M 5/M 5/M CVT 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M CVT 6/M 6/M 6/M 6/M 6/M 6/M 6/M

3/7 3/3 3/3 7/3 7 3/7 3/3 3/3 7/3 7

SAFETY

INFOTAINMENT

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 3610/1680/1500mm Wheelbase 2345mm Tyre size 175/65 R14 Turning circle dia 9-9.4m Trunk volume NA Ground clearance 165mm Kerb weight 920-970kg Fuel tank 35 litres Warranty 2 years/ 40,000km SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max 64cm/88cm Headroom 90cm Width 128cm

FOR Flexibility of 7 seats, easy to drive. AGAINST Looks similar to Mobilio, no touchscreen. VERDICT Not a true SUV but is a smart option for large families. 6/M 6/M 6/M 6/M CVT 6/M 6/M 6/M 6/M

STEERING WHEEL ADJUST (RAKE\REACH)

FEATURES

AC

40-100KPH IN 4TH GEAR (SECS)

20-80KPH IN 3RD GEAR (SECS)

TOP SPEED (KPH)

0-100KPH (SECS)

PERFORMANCE

FUEL TYPE (P-PETROL, D-DIESEL, E-ELECTRIC , L-LPG)

BENGALURU

CHENNAI

KOLKATA

MUMBAI

DELHI

Prices are indicative only and vary from time to time.

NO. OF GEARS (MANUAL/AUTOMATIC)

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION

POWER (HP)/TORQUE (NM)

PRICES IN LAKHS (ON-ROAD)

ENGINE DISPLACEMENT (CC)/NO. OF CYLINDERS

MODEL DETAILS

AIRBAGS (NO.) TRACTION CONTROL

NEW CARS A-Z

7 7 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

7 7 7 7 7 7 2 7 2 7 2 7 2 7 7 7 7 7 2 7 2 7 2 7 Mobilio 7 7 7 7 7 7

H O N DA t o H Y U N DA I

NEW CARS A-Z

MOBILIO With the Mobilio, Honda has tried to add style to the MPV segment. It’s practical too with seating for seven and decent luggage room. But the plain-looking dash takes away from the cabin, and the diesel engine is noisy. The Mobilio does get a fair bit of features but the high pricing works against it. 1.5 i-VTEC V 1.5 i-VTEC V (O) 1.5 i-DTEC E 1.5 i-DTEC S 1.5 i-DTEC V 1.5 i-DTEC V (O) 1.5 i-DTEC RS 1.5 i-DTEC RS (O) HYUNDAI Creta

10.55 11.72 9.72 10.57 12.40 13.20 13.72 14.52

11.65 12.32 10.67 11.68 13.14 13.83 14.52 15.20

10.79 11.18 9.88 10.72 12.18 12.45 12.93 13.71

11.32 12.56 10.43 11.29 13.31 13.99 14.80 15.47

12.00 12.31 11.04 11.98 13.90 14.59 15.33 16.02

1497/4 1497/4 1498/4 1498/4 1498/4 1498/4 1498/4 1498/4

119/145 119/145 100/200 100/200 100/200 100/200 100/200 100/200

CRETA Buyers looking for a small SUV will be pleased to know the Creta is well built, comfortable inside and well equipped. It’s easy, if not engaging, to drive and feels reasonably composed as well. Of the three engines on offer, it’s the 1.6-litre diesel that we recommend. Some versions are on the pricier side. 1.6 E 1.6 E+ 1.6 SX+ 1.6 SX+ A/T 1.4 CRDi E 1.4 CRDi S 1.4 CRDi S+ 1.6 CRDi VGT S+ A/T 1.6 CRDi VGT SX 1.6 CRDi VGT SX+ 1.6 CRDi VGT SX+ A/T 1.6 CRDi VGT SX (O) Elantra

10.57 11.43 14.02 15.22 12.16 13.59 14.65 16.43 15.01 16.18 17.53 17.43

11.30 11.79 14.79 16.04 12.74 14.26 15.38 17.28 15.77 17.02 18.44 18.34

10.04 10.56 12.95 14.06 10.94 12.26 13.25 14.83 13.53 14.61 15.84 15.76

10.79 11.50 14.63 15.86 12.31 13.79 14.90 16.72 15.28 16.50 17.88 17.79

11.20 12.00 14.98 16.27 12.52 14.12 15.26 17.16 15.65 16.90 18.33 18.24

1591/4 1591/4 1591/4 1591/4 1396/4 1396/4 1396/4 1582/4 1582/4 1582/4 1582/4 1582/4

14.95 17.00 18.26 19.06 20.65 17.37 19.24 20.75 22.50

15.78 17.95 19.28 20.12 21.81 18.26 20.23 21.82 23.66

16.91 18.39 19.64 17.04** 18.48** 17.45 18.34 19.87 21.32

15.96 18.16 19.50 20.35 22.06 18.16 20.11 21.70 23.53

19.04 20.70 22.11 20.94 22.70 19.64 20.69 22.33 24.21

1999/4 1999/4 1999/4 1999/4 1999/4 1582/4 1582/4 1582/4 1582/4

123/151 123/151 123/151 123/151 90/220 90/220 90/220 128/260 128/260 128/260 128/260 128/260

152/192 152/192 152/192 152/192 152/192 128/260 128/260 128/260 128/260

EON What the Eon does is inject a degree of desirability into the budget car segment. It is rather well equipped by segment standards and has smart interiors. The 800cc engine is a bit of a let-down and does feel gutless at times, so the 1.0-litre engine will be the better bet if you plan to travel full-up a lot of the time. 0.8 iRDE D-lite 0.8 iRDE D-lite + 0.8 iRDE D-lite + (O) 0.8 iRDE Era + 0.8 iRDE Era + (O) 0.8 iRDE Era + LPG 0.8 iRDE Era + (O) LPG 0.8 iRDE Magna + 0.8 iRDE Magna + (O) 0.8 iRDE Magna + LPG 0.8 iRDE Sportz 1.0 litre Kappa Magna (O) 1.0 litre Kappa Magna (O) opt Grand i10

3.57 3.85 3.95 4.00 4.10 4.33 4.41 4.33 4.46 4.62 4.66 4.81 4.99

3.91 4.21 4.33 4.38 4.50 4.54 4.49 4.75 4.87 4.76 5.09 5.26 5.38

3.69 3.97 4.08 4.13 4.10 4.42 4.54 4.48 4.59 4.77 4.80 5.05 NA

3.80 4.10 4.22 4.27 4.38 4.24 4.15 4.63 4.74 4.57 4.90 5.12 5.23

3.98 4.29 4.41 4.46 4.58 4.80 4.92 4.83 4.96 5.16 5.18 5.35 5.47

814/3 814/3 814/3 814/3 814/3 814/3 814/3 814/3 814/3 814/3 814/3 998/3 998/3

5.34

5.86

5.53

5.75

5.99

1197/4

5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M

P P D D D D D D

11.07 11.07 14.88 14.88 14.88 14.88 14.88 14.88

150 150 143 143 143 143 143 143

14.27 14.27 14.38 14.38 14.38 14.38 14.38 14.38

20.51 20.51 16.61 16.61 16.61 16.61 16.61 16.61

M M M M M M M M

6/M 6/M 6/M 6/A 6/M 6/M 6/M 6/A 6/M 6/M 6/A 6/M

P P P P D D D D D D D D

12.70 12.70 12.70 — — — — 11.53 10.81 10.81 11.53 10.81

184 184 184 — — — — 178 188 188 178 188

14.07 14.07 14.07 — — — — 6.83 11.52 11.52 6.83 11.52

19.59 19.59 19.59 — — — — 9.07 12.42 12.42 9.07 12.42

P P P P P D D D D

— — — — — — — — —

— — — — — — — — —

— — — — — — — — —

— — — — — — — — —

56/75 56/75 56/75 56/75 56/75 56/75 56/75 56/75 56/75 56/75 56/75 69/94 69/94

5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M

P P P P P P/L P/L P P P/L P P P

17.60 17.60 17.60 17.60 17.60 — — 17.60 17.60 — 17.60 — —

142 142 142 142 142 — — 142 142 — 142 — —

16.86 16.86 16.86 16.86 16.86 — — 16.86 16.86 — 16.86 — —

26.49 26.49 26.49 26.49 26.49 — — 26.49 26.49 — 26.49 —

M M A A M M M M A A A A

5/M

P

13.40 168 13.56 24.25

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

7/3 7/3 3/7 3/7 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3

7 3 7 3 3 3 3 3

M/7 M/7 7/7 M/7 M/7 M/7 M/7 M/7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 3 7 7 7 3 7 3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

El/3 El/3 ln/7 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3

3 3 7 7 3 3 3 3

3 3 7 7 3 3 3 3

7 7 7 7 7 7 3 3

3 3 7 3 3 3 3 3

In In In In In In In In

3 3 7 3 3 3 3 3

3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/7 3/7 7/3 7/3 3/7 3/7 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 3

7/7 7/7 M/7 M/7 7/7 M/7 M/7 M/7 M/7 M/7 M/7 M/7

7 7 R R 7 7 R R R R R R

7 7/3 7 7/3 3 7/3 3 3/3 7 7/3 7 7/3 3 7/3 3 7/3 7 7/3 3 7/3 3 3/3 3 7/3

ln/7 El/7 El/3 El/3 ln/7 El/7 El/7 El/7 EI/3 EI/3 EI/3 EI/3

7 7 3 3 7 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

7 7 3 3 7 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

7 7 3 3 7 7 7 7 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

M A A A A M A A A

3/7 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/7 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3

7 7 7 3 3 7 7 3 3

M/7 M/7 M/7 El/7 El/7 M/7 M/7 El/7 El/7

7 R R R R 7 R R R

7 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 3

7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7

El/7 El/3 El/3 EI/3 EI/3 El/7 El/3 EI/3 EI/3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

7 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 3

7 7 7 3 3 7 7 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 7 7 3 3 3 3

7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 7/7 7/7

7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/3 3/3 3/3

7/7 7/7 7/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7

7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3

Ex/7 Ex/7 Ex/7 Ex/7 Ex/7 Ex/7 Ex/7 In/7 In/7 In/7 In/7 In/7 In/7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 3 3 3

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

El El El El El El El El El El El El

7 7 3 3 7 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

7 7 3 3 7 7 7 7 3 3 3 3

7/7

7/7 3/7 7/7

7

7/7

7

7

7/3

In/7

7

7

3 3 7 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 7 3 3 3 3 3

7 3 7 7 7 3 7 3

7 3 7 7 7 3 7 3

7 3 7 7 7 3 7 3

AIRBAGS (NO.) TRACTION CONTROL

ESP ABS 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

3 2 7 3 2 7 3 7 7 3 7 7 3 2 7 3 2 7 3 2 7 3 2 7 HYUNDAI Creta

In In In In El In In In El

In In In In In In In In In In In In In

7 3 7 7 7 3 7 7 3 7 7 7

7 3 3 3 7 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

7 3 3 3 7 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

7 3 3 3 7 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

7 3 3 3 7 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

7 7 3 3 7 7 3 3 7 3 3 3

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

2 7 2 7 2 7 2 7 2 7 7 7 2 7 2 7 2 7 2 7 2 7 6 7 Elantra

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle*

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

7 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 3

7 7 7 3 3 7 7 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

2 2 2 2 6 2 2 2 6

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 Eon

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* 0.8L 13.7/17.2/21.1 1.0L NA/NA/20.3

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 3765/1660/1520mm Wheelbase 2425mm Tyre size 165/65 R14 Turning circle dia NA Trunk volume 256 litres Ground clearance NA Kerb weight 1093kg Fuel tank 43 litres Warranty 2 years, unlimited mileage SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max 67/89cm Headroom 92cm Width 127cm M

3 3 7 3 3 3 3 3

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* M/T P 9.5/14.5/15.2, 1.6 M/T D 12.5/17.5/19.6, 1.6 A/T D 11.5/16.5/17

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 3495/1550/1500mm Wheelbase 2380mm Tyre size 145/80 R12, 155/70 R13 Turning circle dia 9.1m Trunk volume 215 litres Ground clearance 170mm Kerb weight 715-795kg Fuel tank 32 litres Warranty 2 years, unlimited mileage SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max 63/80cm Headroom 90cm Width 116.5cm — M M M M M M M M M M M M

CD/USB/AUX/BLUETOOTH/ TOUCHSCREEN/NAVIGATION

REAR AC VENTS BOOT RELEASE REAR DEFOGGER REAR WASH WIPE

FOG LAMPS

DRLs (DAY TIME RUNNING LED)

REAR CENTRE ARMREST

DOOR MIRROR (ADJUST/ ELECTRIC RETRACT)

SPLIT/FOLDING REAR SEATS

PARKING SENSOR (FRONT/REAR) PARKING CAMERA

FRONT SEATS HEIGHT ADJUST (DRIVER/PASSENGER)

LEATHER SEATS

WHEEL COVERS/ALLOYS

POWER WINDOWS (FRONT/REAR)

CENTRAL/REMOTE LOCKING 3/3 3/3 3/7 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

C U A B T N

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* 1.5 M/T Petrol NA/NA/17.3 1.5 M/T Diesel 13.8/18.2/24.2

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4570/1800/1465mm Wheelbase 2700mm Tyre size 205/60 R16 Turning circle dia NA Trunk volume 458 litres Ground clearance 165mm Kerb weight NA Fuel tank 50 litres Warranty 3 years, unlimited mileage SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA Headroom NA Width NA

FOR Easy-to-drive city car, fuel efficient. AGAINST Diesel engine lacks punch, top versions are expensive. VERDICT User-friendly and attractive city car. 83/114

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4386/1683/1603mm Wheelbase 2652mm Tyre size 185/65R15 Turning circle dia 10.4-10.08m Trunk volume 223 litres Ground clearance NA Kerb weight 1160-1245kg Fuel tank 42 litres Warranty 2 years/ 40,000km SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max 68/93cm Headroom 99cm Width 127cm 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7

SAFETY

INFOTAINMENT

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4270/1780/1630mm Wheelbase 2590mm Tyre size 205/65 R16, 215/60 R17 Turning circle dia 10.6m Trunk volume 405 litres Ground clearance 190 Kerb weight 1265-1350kg Fuel tank 55 litres Warranty 3 years, unlimited mileage SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max 66/90cm Headroom 99cm Width 134cm

FOR Price, refinement. AGAINST Lower variants miss essential equipment. VERDICT More rounded than ever before and worth a serious look. 6/M 6/M 6/A 6/M 6/A 6/M 6/M 6/M 6/A

STEERING WHEEL ADJUST (RAKE\REACH)

AC

40-100KPH IN 4TH GEAR (SECS)

20-80KPH IN 3RD GEAR (SECS)

TOP SPEED (KPH)

0-100KPH (SECS)

FOR Spacious, flexible cabin, easy to drive. AGAINST Dashboard is a bit basic, expensive for what you get. VERDICT A stylish, easy-to-drive and versatile MPV, if a touch pricey.

FOR Styling, interior quality. AGAINST Mediocre engine (0.8-litre), lifeless steering. VERDICT Stylish hatch that brings a touch of class to the segment.

Grand i10 The Grand i10 is yet another example of Hyundai’s expertise at making desirable small cars. Attractively styled and loaded with lots of kit, it earns a certain level of desirability. The petrol is peppy and efficient, while the 3-cyl diesel is frugal but also feels a bit gutless for highway use. 1.2 Kappa Era

FEATURES

FOR Refinement, fit and finish, user-friendly. AGAINST Lacks proper SUV credentials, some variants pricey. VERDICT Very likeable urban SUV.

ELANTRA The new Elantra looks contemporary, gets a new petrol engine and is priced aggressively too. However, the range is not as well equipped as before, and the real goodies are reserved for the top automatic trim. While the sedan won’t rile up the segment, it does have some serious potential. 2.0 Nu S 2.0 Nu SX 2.0 Nu SX A/T 2.0 Nu SX(O) 2.0 Nu SX(O) A/T 1.6 CRDi VGT S 1.6 CRDi VGT SX 1.6 CRDi VGT SX(O) 1.6 CRDi VGT SX(O) A/T Eon

PERFORMANCE

FUEL TYPE (P-PETROL, D-DIESEL, E-ELECTRIC , L-LPG)

BENGALURU

CHENNAI

KOLKATA

MUMBAI

DELHI

Prices are indicative only and vary from time to time.

NO. OF GEARS (MANUAL/AUTOMATIC)

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION

POWER (HP)/TORQUE (NM)

PRICES IN LAKHS (ON-ROAD)

ENGINE DISPLACEMENT (CC)/NO. OF CYLINDERS

MODEL DETAILS

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 3 3 3 3 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 3 3 3 3 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 3 3 3 3 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 1 7 7 7 7 7 1 7 7 7 7 7 1 7 7 7 7 7 1 7 7 7 7 7 1 7 7 7 7 7 1 7— Grand i10

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* 1.2 Kappa M/T 11.7/16.3/NA 1.1 CRDi M/T 15.4/19.6/NA

7

7 Ex 7

7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7

1

*In kick-down mode for automatics. Note: Performance and fuel economy figures are constantly updated and hence may differ from figures in earlier road tests. *Indian Driving Cycle figures are as per ARAI standards. *** Ex-Maharashtra prices.

DECEMBER 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 249

7

H Y U N DA I t o H Y U N DA I

i10 It’s old but it still makes sense for people who want a reasonably cheap city car. It’s got good space inside and the 1.1-litre petrol engine is quite peppy, at least at lowspeed situations. The suspension is soft and deals with city roads well too. 1.1 Era 1.1 Magna 1.1 Magna LPG 1.1 Sportz 1.1 Sportz LPG i20

4.76 5.01 6.05 5.33 5.62

5.15 5.43 5.79** 5.78 5.78

4.89 5.15 4.46** 5.48 5.81

5.06 5.33 5.38 5.67 5.76

5.20 5.48 6.34 5.84 6.25

6.08 6.89 10.01 8.04 8.05 8.46 7.69 8.36 9.00 9.56 10.14 7.47 8.27 9.09 9.10 9.92 10.77

6.68 7.37 10.74 8.05 8.63 9.24 8.34 9.05 9.75 10.35 10.98 8.03 8.88 9.95 9.86 10.74 12.05

6.29 6.94 9.27** 7.58 8.12 8.53 7.62 8.29 8.93 9.49 9.91 7.52 8.32 9.16 9.03 9.85 10.70

6.57 7.25 10.51 7.91 8.47 9.06 8.03 8.72 9.39 9.97 10.57 7.85 8.69 9.73 9.47 10.32 11.37

6.80 7.51 11.05 8.20 8.80 9.47 8.28 9.00 9.70 10.31 11.02 8.25 9.13 10.05 9.95 10.85 11.78

1086/4 1086/4 1086/4 1086/4 1086/4

1197/4 1197/4 1368/4 1197/4 1197/4 1197/4 1396/4 1396/4 1396/4 1396/4 1396/4 1197/4 1197/4 1197/4 1396/4 1396/4 1396/4

69/99 69/99 69/99 69/99 69/99

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7/7 7/7 7/7 M/7 M/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 M/7

5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M

P P P P P

83/114 83/114 100/132 83/114 83/114 83/114 90/220 90/220 90/220 90/220 90/220 83/115 83/115 83/115 90/220 90/220 90/220

5/M 5/M 4/A 5/M 5/M 5/M 6/M 6/M 6/M 6/M 6/M 5/M 5/M 5/M 6/M 6/M 6/M

P P P P P P D D D D D P P P D D D

167 167 — 167 167 167 181 181 181 181 181 — — — — — —

16.16 16.16 — 16.16 16.16 16.16 12.43 12.43 12.43 12.43 12.43 — — — — — —

M M M M M

35.36 36.92 39.60

31.93 33.33 35.75

34.91 36.44 39.09

36.45 38.06 40.82

2199/4 2199/4 2199/4

197/420 197/436 197/436

6/M 6/A 6/A

D D D

— 9.53 9.53

8.76 10.12 11.09 10.91 12.23

9.44 10.89 12.17 11.96 12.96

8.82 10.20 11.19 11.00 11.91

9.17 10.60 12.24 11.44 13.03

9.57 11.06 12.58 11.94 13.40

1396/4 1591/4 1591/4 1591/4 1591/4

107/135 123/155 123/155 123/155 123/155

5/M 5/M 4/A 5/M 4/A

P P P P P

— 11.49 12.49 11.49 12.49

— — —

El/7 El/7 El/3 El/3 El/3 In/7 El/7 El/3 El/3

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

3 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 3

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

3 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 3

Ex Ex Re Re Re Ex Ex Re Re

26.26 26.26 — 26.26 26.26 26.26 13.84 13.84 13.84 13.84 13.84 — — — — — —

7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7

3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7

3/7 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

7/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7

7 7 7 7 7

7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7

7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7

7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3

In/7 In/7 In/7 El/7 El/7

7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7

In In In In In

M M M A A A M M A A A M M A M M A

7/7 7/7 7/7 3/3 3/3 3/3 7/7 7/7 3/3 3/3 3/3 7/7 7/7 3/3 7/7 7/7 3/3

3/7 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/7 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/7 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/7 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 7/3 7/3 3/7 3/7 3/7 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7/7 7/7 7/7 M/7 M/7 M/7 7/7 7/7 M/7 M/7 M/7 7/7 M/7 M/7 7/7 M/7 M/7

7 7 7 R R R 7 7 R R R 7 R R 7 R R

7 7 7 3 3 3 7 7 3 3 3 7 3 3 7 3 3

7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 3/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 7/3 3/3 7/3 7/3 3/3

In/7 El/7 El/7 El/3 El/3 El/3 In/7 El/7 El/3 El/3 El/3 ln/7 El/3 El/3 ln/7 El/3 El/3

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 3 3 3 7 7 3 3 3 7 3 3 7 3 3

7 7 7 7 7 3 7 7 7 7 3 7 3 3 7 3 3

7 3 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

In In In In In In In In In In In In In In In In In

C U A B T N

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 3 7 33 3 3 7 3 3 33 3 3 7 3 3 33 3 3 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 3 7 33 3 3 7 3 3 33 3 3 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 3 3 3 3 3 3

7 7 7 3 3 3 7 7 3 3 3 7 3 3 7 3 3

7 7 7 3 3

7 7 7 3 3

7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 3 3 7 7 7 3 3 7 7 3 7 7 3

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 3 7 7 3 7

7 3 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

7 3 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

7 3 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 7 3 3

7 7 7 7 7 3 7 7 7 7 3 7 7 3 7 7 3

7 7 7 7 7 3 7 7 7 7 3 7 7 3 7 7 3

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

A A A

3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3 3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3 3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3

El/M El/M El/M

R R R

3 3/3 3 3/3 3 3/3

El/3 El/3 El/3

3 3 3

3 3 3

3 3 In 3 3 3 3 3 3 7 7 7 3 3 In 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 In 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

— — — 191 12.65 18.30 175 7.48 9.33 191 12.65 18.30 175 7.48 9.33

M A A A A

3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7

7/7 M/7 M/7 M/7 M/7

7 R R R R

7 3 3 3 3

El/7 El/7 El/7 El/3 El/3

3 3 3 3 3

7 7 7 3 3

7 7 7 7 7

3/7 3/7 7/3 7/3 7/3

7 7 7 7 7

7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3

7 7 7 7 7

In In In In In

7 3 3 3 3

7 7 7 7 7

7 3 3 3 3

7 3 3 3 3

7 3 3 3 3

7 3 3 3 3

7 7 7 3 3

7 7 7 3 3

7 7 7 7 7

 = Standard,  = Not available,  = Optional, M = Manual, A = Automatic, F = Front, R = Rear, In = Internal, Ex = External, El = Electric, Re = Remote , NA = Not Available, T = Turbocharged, H = Horizontally-opposed, S = Supercharged. **Ex-showroom prices.

250 AUTOCARINDIA.COM DECEMBER 2016

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 i10

7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 i20

7 2 7 2 7 2 3 2 3 2 3 2 7 2 7 2 3 2 3 2 3 2 7 2 3 2 3 2 7 2 3 2 3 2 Santa

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 Fe

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle*

— — 5.93 7.39 5.93 7.39

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

1 1 2 2 2 1 1 2 2

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* 1.2 Petrol 11.5/15.2/NA 1.4 Diesel 13.8/19.5/NA

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4690/1880/Height 1690mm Wheelbase 2700mm Tyre size 235/60 R18 Turning circle dia NA Trunk volume NA Ground clearance 185mm Kerb weight NA Fuel tank 64 litres Warranty 2 years, unlimited mileage SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA Headroom NA Width NA

3/7 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

7 7 7 3 3 7 7 7 3

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* 1.1 12/16.3/19.81

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 3985-3995/1734-1760/1505-1555mm Wheelbase 2570mm Tyre size 185/70 R14, 195/55 R16 Turning circle dia 10.4m Trunk volume 285 litres Ground clearance 170-190mm Kerb weight 1080-1200 kg Fuel tank 45 litres Warranty 2 years, unlimited mileage SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max 64/84cm Headroom 95cm Width 130cm

FOR Spacious cabin, kit, powerful engine. AGAINST Price, not ideal for hard driving. VERDICT Ticks all the boxes but doesn’t have the badge.

33.65 35.12 37.67

7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 3585/1595/1550mm Wheelbase 2380mm Tyre size 155/80 R13 Turning circle dia 9.5m Trunk volume 225 litres Ground clearance 165mm Kerb weight 860-935kg Fuel tank 35 litres Warranty 2 years, unlimited mileage SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max 68/85cm Headroom 93cm Width 125cm

15.55 149 14.67 20.64 15.55 149 14.67 20.64 — — — — 15.55 149 14.67 20.64 — — — —

15.71 15.71 — 15.71 15.71 15.71 12.85 12.85 12.85 12.85 12.85 — — — — — —

7 7 R R R 7 7 R R

ESP ABS

3/7 3/7 3/7 7/3 7/3 7/7 3/7 3/7 7/3

CD/USB/AUX/BLUETOOTH/ TOUCHSCREEN/NAVIGATION

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/7 3/3 3/3 3/3

REAR AC VENTS BOOT RELEASE REAR DEFOGGER REAR WASH WIPE

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 7/7 3/3 3/3 3/3

FOG LAMPS

7/7 7/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 7/7 7/7 3/7 3/7

DRLs (DAY TIME RUNNING LED)

M M M M M M M M M

REAR CENTRE ARMREST

24.25 — 24.25 24.25 — 17.23 17.23 17.23 17.23

DOOR MIRROR (ADJUST/ ELECTRIC RETRACT)

13.56 — 13.56 13.56 — 14.24 14.24 14.24 14.24

SPLIT/FOLDING REAR SEATS

FRONT SEATS HEIGHT ADJUST (DRIVER/PASSENGER)

168 — 168 168 — 149 149 149 149

SAFETY

INFOTAINMENT

PARKING SENSOR (FRONT/REAR) PARKING CAMERA

LEATHER SEATS

13.40 — 13.40 13.40 — 20.25 20.25 20.25 20.25

FOR Cabin space, equipment, premium looks. AGAINST Lacks driver appeal, top-end versions pricey. VERDICT Feels every bit a premium hatch.

SANTA FE The Santa Fe mixes a near-200hp diesel engine with strong styling and a well-appointed, spacious cabin. There’s seating for 7 too but the last row is difficult to access. Trouble is, there aren’t too many willing to pay over Rs 30 lakh for it. 4x2 4x2 A/T 4x4 A/T Verna 1.4 VTVT Base 1.6 VTVT S 1.6 VTVT S A/T 1.6 VTVT SX 1.6 VTVT SX A/T

P P P P P D D D D

FOR Responsive engine, user-friendly cabin. AGAINST Dated, wallowy ride at the rear. VERDICT Works well as a city car.

i20 With its stylish design, well-appointed interior and long features list, the i20 has caught the fancy of the Indian hatchback buyer. It may not be engaging to drive but for average use, it works just fine. The engines too won’t get your pulse racing but are refined and efficient. The pricier i20 Active gets SUV-inspired cladding but not much else. 1.2 Kappa Era 1.2 Kappa Magna 1.4 Dual VTVT Magna A/T 1.2 Kappa Sportz 1.2 Kappa Asta 1.2 Kappa Asta (O) 1.4 U2 CRDi Era 1.4 U2 CRDi Magna 1.4 U2 CRDi Sportz 1.4 CRDi Asta 1.4 CRDi Asta (O) i20 Active Kappa VTVT i20 Active Kappa VTVT S i20 Active Kappa VTVT SX i20 Active CRDi i20 Active CRDi S i20 Active CRDi SX Santa Fe

5/M 4/A 5/M 5/M 4/A 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M

WHEEL COVERS/ALLOYS

83/114 83/114 83/114 83/114 83/114 71/160 71/160 71/160 71/160

POWER WINDOWS (FRONT/REAR)

1197/4 1197/4 1197/4 1197/4 1197/4 1120/3 1120/3 1120/3 1120/3

CENTRAL/REMOTE LOCKING

POWER (HP)/TORQUE (NM)

6.32 7.37 6.74 7.43 8.34 7.06 7.40 7.96 8.53

STEERING WHEEL ADJUST (RAKE\REACH)

ENGINE DISPLACEMENT (CC)/NO. OF CYLINDERS

6.07 6.96 6.59 7.13 7.99 6.83 7.15 7.68 8.23

AC

BENGALURU

5.83 6.70 6.15 6.64 7.69 6.51 6.82 7.19 7.86

40-100KPH IN 4TH GEAR (SECS)

CHENNAI

6.18 7.12 6.52 7.26 8.16 7.09 7.42 7.82 8.55

20-80KPH IN 3RD GEAR (SECS)

KOLKATA

5.64 6.47 6.12 6.80 7.62 6.33 6.86 7.37 7.89

FEATURES

TOP SPEED (KPH)

MUMBAI

1.2 Kappa Magna 1.2 Kappa Magna A/T 1.2 Kappa Sportz 1.2 Kappa Asta (O) 1.2 Kappa Asta (O) A/T 1.1 CRDi Era 1.1 CRDi Magna 1.1 CRDi Sportz 1.1 CRDi Asta (O) i10

DELHI

Prices are indicative only and vary from time to time.

PERFORMANCE

0-100KPH (SECS)

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION

FUEL TYPE (P-PETROL, D-DIESEL, E-ELECTRIC , L-LPG)

PRICES IN LAKHS (ON-ROAD)

NO. OF GEARS (MANUAL/AUTOMATIC)

MODEL DETAILS

AIRBAGS (NO.) TRACTION CONTROL

NEW CARS A-Z

3 2 7 3 2 7 3 6 3 Verna 3 2 7 3 2 7 3 2 7 3 2 7 3 2 7

H Y U N DA I t o JAG UA R

NEW CARS A-Z

VERNA Once the star of the segment, the Verna has seen a decline in popularity over the years. An update did freshen up the design and improved ride quality but the Verna’s no longer at the top of the game. The engines too will not thrill you, but they more than get the job done. 1.6 VTVT SX (O) 1.4 CRDi Base 1.6 CRDi S 1.6 CRDi S A/T 1.6 CRDi SX 1.6 CRDi SX (O) 1.6 CRDi SX (O) A/T Xcent

12.51 10.41 12.15 13.18 12.99 14.46 15.41

13.23 11.19 12.86 13.96 13.74 15.29 16.31

12.18 10.24 11.58 12.57 12.39 13.80 14.71

13.33 10.64 12.66 13.75 13.55 15.09 16.08

13.70 11.11 13.02 14.14 14.15 15.52 16.54

1591/4 1396/4 1582/4 1582/4 1582/4 1582/4 1582/4

5.73 7.02 7.66 7.19 7.95 8.73 6.94 8.13 8.32 9.10

6.23 7.24 8.16 7.70 8.51 9.34 7.43 8.49 8.98 9.82

5.98 6.82 7.77 7.30 8.07 8.87 6.96 7.89 8.33 9.11

6.26 7.09 7.90 7.46 8.27 9.00 7.35 8.21 8.60 9.41

6.47 7.39 8.39 7.91 8.75 9.58 7.60 8.62 9.10 9.95

1197/4 1197/4 1197/4 1197/4 1197/4 1197/4 1120/3 1120/3 1120/3 1120/3

123/155 90/220 128/260 128/260 128/260 128/260 128/260

83/114 83/114 83/114 83/114 83/114 83/114 72/180 72/180 72/180 72/180

D-MAX V-CROSS Isuzu’s aiming to create the lifestyle pick-up segment with the V-Cross. It offers a more premium option over the Tata Xenon and the Scorpio Getaway. Pricing isn’t unreasonable either as it shares a lot with the Trailblazer. 4x4 M/T MU-7

NA

15.41

12.63** 12.49**

NA

2499/4

20.95** 23.55**

20.82** 26.59

21.63** 21.31** 21.25** 24.23** 23.91** 23.85**

2999/4 2999/4

136/320

142.98 164.78 220.02 181.54

163.21 223.97 244.05 202.26

140.55 155.02 210.11 171.36

148.44 148.44 231.00 181.10

200.81 207.08 253.00 222.79

2995/V6 2995/V6 5000/V8 2995/V6

P D D D D D D

191 — 191 — 191 191 —

12.65 — 12.17 — 12.17 12.17 —

18.30 — 15.25 — 15.25 15.25 —

A M A A A A A

FOR Smart interiors, fit and finish. AGAINST Suspension can get humpy diesel could use a bit more power. VERDICT Smart and sensible compact sedan that does most things well. 5/M 5/M 4/A 5/M 5/M 4/A 5/M 5/M 5/M 5/M

P P P P P P D D D D

14.23 14.23 — 14.23 14.23 — 18.61 18.61 18.61 18.61

172 172 — 172 172 — 156 156 156 156

13.67 13.67 — 13.67 13.67 — 13.06 13.06 13.06 13.06

22.17 22.17 — 22.17 22.17 — 16.94 16.94 16.94 16.94

5/M

D

—

—

—

—

163/360 163/332

5/M 4/A

D D

11.72 —

— —

8.58 13.27 — —

8/A 8/A 8/A 8/A

P P P P

— — — —

— — — —

— — — —

— — — —

3/3 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/3 3/3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

7/3 3/7 3/7 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3

3 7 7 7 7 3 3

M/7 7/7 M/7 M/7 M/7 M/7 M/7

R 7 R R R R R

3 7 3 3 3 3 3

7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3

El/3 El/7 El/7 El/7 El/3 El/3 El/3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 7 7 7 3 3 3

7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7

In In In In In In In

M M M M A A M M M A

7/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 7/7 3/7 3/7 3/7

3/7 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/7 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/7 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/7 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/7 3/7 3/7 7/3 7/3 7/3 3/7 3/7 7/3 7/3

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7/7 M/7 M/7 M/7 M/7 M/7 7/7 M/7 M/7 M/7

7 R R R R R 7 R R R

7 7 7 3 3 3 7 7 3 3

7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3

In/7 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3 In/7 El/3 El/3 El/3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

7 3 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 3

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 3 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 3

In In In In Re Re In In In Re

3 7 3 3 3 3 3

7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 3 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 3

3/7 3/3 3/3 7/3 7

3/7

7

7

3/3

El/3

3

3

7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

3/7 3/3 3/3 7/3 3 3/7 3/3 3/3 7/3 3

7/7 7/7

7 R

3 3/3 3 3/3

El/3 El/3

3 3

3 3

7 7

7 — 3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7

7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3

3 3 3 3

El/El El/El El/El El/El

F/R F/R F/R F/R

3 3 3 3

7/7 7/7 7/7 7/7

El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3

3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3

3 7 3 3 3 3 3

3 7 3 3 3 3 3

3 7 7 7 3 3 3

3 7 7 7 3 3 3

AIRBAGS (NO.) TRACTION CONTROL

ESP ABS 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 3 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 3

7 3 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 3

7 3 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 3

7 3 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 3

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

3 3 3 3 3 3 3

4 7 2 7 2 7 2 7 2 7 4 7 4 7 Xcent

1 7 2 7 2 7 2 7 2 7 2 7 1 7 2 7 2 7 2 7 ISUZU D-Max V-Cross 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7 33 3 3 3 7 7

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 2 7 MU-7

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle*

3 Ex 3 3 O 0 0 0 0 0 3 Ex 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 0

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4470/1923/1308-1321mm Wheelbase 2622mm Tyre size 245/40 R19, 255/35 R20, 275/35 R19, 295/30 R20 Turning circle dia 10.6m Trunk volume 200 Litres Kerb weight 1614-1665kg Fuel tank 72 litres SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA Headroom NA Width NA A A A A

3 7 3 3 3 3 3

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle*

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4955/1800/1805mm Wheelbase 3050mm Tyre size 245/70 R16 Turning circle dia 12.4m Trunk volume NA Ground clearance 210mm Kerb weight 1940-1945kg Fuel tank 76 litres Warranty 3 years, 1,00,000km SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA Headroom NA Width NA M M

3 7 3 3 3 3 3

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* Petrol M/T 11.5/16.3/19.1 Petrol A/T NA/NA/15.1 Diesel M/T 16.2/20.3/24.4

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 5295/1860/1840mm Wheelbase 3095mm Tyre size 245/70 R16 Turning circle dia NA Trunk volume NA Ground clearance 225mm Kerb weight 1905kg Fuel tank 76 litres Warranty NA SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA Headroom NA Width NA A

CD/USB/AUX/BLUETOOTH/ TOUCHSCREEN/NAVIGATION

REAR AC VENTS BOOT RELEASE REAR DEFOGGER REAR WASH WIPE

FOG LAMPS

DRLs (DAY TIME RUNNING LED)

REAR CENTRE ARMREST

DOOR MIRROR (ADJUST/ ELECTRIC RETRACT)

SPLIT/FOLDING REAR SEATS

PARKING SENSOR (FRONT/REAR) PARKING CAMERA

FRONT SEATS HEIGHT ADJUST (DRIVER/PASSENGER)

LEATHER SEATS

WHEEL COVERS/ALLOYS

POWER WINDOWS (FRONT/REAR)

CENTRAL/REMOTE LOCKING 3/3 3/7 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

C U A B T N

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* 1.6 Petrol M/T 9.8/15.3/NA 1.6 Petrol A/T 8.5/14.1/NA 1.6 Diesel M/T 13.9/17.9/NA 1.6 Diesel A/T 11.5/15.3/NA

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 3995/1660/1520mm Wheelbase 2425mm Tyre size 165/65 R14, 175/60 R15 Turning circle dia NA Trunk volume 407 litres Ground clearance NA Kerb weight NA Fuel tank 43 litres Warranty 2 years, unlimited mileage SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max 67/89cm Headroom 92cm Width 127cm

FOR Thrilling drive, mental exhaust note. AGAINST Expensive. VERDICT Feels like an old-school brute and that’s what makes it special. 340/450 379/460 550/680 379/460

STEERING WHEEL ADJUST (RAKE\REACH)

AC

40-100KPH IN 4TH GEAR (SECS)

20-80KPH IN 3RD GEAR (SECS)

TOP SPEED (KPH)

0-100KPH (SECS) 11.49 — 9.72 — 9.72 9.72 —

FOR Acres of room inside, feels tough and well built. AGAINST Not the most modern of SUVs, tiny dealer network. VERDICT A no-nonsense, old-school SUV.

F-TYPE Jaguar’s F-Type is a thrill a minute. You get a choice of a V6, V8 and a supercharged V8, a mental soundtrack, and a thoroughly enjoyable drive. It rides well too, making it ideal for our conditions. Shame about the price then. Coupe S Coupe R Coupe V6 S Convertible

5/M 6/M 6/M 4/A 6/M 6/M 4/A

SAFETY

INFOTAINMENT

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4375/1700/1475mm Wheelbase 2570mm Tyre size 185/65 R15, 195/55 R16 Turning circle dia 10.4m Trunk volume 465 litres Ground clearance 165mm Kerb weight 1071-1191kg Fuel tank 43 litres Warranty 2 years, unlimited mileage SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max 65/88cm Headroom 87cm Width 130cm

FOR Engine,stable ride,rugged appeal. AGAINST Cramped backseat. VERDICT An interesting option for lifestyle buyers.

MU-7 Isuzu has a reputation for making hard-wearing, bulletproof, reliable SUVs and pick-up trucks and that’s exactly what the MU-7 is. It feels as tough as a tank and the engine is strong. But at present, it isn’t as well equipped as rivals, with a lot of modern-day essentials offered as optional extras. High 4 x2 M/T Premium 4x2 A/T JAGUAR F-type

FEATURES

FOR Cabin quality, overall refinement. AGAINST Unexciting to drive, rear seat is too low. VERDICT Much improved but outclassed by newer rivals.

XCENT The Xcent is a well thought-out and well put-together compact sedan. It’s got a large boot and the cabin offers good space for four. It gets plenty of features but is not exciting to drive. The peppy petrol engine-equipped car is the one to go for; the diesel lacks poke for highway use. 1.2 Kappa Base 1.2 Kappa S 1.2 Kappa S A/T 1.2 Kappa SX 1.2 Kappa SX (O) 1.2 Kappa SX (O) A/T 1.1 CRDi Base 1.1 CRDi S 1.1 CRDi SX 1.1 CRDi SX (O) ISUZU D-Max V-Cross

PERFORMANCE

FUEL TYPE (P-PETROL, D-DIESEL, E-ELECTRIC , L-LPG)

BENGALURU

CHENNAI

KOLKATA

MUMBAI

DELHI

Prices are indicative only and vary from time to time.

NO. OF GEARS (MANUAL/AUTOMATIC)

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION

POWER (HP)/TORQUE (NM)

PRICES IN LAKHS (ON-ROAD)

ENGINE DISPLACEMENT (CC)/NO. OF CYLINDERS

MODEL DETAILS

7 7 7 7

7 7

3 2 7 3 2 7 JAGUAR F-type

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle*

Ex Ex Ex Ex

3 3 3 3

7 7 7 7

3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3

6 6 6 6

3 3 3 3

*In kick-down mode for automatics. Note: Performance and fuel economy figures are constantly updated and hence may differ from figures in earlier road tests. *Indian Driving Cycle figures are as per ARAI standards. *** Ex-Maharashtra prices.

DECEMBER 2016 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 251

JAG UA R t o L A M B O RG H I N I

F-PACE Jaguar’s first ever SUV feels like a Jag through and through. It’s an SUV that’s designed to excite the keen driver. The dynamics are incredible, but you’ll need the strong 3-litre diesel to make the most of the chassis’s potential. It’s comfortable too. Unfortunately, it’s pricier than it ought to be. 2.0 Pure 2.0 Prestige 3.0 R-Sport XE

80.10 91.03 139.42

92.93 105.43 160.38

NA NA NA

84.97 96.54 147.28

NA NA NA

1999/4 1999/4 2993/V6

180/430 180/430 300/700

XE The ‘baby Jag’ is here and it’s as dynamic and driver-centric as Jaguar promised. It looks the part too and the cabin also has a certain warmth to it. Space in the back is down on rivals but then this is a car that’s best enjoyed from behind the wheel. 2.0 Pure 2.0 Prestige 2.0 Portfolio XF

45.80 50.12 55.01

48.83 53.38 58.59

46.79 52.70 54.34

49.67 54.34 59.64

NA NA NA

1999/4 1999/4 1999/4

199/320 199/320 240/340

XF The new XF is a rewarding car to drive. It’s got a great steering, handles well and, on the right roads, will put a smile on your face especially the 240hp petrol variants. The new diesel engine works well enough too. While it’s more spacious and luxurious than before, the cabin could have been more special. 25T Prestige 25T Portfolio 20d Pure 20d Prestige 20d Portfolio XJ

64.73 70.75 58.12 66.61 72.77

74.63 81.56 65.46 74.95 81.89

NA NA NA NA NA

NA NA 61.50 70.49 77.01

NA NA NA NA NA

1999/4 1999/4 1999/4 1999/4 1999/4

240/340 240/340 180/430 180/430 180/430

XJ The XJ doesn’t feel as clinical as its German rivals and comes across as a car with soul. It is the oldest of its contemporaries but styling, trim and a diesel engine updates have helped bring it up to speed. The diesel V6 offers characterful performance and even the four-cylinder petrol is surprisingly able. 2.0 Portfolio 3.0 Premium Luxury 3.0 Portfolio JEEP Grand Cherokee

118.32 117.85 126.92

123.08 101.40** 122.95 99.47** 123.70 100.20** 123.87 98.27** 133.23 107.82** 133.39 105.83**

1999/4 2993/V6 2993/V6

240/340 300/700 300/700

GRAND CHEROKEE Jeep’s flagship SUV is massive, both in size and presence. The cabin is spacious and comfortable, but is let down by low-rent plastics. It’s perfect for highway cruising, and the low-ratio gearbox makes it a potent off-roader too. While the steep pricing for the diesels may not appeal to many luxury SUV buyers, the SRT definitely offers the most bang for the buck. 4X4 Limited 4X4 Summit SRT Wrangler Unlimited

93.64** 103.00** 112.00**

NA NA NA

NA NA NA

NA NA NA

NA NA NA

2987/V6 2987/V6 6417/V8

243/570 243/570 475/637

WRANGLER UNLIMITED You can’t really compare the Wrangler to other SUVs. If you do, you’ve missed the point of this being a vehicle that is one of the best off-roaders around. The steep pricing though may discourage some buyers. But for sheer offroading ability and aficionados, there are few other SUVs like it. 2.8 4X4 Unlimited LAMBORGHINI Aventador

71.59**

74.81**

NA

82.06

NA

2776/4

200/460

AVENTADOR A V12 Lamborghini has to be a hairy old beast. The Aventador is just that with a lot of new tech and a bit more manners under its angular skin. It is brutal, unhinged, provocative, demented, and also surprisingly grown up. Seriously, the kicks it can provide, in the manner it provides them, is what makes it every bit like an old-school Lambo. LP700-4 LP700-4 Roadster Huracan

475.00** 483.73** 655.00** 660.00**

NA NA

NA NA

NA NA

6498/V12 6498/V12

700/689 700/689

FOR Handling, performance (3.0 diesel). AGAINST Expensive. VERDICT A proper sports SUV, but a pricey one toox. 8/A 8/A 8/A

D D D

— — —

— — —

— — —

— — —

P P P

— — 6.98

— — —

— — — — 4.40 4.99

A A A

A A A

FOR Handling, petrol performance. AGAINST Diesel engine refinement could be better, top versions expensive. VERDICT An entertaining drive but not quite a game-changer like the original XF. 8/A 8/A 8/A 8/A 8/A

P P D D D

— — — — —

— — — — —

— — — — —

— — — — —

P D D

8.65 — 6.43

— — —

5.54 5.98 — — 4.17 4.60

A A A A A

D D P

— — —

— — —

— — —

— — —

A A A

D

—

—

—

—

A A A

P P

3.28 350 3.28 350

A

343.00**

NA

NA

NA

NA

5204/V10

610/560

7/A

P

3.2

325

3.57 4.22 3.57 4.22

—

3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3 3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3 3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3

FOG LAMPS

DRLs (DAY TIME RUNNING LED)

El/El El/El El/El

F/R 3 3/3 F/R 3 3/3 F/R 3 3/3

El/3 El/3 El/3

3 3 3

El/El El/El El/El

R 7 F/R 3 F/R 3

7/7 7/7 7/7

El/3 El/3 El/3

3 3 3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3

3 3 3 3 3

El/El El/El El/El El/El El/El

F/R F/R F/R F/R F/R

3 7/7 3 3/3 7 7/7 3 7/7 3 3/3

El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3

3 3 3 3 3

3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3 3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3 3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3

El/El El/El El/El

F/R 3 F/R 3 F/R 3

7/7 7/7 7/7

El/3 El/3 El/3

3 3 3

3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3 3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3 3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3

El/El El/El El/El

F/R 3 3/3 F/R 3 3/3 F/R 3 3/3

El/3 El/3 El/3

7 7 7

3/7 3/3 3/3 7/3 3

M/7

7/7 7

3/3

Ex/7

7

A A

—

3/3 3/3 3/7 7/3 3 3/3 3/3 3/7 7/3 3

El/El El/El

F/R 3 F/R 3

7/7 7/7

El/3 El/3

7 7

3/3 3/3 3/7 7/3 3

El/El

F/R 3

7/7

El/3

7

3 3 3

3 3 El 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 El 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 El 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3

3 3 In 3 3 3 In 3 3 3 In 3

3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3

3 3 3

3 3 3

3

3 6 3 6 3 6

3 3 3 XE

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle*

7 7 7

7 3 3 3 33 3 7 3 3 3 33 3 7 3 3 3 33 3

3 8 3 8 3 8

3 3 3 XF

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle*

3 3 3 3 3

In In In In In

3 3 3 3 3

7 In 3 7 In 3 7 In 3

7 7 3 3 3 7 33 3 3 7 7 3 3 3 7 7 3 3 3 7 33 3 3

3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3

6 6 6 6 6

3 3 3 3 3 XJ

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle*

3 10 3 3 10 3 3 10 3 JEEP Grand Cherokee

7 33 3 3 33 3 7 33 3 3 33 3 7 33 3 3 33 3

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle*

3 3 El 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 7 3 3 3 El 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 3 El 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 7 3 Wrangler Unlimited

7

7 In 7

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle*

7 33 3 3 33 3 3 2 3 LAMBORGHINI Aventador

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* LP700-4 3.6/8.8/NA

3 3

3 3

7 In 7 7 In 7

7 33 3 3 7 7 3 7 33 3 3 7 7 3

3 6 3 3 6 3 Huracan

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle*

3

3

7 In 7

7 33 3 3 7 7 3

 = Standard,  = Not available,  = Optional, M = Manual, A = Automatic, F = Front, R = Rear, In = Internal, Ex = External, El = Electric, Re = Remote , NA = Not Available, T = Turbocharged, H = Horizontally-opposed, S = Supercharged. **Ex-showroom prices.

252 AUTOCARINDIA.COM DECEMBER 2016

3 6 3 F-Pace

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle*

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4459/1924/1165mm Wheelbase 2620mm Tyre size 245/35 R19, 305/30 R20, Turning circle dia 11.5m Ground clearance NA Kerb weight 1389-1422kg Fuel tank NA SEAT DIMENSIONS Front seat: Legroom min/max NA Headroom NA Width NA A

C U A B T N

7 33 3 3 33 3

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4795/1850/1416mm Wheelbase 2835mm Tyre size 225/55 R17 Turning circle dia 11.7m Trunk volume 455 litres Warranty NA Kerb weight 1547kg Fuel taank NA SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA Headroom NA Width NA 3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3 3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3 3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3

ESP ABS

REAR CENTRE ARMREST

7 Ex 3

CD/USB/AUX/BLUETOOTH/ TOUCHSCREEN/NAVIGATION

DOOR MIRROR (ADJUST/ ELECTRIC RETRACT)

3

REAR AC VENTS BOOT RELEASE REAR DEFOGGER REAR WASH WIPE

SPLIT/FOLDING REAR SEATS

3

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4780/2030/1136mm Wheelbase 2700mm Tyre size 255/35 R19, 305/35 R19, Turning circle dia 12.5m Ground clearance NA Kerb weight 1575kg Fuel tank 90 litres SEAT DIMENSIONS Front seat: Legroom min/max 67/81cm Headroom 92cm Width 138cm

HURACAN Dramatic to look at, incredibly quick, loaded with FOR Performance, surprisingly usable. technology (including standard front suspension lift) and very AGAINST Steering could have been usable in our conditions, the Huracán takes Lamborghini’s V10 more feelsome. supercar to an all-new level. The Huracán LP580-2 adds a bit more VERDICT A Lamborghini you could connection to the driving experience but is not for the novice. use every day. LP610-4

3

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4583/1877/1829-1860mm Wheelbase 2947mm Tyre size 245/75 R17 Turning circle dia NA Trunk volume 884 litres Warranty NA Ground clearance 238mm Kerb weight 2119kg Fuel tank 85 litres SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA Headroom NA Width NA

FOR Epic engine, is a riot to drive. AGAINST Unyielding ride, wildly expensive. VERDICT Tremendously exciting, hugely impractical. 7/A 7/A

El/3

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4828-4826/1943-1954/1749-1802mm Wheelbase 2915mm Tyre size 265/50 R20, 265/60 R18, 295/45 ZR20 Turning circle dia NA Trunk volume 1025 litres Warranty NA Ground clearance 206-210mm Kerb weight 2432-2458kg Fuel tank 93.5 litres SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA Headroom NA Width NA

FOR Sheer off-road ability, timeless looks. AGAINST Gearbox, back seat, price. VERDICT One of the best off-roaders in the world, but it’s not cheap. 5/A

7/7

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 5255/2105/1460mm Wheelbase 3157mm Tyre size 245/50 R18, 275/45 R18 Turning circle dia 12.3 Trunk volume NA Warranty NA Kerb weight 1774kg Fuel tank 77-80 litres SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA Headroom NA Width NA

FOR Performance (SRT), off-road ability. AGAINST Fit and finish, price (diesel). VERDICT A plush and rugged luxury SUV that can go anywhere.

8/A 8/A 8/A

F/R 3

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 5067/2091/1457mm Wheelbase 2960mm Tyre size 245/45 R18 Turning circle dia 11.61m Trunk volume 505 Litres Warranty NA Kerb weight NA Fuel tank 66-74 litres SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA Headroom NA Width NA

FOR Distinctive looks, diesel engine performance. AGAINST Showing its age. VERDICT Not class-best, but one we’d highly recommend nonetheless. 8/A 8/A 8/A

El/El

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 4731/2175/1651mm Wheelbase 2874mm Tyre size 255/60 R18, 255/55 R19 Turning circle dia 11.78m Trunk volume NA Kerb weight NA Fuel tank 60-66 litres SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom min/max NA Headroom NA Width NA

FOR Ride and handling, strong petrol engine. AGAINST Rear legroom average, no diesel. VERDICT Arguably the most evocative of the mid-size luxury sedans. 8/A 8/A 8/A

3/3 3/3 3/7 7/3 3

PARKING SENSOR (FRONT/REAR) PARKING CAMERA

A

SAFETY

INFOTAINMENT

FRONT SEATS HEIGHT ADJUST (DRIVER/PASSENGER)

—

LEATHER SEATS

—

WHEEL COVERS/ALLOYS

—

POWER WINDOWS (FRONT/REAR)

—

CENTRAL/REMOTE LOCKING

AC

P

STEERING WHEEL ADJUST (RAKE\REACH)

40-100KPH IN 4TH GEAR (SECS)

8/A

20-80KPH IN 3RD GEAR (SECS)

495/625

TOP SPEED (KPH)

5000/V8

FEATURES

0-100KPH (SECS)

201.54 212.86 259.21

PERFORMANCE

FUEL TYPE (P-PETROL, D-DIESEL, E-ELECTRIC , L-LPG)

BENGALURU

223.97

CHENNAI

197.29**

KOLKATA

MUMBAI

V8 S Convertible F-Pace

DELHI

Prices are indicative only and vary from time to time.

NO. OF GEARS (MANUAL/AUTOMATIC)

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION

POWER (HP)/TORQUE (NM)

PRICES IN LAKHS (ON-ROAD)

ENGINE DISPLACEMENT (CC)/NO. OF CYLINDERS

MODEL DETAILS

AIRBAGS (NO.) TRACTION CONTROL

NEW CARS A-Z

3 6

3

L A M B O RG H I N I t o M A H I N D R A

DISCOVERY 4 The bird’s eye from the driver’s seat, the smooth, cultured V6 diesel and the superb ride are what make the Discovery 4 feel special. It looks a bit too boxy for some people’s tastes but that’s the very thing that makes the Disco’s interiors spacious and comfortable. Very capable off-road despite all the luxury it packs as well. 3.0 V6 SE 3.0 V6 HSE Discovery Sport

128.35 138.29

139.20 149.40

130.92 136.05 166.12 139.50 147.40 179.44

2993/V6 2993/V6

247/600 247/600

DISCOVERY SPORT If you want your mid-size luxury SUV to ferry you to office on the weekdays and traverse tough offroad trails on the weekends, look no further than the Discovery Sport. Under its handsome skin is some serious off-road wizardry from Land Rover’s box of tricks. The Discovery Sport is pleasant to drive and be driven in but avoid the optional third row; space is too tight for regular use. Si4 HSE (5 Seater) Si4 HSE (7 Seater) TD4 S Base TD4 SE (5 Seater) TD4 SE (7 Seater) TD4 HSE (5 Seater) TD4 HSE (7 Seater) SD4 HSE Luxury (5 Seater) SD4 HSE Luxury (7 Seater) Range Rover

64.85 66.55 56.22 62.43 64.21 65.42 67.03 74.20 75.99

74.56 76.52 56.31 65.46 67.33 68.60 70.48 77.84 79.71

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

77.86 79.73 59.14 65.50 67.37 68.64 70.51 77.86 79.73

NA NA 62.09 68.70 70.71 71.84 73.84 81.75 85.74

1999/4 1999/4 2179/4 2179/4 2179/4 2179/4 2179/4 2179/4 2179/4

240/340 240/340 150/400 150/400 150/400 150/400 150/400 191/420 191/420

RANGE ROVER It’s very pricey, but then again, it gets you luxury sedan-like comfort and Land Rover-like go-anywhere ability in one imposing package. The interiors are luxurious, and the high-set driving position makes it more appealing. The LWB adds even more space, but for a substantial price. 3.0 TDV6 HSE 3.0 TDV6 Vogue 4.4 SDV8 Vogue SE 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography 5.0 V8 Autobiography 3.0 TDV6 LWB Vogue 4.4 SDV8 LWB Vogue SE 4.4 SDV8 LWB Autobiography 5.0 V8 LWB Autobiography 4.4 SDV8 LWB Autobio. Black 5.0 V8 LWB Autobio. Black Range Rover Evoque

210.55 248.67 296.52 305.03 311.55 262.89 308.31 321.18 327.56 456.90 454.75

226.92 273.63 326.27 316.47 326.01 289.27 339.25 353.40 357.31 494.30 508.32

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

220.92 251.16 299.46 308.05 317.33 240.22 311.64 299.65 304.93 311.64 320.51

NA NA NA NA NA 295.16 363.14 354.71 371.99 NA NA

2993/V6 2993/V6 4367/V8 4367/V8 4999/V8 2993/V6 4367/V8 4367/V8 4999/V8 4367/V8 4999/V8

247/600 247/600 339/739 339/739 510/625 247/600 339/739 339/739 510/625 339/739 510/625

RANGE ROVER EVOQUE The Evoque is the fashion icon of the Rangie line-up; we’ve still not tired of the chunky look. And it’s as capable as any other Rangie and more accommodating than its tapering roofline would suggest. Local assembly has helped bring prices down making it even more appealing. 2.2 Pure 2.2 SE 2.2 HSE 2.2 HSE Dynamic Range Rover Sport

57.56 64.54 70.81 77.59

60.34 67.68 74.27 81.40

56.12 62.67 68.10 74.31

60.39 67.72 74.30 81.42

61.54 68.92 75.02 82.02

2179/4 2179/4 2179/4 2179/4

191/420 191/420 191/420 191/420

RANGE ROVER SPORT To many, the Sport is a more sensible alternative to the full-blown Range Rover. It’s as luxurious, nearly as capable and costs a bundle less. The Sport’s also nice to drive but despite the name, it leans more towards luxury. Unless, of course, you opt for the ballistic SVR version. 3.0 V6 S 3.0 V6 SE 3.0 V6 HSE 5.0 V8 SC Autobiography 5.0 V8 SC SVR MAHINDRA Bolero

139.07 158.36 181.82 203.44 236.81

153.31 174.27 200.08 230.72 268.57

130.23 147.43 95.68 195.68 NA

146.43 166.35 190.99 220.24 256.35

166.22 199.11 NA 245.59 235.00**

2993/V6 2993/V6 2993/V6 4999/V8 5000/V8

292/600 292/600 292/600 510/625 551/681

BOLERO Mahindra’s all-time bestseller has made a reputation for being rugged and reliable, which is why it is so popular in rural areas. However, as a personal car, it is too crude and too compromised. The ageing platform isn’t great on safety either. Plus Non AC

6.43**

8.87

8.62

8.68

8.89

2523/4

FOR Go-anywhere ability, relaxing to drive. AGAINST Weight, price. VERDICT Awesome blend of luxury and go-anywhere ability but is now showing its age. 8/A 8/A

D D

— —

— —

— —

— —

P P D D D D D D D

— — 11.56 11.56 11.56 11.56 11.56 — —

— — — — — — — — —

— — 7.01 7.01 7.01 7.01 7.01 — —

— — 9.04 9.04 9.04 9.04 9.04 — —

A A

D D D D P D D D P D P

7.90 7.90 8.20 8.20 — 7.90 8.20 8.20 — 8.20 —

— — — — — — — — — — —

4.86 4.86 5.17 5.17 — 4.86 5.17 5.17 — 5.17 —

A A M A A A A A A

D D D D

10.06 10.06 10.06 10.06

— — — —

6.62 6.62 6.62 6.62

5.90 5.90 6.13 6.13 — 5.90 6.13 6.13 — 6.13 —

A A A A A A A A A A A

D D D P P

— — — — 5.23

— — — — —

8.39 8.39 8.39 8.39

A A A A

5/M

D

—

—

— — — — — — — — 3.04 4.04

—

7 In 7 7 In 7

3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3 3/3 3/3 3/3 7/3 3

El/El El/El

F/R 3 3/3 F/R 3 3/3

El/3 El/3

3 3

3 3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3

3 3 7 3 3 3 3 3 3

El/El El/El 7/7 7/7 7/7 El/El El/El El/El El/El

F/R F/R 7 F/R F/R F/R F/R F/R F/R

3 3 7 7 7 3 3 3 3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

El/3 El/3 El/7 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3

3 3 7 3 3 3 3 3 3

—

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

El/El El/El El/El El/El El/El El/El El/El El/El El/El El/El El/El

F/R F/R F/R F/R F/R F/R F/R F/R F/R F/R F/R

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3

7 3 3 3

M/M El/El El/El El/El

R F/R F/R F/R

7 3 3 3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3

7 3 3 3

A A A A A

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3 7/3

3 3 3 3 3

El/El El/El El/El El/El El/El

F/R F/R F/R F/R F/R

3 3 3 3 3

3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3

El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3 El/3

3 3 3 3 3

7/7

7/7 7/7 7/7

7

7/7

7

7

7/7

Ex/7

7

AIRBAGS (NO.) TRACTION CONTROL

7 33 3 3 7 7 3 3 6 3 7 33 3 3 7 7 3 3 6 3 LAND ROVER Discovery 4

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* 3.0 V6 6.5/9.5/NA

3 3 Re 3 3 3 3 3 3 7 7 3 3 8 3 3 3 Re 3 3 3 3 3 3 7 7 3 3 8 3 Discovery Sport

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle* 2.2 150 HP NA/NA/12.83 2.2 191 HP NA/NA/12.51-12.97

3 3 7 7 7 3 3 3 3

3 3 7 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 7 7 7 3 3 3 3

Re Re Re Re Re Re Re Re Re

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

7 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3

7

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

Re Re Re Re Re Re Re Re Re Re Re

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3

7

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 7 7 7 3 3 3 3

3 3 7 3 3 3 7 3 3 3 7 3 3 3 7 3 3 3 7 3 3 3 7 3 3 3 7 3 3 3 7 3 3 3 7 3 Range Rover

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 0 3 3 3 0 3 3 3 0 3 3 3 0 3 3 3 0 3 3 3 0 3 3 3 0 3 3 3 0 3 3 3 0 3 3 3 0 3 3 3 0 3 3 Range Rover

10 3 10 3 10 3 10 3 10 3 10 3 10 3 10 3 10 3 10 3 10 3 Evoque

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle*

7 7 Re 3 7 7 3 3 3 Re 3 3 7 3 3 3 El 3 3 3 3 3 3 El 3 3 3 3

7 3 3 3 3

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 3 3

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle*

3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3

3 7 3 3 7 3 3 7 3 3 7 3 33 3 3 7 3 33 3 3 7 3 Range Rover Sport

ECONOMY (kpl) City/Highway/ Indian Driving Cycle*

Re Re Re Re Re

3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3

DIMENSIONS L/W/H 3995-4494/1745/1880-1977mm Wheelbase 2680mm Tyre size 215/75 R15 Turning circle dia 11.6m Trunk volume NA Ground clearance 180mm Fuel tank 60 litres. Warranty 1 year unlimited mileage SEAT DIMENSIONS Rear seat: Legroom 68/79cm Headroom 99.5cm Width 128.5cm —

C U A B T N

ESP ABS

FOG LAMPS

DRLs (DAY TIME RUNNING LED) 3 3

CD/USB/AUX/BLUETOOTH/ TOUCHSCREEN/NAVIGATION

REAR CENTRE ARMREST

3 3

REAR AC VENTS BOOT RELEASE REAR DEFOGGER REAR WASH WIPE

DOOR MIRROR (ADJUST/ ELECTRIC RETRACT)