The CR-Z facelift comes with additional equipment; petrol-electric powertrain carried forward.

Honda has unveiled the facelifted version of its petrol-electric hybrid, the CR-Z. The updated car gets styling changes to the exterior, with a few additions to the interior.

The front bumper of the CR-Z has been redesigned while the grille gets minor tweaks. Certain variants of the refreshed CR-Z sport LED headlights. The rear bumper now gets a more squarish appearance and features a rear diffuser. The rear track has also been widened.

Inside, an electric switch has replaced the handbrake lever, making space for a central storage box with an integrated arm rest. Other additions to the interior include a touchscreen infotainment system, an upgraded audio system and a push-button ignition system.

Mechanically, Honda's facelifted CR-Z retains its existing 1.5-litre petrol engine and electric motor, though the suspension has been improved to offer better dynamics, while the brakes have increased in diameter.

The facelifted Honda CR-Z will go on sale internationally towards the end of this year.

Courtesy : Autocar

A massive structure is being developed by Audi at the Frankfurt event site; will house 33 models.

Audi is currently constructing a three-storeyed building to be its display at the upcoming Frankfurt motor show. The structure will hold 33 Audi models including the new A4 and the e-tron Quattro concept, and Audi is expected to detail its innovations by offering visitors an unconventional multimedia experience.

The entrance to the building will lead to a roughly 100-metre walk, that'll take visitors through Audi’s four themes: the motorsport genetics of the Audi Sport sub-brand, the portfolio of innovations under ‘Audi Technologies’ ranging from the virtual cockpit to laser light; the efficient technologies of Audi ultra and the Quattro all‑wheel drive. The walk will include multimedia presentations and holographic windows using augmented reality technology to connect digital information with the cars on display.

The new A4 will sit at the centre of the building, mounted on a rotating platform that will be part of an oversized compass. The entire media display of the exhibits will shift to the each of the four themes as the compass rotates.

Also on display will be the Audi e-tron Quattro concept, a model designed to be a precursor of the company’s all-electric SUV due in 2018.

Courtesy : Autocar

Mercedes-Benz believes V8 is the right fit for its India portfolio. Moreover, fewer sales numbers wouldn’t justify complex service set-up.

Mercedes has been on a high note this year launching ten models so far, with five more lined up for rest of the year. With its most recent offering, the AMG S 63 sedan powered by a 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8, the German luxury automaker has pushed the number of AMG performance cars in its India portfolio to nine. However, the most powerful AMG V12 engine will not be coming to the Indian shores in the near term.

Talking exclusively to Autocar India, Eberhard Kern, MD and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India said,” We don’t have any concrete plans of bringing the AMG V12 engine as of now. The V8 engine in the S 63 AMG is a fantastic engine and fits perfectly into most of our top-end products. We would like to focus on the S 63 AMG and other AMG performance cars based on the MFA platform, which from our point of view are fit for India.” 

Globally, Mercedes offers the mighty 6.0-litre V12 bi-turbo engine putting out nearly 630bhp in the G 65, SL 65 roadster, the S 65 sedan and the S 65 Coupé.

The main reason why the German carmaker is not keen on getting a car with the high-powered engine to India is because it does not see a big enough market right now. Besides, the meager sales of the V12 AMG would not justify the complex service infrastructure as well as the additional after-sales service vital to the car.

India may not have a significant market for such a powerful engine, especially when there is no road infrastructure to fully exploit them, but the growing demand for luxury cars has certainly kept luxury automakers busy this year. Audi and BMW have also adopted a product offensive strategy like Mercedes and are on road to launch 10 and 15 models respectively by the end of 2015.

Mercedes-Benz is now gearing up to launch the AMG C 63 S in India on September 3 and the C 450 AMG later. However, Mercedes has saved the best for last, as its flagship AMG GT sports will also be making its way into the country later this year.

Courtesy : Autocar

Ciaz SHVS diesel to get mild-hybrid tech resulting in better fuel economy; likely to get ABS and EBD.

Maruti will launch the Ciaz SHVS diesel equipped with mild-hybrid technology on September 1, 2015.

The Ciaz SHVS hybrid will come with the breitling replica watches sale existing 1.3-litre diesel engine, but with the addition of an integrated starter generator and start-stop technology. This will result in a bump in fuel economy to approximately 28kpl, from the earlier 26.21kpl. The new Ciaz diesel SHVS will be available across all trim levels and Maruti is likely to replace the conventional diesel Ciaz with this new model. It will be the first sedan in this segment to feature hybrid technology in India. Furthermore, like the recently launched S-Cross, Maruti is also expected to offer ABS, EBD and driver airbag across all variants of the Ciaz.

Courtesy :  Autocar replica rolex watches uk

The new Elantra gets a refreshed dashboard and centre console; is expected to make its debut sometime later this year.

Hyundai has been teasing the exterior styling of the new Elantra with official renderings and sketches. Now the Korean manufacturer has released an official rendering to show what the interior of the upcoming car will look like. The next-gen Elantra’s exteriors were leaked online recently.

The upcoming Elantra seems to borrow styling cues from the interior of the new Tucson SUV for international markets which was revealed iwc replica watches uk sale earlier this year. Gone is the flowing dashboard and centre console and in its place is a more rectangular and upright unit. The centre console is dominated by a large infotainment system display that sits up top, flanked on either side by air-con vents. The air-con controls and display sit below the infotainment system. A cubby hole that can store small items is placed below the controls.

 A few features such as the hazard light button between the infotainment system and air-con controls and the twin cupholders next to the handbrake seem to be carried forward from the current Elantra. The cabin also seems to get the addition of silver and chrome details.

The new Hyundai Elantra is expected to debut sometime later this year and could be powered by a four-cylinder diesel or the omega replica watches uk sale 174bhp 1.6-litre turbo-petrol unit from the new Tucson.

Courtesy : Autocar