The Volvo XC40 small SUV will share its underpinnings with Geeley; will get the new 1.5-litre turbo-petrol motor.

As reported by us last year, Volvo is readying a new small SUV which is likely to be called the XC40.  This new SUV will be the third offering in Volvo’s global SUV line-up. The new Volvo XC40 will take on the fight against the Audi Q3 and Mercedes-Benz GLA small SUVs.

This SUV will be based on Volvo’s new modular CMA platform which is co-developed by Volvo and Geeley. It will also share its underpinnings with a similar offering from Geeley (codenamed NL-4). To be manufactured in China initially, the new SUV will share factory space with its Geeley equivalent.

This engine is being built to be used in Volvos employing CMA, and also the larger S60 and V60 models which are based on the SPA. It can function with both manual and automatic transmissions, and also be mated to four-wheel-drive and hybrid systems. The three-pot can be tuned to varying power outputs up to 180bhp. This new motor for the XC40 will be manufactured in-house at the same plant.

Furthermore, Volvo is likely to develop a new sedan and more variants on this platform. The carmaker is currently testing its S80 flagship sedan's replacement, the S90, on international roads. This long-awaited sedan is expected to make its official appearance next year. 

Courtesy : Autocar

The updated all-electric Camper van concept will be based on the Microbus; the launch is to strengthen VW's sales in the US market.

The zero local emission lithium-ion battery technology also featured in the Audi R8 E-Tron and the cheap rolex replica watches upcoming Audi E-Tron Quattro concept, is claimed to provide a range of up to 500km, depending on the driving conditions. The all-electric powertrain shall be offered alongside the conventional turbocharged four-cylinder petrol and diesel powerplants on the production Microbus.

VW engineers and designers were said to be working on a new Camper van concept, based on the popular Microbus using a small electric motor driving the front wheels and battery packs stored under the floor. This new model is said to follow the classic van's trademark styling cues: wide, solid, D-Pillar, the boxy centre section design and the short front overhangs. The unique front-end design was achieved thanks to an electric motor that allows for a much lower bonnet line, than other conventional petrol engines.

The resurrection of the Microbus is part of Volkswagen’s strategy to support and boost its sales in the US market. As a part of this strategy, Volkswagen also has a range of pickup trucks that will rival the Ford Ranger.

Courtesy : Autocar Rolex replica watches uk

Showcases JLR's plan for zero-emission and electric vehicles; production models could be released post 2020.

Jaguar Land Rover has previewed its upcoming electric vehicle technology with hybrid and EV versions of the Range Rover Evoque. The in-house developed electric motor will be seen on three of its zero-emission and electric vehicle concepts, that shall pave the way for future hybrid and electric vehicles.

Under development for the past two years, the battery designs allow for easy integration with any engine and transmission combination, or independent use in all-electric vehicles. Also, the batteries are capable of producing twice the torque as any currently in production.

The first car called the Concept e MHEV, is an Evoque that pairs a prototype three-cylinder, 89bhp diesel engine with a 48V lithium-ion battery pack. The second, a Range Rover Sport-based Concept e PHEV uses a 296bhp petrol motor  and a larger 150kW, 320V lithium-ion battery. The petrol engine uses a standard eight-speed automatic gearbox with a full-time four-wheel drive system.

The third concept based on JLR’s new aluminium platform packs a 70kWh lithium-ion driving a 145kW motor on the rear axle and an 85kW electric motor on the front axle. The electric drive module is deemed suitable for every vehicle architecture, and fits between the engine and the transmission. A two-speed transmission mated to the electric motors aids low-speed traction.

The company has also developed a low carbon-emission Evoque called 'Provoque'. It is powered by an electrically supercharged 2.0-litre Ingenium diesel engine coupled with a 48V mild hybrid system that also drives the supercharger for producing low-end torque.

JLR is yet to reveal the performance details of the vehicles. Production-ready cars based on the display concepts are unlikely to go on sale before 2020.

Courtesy : Autocar

Available only in the XMS trim, the Anniversary Edition Zest offers the option of a petrol or diesel variant.

Tata has launched a special-edition Zest to celebrate the first anniversary of the compact sedan. The Anniversary Edition Zest comes just in time for the festival season, and follows in the footsteps of Skoda, Honda and Renault that recently launched special editions of select cars.

Available only in the XMS trims in both petrol and diesel, the Anniversary Edition Zest gets minor cosmetic additions like a new white paint shade, body coloured front bumper, new wheel covers, wing mirrors finished in glossy black, special anniversary decals and badging.

On the inside, the anniversary edition gets a remote-operated rear windshield curtain, bottle holders and 'Anniversary Edition' embroidered on the upholstery.

The petrol variant of the Anniversary Edition Zest is priced at Rs 5.89 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), while the diesel variant costs Rs 6.94 lakh.

Courtesy : Autocar

A look at how the new Mahindra TUV300 matches up to the Ford Ecosport in terms of specifications.

Mahindra has just launched its new compact SUV, TUV300 (pronounced ‘three double oh’) at a starting price of Rs 6.90 lakh (ex showroom, Pune). With this launch, the carmaker has once again forayed into the compact SUV segment, after the Quanto failed to sell as per its expectations. The TUV300 has found a direct competitor in the sub-four metre Ford EcoSport, which has had a great run in the country. Since its launch in June 2013, the EcoSport has found more than 1,12,000 buyers in India. The TUV300 created quite a storm when Mahindra revealed sketches of the car some weeks prior to its launch. Mahindra says it has a winner on its hands in the compact SUV space this time around and is looking to expand its market share in the utility vehicle segment. The TUV300 has been made on a completely new platform and has an upright, rugged-looking stance. We compare the specifications of the TUV300 and the Ford EcoSport to see which one makes for the best value proposition.

Under the hood

Powering the TUV300 is Mahindra’s updated mHawk engine christened the mHawk80. The engine, which will only be offered in a diesel guise, displaces 1,493cc, which helps the TUV300 qualify as a small car and hence, a lower rate of excise duty. The mHawk80 engine churns out 82.85bhp at 3,750rpm and 23.45kgm at 1,500-2,250rpm. On the other hand, the 1.5-litre diesel unit in the Ford EcoSport, which also does duty in the Ford Fiesta, puts out a higher 90bhp at 3,750rpm and a torque figure of 20.8kgm at 2,000-2,750rpm. So while the TUV300 gains in the torque category, the EcoSport edges ahead in terms of power output.

Ford is also offering the EcoSport with two petrol engine options; a 1.0-litre Ecoboost engine making 123bhp at 6,000rpm and a 1.5-litre motor good for 110bhp at 6,300rpm. However, for the purpose of a fair comparison, we will consider the diesel unit here. The TUV300 will be available only in two-wheel drive for now. However, the carmaker said the new platform is capable of spawning a four-wheel-drive version as well.
Space on offer

In this category, both the cars measure close in terms of length. The TUV300 is 3,995mm long while the EcoSport measures 3,999mm. Both the cars are just short of the four-metre mark in order to take advantage of the ‘small car’ regulations in India that provide cost benefits to cars of sub-four-meter length.

However, Mahindra’s offering is much spacious in all other aspects and comes with a larger wheelbase, is broader and sits higher as well. The TUV300 has an overall width of 1,835mm, a height of 1,839mm and the space between the front and rear wheels measure 2,680mm. On the other hand, the EcoSport has a wheelbase of 2,520mm, an overall width of 1,765mm and a height of 1,708mm.

Mahindra has focussed on giving the TUV300 a tough stance and claim styling cues have been borrowed from a battle tank. The compact SUV has high ground clearance and an upright stance. Moreover, details like the cladding on the sides, a prominent bumper, a squarish signature grille with chrome borders and a tail gate-mounted spare wheel add to its rugged appearance. Interestingly, Italian design firm Pininfarina was also involved in the styling process. 

The EcoSport also boasts of ‘SUV-like’ cues under its belt. At the front is a massive octagonal grille, a high bonnet and beltline, black plastic cladding on the sides along the lower part of the body and also features the tailgate-mounted spare wheel. The EcoSport also boasts of a slightly higher ground clearance of 200mm, as against 190mm on the TUV300.

However, what sets the TUV apart from the EcoSport and other small SUVs in the passenger vehicle segment in India, is the fact that it comes with a seven-seat configuration, thanks to a jump seat on each side behind the second row. The arrangement is similar to the one seen in the Quanto.

So essentially, in terms of specifications, the TUV300 is the most spacious of the two and also has the largest exterior. Besides, talking about boot space, the TUV300 scores here as well with 400 litre of space (with jump seats folded up) as against the 362 litres in the Ecosport.

Courtesy : Autocar