Volkswagen is expected to unveil a new ID electric sedan concept at the Frankfurt motor show in September. The sedan will join an ID SUV, set to be unveiled at the Shanghai show next month, alongside the already revealed ID Buzz MPV and ID hatchback.  Klaus Bischoff, Volkswagen’s design chief, has promised a “surprise” for the sedan. The ID models preview Volkswagen’s EV ambitions, with the brand aiming to sell one million electric cars annually by 2025. The electric concepts represent ‘families’ of models, each of which will have different identities and body styles but a common theme, according to Bischoff, including what he calls “a no-grille” philosophy.  “Volkswagen was born with no grille,” he said. “With ID, we’re looking into the future but have our original identity with a closed front end.”  Bischoff added that each ID model will feature a lower air intake for battery cooling when charging, and each will  watches be identified by its headlights and an illuminated VW badge. MPV models will have a “friendly, positive” demeanour,  http://www.replicasrusdirect.com/ as previewed by the ID Buzz concept, while the upcoming SUV will be “non-aggressive but self-confident”.

Courtesy : Autocar

Nürburgring record-smashing supercar is 40kg lighter and more powerful than standard Huracán.

The Performante enjoys the distinction of being the most powerful Huracán in Lamborghini's range. It is powered by a 5.2-litre V10 developing 640hp, up 30hp from the standard Huracán AWD coupe and 600Nm of torque, up 40Nm. The engine is mated to a tweaked seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox paired with a Haldex permanent four-wheel-drive system.

The car rides on 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in specially developed Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres. It can sprint to 100kph from rest in 2.9sec, 0.3sec faster than the regular Huracán with a top speed of over 325kph.

Owing to an ultra-lightweight carbon-fibre and aluminium construction, the Huracán Performante is 40kg lighter than the standard supercar. Use of the new material is focused on active aerodynamic elements such as the flaps on the rear wing and inside the front spoiler. The flaps are electrically actuated to help save weight.

The rear wing features an inner air channel, which splits to the left and the right to allow aero vectoring for high-speed cornering. According to Lamborghini, the wing gives the Performante 750 percent more downforce than a standard Huracán with no wing.

At the front of the car, flaps inside the spoiler close when the active aerodynamic system is off and then open when it is on, reducing frontal air pressure and directing it through a channel under the car in order to reduce drag for optimum acceleration and top speed.

The design of the Performante heavily reflects that of the Lamborghini Super Trofeo racer. Other modified touches include a bronze engine manifold cover, which has been used on past Lamborghini special editions such as the Diablo 30th Anniversary.

Courtesy : Autocar

Jeep is set to showcase the India-spec Compass SUV to the media on April 12, 2017. The manufacturer has released a video of the SUV on its website. The Compass will be Jeep’s first locally assembled model with production planned at Fiat’s Ranjangaon facility.

For India, the carmaker is expected to have an extensive line-up of models which will include a petrol, a diesel, an automatic and a 4x4 drivetrain in the hopes of making an immediate impact in the segment.

Although the company is tight-lipped about engine details,best replica watches we believe the diesel will be a Multijet 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine that should put out 170hp and 350Nm of torque. The automatic gearbox, a nine-speed unit, is likely to be paired with this engine. For the petrol Compass, it will be a 1.4-litre Multiair engine that puts out 140hp. The engine uses a turbocharger and has electro-hydraulic solenoids between the camshaft and the valve to achieve precise variable timing. This helps the engine claim more power and efficiency than a regular variable valve timing engine. True to Jeep's off-roading credentials, the 4x4 system will have a low ratio and a traction management system for various terrains like sand, mud, rocks, etc.

In terms of exterior styling, there is expected to be little that'll set the India-spec SUV apart from the international model. The interior, however, could get a few changes such as dual-tone upholstery and plenty of metal-finished trim to meet the preferences of Indian customers. Higher variants for India are likely to offer leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof and locking differentials to give it true off-road credentials.

The Compass will compete with models like the Hyundai Tucson and Honda CR-V, but its 4x4 option is what will set it apart. Expect prices to be in the region of Rs 18 to 25 lakh.

Courtesy : Autocar

NEW DELHI: Country's largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki India BSE 0.73 % (MSI) expects to receive around 10,000 units of premium hatchback Baleno this fiscal from the upcoming Gujarat plant of its parent Suzuki that will start production from early next year. 

The Hansalpur-based facility in Gujarat is the Suzuki Motor Corp's first wholly-owned unit in India. 

"The whole project (Gujarat) is on schedule. We will be selling cars from made in Gujarat from February. That remains, there is no change in that. During this financial year about 10,000 cars from Gujarat will be produced and delivered to us for sale," MSI Chairman R C Bhargava said. 

Suzuki has envisaged a total investment of around USD 1,400 million on the plant which will house two vehicle assembly lines of 2.5 lakh units per annum each and an engine plant. It will roll out Baleno from the first assembly line. 

Suzuki will supply vehicles and components exclusively to MSI from the plant. India is the biggest market for Suzuki, which owns 56 per cent of Maruti Suzuki India - the country's biggest automaker controlling nearly half of the market.

MSI's two units at Gurgaon and Manesar have a total production capacity of 1.5 million units annually.

Source : Maruti Suzuki India to get 10,000 Balenos from Suzuki's Gujarat plant this fiscal 

NEW DELHI: The country’s largest car maker Maruti Suzuki BSE 0.71 %, which has in recent times made a strong pitch in the midsize market with the Vitara Brezza, the Baleno and the Ciaz, is looking to launch a small car in the next three years to strengthen presence in the entry-car space. 

“We are working on a pipeline of products across segments, and are looking at a small car at the entry-level which will come in the next 2-3 years,” confirmed Kenichi Ayukawa, managing director, Maruti Suzuki India BSE 0.71 % Limited (MSIL). 

Earlier in October this year, ET had reported that Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), enthused by the success of Brezza, gave Indian subsidiary the responsibility to develop a newgeneration Alto to strengthen its hold in the entry-car space. 

Maruti Suzuki BSE 0.71 % Alto had been facing tough competition from Renault Kwid; in the first eight months of the ongoing financial year, while sales of Alto declined by 7.4% to 1,62,894 units, that of Renault Kwid shot up to 73,676 units from 11044 units sold in the year-ago period. 

Alto's share in the entry-car segment has dropped to 42% between April and November this fiscal compared with 50.9% in the same period last fiscal. Kwid has, meanwhile, managed to garner almost 20% market share in that segment. 

People in the know of Maruti’s plans said the company has started work on the project, internally called Y1K. The new car is likely to be launched by the festive season of 2019. Alto will be developed on a fresh platform to meet the new regulations. Maruti Suzuki will invest an added Rs 2,000 crore at its state-of-the-art research and development centre in Rohtak, Haryana, over the next three years to boost its R&D capability. This would take the company's total investment at Rohtak to Rs 3,800 crore

Separately, Maruti Suzuki chairman RC Bhargava on Friday said the trend is reversing in the passenger vehicle market and the company's bookings have increased by 7% in December. Maruti Suzuki's bookings had registered a drop of 20% in November as consumers put off fresh purchases after the government demonetised high-value currency notes from November 9. 

"Interestingly, even rural markets have grown over last year," said Bhargava. Maruti Suzuki's sales in rural markets have increased by 18% in December against a decline of 11% in November. The proportion of vehicles financed in rural markets stands at around 50-60% compared to 80% in urban areas. 

"What I understand is that cash availability has improved. Besides, good monsoons helped grow rural sales in the first few months of the fiscal," said Bhargava. Rural sales currently account for 30% of Maruti Suzuki's volumes and have grown by around 14% till date this fiscal. He, however, declined to make any forecast for sales growth next year.

Source : Maruti Suzuki plans new small car within 3 years, may launch new-generation Alto