The Maruti Suzuki Baleno, the auto giant’s newest product that is aimed straight at the likes of the Hyundai i20, the Honda Jazz and the Volkswagen Polo will be launched on October 26. Expect the Baleno to be priced between Rs 6.5-9.0 lakhs in India.

Suzuki have finally taken the wraps off its much awaited Baleno or the YRA as it was known earlier at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor show. The new Baleno will make its way to India sooner than we expected and will be launched here on October 26, 2015. Although no specifications have been shared yet, expect the car to get the same powertrain as the Swift currently gets with a slim chance of Maruti offering the DDiS320 spec diesel engine in the car too.

On the exterior front, the production car looks exactly like the spy pictures that we have seen in the last year or so. The international version gets a daytime running lamp that is integrated into the headlamps along with the a smaller V-shaped grille that does not extend all the way to the headlamps. At the rear the small LED tail lamps and the large boot opening showcase a sense of restrained style to the Baleno.

This is the first time we are seeing the interiors of the Baleno and the first thing that you do notice is how much is common between it and the likes of the Swift. There is a leather wrapped steering wheel that combined with the large backlit dials does tend to look appealing. There is a ton of brushed silver finish on the centre console though that does look a little strange.

The Baleno gets a large central knob for the climate control and a touchscreen infotainment system similar to the one found in the S-Cross and the Ciaz.

Expect the Suzuki Baleno (YRA) to be priced between Rs 6.5-9 lakhs when it is launched in India. The Baleno will go up against the Honda Jazz, the Hyundai Elite i20 and the Volkswagen Polo.

Courtesy : Zigwheels.

The TUV can be had with an aggressive body kit and some extra features and equipment as well.

Mahindra recently launched the TUV300 compact SUV, which the company says has a design inspired by a battle tank. It looks rugged, has a squared jaw and the overall silhouette is more slabs and lines than curves. The manufacturer is also offering a number of accessories as paid options. Some of these can be opted to give the TUV a more decked-up, off-road look, while other accessories add to the convenience and comfort of the compact SUV.

The body kit includes:

• Guard for the lower grille
• Toughened front and rear scuff plates
• Bonnet hull
• Side skirts
• Wheel arches
• Marker lamps

Some of the basic accessories available:

• Chrome surround for the lower grille
• Chrome garnish for fog lamp bezels, door handles, wing mirrors, roof rails and tail-lamps
• Rear spoiler
• Metal-finish wheel cover
• Illuminated scuff plate
• Premium seat covers

Other utilitarian accessories one can buy include:

• Side step
• Aluminium side step
• Roof carrier
• Inflatable roof carrier
• Machined alloy wheels
• Bicycle carrier

In terms of equipment, you can choose from the following:

• Infotainment system
• Rear seat entertainment package with screens
• Reversing camera
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Thermo-electric chiller
• Head-up display for the driver
• Surround sound enhancer
• Xenon headlamps

Powering the Mahindra TUV300 is a 1.5-litre diesel engine that makes 82.8bhp and 23.4kgm of torque, mated to a five speed manual or an AMT gearbox. It rivals the likes of the Ford Ecosport and the Renault Duster.

Courtesy : Autocar

A seven-seat 85PS Lodgy is being readied for the fleet and taxi operating segment; the 1.5-litre diesel motor will make 83.3bhp.

Fleet owners and taxi service providers offer a burgeoning customer base for carmakers to exploit, and MPVs are quite a popular pick in that segment. Taking cue, Renault is understood to be prepping its Lodgy for the taxi market.

Back in April this year, the French carmaker launched the Lodgy with an optional seven-seat configuration only on the top RxZ trim of the 110PS version. Currently, the more affordable trims are available only in an eight-seat configuration, and this does not allow the MPV to enjoy certain tax benefits available to seven-seater taxis in some states.

Renault is readying a seven-seat variant of the lower 85PS version of the MPV, specifically targeted at the fleet and taxi operating segment. It’ll get two captain seats instead of a bench in the middle.

The Lodgy in the 85PS avatar gets a 1.5-litre diesel engine in a lower 83.8bhp state of tune. It comes mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. This model is priced in the range of Rs 8.29 - 10.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), subject to trims. At a lower price point for the taxi segment, Renault might actually be able to offer fleet owners one of the most affordable MPVs.

Courtesy : Autocar

The new Pajero Sport will be brought to India as CKD kits, and will be assembled at Hindustan Motors’ Chennai Car Plant (CCP) in Tamil Nadu.

The recently revealed new Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is expected to roll into Indian showrooms in mid-2017. It will replace the current car, which is the only model that the Japanese company retails in India. The new Pajero Sport looks a lot more radical, has vastly improved interiors, and comes with a host of safety and driver-assist features.

The new Pajero Sport in the overseas markets uses a 2.4-litre MIVEC turbo diesel engine which comes mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. This is the same engine that does duty in the pick-up truck that the Pajero Sport is based on, and although power figures haven’t been revealed, one can expect an output around 170-180bhp. It also gets a 4WD system, in combination with a new off-road mode.

The new Pajero Sport gets Mitsubishi’s new design language. There’s plenty of chrome, large grille, sleek headlights and uniquely shaped taillights. Step inside and you see the four-spoke multifunction steering wheel, flowing centre console, brushed silver inserts, and leather upholstery.

Equipment on the new car includes a touchscreen infotainment system, a 360-degree camera, seven airbags and an electronic hand brake. Other new assistive features are autonomous braking, blind spot monitoring, descent control and a system to avoid misacceleration.

Mitsubishi will be manufacturing the new Pajero Sport in Thailand, and it’ll be brought to India via CKD. Assembling will take place at Hindustan Motors’ Chennai Car Plant (CCP) in Tamil Nadu. Upon launch, the Pajero Sport will rival the new Ford Endeavour, new Toyota Fortuner and the upcoming Chevrolet Trailblazer.

Courtesy : Autocar

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