Skoda has replaced the Elegance trim level of the Yeti in India with the Style. As earlier, the vehicle is available in 4x2 and 4x4 versions.

The Yeti Style comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, bi-xenon headlights with daytime running lights, front and rear fog lamps, LED tail lamps and roof rails.

On the inside, the Style features a 3-spoke multifunction steering wheel, faux wooden on the dashboard and centre console, leather upholstery, removable rear seats, 12-way adjustable driver seat with memory function and height-adjustable front seats. The car is equipped with features such as climate control, cruise control, touchscreen infotainment system with 8 speakers and USB, Aux-in and Bluetooth connectivity, electronically foldable door mirrors, parking sensors at the front and rear with a display on the infotainment screen, keyless entry & go and illuminated glovebox and luggage compartment.

Safety features include 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, traction control, electronic stability control, electronic differential lock, hill hold and hill descent control among others.

There are no mechanical changes to the Yeti. The two wheel drive version is powered by a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder diesel engine that produces 109 BHP and 250 Nm of torque and is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. The four wheel drive version uses the same engine in a higher state of tune. It develops 138 BHP and 320 Nm of torque and is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission with a permanent all-wheel drive system.

Prices (ex-showroom, Delhi):

• Style 4x2 - Rs. 20,27,000
• Style 4x4 - Rs. 21,97,000

Mercedes classic rally set for Sunday, December 13 run.

Come Sunday, December 13, the streets of Mumbai will be graced by some of the finest classic Mercedes-Benz cars around. Normally secured behind closed garages and hidden under multiple dust covers, the rally will be a unique opportunity for Mercedes lovers in the city to come and see some of the finest cars in the country gather together in the same place. And this is no static display, the cars will drive around Mumbai, so you'll be able to see, hear and even smell some of them.

Running for the second consecutive year, the Classic Car Rally 2015 is organised by Mercedes-Benz and is run in association with Autocar India. It will kick off from Nariman Point at 10am and this will be best place to view the cars and speak with the owners.

The route is quite simple. Travelling by Mumbai's western coastline via Marine Drive, Pedder Road,  Haji Ali and the Sea Link, the participants will drive in a convoy all the way up to the western suburb of Bandra before heading back to the starting point. Traffic will be regulated with the help of the Mumbai Traffic Police and you could position yourself at some spots along the route to see these grand old ladies purr past.

So, what are some of the timeless beauties you can expect to spot at the rally? There will be the gorgeous 190SL (W120) drop top, a favourite of stars and a rather celebrated sight on the streets of yesteryears' tinsel town. The S-class has always been a flagship model for Mercedes and you'll get a chance to see almost every iteration of it on the drive, from the earliest W111 fin-tails, to the gorgeous W108, the iconic W126, of which so many were imported to India and even the W140, the tank, that probably was the toughest built S-class ever.  

Then there will be the two-seater Pagoda (W113) from the '60s, a 450SL (R107 series) from the '70s, and even a SEC coupe from the W126 series, one of the most sought-after models back in the day. And you'll also get a chance to catch 170V Roadsters, among many others. Some of the oldest cars present at the parade will be there from as far back as the Second World War and though Mercedes has never marketed estates in India, some like the W123s and W124s, would be there as well. There'll even be a 300S Adenauer convertible.

Also, make sure you get a good look at some of the interesting details on display in some of the more luxurious cars. But the star of the show will be the Patentwagen – the first car ever built. The actual car from 1886, of course, won't be there. This is a replica built right here in India, by Coimbatore-based UMS Technologies.

So, it promises to be a starry Sunday with some seriously gorgeous Mercs flooding the Mumbai streets. Make sure you set your alarm nice and early; the cars will start lining up from 9:00. See you there.      

Spectator Guide

10:15 Marine Drive

10:30 Walkeshwar

10:45 Neapean Sea Road

10:50 Hali Ali

11:00 Worli Sea Face

11:15 Bandra Worli Sea Face

11:30 Worli Sea Face

11:40 Haji Ali

11:50 Pedder Road

12:00 Marine Drive

* Times are subject to traffic conditions

Courtesy : Autocar

Piaggio’s Aprilia Tuono V4 has coveted “The best performing machine in Super Naked category” award at the India Superbike Festival 2015 held recently.

The Aprilia Tuono V4 1100, a direct descendant of the Aprilia RSV4, is one of the most exciting sports bike in recent times. The jury at the recently held India Superbike Festival 2015, comprising respected automotive journalists, top-rung racers and big-bike owning enthusiasts, also thinks so, and thus have awarded it with the title of “The best performing machine in Super Naked category.”

Powered by a 1100cc V4 engine delivering 180 PS of peak power and maximum torque of 121 Nm, the Tuono comes with a host of riding aids like ride-by-wire and the ability to connect to your smartphone through the V4-MP platform. The RSV 4, from which it is derived, is the current champion bike in the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup. Aprilia's RSV4 trophy case is quite impressive: 7 WSBK world titles won in just 5 seasons from 2010.

As for the festival, the India Superbike Festival is one of the country's original biking festivals, with a focus on “the lifestyle end of automobiles and touching the hearts of enthusiasts.” The awards were the headline event of the fifth edition. The festival witnessed a substantial turnout of big bikes, biking clubs and enthusiasts over the weekend. 

Courtesy : Zigwheels

Honda rode in its new premium 150cc offering based on the Unicorn 160 – the CB Hornet 160R to compete against the Suzuki Gixxer, Yamaha FZ-S FI etc in our two-wheeler market

Honda expanded its product portfolio by launching the new CB Hornet 160R in India today. The new motorcycle has been positioned as a premium 150cc motorcycle and is based on the Honda Unicorn 160 that was launched earlier this year. The Honda CB Hornet 160R has been priced at Rs 79,900 (ex-showroom Delhi). The new Honda motorcycle was first showcased at the Revfest event in August where the Honda CBR 650F was launched. The Honda CB Hornet 160R will rival the likes of the Suzuki Gixxer, Yamaha FZ-S FI, Hero Xtreme Sports and the Bajaj Pulsar AS 150. It will also replace the CB Trigger from the Indian market production for which was stopped few months ago although it is exported from our country. Watch: Honda CB Hornet 160R WalkAround Video

While the Honda Unicorn 160 has been positioned to attract matured buyers, the CB Hornet 160R has been targeted at younger clientele. For this purpose, the new Honda motorcycle adopts an edgy and sporty design language. The trapezoidal headlight gets LED pilot lamps whereas the chiselled fuel extensions add a dose of muscle. Also Read:Honda CB Hornet 160R First Review The rear section houses a unique X-shaped LED taillight unit. Other interesting bits include all-digital instrument console, alloy wheels and a stubby exhaust muffler. The engine is a straight lift from the Unicorn 160 and the air-cooled, single-cylinder motor produces 14.5PS of max power and peak torque rating of 14.6Nm. Power is transmitted to the rear wheel by a 5-speed gearbox. The Honda CB Hornet 160R is the first locally manufactured Honda motorcycle to offer petal disc brakes while CBS (Combined Brake System) is an optional extra. Suspension duties are handled by telescopic front forks and a monoshock unit at the back. Honda has also applied its patented HET (Honda Eco Technology) on the new CB Hornet 160R and the bike should return an overall mileage figure of around 50kmpl in real world conditions. 

Courtesy : Zigwheels

Little time has been lost since Hyundai launched the Genesis sub-brand. The brand was announced in November, with sketches and spy shots of the G90 / EQ900 following shortly after. The luxury sedan has now been launched in Korea and as expected, it comes with three petrol engine options.

Options include a 3.3L T-GDI (twin-turbo) V6 engine that makes 365 BHP / 510 Nm of torque, followed by a 3.8L GDI V6 that makes 311 BHP / 397 Nm of torque. There's also a 5.0L GDI that makes 419 BHP / 520 Nm of torque. The car comes with rear-wheel drive as standard with optional all-wheel drive available. The power is sent through an eight-speed torque converter automatic gearbox.

Length x width x height x wheelbase dimensions come in at 5,205 mm x 1,915 mm x 1,495 mm x 3,160 mm. The feature list includes a 22-way adjustable driver's seat, 14-way adjustable passenger seats, a 12.3-inch HD screen in the centre console, a Lexicon sound system, three-zone climate control and a wireless phone charging system.

A host of driver assistance / safety features are offered, including advanced smart cruise control, lane keeping assist, Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with Pedestrian Detection, Active Blind Spot Detection (BSD) and Driver Attention Alert, Smart High Beam Assist, an Around View Monitor and a Korean market specific Smart Posture Caring (SPC) System, that automatically adjusts the seat, steering-wheel, outside mirror and head-up display to the optimal position for the driver.

The G90 has been introduced in Korea and will be launched in other markets, including the United States, China, Russia and countries in the Middle East. A further five Genesis models will be launched over the next five years.

Courtesy : Team BHP