Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) is now working towards rolling out a passenger commercial vehicle based on its Jeeto platform that will be powered by its new diesel powertrain. The automaker recently launched the Jeeto, its all-new small commercial vehicle (SCV) in Mumbai. The Jeeto range will be produced at the company''s recently expanded Zaheerabad plant in Telangana. “We have plans to also have a passenger version on the same platform because we have a powerful engine of 11bhp and 16bhp which is good enough for the sale of products into the passenger commercial vehicle segment,” said Pravin Shah, president and chief executive (Automotive), Mahindra & Mahindra. However, the timeframe for the launch of the Jeeto passenger version is not known as yet. The company has introduced its new m_Dura engine on the Jeeto. It is an all-new direct injection diesel engine from Mahindra’s stable. Once launched, the Jeeto passenger commercial vehicle is likely to rival Tata’s commercial passenger vehicle, Magic Iris, and Ace Magic passenger carrier. Courtesy: Autocar

Honda has just unveiled updated versions of the Aviator and the Activa-i. Both automatic scooters get fresh graphic paint schemes, but will use the same powertrain found on the models already on sale. Keita Muramatsu, president, along with Yadvinder Guleria, vice president, sales and marketing, HMSI, and television actress Taapsee Pannu, Honda''s new brand ambassador, unveiled the two updated scooters in Hyderabad today. A few details of the two new launches: Honda Activa-i: Honda’s Activa-i is still a young and fresh-looking daily commuter. Honda now offers the same model in a Deluxe variant with new floral graphics. It is available in white and purple. The standard version of the Activa-i is available in black, white, beige and red colour schemes. Honda has priced the Activa-i starting at Rs 46,703 (ex-showroom, Delhi). Honda Aviator: Honda''s updated Aviator is equipped with tasteful splashes of chrome and 5-spoke alloy wheels. It continues to use telescopic front forks for suspension duty. This refreshed Honda Aviator is now available in a new silver colour scheme and a new brown shade that covers its inner panels, along with a new brown seat. The Aviator costs Rs 56,209 (ex-showroom, Delhi). With engines being carried forward, the two scooters come with the 109cc, four-stroke, air-cooled units that produce 8bhp at 7,000rpm and 0.9kgm of torque at 5,500rpm. As promised, Honda has so far launched eight new vehicles out of the promised 15, scheduled for 2015. Courtesy:Autocar

Chevrolet has unveiled the second-generation Cruze sedan. It features redesigned exterior and interiors and now rides on GM’s new D2 FWD platform. The new Chevrolet Cruze sedan''s exterior styling is different from the one unveiled for the Chinese market last year. The styling draws inspiration from present-day Chevrolet models including the recently-unveiled Chevrolet Volt electric car. On the exterior, it gets projector headlamps and LED daytime running lamps on higher models. Like the current car, the new Chevrolet Cruze’s interior gets a dual-cockpit design and comes with a piano-black or brushed-aluminum finish along with multiple soft-touch surfaces on the dash and other parts. A large screen sits at the centre of the dash and is surrounded by two vertical air-con vents. The new Cruze is longer than its predecessor; it adds 15mm more to its wheelbase and 69mm to its overall length of 4666mm. It also offers more interior room than the earlier model and an additional 51mm of rear knee room. The new Chevrolet Cruze petrol sold in North America is lighter than its predecessor by around 113kg. According to GM, it features one of the most mass-efficient chassis systems currently available in the market. It also gets a 27 percent stiffer body as compared to its predecessor. The all-new Cruze is likely to come to India with two new engine options. The 2-litre diesel will be replaced by a smaller, state-of-the-art 1.6 variable geometry turbo-diesel, which GM’s powertrain engineer claims is whisper-quiet’ and sets a new benchmark for refinement. Featuring the latest injection technology and new low friction components, this 1.6 diesel is expected to be very fuel efficient too. The power and torque for this new engine has not been revealed yet, but company sources hint that figures could be close to that of the earlier 2-litre engine. With demand for petrol coming back, Chevrolet, for the first time in India, will offer the Cruze with a petrol option — the Ecotec 1.4 turbo-petrol with direct-injection developing 153bhp and 24.47kgm of torque. The new Chevrolet Cruze for North America gets MacPherson strut suspension upfront and comes with a torsion beam axle on the lower models and an enhanced Z-link design on higher trims. It gets 15-inch wheels for the lower-specced trims. while the higher variants get 17-inch or 18-inch wheels. Safety features such as 10 airbags, ESP, rollover mitigation and ABS are standard on all trims. It also gets four-wheel disc brakes, a rear-view camera and the GM OnStar with a 4G LTE system along with a Wi-Fi hotspot feature. Available advanced safety features include Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane Keep Assist and Forward Collision Alert The new Chevrolet Cruze is equipped with GM’s MyLink Infotainment system that employs a 7-inch touchscreen, compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Also available is the MyLink radio with a larger 8-inch display that also gets navigation and Apple CarPlay.Other features include wireless phone charging, heated rear leather seats, and heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel for higher trims. The new Chevrolet Cruze will be sold in 40 international markets and will be available in both left-hand and right-hand drive configurations. It is expected to reach Indian showrooms in 2017. Courtesy:Autocar

Mercedes will offer a scaled-down version of the G63 AMG 6x6 called the G 500 4x42 on sale. The G 500 is to be powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine, making 416bhp of power and 45.8kgm of torque. This off-roader features a portal axle, which means that the wheel axles are placed above the line passing through the wheels, meaning that the axle is off-centre compared to normal axles. The wheel hubs also contain reduction gearing, meaning that not only has the torque transmission improved, but wheel slip has reduced. The portal axle arrangement has allowed Mercedes Benz to give the G500 4x42 a 450mm ground clearance and the fording depth to 1,000mm. The 4x42 will be equipped with 325/55 off-road tyres on 22-inch rims. The car also features adjustable damping in the Sport mode. This SUV will be priced from approximately Rs.1.62 crores, and will reach Mercedes showrooms internationally in December 2015.

There''s good news for bikers who wish to cross borders, get adventurous and meet new people. India Bike Week has chalked out a plan for persons interested in participating in a road trip across a couple of Asian countries. The journey will begin from Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands, through Penang and then back to base at Kuala Lumpur. It will take six days to complete, covering a distance of 1,400km. Participants will have a choice of motorcycles from among KTM’s manic Super Duke and the quick and comfortable KTM 1190 Adventure. As for the ride, a support vehicle will follow the riders and will provide service whenever required. If interested, you can register on IBW''s Facebook page. For that added bit of incentive, IBW will also provide grand stand tickets for the Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix in October to those participating. Courtesy: Autocar