Fresh images show the Alivio, known as Maruti Ciaz in India, with exterior styling tweaks.

The refreshed Suzuki Ciaz (Alivio) sedan for China has been officially revealed. 

Earlier showcased at the Chengdu Motor show, the 2017 Alivio gets a new front grille along with new black fog lamp enclosures. The front and rear bumper appear to be new as well. As for the rear, the bumper doesn’t feature cut-outs any more, while detailing on the tail-lamps appears to be tweaked a bit with a larger stop lamp. 

The images give a hint towards the exterior styling changes that the updated Maruti Ciaz for India might get.

Maruti Suzuki is testing the refreshed Ciaz in India, with a number of images of test mules wearing minor camouflage appearing online earlier this year. Cosmetic changes seem to be few, with only sections of the bumpers masked by camouflage with the remainder of the car more or less similar to the current model.

The Ciaz in India rivals the likes of the Honda City, the Volkswagen Vento, Skoda Rapid and the soon-to-be-launched all-new Hyundai Verna.

Courtesy : Autocar

Long-wheelbase version of XE sedan exclusive to Chinese market; unlikely to come to India.

Jaguar has revealed a long-wheelbase (LWB) version of its XE sedan exclusively for the Chinese market, as stretched versions of standard models are popular there. The second LWB version in the market for the British manufacturer, the XEL follows in the footsteps of the XFL that was unveiled in China last year.

The XEL’s wheelbase has been stretched by 100mm compared to the standard model, and is now 2,935mm long.

The long-wheelbase model is mechanically identical to the standard one and is powered by the same 2.0-litre turbo-petrol motor making either 200hp or 250hp.

However, the insides, particularly the rear section, is expected to include a rear-seat entertainment system, a larger panoramic sunroof and additional creature comforts to differentiate it from its standard sibling.

Jaguar’s XEL will be produced by the Chery-JLR joint venture only for the Chinese market, where it will rival the likes of the Audi A4L, BMW 3Li, and the Mercedes C-class L.

It is highly unlikely that Jaguar will bring this version to India where it already sells the standard XE in petrol and diesel guises with prices starting at Rs 38.84 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Courtesy : Autocar

The drawings could point to a production-spec version of the Yuntu plug-in hybrid concept displayed at the 2017 Shanghai motor show.

New patent drawings that have been registered at the European Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (OHIM) shows that a seven-seat Jeep SUV is possibly on the way.

The new seven-seat SUV is likely to be the production version of the Yuntu plug-in hybrid concept that was showcased the 2017 Shanghai motor show in April. This can be inferred from the design-based similarities between the patent drawings and the concept, particularly the silhouette, wheel arches and the grille. The design of both also hints that the SUV may not be in the same league as its stable mates when it comes to off-roading, indicated by the low approach and departure angles.

While the American manufacturer has not confirmed production for the Yuntu, the patent drawings could mean that the SUV may be revealed sometime next year. The production-spec Yuntu hybrid is only expected to be sold in the Chinese market though the potential for an India entry is there as seven-seat SUVs of the Skoda Kodiaq’s ilk are in demand in our marketplace.

Jeep currently has the Compass, Grand Cherokee and Wrangler Unlimited in its India line-up and is expected to bring its entry-level SUV, the Renegade, to the market late in 2018 or early in 2019.

Courtesy : Autocar

Bookings have opened for the Triumph Street Triple 765 RS and the first lot of bikes has already sold out till February 2018.

The Street Triple 765 RS, launched at Rs 10.55 lakh (ex-showroom, India), is the highest-spec version in the Street Triple family and it sits above the Street Triple 765 S in terms of power and the quality of the cycle parts on offer. For Rs 1.84 lakh over the standard Street Triple S, the RS offers a number of high-performance upgrades.

For starters, the 765cc, inline, three-cylinder engine makes more power and torque than the standard bike. Power rises by 10hp to a total of 123hp and torque has increased by 4Nm to 77Nm. Both arrive at a slightly higher rpm, resulting in a harder-hitting top-end that will work well with its race track focus.

The second big upgrade comes to the suspension, which gets fully-adjustable Showa Big Piston forks up front and an Ohlins STX40 monoshock for the rear. Further, the front brakes now use Brembo’s fabulous M50 monoblock brake system while Pirelli’s super sticky, track-focused Supercorsa tyres ship as standard. All these features are usually seen in high-spec, litre-class sports bikes and are a segment first. At 166kg dry, it is already the lightest bike in its segment by a fair margin.

The electronics see a boost too. The RS uses a lovely, high resolution colour screen that is a big step-up from the simple analogue-digital combination meter on the S. The RS also introduces three additional riding modes, taking the total to five. Finally, there’s a quick shifter that works on upshifts. 

Visual updates come in the form a body coloured rear seat cowl and two unique colours - Matt Silver Ice or Phantom Black metallic. The RS will retail out of all 14 of Triumph’s existing dealerships, a number the brand plans to increase to 17 this quarter with the opening of new outlets in Goa, Mangalore and Gurgaon.

When you consider all the additional equipment on offer, Triumph has done a great job with the pricing, keeping it below Rs 2 lakh. For the rider who wants a street bike that can also be an effective weapon on the track, the Street Triple RS looks like an excellent option. When we rode the RS in Spain earlier this year, it wowed us with its performance on the track but it did seem a bit firm on the road, so we’re eager to see what it feels like here at home.

Buyers seem to agree with the value of the RS and Triumph has announced that the first lot of bikes (the company won’t clarify how many that is) is already pre-sold and bookings have been accounted for till February 2018.

Courtesy : Autocar

The MSO R coupe and the Spider have been produced for one customer; both sport a 688hp, 3.8-litre V8 motor.

McLaren has revealed a pair of bespoke models created by the brand’s MSO (McLaren Special Operations) division – a coupe and a Spider convertible.

Both models have been made for a single customer and share the same powertrain, chassis, suspension and all other mechanical bits. The only difference is their body style.

The MSO R cars are based on the 675LT, like the MSO HS models displayed last year. They are powered by a retuned version of the 675LT’s twin-turbo, 3.8-litre V8 motor, which now churns out 688hp (an increase of  13hp over the 675LT) thanks to hand polished exhaust ports and a titanium exhaust. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The bespoke models feature new aggressive aerodynamic enhancements including a large rear spoiler, front dive planes and the MSO Visual Carbon-fibre Pack parts. Both cars come with five-spoke wheels; the coupé’s are finished in satin black, while the Spider’s are gloss black.

In the cabin, both models get a dashboard covered in black Alcantara, red bucket seats complete with MSO R stitching and MSO R plaques on their upper sills.

As both the coupe and Spider are bespoke models, there will not be another exactly like it.

Courtesy : Autocar