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

KTM has updated the 690 Duke with additional power and added list of features as part of its updates signalling the fact that production of the 690 Duke will not be stopped soon.

KTM has announced updates for the 690 Duke. As part of the new update, the 2016 KTM 690 Duke gets a power boost that hikes the power output figure to 74PS at 8,500rpm. The torque figure has also been hiked by six per cent in the updated model.  According to the Austrian bikemaker, they have employed larger bore and shorter stroke which has resulted in the bump in power. Also the 2016 KTM 690 Duke will witness a minor displacement increase of 3cc, for 693cc in total. Other changes include larger valves and the new 690 Duke is also Euro IV compliant. The 2016 KTM 690 Duke will be available with three rider modes that consist of Sport, Street and Rain, selectable by the updated left handlebar switch gear.

Other goodies on the new bike include a switchable Bosch ABS as standard fitment while traction control will be an optional add-on. The 2016 KTM 690 Duke will also be the first KTM offering to sport a TFT display screen as part of its instrument cluster. The new updates signal the fact that the KTM 690 Duke will not be discontinued soon. Pictures of the KTM 790 Duke with a twin-cylinder motor undergoing testing were posted recently and it was expected that the 690 Duke will be given the boot. But it seems KTM wants to keep diversity in its product portfolio and the largest single-cylinder displacement production motorcycle will continue to enthral bikers. 

Courtesy : Zigwheels

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

The updated all-electric Camper van concept will be based on the Microbus; the launch is to strengthen VW's sales in the US market.

The zero local emission lithium-ion battery technology also featured in the Audi R8 E-Tron and the cheap rolex replica watches upcoming Audi E-Tron Quattro concept, is claimed to provide a range of up to 500km, depending on the driving conditions. The all-electric powertrain shall be offered alongside the conventional turbocharged four-cylinder petrol and diesel powerplants on the production Microbus.

VW engineers and designers were said to be working on a new Camper van concept, based on the popular Microbus using a small electric motor driving the front wheels and battery packs stored under the floor. This new model is said to follow the classic van's trademark styling cues: wide, solid, D-Pillar, the boxy centre section design and the short front overhangs. The unique front-end design was achieved thanks to an electric motor that allows for a much lower bonnet line, than other conventional petrol engines.

The resurrection of the Microbus is part of Volkswagen’s strategy to support and boost its sales in the US market. As a part of this strategy, Volkswagen also has a range of pickup trucks that will rival the Ford Ranger.

Courtesy : Autocar Rolex replica watches uk

Showcases JLR's plan for zero-emission and electric vehicles; production models could be released post 2020.

Jaguar Land Rover has previewed its upcoming electric vehicle technology with hybrid and EV versions of the Range Rover Evoque. The in-house developed electric motor will be seen on three of its zero-emission and electric vehicle concepts, that shall pave the way for future hybrid and electric vehicles.

Under development for the past two years, the battery designs allow for easy integration with any engine and transmission combination, or independent use in all-electric vehicles. Also, the batteries are capable of producing twice the torque as any currently in production.

The first car called the Concept e MHEV, is an Evoque that pairs a prototype three-cylinder, 89bhp diesel engine with a 48V lithium-ion battery pack. The second, a Range Rover Sport-based Concept e PHEV uses a 296bhp petrol motor  and a larger 150kW, 320V lithium-ion battery. The petrol engine uses a standard eight-speed automatic gearbox with a full-time four-wheel drive system.

The third concept based on JLR’s new aluminium platform packs a 70kWh lithium-ion driving a 145kW motor on the rear axle and an 85kW electric motor on the front axle. The electric drive module is deemed suitable for every vehicle architecture, and fits between the engine and the transmission. A two-speed transmission mated to the electric motors aids low-speed traction.

The company has also developed a low carbon-emission Evoque called 'Provoque'. It is powered by an electrically supercharged 2.0-litre Ingenium diesel engine coupled with a 48V mild hybrid system that also drives the supercharger for producing low-end torque.

JLR is yet to reveal the performance details of the vehicles. Production-ready cars based on the display concepts are unlikely to go on sale before 2020.

Courtesy : Autocar