All-new platform being developed with parent company Geely; Volvo keen on expanding in the premium compact market.

Volvo’s research and development boss, Peter Mertens has revealed that development on the company’s new CMA modular platform is well underway in conjunction with parent company Geely. The all-new modular platform is expected to underpin a family of new compact cars from the Swedish automaker including the replacement for the current V40.

“We have to cover everything from the mass market to an Audi A3 rival with CMA. Volkswagen’s MQB is doing something similar, but we have to push hard to ensure that we can have greater differentiation [between Geely and Volvo models],” he said.

He also stated that work on the new platform was challenging as the new ‘toolbox’ of component sets and structural sub-assemblies need to be versatile enough to form the basis for both mainstream and premium models.

The new CMA architecture will also underpin the compact crossover, which is likely to be
badged the XC40. Mertens also revealed that the new architecture was important for the company as it looked to expand significantly in the premium compact market.

Mertens who said that he was “deeply involved” in the project also led the platform design work on the General Motors structure that was used globally to underpin cars globally at different price levels. Some of the models included the Vaxhall Astra, Buick Verano and the Chevrolet Cruze.

The new CMA modular architecture, apart from underpinning small cars from Volvo, will also yield a range of similarly sized cars from parent company Geely which currently sells a variety of brands in China.

Courtesy : Autocar

The Mahindra Mojo will be launched on October 16th at an introductory price of Rs 1,62,500. First lot of Mahindra Mojo riders will be offered a motorcycle trip, extended warranty and riding jacket free of cost

The Mahindra Mojo will make its debut in the Indian market on October 16th and is among the most highly anticipated launches of 2015. ZigWheels.com has learnt that the Mahindra Mojo will be priced at Rs 1,62,500 (ex-showroom) which translates to an on-road price of around Rs 1.92 lakh. Booking amount for the new motorcycle has been kept at Rs 20,000. Mahindra Two Wheelers isn’t letting any stone unturned in promoting the new Mojo as it’s offering great schemes for the first lot of buyers.

As part of the pre-launch booking package first lot of customers will be offered a two days and one night bike trip that will be sponsored completely by Mahindra. Other goodies include a riding jacket with Mojo branding and three years extended warranty (total five years warranty). Also the initial bunch of Mahindra Mojo customers will be given two years road assistance service free of cost. The above scheme showcases the fact that Mahindra themselves are wary it would be a difficult task for them to make customers shell out close to Rs 2 lakh for a relatively young and unknown two-wheeler brand. The Mahindra Mojo will be the new flagship offering for Mahindra Two Wheelers and it has taken five years of development time as it was first showcased in 2010. 

Powering the new Mahindra Mojo is a 295cc displacement single-cylinder motor churning out 28PS at 8,000rpm and peak torque rating of 30Nm at just 5,000rpm. Power is transferred to the rear wheels via a six-speed transmission. The Mojo had been loaded with goodies in its cycle parts like USD front forks, gas charged mono shock, LED pilot lamps and tail lamps along with Pirelli Diablo Rosso II tyres. Mahindra plans to market as a touring motorcycle as the Mojo has a fuel tank capacity of 21 litres and 173.5mm ground clearance. Braking is done by disc brakes at front and rear while ABS has been given the miss to keep cost under check. The Mahindra Mojo will compete against the Honda CBR 250Rand the Royal Enfield Classic 500 in the Indian market.

Courtesy : Zigwheels

Performance version of the Range Rover Sport comes with a 542bhp supercharged V8 engine.

Land Rover India has added the top-spec Range Rover Sport SVR model to its line-up. The Range Rover Sport SVR is a direct rival to the Mercedes-AMG ML63 and Porsche Cayenne Turbo S. Honed at the Nürburgring, the SVR has been developed by Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Operations unit, which is headed by former Land Rover boss, John Edwards.

The Range Rover Sport SVR is powered by a supercharged 5.0-litre V8 that churns out a massive 542bhp. It does a 0-100kph sprint in just 4.5 seconds and goes on to a limited top speed of 261kph. The SVR’s engine is also found in some of Jaguar’s most potent models, including the F-type R Coupé and XFR-S saloon. The 5,000cc all-aluminium unit produces 69.3kgm of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels through a revised ZF-supplied eight-speed automatic transmission, which can be controlled by steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters or the gearstick. The torque converter is tuned for 50 percent quicker shifts, which Land Rover claims are “shorter, more visceral and audibly crisper” than in the gearbox’s standard application. Gearbox functions include the blipping of the throttle in high-speed downshifts.

Off-road ability is maintained by having permanent four-wheel drive, a two-speed transfer case, and an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch in the centre differential. On-road performance is boosted by a recalibration of the Dynamic Active Rear Locking Differential, which sends torque to the rear wheel with the most traction. The torque-vectoring differential effect is imitated by a Torque Vectoring by Braking function, while the dynamic stability control system is also retuned.

The SVR uses a two-stage active exhaust with electronically controlled valves, which, according to Land Rover, creates a race car-like soundtrack. At low revs and loads, the valves in two of the four pipes are closed, but under increased loads and engine speeds of around 3,000rpm, the valves open. A crackle has also been tuned on overrun. The exhaust still works with the Range Rover Sport’s 850mm wading depth.

The chassis has been tuned for improved agility, the SVR featuring air suspension and adaptive dampers, and stiffer, lighter components. Key to the SVR’s cornering ability is an Active Roll Control system, which replaces anti-roll bars with a hydraulic pump on each axle to control body roll and allow the car to “deliver a progressive breakaway on the limit”. Weight has also been added to the variable-ratio electronic steering system. Fitted as standard to the SVR are 21-inch alloys shod in 275/45 R21 tyres. Optional are 22-inch alloys equipped with 295/40R22 Continental SportContact 5 performance tyres. Stopping power comes from Brembo brakes with six-piston callipers.

The SVR is easily distinguished from other Range Rover Sports by a series of design changes. There’s a new front bumper with larger air intakes, a new grille finish, flared wheel arches, a new rear bumper with integrated diffuser and quad exhaust pipes, and a rear spoiler. The cabin is equipped with new and luxuriously trimmed sports seats, alongside standard aluminium trim and optional carbonfibre trim. The interiors can be had in four different colour schemes.

 The Range Rover Sport SVR is priced at Rs 2.12 crore (ex-showroom). 

Courtesy : Autocar

Fiat is set to launch the sporty Abarth version of the Punto hatchback, powered by a 1.4-litre T-Jet motor churning out 145PS. The Aparth Punto is one of the most powerful hatchbacks made in India and will be priced around Rs 10 lakh.

Unlike its sibling, the Abarth Punto will carry a more affordable price tag, since it is based on the Fiat Punto, which is produced in India. The visual difference will be the racy colour scheme on the Abarth Punto – including a red-and-black combination, and a matt grey body colour with bright orange highlights.

The major superficial difference will be the Abarth badges on the front and back and a set of new 16-inch alloy wheels with diamond cut finish. At the back, there’s also a subtle spoiler and chrome exhaust trims.

For the interiors, the Abarth Punto gets a sporty all-black interior, while the black seat upholstery comes with subtle yellow and red stitching combination.

Most importantly, the Abarth Punto Evo will come equipped with a turbo charged 1.4-litre, 4-cylinder, twin-cam engine which can punch out 145PS of peak power and 212Nm of maximum torque. This makes it one of the most powerful hatchbacks produced in India.

The hot hatch Apabrth Punto, is expected to be priced close to Rs 10 lakh, when it is launched. Meanwhile, Fiat has started accepting booking of the Abarth Punto across its dealership for a sum of Rs 50,000.

Courtesy :  Zigwheels

SK Motowheels has launched Benneli range of motorcycles in Goa. The new showroom located at Burdez area will offer its five motorcycles ranging from 300cc to 1131cc, and priced between Rs 3.05-12.07 lakh.

The new dealership has started accepting booking for the entire range of DSK Benelli motorcycles, including the TNT 300 in-line two-cylinder 300cc engine; TNT 600i  in-line four-cylinder 600cc engine; TNT 600 GT the tourer motorcycle with an in-line four-cylinder 600cc engine; TNT 899 in-line 3-cylinder 898cc engine; and the TNT R the 1131cc in-line, three-cylinder engine motorcycle. The Benelli motorcycle is priced between Rs 3.05 lakh to Rs 12.07 lakh in Goa.

Commenting on the launch of the Goa dealership, Shirish Kulkarni, Chairman, DSK Motowheels, said, “Our main focus is to align DSK Benelli’s presence across all strategic locations in order to generate strong brand eminence and Goa in that respect, is one of those key markets. The dealership will not only act as a platform to sell motorcycles but also a place for DSK Benelli superbike enthusiasts to interact with other bikers and share their love for the Italian biking legend.”

DSK Benelli superbikes ex-showroom, Goa price:

•          TNT 300 – Rs 3.05 lakh

•          TNT 600i – Rs 5.50 lakh

•          TNT 600 GT – Rs 6.09 lakh

•          TNT 600 GTS – Rs 6.47 lakh

•          TNT 899 – Rs 9.69 lakh

•          TNT R – Rs 12.07 lakh

Courtesy : Zigwheels