Two-door TTS gets a sportier styling; previous sightings indicate lower variants to receive the same treatment.

Images of the updated Audi TT have leaked online, which indicates the design changes one can expect to see on the facelifted two-door when it launches.

Posted on Instagram, these pictures show a TTS coupé with more aggressive styling than its predecessor, indicated by an enlarged front splitter and diffuser. Prior to the leak, TT development cars spotted at the Nürburgring showed that lower variants will also see similar enhancements.

Technical specifications of the car have yet to be released. Nevertheless, the car engine line-up will most likely remain largely unchanged. The current-gen TT sports a 1.8-litre TFSI, 2.0-litre TFSI and a 2.0-litre TDI. Audi is likely to focus on improving efficiency and output of the current petrol powertrains for the next-gen model. Even the range-topping TT RS – which uses a turbocharged 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine – is only likely to get mild changes. However, these could include a boost to the current car’s 400hp past the 405hp-mark.

The latest TT acted as a halo car for the brand’s Virtual Cockpit system upon its introduction. The facelifted car, though, is expected to make a smaller stride forward in this area. Cabin-design and other interiors are not predicted to change, too much.

The current model was launched in 2014 at the Geneva motor show. Recent sightings of a near-finished-looking development car in Europe, in tandem with the leaked images, suggest that Audi is just about ready to reveal its facelifted TT.

The third-gen Audi TT has been available in India from 2015, albeit only in the 230hp state of tune. It is currently priced at Rs 73.54 lakh (on-road, Delhi). There is no word on when it will bring this facelift to our shores.

Courtesy : AUTOCAR 

Jasminder Singh completes one of the world’s toughest rides on a very unlikely motorcycle.

In recent years, there has been no shortage of pictures of bikers making it up to Leh on the strangest of motorcycles. Everything from the tiny little Navi to classic two-stroke Jawas and RD 350s, to even low-slung Harley-Davidsons have all made their way up to some of the highest motor able roads in the world. That said, this is the first time we’ve heard that a Busa has completed the Delhi-Srinagar-Leh-Manali-Delhi circuit.

YouTuber and rider of the Busa, Jasminder Singh, took on this 12-day road trip with four of his friends who were astride much smaller capacity motorcycles. As per the ride experience shared by Singh, none of the riders suffered a crash or a breakdown during the challenging ride and the entire road trip was concluded without any support vehicle. We spoke to Jasminder about this mighty road trip that he finished few weeks ago. Here are some of the highlights he had to share:

Best moments
“The best thing was reaching Khardung La top, years back it was just a dream. Particularly this year, I just thought about the season of Leh-Ladakh and then again to do something different. Reaching there was a moment of joy. Secondly, we enjoyed a lot at Agham Shyok Road, which goes from Nubra to Pangong, because it was very challenging. This stretch had the maximum number of river crossings and scenic views.”

Most challenging part
“The same stretch of Agham Shyok was the most challenging, even though it was my third time to Leh, I have never faced a river crossing with such strong flow. The river crossing was only 80-90 feet in length but took us one hour to cross. This was because we were waiting to take cover and ride alongside two SUVs that would help reduce the current.”

Biggest surprises
“Honestly, I don’t remember any major surprises. Everything was clear in my mind and that is why I got no surprises at all.”

Any doubts about completion?
“No! Not at all. We were prepared and we knew we could even be dropping our motorcycles. Luckily, we managed to keep the tank side up, even though four members of our group were riding to Leh for the first time.”

Bike preparations
“Nothing, except for paint protection film to some surfaces, so that I could attach bags without scratching the paint. Oh yes, and some stickers to the fairing. The bike was completely stock.”

Any damage?
“No. Not even a scratch!”

Advice to others trying something similar
“First of all, I don’t advise it, but there are some daredevils out there. So, I advise them to carry spares because it is very easy to fall on a trip like this. In fact, I saw a few accidents myself. This is why it’s a must to carry spares as it won’t be available there. A regular mechanic should manage to change components you would end up breaking. Also, fuel was important. Luckily, the Busa has a large, 21-litre fuel tank, with which I could manage 350km without the need for refuelling. Other superbike owners may require quicker fuel stops because of much smaller tanks. Carrying extra fuel is recommended. However, I did carry octane boosters because the quality of fuel up there is much lower than that of Delhi.”

Courtesy : AUTOCAR 

Set to be revealed in 2019 the Polestar 2 will come with a 563-km range and generate around 405hp.

Details on the second model from Volvo’s new electrified performance brand, Polestar, have been confirmed.  The Polestar 2, due for a reveal in 2019, will get a 563-km range, generate power up to 405hp and is likely to be priced between £30,000 and £50,000 (approximately Rs 27.23-45.40 lakh), according to the company’s chief operating officer, Jonathan Goodman.

Talking to our sister publication, Autocar UK, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Goodman confirmed details of the Tesla Model 3-rivalling electric sedan. About that 563-km range of the entry-level model, he said, "That’ll represent the lower ‘bookend’ of our showroom range and, for now, it should give us as much access to the volume end of the EV market as we need."

The Polestar 2 is understood to closely relate to the 40.2 concept showcased early last year alongside the 40.1 concept, which has since been revealed in production from as the Volvo XC40.

The all-electric Polestar 2 sedan is due in 2019 and will be followed later by a larger, all-electric crossover SUV – the Polestar 3.

Courtesy : AUTOCAR 

Tata Motors has added a more affordable variant to the Nexon AMT’s lineup. This variant is based on the mid-spec XM variant, and is called the XMA. The Nexon XMA petrol AMT costs Rs 7.50 lakh, while the Nexon XMA diesel AMT costs Rs 8.53 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

Compared to their manual counterparts, the AMT variants cost Rs 60,000 extra in case of the petrol and Rs 70,000 more in case of the diesel. Interestingly, at Rs 8.53 lakh, the Nexon XMA diesel is priced at par with the Vitara Brezza VDi AMT that costs Rs 8.54 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

The XM is quite a bare-bones variant of the Tata Nexon. The basics, including four power windows, a Bluetooth-enabled music system, rear parking sensors and manual air-conditioning are all on offer though. Safety kit is offered as standard across the Nexon range, so you get dual airbags and ABS on the XMA AMT as well.

Read: Tata Nexon AMT Review

But, you do miss out on quite a lot. Essentials such as a parcel tray, a rear wiper and defogger, a day/night internal rear view mirror as well as driver’s seat height adjustment aren’t available. It doesn’t look particularly upmarket either due to the missing fog lamps, black-coloured wing mirrors, and the lack of chrome trinkets on the dash. Fancy features such as alloy wheels, touchscreen music system and projector headlamps are missing as well.

Mechanically, the Nexon XMA AMT remains unchanged. It carries forward the same 1.2-litre, turbocharged petrol motor, and the 1.5-litre diesel. Output figures remain unchanged too, at 110PS/170Nm for the petrol and 110PS/260Nm for the diesel. The AMT features a creep function, and gets a manual mode as well. Check out our review of the Nexon AMT to know how it runs and drives.

Recommended: Maruti Vitara Brezza AMT Review: Road Test

Should you buy the Nexon XMA? If you’re smitten by the compact SUV looks, and need an automatic on a budget, it does make sense. The price gulf between the XMA and the XZA+ is huge at nearly Rs 1.9 lakh. And maybe Tata should bridge that gap by offering an XTA variant for the Nexon as well.

Courtesy : ZIGWHEELS

Courtesy : ZIGWHEELS