Mahindra is about to enter the competitive compact SUV market with the launch of the TUV300 next week. Here are some of the top features that we will see in the car

1.)  Body on Frame construction: First things first, the Mahindra TUV300 isn’t a Bolero replacement. It is Mahindra iteration of a sub-4 metre SUV which will be based on the all-new body on frame developed for the 2014 Scorpio. Needless to say the TUV300 chassis will be shorter than the one on the Scorpio which will result in reduced weight. Moreover, for the Scorpio, Mahindra had also stiffened and strengthened the chassis, and in the TUV300 it should be no different. In fact even in comparison to the Bolero, the TUV300 is expected to be nimbler, shorter and stiffer. 

2.) Interior and features: So far we have only got a short glimpse of what the interior of the TUV300 would look like. But if the spy shots and the image shared by on the TUV300 twitter handle are anything to go by, it will carry the Mahindra family design. The dashboard is a combination of beige and black. It gets an all new steering wheel with mounted controls for audio and telephony. Just like the previous XUV500, the TUV300 too has lots of tell-tale lights on the instrumentation. Not something we are particularly fond of. In terms of safety it is expected to come with 2 airbags and ABS. Other features would include keyless entry, central locking, parking sensors and more. It will be interesting to see Mahindra installs the TUV300 with the start/stop feature to keep the efficiency in check. 

3.) Seating: Despite being a sub-4 metre SUV, just like the Quanto, Mahindra has fitted the TUV300 with a 5+2 seating arrangement – with bucket seats up front, bench seats in the middle and jump seats for the passengers at the back. The Nashik based car maker had tried the same format when they launched the QUANTO a few years back, but that however didn’t seem to go well with the buyers. It will be interesting to see if they have done things any differently in the TUV300. 

4.) Engine: Mahindra hasn’t shared too much information about the engine of the TUV300 as yet, except that it will come with a mHawk80 series powerplant. This one is a 1.5-litre diesel unit. In the Quanto, the same engine makes power of 100 horses and 240Nm of torque. The Quanto returns an ARAI claimed figure of 17.1kmpl, the TUV300 is expected to return a marginally better figure. 

5.) AMT:  While the compact SUV segment is right down the alley for a lot of buyers, the demand for automatic options in this segment too is rapidly increasing. Hyundai recently brought in the Creta and Mahindra too introduced the Scorpio Automatic. With the launch of the TUV300, Mahindra intends to offer what could be the cheapest automatic SUV on offer in the country. Mahindra is expected to launch the TUV300 with an AMT option. It is expected to undercut the Creta as well as the Scorpio Automatic in terms of price. Aside from the AMT, the TUV300 will also be sold with a manual gearbox.

6.) Accessories: With spy shots of the TUV making its rounds on the internet, there has been a lot of buzz about the TUV300’s design. Mahindra had unveiled the sketches of the car late last month but the production version doesn’t look as meaty. However, the sketches shown were that of the ‘decked up’ version. Mahindra says that most of its SUVs at least go through a small amount of personalisation, the TUV will be no different. Mahindra will offer a long list of customisation extras like bull bars, claddings, additional lights and of course larger wheels. 

Courtesy : Autocar

Models from Renault's budget brand, Dacia to first feature the AMT technology; will be displayed at the Frankfurt motor show.

Renault will soon make its foray into the AMT gearbox club. The carmaker has announced that it will showcase its first set of AMT-equipped vehicles at the upcoming Frankfurt motor show. The AMT technology from Renault is expected to be named 'Easy-R'.

However, while an AMT-equipped Renault could take a while to be actualised, it is the company's budget brand, Dacia, that will first make use of the AMT technology. The new Logan, the Logan MCV, the Dacia Sandero and the Sandero Stepway will be the first models to get the Easy-R in European markets.

For India, Renault is developing an AMT-equipped version of the upcoming Kwid. Expected to be launched in India soon, it will feature an innovative rotary knob on the centre console for the gearbox. This indicates that drivers will not get the option of shifting manually as seen in other AMT-equipped offerings from Maruti and Tata.

Courtesy : Autocar

The Triumph Tiger 800 XCA will have the same mechanicals and cycle parts as the off-road oriented Tiger 800 XCx but will have more standard equipment, including heated rider and passenger seats and LED fog lamps

The Tiger 800 XCA also features aluminium pannier rails making it ready to tour with optional Expedition luggage set. The Tiger 800 XCA will be powered by the same second generation liquid-cooled in-line three 800cc engine, which makes 95PS power and equipped with traction control, switchable ABS, and ride-by-wire throttle with programmable rider modes. The Triumph Tiger 800XCx currently retails for Rs 13.3 lakh (ex-showroom) and we expect the Tiger 800 XCA to be priced around Rs 15-16 lakh (ex-showroom).

Courtesy :  Zigwheels

It seems second half of 2015 will be an exciting time period for Indian two-wheeler enthusiasts as the Mahindra Mojo will be launched in September with expected pricing around Rs 1.5 to 1.7 lakh

The basic silhouette of the Mojo has been maintained on the new model and the subtle updates have made it more visually pleasing but styling still remains quirky. The headlight fascia has been reworked and the twin headlamps receive a separate body shell of their own with DRL (Daytime Running Lights), LED turn indicators integrated in the mirrors, which were present in the older model, have been given a miss in the production model but it has retained the “gold ribs”. The Mojo employs a semi-digital instrument console with a large analogue tachometer taking centre stage. 

The bike is powered by a 295cc liquid - cooled, single-cylinder engine fed through an electronic fuel-injection system expected to produce around 27PS at 8,000rpm and 30Nm at 6,000rpm. 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, Pirelli Diablo Rosso Tyres and petal discs. Mahindra Plans to market as a touring motorcycle as the Mojo has a fuel tank capacity of 21 litres and 175mm ground clearance. Braking is done by disc brakes at front and rear while ABS has been given the miss to keep cost low. Talking about pricing, it is expected that the Mahindra Mojo will be priced around Rs 1.5 to 1.65 lakh (ex-showroom). 

Courtesy : Zigwheels

The CR-Z facelift comes with additional equipment; petrol-electric powertrain carried forward.

Honda has unveiled the facelifted version of its petrol-electric hybrid, the CR-Z. The updated car gets styling changes to the exterior, with a few additions to the interior.

The front bumper of the CR-Z has been redesigned while the grille gets minor tweaks. Certain variants of the refreshed CR-Z sport LED headlights. The rear bumper now gets a more squarish appearance and features a rear diffuser. The rear track has also been widened.

Inside, an electric switch has replaced the handbrake lever, making space for a central storage box with an integrated arm rest. Other additions to the interior include a touchscreen infotainment system, an upgraded audio system and a push-button ignition system.

Mechanically, Honda's facelifted CR-Z retains its existing 1.5-litre petrol engine and electric motor, though the suspension has been improved to offer better dynamics, while the brakes have increased in diameter.

The facelifted Honda CR-Z will go on sale internationally towards the end of this year.

Courtesy : Autocar