Few dealers have started accepting bookings of the upcoming Yamaha R3 prior to its official launch. The Yamaha R3 is expected to be priced around Rs 3 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi)

The Yamaha R3 has to be among the most highly anticipated launches of 2015. The new performance motorcycle from Yamaha will make its Indian debut on August 11th and ZigWheels have also been invited for an exclusive ride of the R3. Although, the official launch of the Yamaha R3 in India is scheduled next week few dealers have started accepting booking for the upcoming motorcycle. The booking amount for the Yamaha R3 is Rs 30,000 and according to our sources the new Yamaha R3 will cost Rs 3.5 to 3.6 lakh (on-road Mumbai). This means that the Yamaha R3 will be priced around Rs 3 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) and the above confirmation will be made on the day of the launch. Talking about deliveries expect the first lot of the new Yamaha motorcycles to hit Indian roads by second week of September during Ganesh Chaturthi. It is also rumoured that Yamaha has dropped ABS which is standard in the international-spec model from the Indian version of Yamaha R3 to price the bike aggressively. 

The Yamaha R3 will be the new locally assembled flagship offering for the Japanese two-wheeler giant in the Indian market. In terms of styling the Yamaha R3 is similar to its 250cc sibling with sharp and edgy lines that should appeal to the masses. Powering the Yamaha R3 is a 321cc, parallel-twin, liquid-cooled motor churning out 42PS at 10,750rpm and peak torque of 29.6Nm at 9,000rpm. The mill is mated to a 6-speed constant mesh gearbox. In terms of power output, the Yamaha YZF-R3 sits between its arch rivals the Kawasaki Ninja 300 (39PS) and the KTM RC 390 (43.5PS). Braking is done by disc brakes at front and rear while it is rumoured that ABS wouldn’t be offered on the India-spec motorcycle. Watch this space for more updates

Courtesy : Zigwheels

For now, only the buying company's name has been released. All assets required to produce EBR bikes are part of this deal.

Eric Buell Racing was sold at an auction recently for a mere USD 2.25 million (approximately Rs 14 crore). In 2013, Hero MotoCorp had paid a lot more at Rs 159 crore to purchase a 49.2 percent stake in EBR. In addition, an extra Rs 17 crore was paid to purchase EBR’s consultancy arm. At the auction, official records showed that EBR had $20.8 million (Rs 132 crore) in assets and $20.4 million (Rs 130 crore) in liabilities.

EBR was sold to a company called Atlantic Metals Group LLC, and no other details of the company were revealed by the court. This deal includes all assets necessary to manufacture EBR bikes, like the tools, machinery and the inventory of remaining bikes and spare parts. Valuable intellectual property is also part of this deal. No official statement has been released by Eric Buell or the buyers.

Courtesy : Autocar

A look at the new cars expected to make their debut at the Frankfurt motor show this September.

The Frankfurt motor show to be held in September will be a platform for major automakers to unveil or showcase their upcoming, new or updated models. Some of these automakers include Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Bentley, Porsche, Jaguar, Audi, Ferrari and Lamborghini. Here is a look at what to expect at the Frankfurt Motor Show:

Alfa Romeo Giulia - This BMW 3-series' rival made its debut in June this year, and is expected to be showcased at the event. The only information revealed by Alfa is that the car is to be powered by a Ferrari-sourced twin-turbo V6 though they may provide more at the motor show.

New Audi A4 - Audi debuted its new A4 earlier this year. The next-gen car is larger and lighter than its predecessor and gets a range of new or updated engines making the car more powerful and efficient.

Bentley Bentayga - Bentley is expected to showcase the production version of the Bentayga SUV. The company has already released teasers for this upcoming super-luxury SUV, so we
can expect the production version to make its debut at the show.

New BMW 7-series - Revealed earlier this year, the international launch of the 7-series is expected in a few months.

New BMW X1 - The new X1 will be offered in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive in international markets. The new car is based on the UKL platform that underpins BMWs sister- brand Mini, resulting in an altered silhouette.

Ferrari 488 GTS Spider - Ferrari has revealed its most powerful mid-engined convertible yet. The convertible gets the same features and options as the standard 488 along with the addition of a folding hard-top. The engine is the same 660bhp twin-turbo V8 as on the standard model. The Italian automaker will unveil the car at the motor show.

Fiat 124 Spider – Based on the Mazda MX5 sold internationally, the Fiat 124 Spider will share many styling elements with the roadster, and will also be built alongside it at Mazda’s Hiroshima plant. The engine though will be a different unit with Fiat expected to use a 1.4-litre motor instead of the 2.0-litre used on the MX5. Fiat is likely to showcase the car at Frankfurt, but it is not confirmed yet.

 

Hyundai’s Toyota Prius rival – Hyundai has been testing a rival to the Prius on international roads. The car, sharing a silhouette identical to the current-generation Prius, is powered by a hybrid powertrain developed by Hyundai’s sister brand Kia. Hyundai is expected to showcase a conceptual version of this new stand-alone hybrid which is expected to launch internationally in 2016.

Hyundai i20 1.0-litre turbo – Hyundai is expected to debut a 1.0-litre turbocharged engine under the hood of the i20 on sale internationally. The unit, based on the 1.0-litre three cylinder Kappa unit from the European i10, is expected to develop up to 118bhp. The 1.0-litre i20 is expected to launch sometime in 2016, and will likely be a part of a mid-cycle facelift.

Jaguar F-Pace - The car may have been part of the Tour de France as a support vehicle, but will make its officially debut here.

Lamborghini Huracan Spyder - Another Italian drop-top expected to make its debut at the show is the Huracan Spyder. With its international launch expected sometime towards the end of the year, it’s likely that Lamborghini will debut the car at the motor show.

Maserati Levante - The Italian automaker's first SUV is expected to make its debut here. The SUV is expected to go on sale internationally by end-2015 in left-hand-drive form while the right-hand-drive model is expected sometime next year.

Mercedes-Benz C-class Coupe - Mercedes has confirmed that it will be debuting the C-class Coupe. The three-door will look similar to the regular car from the front, but will get a differently styled rear. Mechanicals though will remain unchanged. Also debuting will be the AMG C 63 Coupe.

Mercedes-Benz GLC - Mercedes will be unveiling the new GLC-class at the motor show. Revealed prior to the event, the SUV is based on the MRA platform that underpins the new C-class and also shares its front end and interior styling with the sedan.

Mercedes GLS-class – Mercedes has been extensively testing the facelifted version of the GL-class, the GLS-class, on international roads. Recent images on the internet show a thinly camouflaged car, indicating a possible reveal at the Frankfurt motor show. The large SUV is expected to go on sale internationally by year end.

Porsche 911 facelift - Porsche is expected to showcase the facelifted 911 range and the models are expected to get styling changes and a new four-cylinder engine range.

Porsche Pajun Concept – Porsche is expected to showcase an all-electric concept car, that could become the precursor to the Pajun four-door sedan. The production Pajun sedan is not expected to launch before 2017, and will slot in below the Panamera. 

VW Tiguan Concept - The conceptual version of the second-generation Tiguan SUV could be displayed here. The SUV is expected to get both 5 and 7-seater layouts, with the 7-seater expected to come to India.

Courtesy : Autocar

Before the 2015 Ford Endeavour comes to Indian shores, here are 7 things that you must know about the car

1.) All new Generation: There is a huge fanbase for SUVs in India. The kind of success the first-generation Endeavour tasted was unparalleled in its time. But since then the car hasn’t got any substantial updates. This is about to change with the introduction of the 2015 Ford Endeavour. In this new avatar the 2015 Endeavour is an all new SUV from ground up including the platform, the rear suspension and of course the design and interiors. This new platform has not just resulted in better driving dynamics and more space on the inside as well. 

2.) Aerodynamic Design: Although like any other SUV, the new Endeavour too might have a bulky yet aggressive design language, Ford has put some though it ensuring that it is aerodynamic. And for that purpose Ford has a specially crafted front bumper guard. The American car maker has also fitted aero kickers at the back along with a rear spoiler that cuts aerodynamic drag. That aside, the 2015 Ford Endeavour with its massive front chrome grille, a wide stance and the beefy looking wheel arches and alloy wheels give it an aggressive disposition. 

3.) New Engine: The 2.5-litre as well as the 3.0-litre diesel mill from the outgoing Endeavour have been given the boot in this new-generation model. The 2015 Endeavour now gets a 2.2-litre 4-cylinder unit that makes max power of 160PS and peak torque of 385Nm. This engine will come mated to a manual transmission as well as a 6-speed automatic one but will not feature a 4WD system. The higher variants will be offered with a 3.2-litre 5-cylinder unit that makes 200PS and 470Nm. This engine will only come with the 6-speed automatic transmission. 

4.) Premium Interiors: One of the biggest drawbacks of the current generation Endeavour is that its interior has started to look dated. Ford has addressed the problem and given the 2015 version fresher and better quality interiors. The dual-tone dashboard now looks a lot more premium and the top-end trim that we drove came layered with leather. The seats come with leather upholstery and are pretty comfortable to sit. The overall build quality is impressive too. The 2015 Endeavour comes with 3 rows of seating and offers a fair bit of space even for the passengers sitting on the last row. 

5.) Feature loaded: One of the other reasons why the previous generation model didn’t hit the right note on the sales charts is the lack of equipment. In this 2015 model, Ford has made it up for it and more. From electrically foldable last row, reversing camera, touch screen infotainment system with navigation, Bluetooth, AUX and USB. The 2015 Ford Endeavour also gets a dual zone climate control and separate controls for Air cons for the passengers at the back. The 2015 Endeavour will also come with a sun roof. The only thing it misses out on is a button start and keyless go.

6.) Terrain Management System: Like the high end Land Rovers, the next-generation Endeavour too will come with a Terrain Management System in the 3.2-litre version. It gets four modes to suit the kind of conditions you are driving in. The Normal mode is for a rough terrain but not hardcore off roading. Then there is Snow, mud and grass mode for softer surfaces that require more traction. The sand mode for dune bashing. And for those who want to climb upwards on a hill there is also the rock mode. Aside from all of this, the new Ford Endeavour also gets 4-wheel low and hill descent control.

7.) Competition: While Ford has made a strong product which looks butch, feels premium and comes loaded with features, competitors Toyota, Chevrolet and Mitsubishi too have been working on an offering in this segment. The new Toyota Fortuner, Chevrolet Trailblazer and the Mitsubishi Pajero too are around the corner, and each of them look mightily impressive. It seems like this segment is sure going to see some hardcore battle for the top spot.  

Courtesy : Zigwheels

Mini brings in the 2015 Countryman at Rs 36.50 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi and Maharashtra) via the CBU route

The new Mini Countryman gets a redesigned hexagonal front grille, with large Xenon headlights and LED fog lamps. In this new model, the ground clearance too has been increased and the overhangs have been shortened. On the inside the seating position of the new Countryman has now been raised for enhanced driving comfort and better visibility. Talking about seating, the rear now has a 40:20:40 split which makes it cartier replica watches uk flexible for accommodating luggage. The Mini Countryman also comes with an optional panoramic glass roof. 

Philipp von Sahr, President, BMW Group India said, “The new MINI Countryman has pursued its path to success both on and off road. Selective design modifications for the exterior and interior along with innovative equipment features contribute to the more mature charisma and increased appeal of the new MINI Countryman. It is a perfect amalgamation of character, space and the ‘go-kart’ responsiveness.”

Under the hood, the Mini Countryman gets a 4-pot turbo diesel unit that fake rolex watches makes 112PS and has 270Nm of torque. Mated to a new six-speed Steptronic transmission, the Mini Countryman can touch the 100kmph marker in 11.3 seconds and can record a max speed of 185kmph. 

Considering the price, in the Indian market, the Mini Countryman competes against the Mercedes-Benz  GLA-Class and the Audi Q3. 

Courtesy : Zigwheels