Source: Autocar India

Datsun has opened its new Redigo 1.0 AMT for pre-bookings at an amount of Rs 10,000. Expected to launch in the coming days. The five-speed AMT will only be offered on the 68HP, 1.0 litre engine option. The delivery of the hatchback will begin from January 23, 2018.

This engine and transmission combination is, unsurprisingly, shared with the Renault Kwid AMT. However, it’s not yet known whether the Redigo AMT will get a conventional gear lever or a rotary controller for the gearbox (seen on the Kwid).

The Kwid’s AMT doesn’t allow for a sequential-like manual gear shift, putting it at somewhat of a disadvantage compared to rivals like the Maruti Alto K10 AMT.

Expect exterior and interior design, and kit levels to be shared with the manual Redigo, albeit with the addition of AMT badges.

Prices for the Datsun Redigo AMT are expected to be approximately Rs 30,000 over the standard manual Redigo. Expect a price tag in the range of Rs 3.9 lakh to Rs 4.1 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), depending on the variant.

Upcoming facelift of Mercedes’ sportscar will get a mild bump up in power and subtle styling changes.Mercedes’ Porsche 911 rival, the Mercedes-AMG GT, will be getting a mild power boost as part of the upcoming refresh, along with subtle cosmetic changes.

The Mercedes-AMG GT’s mid-life facelift has been spotted testing with light camouflage on its bumpers to hide changes made there.

The changes are set to be minor as the sportscar’s exterior design was last tweaked after the launch of its GT R and GT C models in late 2016. The changes included fitment of a larger Panamerica front grille.

The GT, which was introduced to Mercedes' line-up in 2014, will also get a small upgrade in power from its turbocharged eight-cylinder engine.

The current standard car produces 476hp from its 4.0-litre V8, but the unit produces up to 585hp in the Mercedes-AMG GT R, showing how much available room for performance there is. Expect the base model to edge towards 507hp, with the S and C models above it also raising their current 522hp and 557hp respective outputs.

The top AMG GT R could also receive a boost, although that car's output is understood to be limited by the fitment of a dry sump. AMG may choose to integrate the wet sump system of the E 63, which produces 611hp in the S that uses the same V8, to enable a more substantial increase.

The updated AMG GT range will come at the tail end of a heavy range expansion for AMG, where a new GT four door model will be launched. Although linked in name, the car will be more technically related to AMG E-class models than the GT sports car.

AMG is also launching a new hybrid line-up, which starts with the CLS 53 later this year, to kick-start an electrified performance range. However, there are no plans to integrate hybrid technology into the current GT model.

The starting price (ex-showroom, Mumbai) for the Verna 1.4 E variant is Rs 7.29 lakh. Hyundai has not revealed prices for the better-equipped Verna 1.4 EX trim as of now. The cheaper and less-powerful Verna 1.4 undercuts the 1.6-litre base variant by around Rs 70,000; the 1.6 E MT costs Rs 7.99 lakh. 

The 1.4-litre engine in the Verna is the same unit seen in the i20 automatic. Hyundai, however, will soon discontinue this engine in their hatchbacks.

It shares the 649cc, twin-cylinder engine with the Ninja, Versys and Z650; expected price of around Rs 6.5 lakh.

Kawasaki’s new teaser image on its official India website clearly lets us know of the company’s plans to enter the Indian cruiser segment with the Vulcan S. This parallel-twin-engine cruiser will go head-on against Harley-Davidson’s Street 750/Street Rod and Royal Enfield’s upcoming 650cc Interceptor; but the Enfield will be priced considerably lower. The Vulcan S should be priced between the Ninja 650 and Versys 650 at around 6.5 lakh (ex-showroom).

The Vulcan S is powered by the 649cc, twin-cylinder, DOHC, liquid-cooled engine which is mated to the six-speed gearbox equipped with a positive neutral finder. The engine is tuned to make 61hp at 7,500rpm and 63Nm of torque at 6,600rpm. These different figures are due to the cruiser-oriented tuning tweaks in the form of revised cam profiles, a modified intake tract, exhaust, and ECU.

One of the biggest features of this upcoming cruiser is what Kawasaki call, ‘ERGO-FIT’ – a three-way adjustment position of the seat, footpegs and handlebar to suit riders of different heights. The motorcycle is equipped with a single 300mm disc with the twin-piston caliper on the front and there’s a single 250mm disc with a single-piston caliper at the back. The bike will also come with a dual-channel ABS system.

The Vulcan S is expected to be locally-assembled alongside rest of the 650 family at the Chakan plant. The 6.5 lakh ex-showroom price can only be expected if Kawasaki launches it without accessories, unlike what they did with the Versys-X 300. The accessories on Versys-X 300 bumped up the price, considerably. We were expecting Kawasaki to launch the Vulcan S at the Auto Expo 2018, but the newest teaser could hint at an earlier date.

Courtesy : Autocar

Honda has released the first images for its all-new Insight hybrid ahead of its world debut at the 2018 North American International Motor Show (NAIAS) in Detroit in January 2018.

The Insight nameplate has been revived after a four-year break, with Honda discontinuing the previous generation model in 2014 in international markets. The model is expected to launch in the US in the summer of 2018. However, the new Insight is not expected to launch in the UK, while info about its India-entry is unknown.

However, Honda’s IMA - Integrated Motor Assist – hybrid system is expected to be used on other models in Honda’s line-up, such as the new CR-V for European markets. While the new CR-V will launch in India next year, it is unlikely to be offered in hybrid trim at launch.

Based on the images, the new Insight is less concept-like than its predecessor, and takes on a more conventional sedan-like shape. In fact, plenty of styling bits like the long hood, headlamps and tail-lamps seem to be inspired by the new Accord.

The first generation Insight was launched in 1999 internationally. It rivaled the Toyota Prius and was the first hybrid on sale in North America. The second-gen Honda Insight followed in 2009.

The new Insight is part of Honda’s goal of having electrified vehicles comprising two-thirds of its global sales by 2030. As part of its plans for India, which includes launching six new models in the next three years, Honda will concentrate on introducing hybrids in the near future rather than Battery Electric Vehicles, despite the lack of any incentives provided by India’s new Goods and Service Tax (GST). With this in mind, the new Insight could come to India, though there is no official word regarding a launch.   

 Courtesy : Autocar