The Mercedes-Maybach S600 Pullman Guard offers VR9 bullet resistance.

Just like the "regular" Maybach S600 Guard, the new Pullman derivative has been created to provide optimal protection to heads of states and other at-risk individuals.

The first customer deliveries of the Mercedes-Maybach S600 Pullman Guard are scheduled for second half of 2017; paranoia is, however, expensive: pricing for the armoured version starts at just under €1.4 million (R21.2 million) ex factory, nearly three times the cost of the standard Pullman. Additionally, aramid and PE components throughout the exterior provide splinter protection. Intelligent overlapping systems at particularly critical points provide comprehensive ballistic protection. Polycarbonate coating on the bulletproof glass ensures the occupants aren't covered in splinters if the windows are shot at. The glazing is of special significance for safety and particular attention has been paid to it in terms of the choice of material and thickness.

Unlike most armoured cars, the Pullman doesn't have a laminated rear window; instead there's a steel bulkhead behind the rear-seat head restraints. From the outside, the special protection equipment is barely discernible, like on all S-Class Guard models. Floor armouring covers relevant areas of the underbody. With the standard S600 Pullman costing "around half a million Euros", and the Maybach S600 Guard around that price neighborhood as well, the ultimate in S-class protection and size should command an appropriately sky-high price tag when it starts reaching customers in the second half of next year. Powering this monster is a beastly 6.0-liter V12, biturbo motor that is capable of churning out over 515bhp and develops 830Nm of peak torque to go with it. This very luxurious tank's top speed is electronically limited to 160 km/h.

While prospect customer can get a feel of the vehicle at the 2016 Paris Motor Show, Mercedes-Maybach will start delivering the S600 Pullman Guard only in the second half of 2017.

Source : Mercedes-Maybach S600 Pullman Guard Limo Revealed

NEW DELHI: Mahindra & Mahindra is recalling an unspecified number of its new generation Scorpio and NuvoSport SUVs to rectify faulty fluid hose in engine compartment.

The proactive inspection and repositioning of a fluid hose in the engine compartment on all new generation Scorpio and NuvoSport will cover all the vehicles manufactured till June 2016, Mahindra & Mahindra said in a BSE filing.

The inspection and subsequent rectification will be carried out free of cost and customers will be individually contacted, it added.

"As an endeavour to ensure a hassle free experience for its customers, the company is proactively carrying out this activity. This action is also in compliance with SIAM's voluntary code on vehicle recall," M&M said.

Last month, the company had recalled an unspecified number of SsangYong Rexton SUV due to a suspected fault with the rear driveshaft.

AHMEDABAD: Italian superbike maker Ducati has announced to open three more dealerships across India by the end of 2017, starting from Kochi.

Ducati India is at present operational in five major cities including Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Pune, besides the newly opened showroom-cum-service centre in Ahmedabad.

"We will open our next dealership in Kochi. We have planned to add another three dealerships within the course of 2017," Ducati India Managing Director Ravi Avalur told reporters during the launching ceremony of Ducati's cruiser bike XDiavel at their dealership on the SG Highway here today.

Avalur, however, maintained that company does not plan to open too many dealerships to maintain quality of services.

"Our plan is not to open too many dealerships because it will be difficult to maintain this quality and standard if we do so. We can't have dealers everywhere. We will be relatively contained compared to some of the major players," said Avalur.

According to him, the cruiser market in India is growing at a healthy rate, as around 6,500 bikes, which are above 500cc and having a price tag of more than Rs 4 lakh, were sold last calender year.

"Ducati's growth is of course better than the market. Though we have just launched this dealership, we have out-sold all our initial stock here. Last year, our highest selling model was Diavel," said Avalur.

The newly launched XDiavel comes with a price tag of Rs 16.93 lakh (ex-showroom). Another variant of the bike XDiavel S is available at 19.70 lakh (ex-showroom).

Source : Ducati to open 3 more dealerships in India by 2017 end

Honda Cars India has increased prices of its entire product portfolio across the country that are applicable from 15 September 2016. The price hike ranges from Rs 6,300 to Rs. 14,250 depending on models. According to reports, Honda Brio has witnessed an increase in a price range from Rs 6,900 to Rs 7,600.
The newly introduced crossover, Honda BR-V gets a price hike of Rs 9,900 to Rs 14,250 for the diesel and Rs.13,350o to Rs 14,050 for the petrol. Prices of the Honda City, Amaze and Jazz have also seen a price increase of Rs 11,000, Rs 6,300 and Rs 9,300 respectively. The CR-V will also cost dearer by Rs 14,100.

Recently, Honda Mobilio was crash tested by Global NCAP wherein the base version did not score anything. That said, the variant equipped with airbags scored a respectable three stars out of five. Should carmakers starts offering their models with optional airbags? Should safety features like airbags, ABS etc be mandatory for all vehicles sold in India? Before even such a move is done, buyers should have safety as a prime focus before narrowing down a deal on a particular product. Such safety systems are there for a reason and presence of such devices makes a car even safer.

Source : Honda increases car prices in India

MUMBAI: Tata Motors-owned Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) today launched all new Jaguar XF priced between Rs 49.50-62.10 lakh.

The deliveries of the new XF will begin from the month-end, the company said in a statement here. This marks the first JLR model entry in the country with this new powertrain. 

Announcing the launch, JLR India President Rohit Suri said the all-new 2-litre XF will be available in five variants. 

The base diesel model 'Pure' is priced at Rs 49.50 lakh, the 'Prestige' at Rs 55.90 lakh and the 'Portfolio' comes at Rs 62.10 lakh.   

The 2-litre base petrol model 'Prestige' begins at Rs 55.65 lakh and the 'Portfolio' is priced at Rs 61.85 lakh (all prices ex-showroom Delhi). 

The XF diesel version comes with the new Ingenium 2-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged engine delivering a power output of 132 Kw. Ingenium is JLR's new breed of engines designed for effortless performance, refinement and efficiency. 

With advanced technology and all-aluminium construction, the Ingenium diesel engine, which is 20kg lighter than the previous one, delivers impressive fuel economy and reduces CO2 emissions.

For the petrol version, the XF's 4-cylinder engine offers 177 Kw of power and responsiveness throughout the rev range, while improving efficiency and in fact offers '6-cylinder' performance. 

Jaguar portfolio in the country includes the F-Type (starting at Rs 125 lakh in CBU form), locally manufactured XJ (starting at Rs 99.99 lakh) and locally-made XE (starting at Rs 39.90 lakh).

The models are sold through the company's 23-dealer network in 22 cities.