The open-top hatchback will arrive by April 2016 and will be sold as a CBU; Clubman to be launched later in the year.

In our November issue, we broke to you the news about the arrival in India of two new Minis, namely the New Clubman and the Mini Convertible. The carmaker has now confirmed the news with an official announcement.

The Convertible, as the name suggests, is the drop-top version of the classic hatchback that’s already on sale in India. It will be the only convertible version here amidst its competition, namely the Volkswagen Beetle, Mercedes-Benz A-class, BMW 1-series and the Fiat Abarth 595 Competizione. It is set to arrive on our shores by April 2016 as a Completely Built Unit (CBU).

The Clubman is the biggest ‘Mini’ ever. The estate from the small car marque is unmistakably Mini in its styling, however, comes with the practicality of five proper seats and loads of storage space. It will be launched in its second-generation avatar and will be launched in India after the Mini Convertible. Internationally, the car is available with 1.5- and 2.0-litre petrol engines. However, the engine options on the India-bound car remain unknown.

Courtesy : Autocar

The mystery two-wheeler that Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India has been teasing for quite some day is the Honda Navi.  The Navi was launched on the inaugaral day of the Auto Expo 2016 – the Motor Show – at a staring price of Rs 39.500 (ex-showroom, Delhi). Honda Navi opens up an all-new segment in the Indian two-wheeler segment and will attract young buyers, said the company.  It looks like a cross between an adventure bike and a commuter motorcycle.

Honda Navi is the first 100 per cent Honda R&D India model. The made-in-India & made-for-India Honda Navi was conceptualised, designed and developed entirely in India. The Honda Navi is available in a total of five colour options – Patriot Red, Shasta White, Hooper Green, Sparky Orange and Black.

Available in three variants – Street, adventure & off-road, the Navi comes with several customisation options, which means that a buyer can build it as per his or her need and taste

While the design of the Honda Navi may not excite many, the company believes that its unconventional design is its uniquness. It’s very mechanical & clean, which offers both convenience and performance to a rider.

Powering the Honda Navi is a 110cc, single-cylinder engine that, mated to an automatic gearbox, develops 7.8bhp at 7000rpm and 9Nm at 5500rpm. This engine is probably the same that does duty on the Honda Activa. Measuring 1805mm in length, 748mm in width, 1039mm in height and 1286mm in wheelbase, the Honda Navi is quite a compact two-wheeler.

The high ground clearance of 156mm further ensures that it handles all sorts of Indian terrains with quite ease. The bike weighs 101kg and has a fuel tank capacity of 3.8-litre.

Honda Navi Specifications

Engine – 110cc, single-cylinder
Transmission – Automatic (V-matic)
Maximum power – 7.8bhp at 7000rpm
Maximum torque – 9Nm at 5500rpm
Front tyre – 90/90 – 12-inch
Rear tyre – 90/100 – 10-inch
Brakes – 130mm drum both at front & rear
Frame – Under born type
Suspension – Telescopic at front & Spring-loaded hydraulic at rear
Top-speed – 81kmph

Courtesy : The Financial Express

Activ concept is based on the next-gen Beat hatchback.

After releasing a teaser of the Beat Activ Concept days before the 2016 Auto Expo, Chevrolet pulled the wraps off the beefy little pseudo-crossover today. The concept is based on the new-gen Beat hatchback which is slated for launch in 2017.

The hopped-up hatchback concept features signature LED headlamps and fog lamps, Chevrolet’s trademark split grille and black plastic cladding. To add to the rugged theme, it also gets silver skid plates and roof rails.

The interiors get a two-tone beige and brown colour combination, a 7-inch touchscreen interface for the MyLink infotainment system and a sporty motorbike-inspired instrument binnacle.

Chevrolet’s displays at the expo also included the Beat Essentia, a next-gen Beat based compact sedan. Both the Essentia and Activ are part of Chevy's new product range for India over the next five years.

Courtesy : Autocar