Mercedes-Benz has officially brought the SLC nameplate back to its model range with the introduction of the all-new SLC series that replaces the SLK. Introduced in 1996, the SLK (that has around 6.7 lakh sales to its name) will be relaunched as the SLC in March 2016.

The SLC (i.e. SLK facelift) will be offered in multiple variants, including the Mercedes-AMG SLC 43 that replaces the SLK 55 AMG. Given below is a look at the technical details of the SLC range at a glance:

- SLC 180: 1.6L, in-line 4-cylinder engine that makes 154 BHP @ 5,300 rpm and 250 Nm of torque @ 1,200 - 4,000 rpm. 0-100 km/h comes up in a claimed 7.9 seconds with the top speed rated at 226 km/h (223 km/h with the 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission).

- SLC 200: 2.0L, in-line 4-cylinder engine that makes 180 BHP @ 5,500 rpm and 300 Nm of torque @ 1,200 - 4,000 rpm. 0-100 km/h comes up in a claimed 7 seconds with the top speed rated at 240 km/h (237 km/h with the 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission).

- SLC 300: 2.0L, in-line 4-cylinder engine that makes 241 BHP @ 5,500 rpm and 370 Nm of torque @ 1,300 - 4,000 rpm. 0-100 km/h comes up in a claimed 5.8 seconds with the top speed rated at 250 km/h.

- SLC 250 d: 2.1L, in-line 4-cylinder diesel engine that makes 201 BHP @ 3,800 rpm and 500 Nm of torque @ 1,600 - 1,800 rpm. 0-100 km/h comes up in a claimed 6.6 seconds with the top speed rated at 245 km/h.

The range topping AMG SLC 43 is powered by a 3.0L, V6 biturbo engine that makes 362 BHP @ 5,500 - 6,000 rpm and 520 Nm of torque @ 2,000 - 4,200 rpm. 0-100 km/h comes up in a claimed 4.7 seconds with the top speed rated at 250 km/h.

The SLC 250 d, SLC 300 and SLC 43 feature the 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission as standard, while it is available as an option for the SLC 180 and SLC 200, which get a 6-speed manual transmission as standard.

Safety and driver assistance features include Active Brake Assist, Blind Spot Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus, Traffic Sign Assist and more. Other features include a 7-inch infotainment screen, a DVD player, internet radio, Bluetooth connectivity with the read function for text messages and audio streaming, LINGUATRONIC voice-operated control system for audio, phone, navigation, music search and Mercedes-Benz Apps, 2 USB ports in centre armrest, one SD card slot in the COMAND head-unit and Garmin MAP PILOT navigation.

On the exterior, the car gets a new diamond pin front grille, a new front bumper with revised air intakes, new headlamps, 16 to 18-inch light-alloy wheels, along with a new rear bumper with integrated tail pipes and chrome trim.

Courtesy : Team BHP

Honda plans to update 14 of its products with BS-IV complaint engines and add CBS technology to motorcycles under 125cc and ABS will be offered on two-wheelers above 125cc displacement

Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India (HMSI) will be updating its entire range of two-wheelers as parts of its strategy for 2016. According to the Japanese two-wheeler giant it would update 14 products next year and also plans to add new products to its portfolio. As part of the upgrade the engines will be BS-IV compliant and the Honda CB Hornet 160R which was launched last week is the first production motorcycle in the country to be BS-IV emission norm ready. The updated products will start rolling out from the 2016 Auto Expo scheduled in February and the manufacturer plans to introduce at least one new product every month from then on. The government has marked March 31st, 2017 as the last date to upgrade the entire new product to meet BS-IV emission norms. Also Read: Honda CB Hornet 160R: First Ride Review

Honda also plans to introduce Combined Brake System (CBS) in all two-wheelers up to 125cc displacement; currently the Honda CB Shine is the least displacement motorcycle to be offered with CBS. The Japanese two-wheeler manufacturer also plans to provide Antilock Braking System (ABS) in two-wheelers above 125cc displacement. Providing ABS on smaller displacement motorcycles is a brave move by Honda as ABS avoids the wheels from locking up and thereby safeguarding the rider from crashing during panicky braking situations. Currently the TVS Apache RTR 180 is the cheapest motorcycle to provide ABS as an optional extra. But all these additions also means the fact that prices of Honda two-wheelers will also see a rise in the coming year but given the benefits of BS-IV, CBS and ABS we see this as a welcome change. Also Read: Honda Activa 3G Review

Courtesy :  Zigwheels

Skoda has replaced the Elegance trim level of the Yeti in India with the Style. As earlier, the vehicle is available in 4x2 and 4x4 versions.

The Yeti Style comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, bi-xenon headlights with daytime running lights, front and rear fog lamps, LED tail lamps and roof rails.

On the inside, the Style features a 3-spoke multifunction steering wheel, faux wooden on the dashboard and centre console, leather upholstery, removable rear seats, 12-way adjustable driver seat with memory function and height-adjustable front seats. The car is equipped with features such as climate control, cruise control, touchscreen infotainment system with 8 speakers and USB, Aux-in and Bluetooth connectivity, electronically foldable door mirrors, parking sensors at the front and rear with a display on the infotainment screen, keyless entry & go and illuminated glovebox and luggage compartment.

Safety features include 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, traction control, electronic stability control, electronic differential lock, hill hold and hill descent control among others.

There are no mechanical changes to the Yeti. The two wheel drive version is powered by a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder diesel engine that produces 109 BHP and 250 Nm of torque and is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. The four wheel drive version uses the same engine in a higher state of tune. It develops 138 BHP and 320 Nm of torque and is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission with a permanent all-wheel drive system.

Prices (ex-showroom, Delhi):

• Style 4x2 - Rs. 20,27,000
• Style 4x4 - Rs. 21,97,000

Mercedes classic rally set for Sunday, December 13 run.

Come Sunday, December 13, the streets of Mumbai will be graced by some of the finest classic Mercedes-Benz cars around. Normally secured behind closed garages and hidden under multiple dust covers, the rally will be a unique opportunity for Mercedes lovers in the city to come and see some of the finest cars in the country gather together in the same place. And this is no static display, the cars will drive around Mumbai, so you'll be able to see, hear and even smell some of them.

Running for the second consecutive year, the Classic Car Rally 2015 is organised by Mercedes-Benz and is run in association with Autocar India. It will kick off from Nariman Point at 10am and this will be best place to view the cars and speak with the owners.

The route is quite simple. Travelling by Mumbai's western coastline via Marine Drive, Pedder Road,  Haji Ali and the Sea Link, the participants will drive in a convoy all the way up to the western suburb of Bandra before heading back to the starting point. Traffic will be regulated with the help of the Mumbai Traffic Police and you could position yourself at some spots along the route to see these grand old ladies purr past.

So, what are some of the timeless beauties you can expect to spot at the rally? There will be the gorgeous 190SL (W120) drop top, a favourite of stars and a rather celebrated sight on the streets of yesteryears' tinsel town. The S-class has always been a flagship model for Mercedes and you'll get a chance to see almost every iteration of it on the drive, from the earliest W111 fin-tails, to the gorgeous W108, the iconic W126, of which so many were imported to India and even the W140, the tank, that probably was the toughest built S-class ever.  

Then there will be the two-seater Pagoda (W113) from the '60s, a 450SL (R107 series) from the '70s, and even a SEC coupe from the W126 series, one of the most sought-after models back in the day. And you'll also get a chance to catch 170V Roadsters, among many others. Some of the oldest cars present at the parade will be there from as far back as the Second World War and though Mercedes has never marketed estates in India, some like the W123s and W124s, would be there as well. There'll even be a 300S Adenauer convertible.

Also, make sure you get a good look at some of the interesting details on display in some of the more luxurious cars. But the star of the show will be the Patentwagen – the first car ever built. The actual car from 1886, of course, won't be there. This is a replica built right here in India, by Coimbatore-based UMS Technologies.

So, it promises to be a starry Sunday with some seriously gorgeous Mercs flooding the Mumbai streets. Make sure you set your alarm nice and early; the cars will start lining up from 9:00. See you there.      

Spectator Guide

10:15 Marine Drive

10:30 Walkeshwar

10:45 Neapean Sea Road

10:50 Hali Ali

11:00 Worli Sea Face

11:15 Bandra Worli Sea Face

11:30 Worli Sea Face

11:40 Haji Ali

11:50 Pedder Road

12:00 Marine Drive

* Times are subject to traffic conditions

Courtesy : Autocar

Piaggio’s Aprilia Tuono V4 has coveted “The best performing machine in Super Naked category” award at the India Superbike Festival 2015 held recently.

The Aprilia Tuono V4 1100, a direct descendant of the Aprilia RSV4, is one of the most exciting sports bike in recent times. The jury at the recently held India Superbike Festival 2015, comprising respected automotive journalists, top-rung racers and big-bike owning enthusiasts, also thinks so, and thus have awarded it with the title of “The best performing machine in Super Naked category.”

Powered by a 1100cc V4 engine delivering 180 PS of peak power and maximum torque of 121 Nm, the Tuono comes with a host of riding aids like ride-by-wire and the ability to connect to your smartphone through the V4-MP platform. The RSV 4, from which it is derived, is the current champion bike in the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup. Aprilia's RSV4 trophy case is quite impressive: 7 WSBK world titles won in just 5 seasons from 2010.

As for the festival, the India Superbike Festival is one of the country's original biking festivals, with a focus on “the lifestyle end of automobiles and touching the hearts of enthusiasts.” The awards were the headline event of the fifth edition. The festival witnessed a substantial turnout of big bikes, biking clubs and enthusiasts over the weekend. 

Courtesy : Zigwheels