After the Mercedes M Class, the Mercedes S-Class is another major launch from the Stuttgart based manufacturer. The 2013 Mercedes S Class has also been spied countless number of times by the International Automotive Press.
While this prototype is heavily camouflaged, it reveals some details of the car. The new car is expected to have a more streamlined appearance with a prominent grille and CLS-inspired headlights. It should also be a tad bit larger than the outgoing one.
No proper details of the engine options are available except the fact that a hybrid version is most certainly in the works. I guess we will have to wait to find out.
The Jaguar XJ (a.k.a The Big Cat) and XF are all set to receive a brand new V6 by 2014. The rising fuel prices have certainly affected the luxury car market as well. Most manufacturers have started offering an entry level V6 for the less spirited chauffeurs
The engine will be used across all global markets, replacing the Ford-based 3.0L V6. The expected power will be around 300 bhp and Jaguar is targeting 11.9 kmpl.
It makes sense to have an entry level petrol model with less focus on performance and more on fuel efficiency. And for those who want to do a bit of spirited driving can opt for engines with larger amount of power at a higher price point.
VW recently revealed the 2012 VW Beetle to the world. After being spied countless number of times, seeing the actual production version was a welcome change. The new USP of the 2012 Beetle is that its sharper, more refined and has an excellent interior. Although VW India has not disclosed any plans of introducing the new Beetle in India, but eventually they will have to bring it as the current model will be discontinued soon. The new Beetle will not be assembled in India as the volumes are very limited.
We expect the new Beetle to debut in India by the same time next year. So have a nice walk around the 2012 Beetle and let us know what you think about it.
Although VW may have ditched the plan of putting a VW badge on the A-Star and selling it in the Indian Market, their entry level hatchback plans are still on track. VW is busy developing a brand new entry level hatchback just for the Indian Market.
This hatchback is will be an important launch for VW India’s strategic goal to become one of the top OEM in the country. The new hatchback will be positioned below the Polo which make it VW’s cheapest offering in India till date.
The new small car will feature a high level of localization otherwise VW can forget pricing it under the Polo. There are high chances of VW revealing this car in the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo (à la Tata Nano).
What Volkswagen can do is offer a stripped-down version of the Lupo. The Lupo is a low-cost car and a part of the Up! family. There will be a host of cars built on the Up! platform. Volkswagen can build the sub-Polo car on the Up! platform.
This also opens up a host of possibilities for Skoda (VW owns Skoda) because even Skoda wanted to introduce a Sub-Fabia car since ages to rival the Wagon R and i10.
The new small car will go against existing players as well some new ones such as the Nissan’ sub-Micra hatchback, Fiat’s small car and many more. Looks like you buyers are going to be spoiled for choices even more!
Tata Motors’ hotly discussed Nano diesel is coming to the India by the end of 2011 with a fuel economy figure of 40kmpl, BS Motoring reports. IndianCarsBikes.in had already discussed this possibility on their site and we also deduced a version based on their information.
IndianCarsBikes.in in the story filed on the 30th of January mentioned in the article “the Nano’s direct injection turbodiesel engine will deliver a fuel efficiency close 40 KMPL.”
Coming back to details on BSMotoring’s story, the Nano diesel engine will be a twin cylinder displacing 700cc. It will dethrone sibling Indica eV2 as the most fuel efficient car in India. Market experts have told Business Standard that the diesel variant will be 15-20 percent more expensive.
Will people buying the Nano petrol variant be tempted to go for the slightly more expensive Nano that offers fascinating fuel economy, comparable to that of a 180cc motorcycle?
Two independent sources inform Indian Autos Blog that Skoda’s C-Segment sedan can arrive by the end of July. The C-Segment sedan is a direct competitor to the likes of the Maruti SX4, Hyundai Verna, Honda City and VW Vento. It will be positioned between the Fabia and the Laura. As in the case of other vehicles, it is highly likely that this Skoda will also share key mechanicals including drivetrain with the VW Vento. We expect the new car to fill the shoes of the Octavia which made inroads for Skoda in India.
We are unsure of its reception in India. If Skoda hasn’t completely re-skinned the vehicle, it might look like a Vento wearing Skoda badges as shown in the image above.
By the end of 2011, we expect to see the new Swift Dzire, based on the new Swift platform with a truncated rear. In an earlier blog post, we discussed reasons behind the shaving exercise. Customers buying this segment topper anyway haven’t bothered much by the looks.
Make the Dzire smaller and the gap between it and the SX4 will increase. Cannibalization will reduce, and the SX4 customer will not change his mind to buy the Dzire.
The boot lid will imitate the Kizashi’ but don’t expect the new Dzire to be a junior Kizashi. Maruti has placed practicality in front of looks or appearance.
Under the bonnet, the same 1.3-liter diesel engine will continue duties. Last years speculations were intense on the 1.2-liter TDI from Volkswagen for the new Swift. There is no word from Suzuki on this but the two companies can carry same engines on their products in the future.
For petrol lovers, there will be the services of the 1.2-liter K Series engine assisted with variable valve timing technology.
Mercedes-Benz is celebrating its 125th anniversary of the invention of automobile and marking the celebrations are two new vehicles which will be presented to India on the 3rd of next month.
The SL 350 and GL 500 will be launched in Delhi on 3rd in an occasion graced by Mr. Peter T Honegg, MD & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India Pvt. Ltd.
Mercedes Benz India lists the entire SL lineup on its website and it isn’t clear which variants out of the five variants they sell here. The 7-seat GL 350 CDI version was launched a day ahead of the Auto Expo last year and the GL 500 coming next week should be a more expensive, top of the line variant.
