Uncertainty of Hyundai i10's Diesel Version

The Hyundai i10 has been a big selling model for the South Korean brand in India, ever since its launch. A facelift imbibing the Fluidic design later, the i10 has motored on all along with a choice of two petrol engines. The car, while also featuring a LPG powered dual fuel model is yet to see diesel power coming aboard. This could change in the coming months, if the Indian market continues to show the huge tilt towards diesel engined cars. In that scenario, having only petrol engines for the i10 does not make sense as the car could be overtaken by competition, offering diesel power on its models.

2012 Hyundai i10 Hatchback used as an illustration

Ford Figo hatchback’s next generation model

Here are a rash of new details about the Ford Figo hatchback’s next generation model that will debut in India during 2014. The car will replace the current Figo, which has been a best seller for Ford India. Codenamed the B562, the next generation 2014 Ford Figo will be built at the spanking new Sanand manufacturing facility of Ford India. The car is currently being developed by Ford Brazil and will be launched in the Brazilian market by the end of 2013. Like the current Figo, the next generation model is expected to be available with both petrol and diesel engine options.

Brazilian Ford Figo/Fiesta hatchback used as an illustration

Market Rumors flow about 2012 Mercedez Benz B-Class

Mercedes Benz India has made no bones about the fact that it intends to capture back market share that it has lost to competitors and compatriots, Audi and BMW over the past couple of years or so, with a slew of product launches aiming to bring in big volumes. The first car in this new crop of Mercs will be the 2012 B-Class Sports Tourer, which could break cover as early as July 2012, according to a report carried by our friends over at Overdrive. The 2012 B-Class sport tourer will be Mercedes Benz India’s entry level product, competing in the same price range as that of the Audi Q3 and the BMW X1 crossovers.

2012 Mercedes Benz B-Class Sports Tourer

2013 Jaguar XF Sedan and XJ Luxury

The 2013 versions of the Jaguar XF sedan and the XJ luxury saloon have just been unveiled at the 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed. another launch at Goodwood was the XF Sportbrake version, essentially an estate variant of the XF sedan. This car though is not very relevant to the Indian market given the traditionally poor sales estates have had to endure in this part of the world. What is very relevant indeed is the 2013 XF sedan and the XJ luxury saloon, as both cars are sold in India. The facelifts on these cars are minor with the bigger story being that of the updated engines and transmission.

2013 Jaguar XF Sedan

2012 Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS Delhi Ex-Showroom Price INR85,000

In line with its strategy of launching the Pulsar 200 NS in a phased manner across the country, Bajaj Auto has now made its flagship motorcycle available at the country’s capital, New Delhi. The Pulsar 200 NS was first launched in Maharashtra a couple of weeks ago, in a low key launch ceremony held at Pune. The motorcycle is priced at INR 85,000 ex-showroom Delhi, which translates into on on-road price of INR 94,300. This launch now represents the first instance of the Pulsar 200 NS being available in the northern part of India. The Pulsar 200 NS will be launched on other parts of the country in the next couple of months.

2012 Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS

2012 Hyundai Elantra Fluidic Sedan

Hyundia India has begun testing the 2012 Elantra Sedan sans camouflage hinting at a launch that could happen in the near future. The Elantra Fluidic, which was showcased at the 2012 Indian Auto Expo, is also known as the Avante in international markets. This D-segment car has been a huge success for Hyundai globally and when the car arrives into India, it will be a long due replacement for the now-discontinued Elantra sedan, which the South Korean car maker used to sell in the country many years ago. The uncamouflaged 2012 Elantra Fluidic car has been spotted on the outskirts of Chennai, a city which plays host to Hyundai’s Indian factory.

2012 Hyundai Elantra Fluidic Sedan Spyshot

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe 7 Seater Crossover

South Korean automaker Hyundai is planning to launch a new flagship crossover that will take on the likes of the Audi Q7 and the Mercedes Benz M-Class. This crossover is expected to sit above the 2013 all new Santa Fe crossover, that Hyundai showcased a few months ago. while the Santa Fe will be available with two wheelbase variants, a shorter 5 seater and a longer 7 seater model, the new luxury crossover is expected to be bigger than the Santa Fe and will be capable of seating 7 adults. Given that it will be positioned as a luxury crossover, expect a range of safety and creature comforts.

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe 7 Seater Crossover used as an illustration

Launch of 2012 Renault Duster SUV at UK

Renault India has begun building the Duster SUV at its Oragadam factory off Chennai, which it shares with Japanese alliance partner Nissan. The 2012 Duster SUV will be exported to the United Kingdom, where the SUV has just been launched at a starting price of GBP 8,995, which corresponds to an equivalent of about INR 8 lakhs. The SUV is available in both petrol and diesel engined variants for the UK market, just like it is in India. However, the UK spec Duster gets only two engine tunes. The 1.6 Liter petrol engine produces a peak power of 105 PS while the 1.5 Liter K9K diesel engine produces 110 PS-240 Nm.

2012 Renault Duster SUV

2013 Renault Fluence Sedan Facelift

The Renault Fluence sedan is all set t get a mid career cosmetic facelift come 2013, and the facelifted model has already begun doing in what seems like the testing rounds. The good folks over at CarScoop have managed to snag a few images of the on-test camouflaged Fluence. Minimal camouflage on the test car’s front and rear indicates that the facelift will most likely be a minor one. The front end is expected to get a  revamp with revised styling. Expect new headlamps, a different grille and front bumper up front. The rear is expected to see revised tail lamps and a new bumper.

2013 Renault Fluence Sedan Facelift

2012 Chevrolet Optra Magnum Diesel Sedan

The Chevrolet Optra Magnum, which first began life as the Daewoo Nubira and then the Lacetti is a South Korean car that has been selling in India for more than half a decade, in the form of the Optra initially, and then as the Optra Magnum. The car, which sits in the Indian C-segment in terms of positioning is available only with a turbo diesel engine heart, and a stonker at that, with 120 Bhp of peak power and 305 Nm of peak torque. The car, although priced well never really took off in India. Now, the car has reached the end of its model life cycle with GM India planning to discontinue it over the next few months.

2012 Chevrolet Optra Magnum Diesel Sedan

2012 Fiat Grande Punto Hatchback Facelift

Italian automaker Fiat has just launched the Punto hatchback with a mid career facelift in the UK market. The 2012 Punto, as the facelifted is known as, comes with many changes on the cosmetics front. The car gets brand new headlamps and fog lamps along with a new front bumper. Overall, the look of the car from the front has been changed quite a bit when compared to the existing model. The rear of the car also gets a makeover with a new bumper, a new tail gate design and new tail lamps. The interiors also get a once over with new materials used.

2012 Fiat Grande Punto Hatchback Facelift

Facelifted Tata Winger expected to get 2.2 Liter DICOR Turbo Diesel Engine

Our roving eye in the sky, EarthFusion, is back with a juicy bit about the Tata Winger. Tata Motors is testing a 2. Liter DICOR turbo diesel engine on Winger MPV. The Tata Winger MPV, a van that is strikingly similar to the previous generation Renault Traffic, will get a makeover in the future and along with the facelift, the 2.2 Liter DICOR engine is said to be big change. Currently, the 2.2 Liter DICORturbo diesel engine is used in a range of Tata vehicles, ranging from the Sumo Grande to the top of the line Aria crossover. However, on the Winger, the engine is expected be in a state of tune similar to that on the Sumo Grande.

2012 Tata Winger MPV

2012 Chevrolet Sail Hatchback India

The 2012 Chevrolet Sail hatchback will be launched in India before the Indian festive season of Dusshera-Diwaliand this car will be positioned in the B+ hatchback space, populated by the likes of the Maruti Swift, the Hyundai i20 and the Ford Figo. This car will replace the Aveo U-VA hatchback, which has been a perennial dud for GM India, ever since it was launched in the Indian market many summers ago. The 2012 Sail hatchback, developed by GM’s Chinese partner SAIC, will also bring a key change to the table, in the form of a diesel engine under the hood.

2012 Chevrolet Sail Hatchback India

2012 Renault Duster SUV Pre-Launch Advertisement for India

Renault India is betting big on the Duster SUV, that the French automaker plans to launch in the country on the 4th of July, 2012. Renault has begun sending out emails to prospective Duster customers across the country even as many Renault dealers across India have already begun accepting bookings for this hot new product. Renault has chosen to position the duster SUV as an alternative to sedans, and this is quite evident in the pre-launch advertisement which shows sedan owners glum about not owning a Duster SUV, which is shown performing a variety of off road activities, the exclusive preserve of an SUV.

2012 Renault Duster SUV

GM slows down the new car development

Facing the brunt of dismal car sales across its portfolio, General Motors India is slowing down of new car development for the Indian market. Almost all of GM’s cars in India, save for the Beat, have not been performing well at the hustings and this factor, combined with the overall slowdown in car sales across the county due to the twin factors of high interest rates and fuel prices has prompted GM to rejig its launch plans. The first casualty will be the LCV that GM planned to launch in India, in partnership with its Chinese partner SAIC.

2012 Chevrolet Sail Hatchback

Facelifted 2012 Chevrolet Captiva SUV

General Motors India has launched the facelifted model of the Captiva SUV. The facelifted Captiva, which was showcased at the 2012 Indian Auto Expo comes with two engine options, both of them being turbo diesel engines. While the base 2 Liter engine is the same unit that used to power the previous model, the new engine is a 2.2 Liter unit capable of generating 186.5 Bhp of peak power and 424 Nm of peak torque. This engine is mated to a 6 speed automatic transmission while the older engine now comes only with a 5 speed manual gearbox. The older 2 Liter turbo diesel engine produces 148 Bhp-320 Nm.

Facelifted 2012 Chevrolet Captiva SUV

2012 Bajaj Boxer BM100 Low Cost Commuter Motorcycle

2012 Bajaj Boxer BM100 Low Cost Commuter Motorcycle

2012 Bajaj Boxer BM100 Low Cost Commuter Motorcycle Profile

2013 BMW X1 Crossover Facelift Spyshot

The 2012 Audi Q3 crossover, which was launched weeks ago, has gone on to become a big seller already, with all 500 units of the car being booked within days of its launch in India. The Q3 crossover is pitted directly at the BMW X1, which in itself is a big seller for brand BMW in the Indian SUV market. The BMW X1 is a delightful handler with the crossover also being a hoot to drive, especially in diesel guise, with the free revving 2 Liter, four pot turbo diesel engine. With the Audi Q3′s arrival though, the heat is now on BMW to protect its market share and leadership position in India.

2013 BMW X1 Crossover Facelift Spyshot

2012 New Volkswagen Jetta Sedan

Volkswagen India has launched the Jetta sedan’s petrol engined variant at a price of INR 13.6 lakhs for the entry level Trendline variant. The mid level Comfortline  variant sells for INR 15.07 lakhs, both prices being ex-showroom Delhi figures. The 2012 Jetta ptrol sedan is powered by a 1.4 Liter TSI turbo petrol engine and direct injection. This engine generates a peak power of 122 Bhp while peak torque comes in at 200 Nm. The engine is mated to a six speed manual gearbox. The car will now form the entry level variant of the Jetta’s range in India.

2012 Volkswagen Jetta Sedan

Tata eMO Electric Small Car Concept

Tata Technologies, which showcased the eMO electric car concept at the 2012 Detroit Motor Show, is currently in partnership with Dassault Systems to build an electric car that will be priced under $20,000. The main aim of this electric car will be to seat 4 adults in a compact form factor with the price being pegged at under $20,000. The car which was showcased at Detroit featured innovative interiors with foldable rear seats that will liberate a large amount of luggage space. The car also comes with innovative packaging to maximize space on the interiors.

Tata eMO Electric Small Car Concept

Honda Brio diesel Snap

Honda's diesel engine Brio is expected to launch in 2013

Illustration of Honda Brio Diesel

Expected Launch of Renault Duster SUV on July 04, 2012

French automaker Renault will launch the Duster SUV in India, on the 4th of July 2012, as its fourth offering for the Indian car market. The Duster was developed by Renault’s low cost Romanian division Dacia, and this SUV has been a big success for the brand in many markets across the world. In India, gauging by the price points that have been doing the rounds about the Duster’s pricing, the SUV could compete with the likes of the Mahindra Scorpio and the Tata Safari. However, both the Safari and the Scorpio are 7 seater SUVs when compared to the Duster’s 5 seat configuration.

2012 Renault Duster SUV

2013 Ford EcoSport Crossover Spyshot

While we do know how the Ford EcoSport crossover’s production version could look like, courtesy the 2012 Beijing Motor Show, in which the production variants of this hot new product from Ford was showcased, Ford India it seems is doing away with the usual norm of heavily camouflaging test mules. One such uncamouflaged test mule of the 2013 Ford EcoSport was spotted at a toll plaza somewhere in and around Chennai, India. The uncamouflaged version appears to be the top end petrol variant given the Titanium badging and the reverse parking sensors on the bumper.

2013 Ford EcoSport Crossover Spyshot

2012 Chevrolet Cruze Sedan

Well, we’d call it one update that car nuts would love to have instead of the now mundane bits like a new grille and assorted cosmetic bits. General Motors India will give their flagship sedan, the Cruze, a brand new Z-Series two liter turbo diesel engine and the engine is where all the action really is. The existing Chevrolet Cruze, which incidentally is available only in diesel engine guise for India, is one fast sedan with power and torque figures being at the very top of its class, the D-segment. Now, the 2012 Cruze with the new Z-Series diesel heart will only get much faster than ever before.

2012 Chevrolet Cruze Sedan

Apple iPhone Siri Eyes Free support for Chevrolet Spark USA

General Motors is all set to bring the Siri Eyes Free support for the apple iPhone to even its budget range of cars. Siri is a voice activated assistant that works on the iPhone, that allows users to carry out a range of functions, from playing music to sending text messages, all through voice commands. This feature, which is available in the latest Apple iPhone 4S will also be available on GM cars of the future, albeit in the  form of an Eyes Free version. In this version, drivers can activate the Siri using a steering mounted button.

Eyes Free Siri for Apple iPhone

Honda Dream Yuga 110 Launch at a price of Rs 47,087 (Bangalore ex-showroom)

Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India has now launched the Dream Yuga 110 commuter motorcycle in the two metros of the country, Delhi and Mumbai. The motorcycle is a very important launch for the Japanese two wheeler maker, as it seeks to make inroads into the high volume commuter motorcycle segment in India, a segment dominated by the likes of Hero MotoCorp and Bajaj Auto.

Honda Dream Yuga 110

Facelift of 2013 Suzuki Alto(A-Star)

A while ago, spyshots of the facelifted A-Star bound to the Chinese domestic market surfaced onto the interweb. We even showed you a render on how the facelifted A-Star could possibly look like. Now, we have another set of spyshots of the facelifted A-Star, this time the clearest set of images yet. By the looks of it, the A-Star gets a brand new front end, replete with new headlamps, a new front grille and redesigned bumpers. From the sides, the car remains bog similar to the current version of the car, clearly hinting at the fact that the facelift is a mid career makeover rather than a full model change.

2013 Suzuki Alto(A-Star) Facelift

2013 Bentley Continental GT SPEED to be the fastest car ever

Ahead of its debut at the upcoming 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed, hallowed luxury marquee Bentley has just released information and images about its latest car, the Continental GT Speed, which will be the fastest road going Bentley ever. The 2013 Continental GT Speed will be officially unveiled at a setting that is extremely apt given that this is one car that embodies pure performance in a luxurious and super classy looking package. The 2013 Bentley Continental GT Speed will manage a top speed of 205 Mph or 328 Kph, which is seriously fast.

2013 Bentley Continental GT Speed

2012 New Volkswagen Jetta Sedan

Volkswagen India has launched the Jetta sedan’s petrol engined variant at a price of INR 13.6 lakhs for the entry level Trendline variant. The mid level Comfortline  variant sells for INR 15.07 lakhs, both prices being ex-showroom Delhi figures. The 2012 Jetta ptrol sedan is powered by a 1.4 Liter TSI turbo petrol engine and direct injection. This engine generates a peak power of 122 Bhp while peak torque comes in at 200 Nm. The engine is mated to a six speed manual gearbox. The car will now form the entry level variant of the Jetta’s range in India.

2012 Volkswagen Jetta Sedan

Indepth Details of 2016 Volkswagen Polo Crossover Render

Come 2016, German automaker Volkswagen will launch a crossover version of the highly popular Polo hatchback, to be sold in markets across the world. Compact SUVs and crossovers are the new engine of growth for automakers across the world and Volkswagen too will get into the fray with the Polo based crossover.The Polo based crossover, scheduled to debut in 2016, will be based on the next generation Polo platform. But much before that, Volkswagen is also said to be working on crossover variant of its entry level hatchback, the Up!.

2016 Volkswagen Polo Crossover Render

Beyond 1 Lakh Sales of The Mahindra Xylo MPV in India

In 3 years of its launch in India, the Mahindra Xylo MPV has gone from strength to strength, with domestic sales managing to cross the 1 lakh mark. Launched in early 2009, the Xylo MPV was positioned as a rival to the Innova and Mahindra came up with an innovative marketing pitch, positioning the Xylo as an alternate to the C-segment sedans, offering more space and versatility. while the Xylo never really managed to dethrone the Toyota Innova, by itself, the MPV has managed to do decent numbers, as is evident with the sales figures for the past 3 years.

2012 Facelifted Mahindra Xylo MPV

Catchy Official Images of European 2013 Skoda Rapid

Czech automaker Skoda has just released official images of the European 2013 Skoda Rapid. this car, like the Indian Rapid sedan, will be positioned in between the Fabia hatchback and the Octavia/Laura in the international markets as well. The upcoming 2012 Paris Motor Show is where the European Rapid will make it debut. Sales are expected to begin by the end of this year. The biggest change between the Indian and European models of the Rapid is with respect to the styling. The European Rapid features an all new front end and rear, which looks more contemporary than the Indian version.

2013 European Skoda Rapid

2012 Facelifted Mahindra Xylo MPV

In 3 years of its launch in India, the Mahindra Xylo MPV has gone from strength to strength, with domestic sales managing to cross the 1 lakh mark. Launched in early 2009, the Xylo MPV was positioned as a rival to the Innova and Mahindra came up with an innovative marketing pitch, positioning the Xylo as an alternate to the C-segment sedans, offering more space and versatility. while the Xylo never really managed to dethrone the Toyota Innova, by itself, the MPV has managed to do decent numbers, as is evident with the sales figures for the past 3 years.

2012 Facelifted Mahindra Xylo MPV

Launch of 2012 Honda Dream Yuga 110 in Mumbai with an ex-showroom price starting @ INR 48,028

Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India in its bid to become the world’s largest two wheeler maker by volumes, by displacing Hero MotoCorp, before 2020, launched a very important volumes pulling model in the form of the 2012 Dream Yuga commuter motorcycle. The 2012 Honda Dream Yuga 110 is powered by a four stroke 110cc engine good for 8.5 Bhp-8.91 Nm, very similar to the one found on the much sportier CB Twister. Honda with the Dream Yuga 110, aims to displace the largest selling two wheeler in India, the Hero Splendor, and this will be no easy task considering that the Splendor is much more cheaper. Honda claims a fuel economy figure of 72 Kmpl for the Dream Yuga.

2012 Honda Dream Yuga 110

Diesel version of 2013 Ford EcoSport compact crossover may exist

All along, Ford has remained very tightlipped about a diesel version of the EcoSport, repeatedly dodging questions about the diesel version, while not ruling it out. Now though, we have visual proof of Ford indeed having a diesel version of the EcoSport lined up for the Indian market, courtesy at IndianAutosBlog, who are carrying images of an EcoSport test mule with TDCI badging on the tail gate. The badging is a dead giveaway that the 2013 EcoSport will have a diesel variant in the model line up. The other engine option is expected to be the 1 Liter, 3 cylinder, award winning EcoBoost turbopetrol engine.

2013 Ford EcoSport TDCI Diesel Crossover Spyshot

Online Rumors flow that Bajaj Discover 125 ST may be priced at around INR 60,000 with slight variance

Bajaj Auto showcased its latest motorcycle, the Discover 125 ST sports tourer, a few weeks ago. The showcase event did not put a price to the commuter motorcycle, reserving that for the official launch event, which was to happen in the end of June 2012. Rumours online reveal that the 2012 Discover 125 ST may be priced at INR 60,000 on-road Maharashtra and this figure could vary by a few hundred rupees. At that price, Bajaj Auto will once again play the value card to trump competition.

2012 Bajaj Discover 125 ST Motorcycle

Navistar International being eyed by Volkswagen & Fiat group

Navistar International is a struggling Amercian truck maker, which also happens to have a joint venture with Indian conglomerate, Mahindra, to build heavy commercial vehicles for the Indian truck market. Navistar has been posting losses for a while now due to expensive warranty issues and this means that the truck makes is now on the sale block. German automaker Volkswagen and Italian automaker Fiat are said to be the two groups mulling separate bids for Navistar International as this would give the brands a foothold in the American commercial vehicle market.

A Mahindra Navistar Truck used as an illustration

Catchy Images of 2013 Audi SQ5 Crossover

Audi has gone sporty with the Q5 crossover and the SQ5 is the result of that. Unveiled on the eve of the 2012 LeMans 24 hours endurance race in France, the Q5 is the first diesel engined car from Audi to get the S moniker. Talking of which, twin turbo power is the reason for the S credentials for the burly Audi Q5. Twin turbochargers employed on the 3 Liter, V6 common rail diesel engine has resulted in peak power going up to 313 Bhp with the real stuff that matters of diesel engines, the torque, coming in at a massive 650 Nm.

2013 Audi SQ5 High Performance Diesel Crossover

Plans of Volkswagen to set up engine plant in India

Over the next couple of years, the Volkswagen group expects to build a range of engines to power a slew of brands within the group. This engine plant could come up by 2014, in Chakan, Pune, which is said to be the first choice of the VW group for setting up the new engine plant. However, the final decision on the location of the engine plant is yet to be taken as Volkswagen is not happy with the Maharashtra government’s VAT policy, which continues to be a bone of contention amongst almost all the automakers seeking to make fresh investments in the highly industrialized Indian state.

2012 Volkswagen Polo used as an illustration

2 million Alto Cars sold by Maruti

11 years and 9 months after it was first introduced in India, the Maruti Alto has gone on to touch the great mark of 2 million units in terms of sales. The Maruti Suzuki Alto was introduced in two variants initially, with the three cylinder, 796cc F8D petrol engine being the main volumes puller while a 1.1 Liter, 4 cylinder petrol engine formed the more powerful premium variant in the small car’s line up. While the F8D engine continues to do duty in India’s largest selling car currently, the 1.1 Liter engine was discontinued due to the overwhelming preference of car buyers for the smaller, more fuel efficient engine.

2012 Maruti Alto F8D Small Car

2012 Audi Q3 Crossover

It seems like the consistent big growth has emboldened Volkswagen group owned German luxury car brand Audi, for the car maker hopes to displace current market leader BMW India by 2014, a year ahead of schedule. Previously, Audi aimed to emerge as the top luxury car brand in India by 2015. However, the recent success that the brand has been seeing in India has prompted the automaker to revise forecasts. Audi India recently moved past Mercedes Benz to emerge as the second largest luxury car maker in the Indian market despite being the youngest of the German trio to begin doing business in India.

2012 Audi Q3 Crossover

2012 Renault Duster SUV expected to come with 2 engines and 9 more variants

Over the next few weeks, Renault India dealers are expected to begin accepting bookings for the French automaker’s fourth and latest product in the Indian market, the Duster SUV. The Renault Duster SUV, whose launch is now imminent is a 5 seater, and was first displayed at the 2012 Indian Auto Expo. The 2012 Duster SUV, according to our sources will be available in both petrol as well as diesel guises. The diesel engined variant of the Duster SUV will feature the 1.5 Liter K9K turbo diesel engine, albeit in two state of tunes.

2012 Renault Duster SUV

Images of the least priced AMG

Mercedes Benz, a world leader in branded Luxury car segment, with the German luxury and sports car makers’ AMG performance division outselling both BMW and Audi’s high performance division. The key to Mercedes Benz’s success has been the sheer number of models it has in its line up, what with the brand having an AMG massaged variant of almost every high volume car, and this includes SUVs too. Now, Mercedes Benz has released images and the first details of the 2013 Mercedes Benz A45 AMG high performance sports hatchback.

2013 Mercedes Benz A-Class A45 AMG Hatchback Prototype

2012 Audi Q5 Crossover

German luxury car maker Audi will debut the 3 Liter TDI V6 turbo diesel engine with twin turbo power later today, at the LeMans racing circuit at France. The engine, which is essentially a 3 Liter TDI V6 common rail turbo diesel unit that forms the staple engine offering on a range of Audi and Volkswagen car models gets twin turbochargers that pump up power and torque output by quite a bit. Sample this, the peak power produced by the Twin Turbo equipped 3 Liter TDI engine now goes up to 309 Bhp while peak torque comes in at 640 Nm.

2013 Audi Q5 Crossover used as an illustration

Hero MotoCorp's rebranding exercise on motorcycles by September 2012

By September 2012, the Hero Honda Dawn will read Hero HF Dawn and the Hero Honda Splendor will read Hero HF Splendor. This, as Hero has quit its long time joint venture with Japanese automaker Honda a year ago and ever since, has been promoting its new brand name, Hero MotoCorp across the country. While the rebranding effort of Hero MotoCorp has been effected across Hero dealerships in India, the brand is yet to re-brand its range of motorcycles, which still continue to carry the Honda moniker alongside the Hero name. This too, will change in the coming months.

2012 Hero Ignitor 125cc Motorcycle

Anushka Sharma signs in as the brand ambassador of TVS Scooty

When two strokes still reigned supreme in India and wih the likes of the Honda Activa and the Dio not yet on the horizon, the Kinetic Honda scooter and the TVS Scooty scooterette were the two products that the college crowd of India commuted on. The Scooty was most favored by the fairer sex as it was much smaller and lighter than the Kinetic Honda. Ever since, the Scooty has evolved into electric variants and the more powerful, four stroke Pep variant. With competition increasing in the form of Mahindra Two Wheelers and Hero MotoCorp upping the marketing ante, the South Indian company has now appointed Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma as the brand ambassador for the Scooty range.

Anushka Sharma

Release of New Datson Logo

Japanese automaker Nissan has appointed Ashok Leyland’s engineering division, Defiance Technologies, to design and develop the low cost Datsun small car, which will be sold in emerging markets such as India, Russia and Indonesia. Previously, it was anticipated that Nissan would co-develop the small car with Renault. Now that Defiance Technologies has been roped in to design and develop the Datsun small car, crucial new details have emerged about the car. Firstly, the design and development will happen right here in India and will focus on local usage patterns and road conditions.

New Datsun Logo

European 2013 Skoda Rapid notch back - Official sketch

Later this year, Europe will get a car that sits between the Fabia hatchback and the Octavia/Laura sedan. That car will be called the Rapid notchback(not be confused with the Indian Skoda Rapid sedan). The European version of the 2013 Skoda Rapid notchback sees many changes in the exteriors. The styling of the European Rapid is based on the Mission L concept that Skoda showcased a while ago. The European version of the Rapid gets a brand new front end styling, that looks much more contemporary than the Indian version. The rear end of the 2013 Rapid also sees plenty of changes.

2013 European Skoda Rapid Notchback Sketch