Mercedes-Benz plans new coupe

Mercedes-Benz is prepping up an all-new two-door entry-level coupe that will be launched somewhere around 2019, claims a UK-based publication. The new coupe will most likely arrive as a replacement for the on-going three-door A-Class hatchback and draws its exterior design from the recently introduced Mercedes-AMG GT supercar, including a practical lift-back.

This all-new coupe will be based on the brand’s second-generation MFA platform, which will further underpin a new range of compact cars from their stable. This new front-wheel drive platform is being developed by Mercedes-Benz in collaboration with the Renault-Nissan Alliance, and been described as more flexible than current MFA structure. It has been designed to allow greater variation in wheelbase and track widths as well as provide wider scope for the storage of batteries and gas tanks in possible hybrid and fuel cell derivatives of the standard models.
Powering the new coupe will most likely be a range of overhauled four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, being developed with the same Renault-Nissan Alliance. While a range-topping turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder AMG version producing up to 400bhp and featuring standard four-wheel drive will also be making its way.

Bugatti Preparing the Veyron Successor

Bugatti, originally French and now owned by Volkswagen group is oiling up its Veyron successors named as Chiron. Reports say that this all new car hypercar will do 0-100 kmph in just 2 seconds! Yes, 1, 2 & reached. It was expected to launch later this year but according to VW Chairman Ferdinand Piech who said that it needs more work and will make it till 2016.

Bugatti is expected to use the W16 8.0 litre engine from the Veyron that may produce more than 1500 PS and will add to the Formula1 car beating performance. The torque is believed to remain 1500 Nm but it will be coming in at a lower rpm than the current car. Now, just in case if VW wishes to go by the literal meaning of Chiron, this car could even be a hybrid. As Chiron is half man and half horse, this car could be half fire and half electricity-or at least some part could be electric.

Chiron is believed to get 92% new or modified parts from the Veyron. And if it gets the hybrid thing it could be all the more economical and usable on daily basis. Despite, it will also reach more than 450 km/h yet retuning a fuel economy as good as 5.8 km per litre, believe it, as these are exceptional for a W16 petrol with 4 turbos.

Nissan Micra tops 2014-15 car exports

Nissan’s entry-level offering, Micra, was India’s biggest model exported in 2014-15 with 76,120 units shipped overseas. It was followed by Hyundai Grand i10 with 63,585 units and the Volkswagen Vento with 56,064 units exported during the tenure. While the Grand i10 has also been a success in the domestic market with 99,088 units, and even Vento up to certain extent, the Micra has not fared that well, but made a mark for its manufacturers in the foreign markets.

Other models that made it to the ‘Top 10’ export list, include the Nissan Sunny with 38,759 units and Hyundai i20 having shipped 38,144 units abroad. In terms of manufacturers, Hyundai topped the list with three models in the Top 10, while Maruti Suzuki and Ford shared the second spot with two models each. Maruti exported 31,594 units and 28,697 units of the Alto and last-year withdrawn A-Star. On the other side, Ford’s export for both the models- EcoSport and Figo were on decline. A year before, the exports of the EcoSport had jumped more than 200 percent, from around 17,000 odd units to a whopping 55,178 units.

On the whole, India exported 6,22,470 vehicles in 2014-15, posting an increase of 4.42 percent over 2013-14. Hyundai still remains the country’s top exporter with 1,91,221 vehicles shipped, followed by Maruti Suzuki at 1,21,701 units, just a tad ahead of Nissan, which exported 1,20,331 units.

Ford Figo Aspire

Ford India is prepping-up for their biggest launch of this year - Figo Aspire. The compact sedan was revealed publicly in March at the inauguration of Ford’s second manufacturing facility in Sanand Gujarat. And we brought you exclusive info on Aspire, that its launch is most likely around May, but remember last minute changes always happen in this industry! We brought you 5 things you must know about that differentiate Ford’s debutant venture in the sub-4m sedan arena.

Among few of its odd-looking peers, Aspire gloats with its Aston-Martin-esque grille and flamboyant Ford Kinetic 2.0 design philosophy. It does not look as if the boot is obnoxiously added to a hatch, rather it appears larger than it actually is. The best looking vehicle in this segment currently - Tata Zest has now taken the second spot! Moreover, the rear profile of the Aspire is not as ‘aspiring’ and flashy as its front profile but its not boring either.

First in Segment to get 6-Airbags and Emergency Assistance

Ford India has taken a step ahead, they have equipped the Aspire with first-in-class side and curtain airbags along with dual front airbags, making a total of 6 airbags. Apart from it, Aspire will gets ABS (anti-lock braking system) along with EBD (Electronic brake force distribution). It is expected that the ABS will be standard in the Aspire, except for the base variant trim while airbags are likely to be offered from the mid trims. Speaking of the Emergency Assistance, in the unlikely event of a mishap on the road, SYNC Emergency Assist automatically calls for help (108) via your paired phone. 

Ford SYNC voice guided audio system and Ford My Dock

Aspire gets SYNC audio system, which is also offered in Fiesta and EcoSport in the country. It features a 3.5-inch non-touch TFT display screen offering - voice commands, Bluetooth phone integration and lets you control your apps, music and calling, hands-free. It even reads out incoming text messages. SYNC in the Aspire will be equipped with - AppLink - smartphone integration that recently debuted in EcoSport while it was launched in India with the Fiesta facelift last year. With the help of SYNC, AppLink lets you use your selected smartphone apps through voice commands, eg. ESPNcricinfo app.

For lower trims, Figo Aspire will feature a unique My-Ford-Dock, it helps in docking your mobile onto the dashboard for charging, music streaming and navigation. And similar to that of EcoSport, Bluetooth connectivity is likely to be standard across the range along with an audio player.

Engines - 1.2L TiVCT petrol and 1.5L TDCI diesel:

Petrol: Using the current Figo’s 1.2-litre block, Ford India has developed a new motor -  messing with its head, incorporating variable valve time - in Ford words - TiVCT - Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing. Specifications of the engine are not disclosed yet but expect the motor to be juicy generating power in-between 80-85 bhp and 110-115 Nm of torque, will be mated to a five-speed manual.

Diesel: Figo Aspire diesel will get Fiesta/EcoSport’s 1.5-litre TDCI DV5 turbo diesel. Reportedly, the power figure of the engine can witness a slight bump compared to current 91 PS and 204 Nm in EcoSport. However, even if the specs remain same, this engine in Aspire will still be fairly competitive in the segment. Ford Fiesta with this motor delivers 25.01 kmpl, expect the Figo Aspire to deliver more.

First in Segment to get 6-speed dual-clutch ‘PowerShift’ Automatic and 1.5-litre Ti-VCT Petrol

If reports and spy shots are to believed, Aspire is also getting a 6-speed dual clutch automatic transmission with a 1.5-liter Ti-VCT motor. Dual Clutch transmission will be a segment first add-on and currently, it is only available in mid-size sedans - Vento and Rapid, which are in a segment above. However, it was not the Vento or Rapid which brought the dual-clutch auto box into mid-size sedan space, it was the versatile Ford Fiesta 1.5-liter Ti-VCT PowerShift. And indeed Aspire is getting the same Fiesta’s mechanicals.

BMW i8 Launched in India and won UKCOTY 2015!

The futuristic BMW i8, recently launched in India, has won the coveted UK car of the year - UKCOTY 2015 award. The i8 also won the the UKCOTY 2015 - Performance car of the year. It is the second consecutive win for the Bavarian automaker’s ‘i’ series vehicle in UK, last year it was the all-electric i3. The UKCOTY’s jury consist of  27 of Britain’s most-read motoring journalists. Each judge uses their expertise to pick out the top performer in 12 vehicle categories, before deciding the overall winner from their favourites in each class.

John Challen, Managing Director of UK Car of the Year Awards, and Editor of ukcoty.co.uksaid: “The term ‘game-changer’ is sometimes overused when talking about new cars, but in the case of the i8, it is totally justified. The latest ‘i’ model completely redefines the performance car segment, and is helped by a hybrid powertrain that is really quite special.”

Graeme Grieve, BMW UK CEO commented: “The BMW i8 is the culmination of many years of investment, hard work and commitment to create the world’s most progressive sports car. With our first two BMW i vehicles – the i3 and i8 – being named consecutive UK Car of the Year winners, our technology strategy is being recognised as truly game-changing for the car industry.”

Speaking of the i8 launch in India, BMW India launched the hybrid supercar at the whooping Rs. 2.29 crore pan-India price. And unquestionably, the i8 is India’s first hybrid supercar on sale. The vehicle consumes nearly 2.1-liters to 100 km (nearly 50 kmpl) and is available at BMW i dealerships in Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai.