Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2019 i Car India

THE NEW BMW X3 M COMPETITION AND ITS SIBLINGS — THE X3 M, X4 M, and X4 M Competition — are the most powerful versions of the sports activity models yet. Apart from the more aggressive gloss-black detailing, one of the biggest changes in the Competition models is the introduction of the most powerful iteration of a straight-six engine ever used in a BMW production car. The newly developed in-line, six-cylinder, petrol engine runs classic BMW bore and stroke dimensions of 84 x 90 mm, respectively, for a displacement of 2,993 cc. It uses a forged crankshaft and pistons and adopts the twin-turbo set-up seen in the M3/M4 with one mono-scroll turbocharger each for cylinders one-three and four-six. Indirect intercooling and track-optimized lubrication have also been adopted. The straight-six features…

MARUTI SUZUKI INDIA HAVE begun the practice of controlling the use of Substances of Concern (SoC) for mass production vehicles. With the implementation of the globally acclaimed International Material Data System (IMDS), Maruti Suzuki will be able to meet international norms and quantify recoverable and recyclable materials in their vehicles. With IMDS, data related to materials used for manufacturing are collected, maintained, analysed, and archived. They facilitate meeting the End of Life Vehicles (ELV) obligations placed on automobile manufacturers by national and international standards, laws, and regulations. The avoidance of SoC using the IMDS tool has been started with the recently launched WagonR and will progressively continue for all future models. Simply put, the new WagonR and all upcoming models would be a minimum of 95 per cent recoverable and…

AS MUCH FUN AS THE OLD MODEL? I have been waiting for the new Honda Civic for a long time. My father used to own the older model and I have been smitten by the car ever since we went for our first drive in it. Now I've reached a point in life where I can afford my own car and a good one at that. I've been trying to make up my mind as to what I should buy. Ever since I heard that the new Civic is headed for India, I have put my new car plan on hold. I like the design of the new car a lot but is it as fun to drive as its predecessor? Please advise me. Robin Aban, Thiruvalla Hello, Robin, The…

WE DROVE FROM PUNE to Kolhapur in order to explore Maratha history (see our February 2019 issue for more on that) and while there decided to get the Octavia we were driving serviced as well. We took this decision to see how Škoda go about with their periodic check-ups, so that you, our readers, can gain an insight into how the Czech brand operates in the aftersales space. Since we’re well known at dealerships and service workshops in our home town of Pune, our road trip provided an ideal opportunity to explore this story with a degree of anonymity. And so, on the way back home from Kolhapur, we took a diversion off the highway and towards the Shrine Auto Škoda Workshop instead. There we were greeted by a Škoda…

THE HONDA CIVIC IS THE COMPANY’S longest running and best-selling name-plate. And now it’s back in India to compete with the Škoda Octavia, Toyota Corolla Altis, and Hyundai Elantra. Even today, whenever the old Honda Civic is spotted on the road, it still attracts a second look. The eighth-generation car was loved for its sporty character, low-slung design, a futuristic cabin, and, of course, the legendary 1.8-litre i-VTEC petrol engine. It wasn’t perfect but, at that time, the enthusiasts couldn’t care less. As trends changed, SUVs started to become more popular and the executive sedan segment took a hit. The old Civic bore the brunt because it didn’t have a diesel engine option, as opposed to its competition, and, in 2011, the car was phased out completely. Now, after a…

UNDER “SUCCESS STORY”, SEE “LAMBORGHINI HURACÀN”. Last year alone, Lamborghini delivered nearly 3,000 examples of the baby V10 supercar. That’s nearly half the entire production run of its Gallardo predecessor, itself one of the biggest building blocks in Lambo’s 21st-century transformation. By any measure, the Huracán is quite an achievement: a 610-PS supercar as unintimidating to drive as a Fiesta yet capable of 320 km/h, with all the design drama and desirability of a classic Lamborghini and few of the drawbacks. But it didn’t offer the most involving handling in the world. While the extreme Huracán Performante variant is a driver’s car for the ages, the standard LP 610-4 was slightly one-dimensional to drive: big on traction, short on adjustability, with steady-state understeer the order of the day. That’s changed.…

CONFIDENCE IS A WONDERFUL THING. IT GIVES A CERTAIN inner glow that reflects boldly and is even absorbed by others around its presence. When intent, commitment, and effort all meet and proceed towards the same end-game, it produces a masterpiece that supersedes others in a big way. The Swedes have been synonymous with Scandinavian design owing to their unique perception. Volvo are synonymous with safety and are also known for many other things: interior design, modern equipment, physio-approved ergonomics, and exceptional attention to detail. All of these come together in the new XC60 like never before. And, dare I say, it gives the driver, yours truly, some seriously questionable over-confidence to attack corners, bends, straights, dips, humps, and you name it. But I’m getting ahead of myself... The new XC60…

THE JURY MEET THE ESTEEMED JURY OF CAR INDIA AWARDS 2019 diligently test-drove every single four-wheeler contending for the coveted award. The contenders consist of new model-year automobiles which were launched in India between 1 January and 30 November 2018. Only the winners from each category or sub-segment make it to the final short-list comprising those vying for the Automobile of the Year Award. The award process involves a panel of renowned automotive journalists, editors, race drivers, and the television media in the voting process. A two-pronged pattern of voting has been put in place and a winning vehicle in each category is announced after the final tabulation of scores given by individual jurors. All votes are kept a well-guarded secret and are sealed and validated by the auditors. The…

AFTER A THIRD-place finish in the previous race, the Estonian duo of Tänak and Järveoja clinched the win with a reasonable 53.7-second lead over their closest rival. This victory propelled Tänak to the top of the table and he now leads the FIA WRC for the first time in his career. The Swedish rally is the only pure winter rally in the whole WRC calendar and some stages sent a few cars spinning into the snow. Tänak established a lead early into the four-day race but was unable to carry on with that momentum due to inclement weather. That setback was neutralized the following day when his closest rival spun out, giving Tänak a 30-second lead. The Estonian extended that lead to almost a minute and managed to make Sunday’s…

MERCEDES-BENZ HAVE ANNOUNCED THE FINAL EDITION of the SLC-Class. This will be the swansong for the model-line and is available in all engine choices — the SLC 180, 200, 300, and the AMG 43. The launch colour is an exclusive Sun Yellow, harking back to the original Yellowstone launch colour of the erstwhile first-generation SLK-Class. The Final Edition is based on the AMG Line trim and includes AMG Styling bumpers, sport suspension, and larger perforated brake discs. The exclusive “SLC Final Edition” badges are positioned on the front quarter-panels below the chromed fin. Inside, there is two-tone nappa leather on sport seats and carbon-fibre look leather inserts in the head restraints and the upper section of the seat-backs. The hard-top “Vario-roof” roadster was the first to introduce a convertible hardtop…

I am an avid reader of your magazine and love the work all of you do. Nevertheless, I would be the first to admit that, unfortunately, my knowledge of cars is fairly limited. I am in the market now for a second-hand hatchback and am looking at a Volkswagen Polo or a Hyundai i20, both being within my budget and in decent condition. My question to you is: could you provide me with a small list of things I should check when buying the car? Arjun, via social media Dear Arjun, That's a very pertinent question and one we are asked frequently. There are several things to look out for. The first and most basic is the odometer reading to see how far the car has travelled already. Typically, the…

DRIVING ETIQUETTE THESE DAYS IS like trying to remember the lyric of a long-forgotten song. Gaps in the verse are filled by strategic humming or a suspicious mumbling. Similarly, at one point of time (hopefully), most of us were privy to road signs, rules, and traffic etiquette. Somewhere along the line most have compromised those rules because it made their lives more convenient. A manoeuvre that saved them one whole minute may have left an irreparable injury for another motorist. The first step towards driving safely is to be considerate towards fellow motorists. A public road is not our playground and, as responsible drivers, we are obliged to make sure that both ourselves and others are not at risk due to an irresponsible or careless action. Of course, keeping our…

WE WERE INVITED BY MAHINDRA TO drive their all-new sub-four-metre SUV: the XUV300. From the time I was a small kid, I have been seeing Mahindra Jeeps; in fact, in those days there was no such thing as an SUV — all off-road vehicles were known as “Jeeps”. From making basic off-road vehicles, Mahindra have come a long way. During my interaction with the Mahindra engineers before the drive, I asked them why Mahindra were moving away from the body-on-chassis construction to monocoque construction for most of their products, including the XUV300. The answer was that today the customers want the look and feel of an SUV but want the ride, handling, and driving experience of a sedan. The XUV300 is based on the X 100 platform of SsangYong. According…

THIS IS A STORY LIKE ANY OTHER. IT STARTS with a bookseller, Václav Klement, and a bicycle manufacturer, Václav Laurin, who got together and started manufacturing motorcycles and automobiles in 1896. They named the company after themselves, Laurin & Klement, a better time for names, one could say, for today they would probably have gone with “Václav”. Fast forward a bit to the post-WW I period which saw a buyout from arms manufacturer and multi-sector company, Škoda Works, and the rest, as they say, is history. The Laurin & Klement name, however, lived on, being used on Škoda’s best and most premium variants. This is exactly what the new Škoda Kodiaq Laurin & Klement (or L&K) variant is. The Kodiaq is Škoda’s most premium SUV, based in many ways on…

VANS HAVE A PECULIAR PLACE IN pop culture history. From Scooby Doo’s Mystery Machine, companion on so many pseudo-paranormal adventures, to the A-Team’s iconic black with pinstripes offering that got the action heroes everywhere they needed to go. There’s also that iconic van in Ocean’s Eleven that aids and abets the thievery and capers of the titular group. Then there’s the good ol’ rock ‘n’ roll bands and their extremely intricate relationships with vans. Every story you read or documentary you watch will have references and stories, often speaking of their time spent in a van going club to club in cities up and down the country, these long drives making for formative moments that make or break a band’s career. Closer to home, vans — often old Omnis —…

THE SANTRO ARRIVED JUST in time for the holiday season and it was time for a road trip. Driving down to Goa has been on the list for a while. A week off and the Santro and its AMT box would make for a good break. Bags packed and stowed in the generous boot, the Santro would have to prove its touring cred via the Bengaluru highway to Nippani and Amboli Ghat and Sawantwadi. The shift quality, ride quality, ergonomics, and sound-deadening are right up there. The trip went smoothly and the Santro cruised comfortably. Rough patches post Nippani and parts of Amboli Ghat were also no challenge. It also surprised with its highway efficiency of 19.5 km/l. The compact dimensions meant getting around the city was easy. The ergonomics…

NEW THIS MONTH LAMBORGHINI HURACÁN EVO Performante power is just one of the many changes in the evolved V10 supercar. Yours from Rs 3.73 crore (base, ex-showroom) MAHINDRA XUV300 Mahindra's modern compact SUV has arrived with a choice of petrol and diesel engines from Rs 7.90 lakh (ex-showroom) LEGENDS PRICES Ex-showroom, Pune (subject to change) BO: Available only by order NA: Price not available FEATURES F: Front only D: Driver airbag only O: Optional equipment ASTON MARTIN BENTLEY BMW FERRARI FIAT HONDA HONDA JAGUAR JAGUAR LAND ROVER LEXUS MARUTI SUZUKI MARUTI SUZUKI MERCEDES-BENZ MERCEDES MITSUBISHI MITSUBISHI RENAULT RENAULT TATA TATA VOLKSWAGEN VOLKSWAGEN VOLVO…

THE XC90 WAS THE CAR THAT got the ball rolling for the Swedish major some five years ago. Only fittingly, the facelift model marks the arrival of a new powertrain architecture — electrified, mild-hybrid petrols, and diesels. These powertrains use an advanced kinetic energy recovery braking system integrated with the internal combustion engine — the engine line that will receive the newly introduced “B” badging. The system uses brake-by-wire technology that optimizes brake-energy recuperation while increasing fuel efficiency by up to 15 per cent as well as reducing real-world emissions. The new XC90 will have a B5 mild-hybrid petrol or diesel engine as well as a more powerful B6 petrol mild-hybrid. It will soon be available with a B5 mild-hybrid petrol or diesel variant, a B4 diesel mild-hybrid as well…

Ford Endeavour Ford have introduced the facelift Endeavour in India in three guises, with prices starting from Rs 28.19 lakh (ex-showroom). The new Ford Endeavour has been revamped vastly, based on customer feedback, and now packs a new front grille and wheel design along with features such as keyless entry and go, centre touchscreen, and a hands-free powered tail-gate. Power comes from the same two turbo-diesel engine options but now in three drivetrain choices. The 2.2-litre, four-cylinder unit with 148 PS and 385 Nm gets either a six-speed manual and rear-wheel drive in Titanium trim or automatic transmission in Titanium+ trim at Rs 28.19 lakh and Rs 30.60 lakh respectively. The 3.2-litre, five-cylinder engine with 200 PS and 470 Nm is available only with the six-speed automatic and all-wheel drive…

THE MARUTI SUZUKI SWIFT TOOK home the Indian Car of the Year (ICOTY) award for 2019. This is arguably the most prestigious automotive award of the country because the jury comprises all the top publications in India, including Car India, of course. This isn’t the first time that the Swift has clinched this award either. In fact, it is the third time in the model’s lineage that it has won this award. A never seen before feat and one worthy of celebration. So, of course, Maruti Suzuki did decide to celebrate and celebrate in style. They planned a drive that would trace the name of this award-winning car across the face of the country and invited all the jury publications of the ICOTY to help them achieve this. This ambitious…

Windscreen washing fluid Monitor your car’s washing fluid level regularly and top it up when needed. To remove dirt and dead bugs off the windscreen efficiently, it is advisable to use a capful of mild soap (like handwash) with every litre of water. Oil levels In addition to periodic checks, make sure you check the oil levels of your car before every long trip. If it is low, top it up and if it is dirty, drain it and re-fill with fresh oil. In case of leakage, it is best to take the car to a service centre as soon as possible. Grime accumulation Salt and grime will accumulate between body panels and even in the engine bay. Periodic observation will help you spot them before they begin degrading the…

WHO DOESN’T LIKE TO BE IN COMMAND? Sitting high atop the ordinary. Gazing far forward. It’s almost as if it brings the distant future closer; giving you a sort of vantage point. When it comes to ruling the road, though, few cars come close to the presence that the Ford Endeavour possesses. It’s big — we’ve established that — but it’s also very capable and more engaging than its rivals by a country mile and then some. I haven’t had the chance to write about the big American Ford “truck”, but I shall surely endeavour to do it justice. Heading from Jaisalmer airport to the Sam Dunes was going to be done in the new car from the outset. The new Ford Endeavour is being offered in three drivetrain choices,…

BEAUTY LIES IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER. HOWEVER, STYLE and taste don’t always go hand-in-hand and opinions differ. Looks may be subjective, but make no mistake, I love how the new CLS looks. The “C257” third-generation car has more or less reverted to the classic and much-loved smooth, banana-like lines of the beautiful first-gen model. That first model was the pioneer of the four-door coupé segment 15 years ago. When it was first shown, many loved how it looked, but it was clearly an iteration of form over function; which is fine because there were many functional choices at the time. The sharply sloping roof, narrow rear windows, and tight proportions meant it wasn’t a car for everyone. Some loved it, some said it was impractical, while some went…

THIS IS IT. THIS IS THE MOST EXCITING drive possible. Nothing can match this, or so I decide after an insane 20-minute stint in the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ. And then something does match it: the Ferrari 812 Superfast. Although in many ways very different, the Ferrari is every bit as demanding and rewarding as the Lamborghini. Both leave me sweating and exhilarated, excited and energized, but also saddened. Because cars like these won’t be around for much longer. It’s never been common and, of late, the 12-cylinder engine has been a rarity in any shape or form. Scarcest of them all is the naturally aspirated kind, designed to tick all the performance-related boxes and stir emotions to their roots. While a supercharged or twin-turbo V8 can come close in terms…

WHAT A STRANGE PLACE WE FIND OURSELVES IN — A place where the Range Rover is the subtle, safe, good-value option. It’s been with us for 39 years and throughout the decades it has, alongside considerable acclaim, been criticized as being too big, too vulgar, too thirsty, and too expensive. Not any more. In today’s shootout the Range Rover sits proudly in the middle of the road — a road that’s part green-lane and part racetrack, spanning school run and desert adventure, and which takes in Dubai, Beverly Hills, Moscow, Mayfair, and the Scottish Highlands. Prices start around £80,000 (Rs 72 lakh), but our V8 Supercharged Autobiography is £30k (Rs 27 lakh) extra. At one extreme sits the Lamborghini Urus: Batmobile styling, nearsupercar performance and a starting price of £165,000…

THE FRENCH DUO OF OGIER AND Ingrassia pulled off a stunning victory in the first race of the year. In addition to a sixth straight win for Ogier in Monte-Carlo, this triumph also marked his début win for the French manufacturer after his return to the team. Incidentally, this is also Citroën’s 100th rally success. It was not easy going for Ogier and Ingrassia (Citroën Total WRT) because they had chalked up only one stage win from 16 stages. Ultimately, the drivers fought for the win in the final stage. Ogier fought off Thierry Neuville (Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT) by 2.2 seconds; quite possibly the closest finish in the history of Rallye Monte-Carlo. In the fourth leg of the rally, in the mountains above Monaco, Ogier’s car suffered a throttle…

SOON AFTER A STYLISH MAKEOVER, THE NEW HYUNDAI Creta joined our fleet and it sure looks hotter thanks to the new three-slat grille, funky DRLs, and smart-looking alloys. Our top-end SX now gets a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with MirrorLink, navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. There’s also an electric sunroof and cruise control, both of which remain underutilised in my long-termer. What I really like is the six-way power adjustable driver’s seat which now can be adjusted for height and the wireless phone charger which liberates you from the entanglement of charging cords. The ease and comfort that the Creta offers have left a lasting impression. It’s more spacious, more comfortable, peppier, and, rightly so, the pricing is also more premium than the competition. Unlike old cars from the…