Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2021 i Car India

THE ALL-NEW EQB IS THE LATEST EQ MODEL TO be shown to the world. Sitting above the compact EQA, it is a not-so-compact size SUV that is the electric counterpart to the GLB-Class. Thus, the EQB promises all the versatility and flexibility of its combustion-engined counterpart with a long range and a choice of five or seven seats. Shown in EQB 350 4MATIC avatar, the electric SUV packs a 215-kW motor set-up and it serves up 292 hp. Mercedes have remained tight-lipped about most details, including torque output and battery size, but have mentioned that it will travel up to 478 km on a single charge. They did mention that entry models would have a 66.5-kWh battery pack and two-wheel drive and a long-range model will also be offered. The…

DEVELOPED BY TOYOTA IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SUBARU, THE BZ4X CONCEPT IS A MID-SIZE SUV with all-wheel drive. The concept is set to be a milestone marking Toyota’s transition from purely a car company to a holistic business dedicated to delivering better mobility. The “bZ” is an acronym for “beyond Zero”, Toyota’s new range of battery electric vehicles, and reinforces their commitment to not only achieving zero carbon emission and carbon neutrality, but also realizing new benefits for the environment, for individuals as well as the society as a whole. The production version is expected to arrive in early 2022 with sales expected to commence by the middle of that year. The bZ4X has a distinct front with an arrangement of sensors, lights, and aero elements in a unique “hammerhead” form…

THE VERY FIRST ALL-NEW ŠKODA OCTAVIA rolled off the production line at the Czech company’s facility in Aurangabad last month ahead of its launch. The all-new Octavia will soon be launched in India and is already rolling out of the company’s plant in Aurangabad, Maharashtra. The Octavia was the first offering in India from the Czech marque at the turn of the millennium and it soon garnered an enviable reputation for being everything from solid and reliable to frugal and having excellent ride and handling. The new model looks set to take the game further, positioned this time as an entry-luxury offering with a value proposition. The new Octavia is the fourth generation of the model and aims to redefine its class and lead the segment. The celebratory Lava Blue…

BMW India have introduced the facelifted 6 Series GT in one petrol and two diesel engine options, priced from Rs 67.90 lakh (ex-showroom) upwards. The new model is a facelift and replaces the model presently sold here and in Germany as well. The most distinctive changes are the new front end with a sleeker grille and BMW Laser headlamps with both low and high beams getting enhanced lighting. The interior gets the new virtual assistant and the Live Cockpit Professional, iDrive controller with touch, a large 12.3-inch touchscreen, smart navigation and maps, gesture control, wireless charging, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, among others. The 630i GT M Sport petrol variant is priced at Rs 67.90 lakh. It packs the 258-hp 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine. The 620d Luxury Line four-cylinder…

Highway Runner Is the new Maruti Suzuki Swift good for highway driving? Syed Yusuf, via social media Hello, Syed, Not much has changed in terms of driving dynamics for the new Maruti Suzuki Swift. So, yes, it continues to be a good car to use on the highway. Check out our first drive review in the April 2021 issue of the magazine. Passing the Bus Which class would you like to see introduced in the Indian racing championship? Akshay Jadhav, via social media Hello, Akshay, After many minutes of careful consideration, we have arrived at an answer. We would like to see a race against the bus drivers of each state (driving their respective passenger rockets on a closed circuit, of course). That should be interesting! Where's the Diesel Mill,…

IN SPITE OF HAVING TO GO THROUGH a difficult 2020, car manufacturers did well to bounce back in a spectacular fashion and we witnessed a number of launches over the year. Of course, such splendid effort had to be appreciated and that is exactly what we did with Car India Awards 2021. There were enough new launches and contenders fighting for top honours. The first order of business was to shortlist the new cars and classify them by segment, following which they were subjected to stringent tests by the members of the jury. This was the 16th edition of Car India Awards and this year it was not any easier than before. Even though COVID-19 complications did throw a spanner in the works, the task of evaluating such closely matched…

IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE STRUGGLING TO keep up with the electric revolution taking place in the car market, you are not alone. Even when you think you have finally got your head round the charging times and charging types, something seismic can happen that moves the goalposts into the next stadium. Take the Mustang for what it is, not what it says it is: a fun, fairly affordable electric family car Case in point: between us driving the cars in this test and sitting down to tell you about it, the British government completely upended the entire sector by reducing the £3,000 (Rs 3 lakh) electric car grant to £2,500 (Rs 2.5 lakh) and slashing the price cap on eligible cars from £50,000 (Rs 50 lakh) to £35,000…

IT’S BEEN SPOKEN ABOUT IN passing, but now let’s talk about it. The Mercedes EQA is the new entry model in the EQ sub-brand and was actually introduced not too long ago, with the Stuttgart marque busy introducing new models in quick succession. The EQA is essentially an electric version of the GLA, dropping its MB suit for an EQ makeover and getting a slew of new tech in the process. At 4.4 metres long, 1.8 metres wide, and a 2,729-mm wheelbase, the EQA is designed to fit in yet stand out. It’s higher off the ground than a conventional electric car, yet versatile enough to handle all road conditions. A five-seater, the EQA features a slew of new equipment including Navigation with Electric Intelligence, Energizing Comfort Control, and the…

THE EXECUTIVE LUXURY SEDAN SEGMENT HAS BEEN seeing refreshed models upping the ante. The latest model to get a styling and tech revamp is the Lexus ES. The Lexus ES shook up the executive luxury sedan segment back in 2018 with a striking design and engaging performance thanks to its Global Architecture-K (GA-K) platform. Now the new ES builds upon this proven formula with several updates to its style, safety, multimedia, and colour choices. The proven powertrains in the ES 250, ES 350, and ES 300h continue doing duty. The Lexus driver-centric “Seat in Control” concept puts all requisite controls within reach and all information in plain view of the driver from the moment they get in. In tune with that, the Lexus Multimedia System and available Navigation see the…

The much-anticipated Citroën C5 Aircross mid-size SUV is the first model from the French major for India. It has been launched in two trims, Feel and Shine, priced (ex-showroom) at Rs 29.90 lakh and Rs 31.90 lakh respectively. The C5 Aircross features exciting styling and is a fresh face in the burgeoning SUV market here. It will take on the likes of the Hyundai Tucson and Jeep Compass. It packs their renowned HDI 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine under its hood making 177 hp and 400 Nm. It is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. Citroën claim an efficiency of up to 18.6 km/l. Both variants have a long equipment list with features such as three individual memory-foam rear seats that can be adjusted or reclined separately, 8.0-inch…

HE 6 SERIES IS NEITHER GONE NOR forgotten. The new BMW 6 Gran Turismo was introduced in Europe, Germany specifically, and we here in India also get the new model with some tasteful changes that add to both form and function. While the BMW 6GT is not all-new, it does bring some important equipment updates. There are three powertrain choices — a petrol and two diesels. We had the 630i petrol with the four-cylinder TwinPower Turbo motor, good for 258 hp and 400 Nm, paired to an eight-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive. All seems well at BMW HQ with that sort of pairing. So, the new 6GT retains its enormous proportions, being 5.1 metres long with a wheelbase of over three metres as well. The slender, elongated front form, sloping…

› Why is it here? Big brother to the ID.3 hatch, the Tiguan-sized ID.4 is VW’s first electric SUV. It is built on the same versatile MEB electric car platform as the ID.3 and upcoming Cupra el-Born and Audi Q4 e-tron. Since VW are not building an electric Tiguan, if you want an e-VW SUV, this is it. › Any clever stuff? The ID’s exterior door-handles look as if they would pull outwards, although, in fact, they are fitted with touch-sensitive micro-switches. They feel strange to use, but more worryingly the handle insert seems insufficiently anchored to the door structure — just one example of less than stellar build quality on a car that deserves better. › Which version is this? The 1st Edition is the only ID.4 currently available.…

YOU KNOW YOU WANT AN ELECTRIC CAR, BUT that is no longer enough. It might have been enough a decade ago when it was the Nissan Leaf or nothing, but these days there is enough choice that you need to know what you want from your electric car besides it simply being electric. If you need it to qualify for the UK government’s revised electric car grant and to look and feel like an eerily quiet version of a regular small SUV, then the Kona is your car. The base model is appealingly affordable, but its size and range mean it leans towards a second-car choice for many. Step up to the 64-kWh battery to ensnare that impressive 482-km range and the useful extra helping of performance — the two…

THE MERCEDES-EQ SUB-BRAND has been steadily gaining momentum with the EQC, EQV, EQA, and EQS, which was soon followed by the EQB as well with an EQS SUV, EQE Saloon and SUV, EQT and EQG also in the pipeline. The EQS, however, has now been shown in production form in two guises to begin with: 450+ and 580 4MATIC. A full-bodied luxury saloon, the Mercedes EQS has a swooping four-door coupé silhouette that, belying its proportions, offers a whole host of comforts and technical wizardry within. This S-Class of electric vehicles has a drag coefficient of 0.20, making it the world’s most aerodynamic production car. The EQS measures 5.2 metres long and 1.9 metres wide, allowing for a spacious interior. Inside, it brings several Mercedes-firsts with it, including the new…

THE CHINA-EXCLUSIVE VOLKSWAGEN ID.6 IS THEIR NEW ALL-ELECTRIC FULL-SIZE SUV THAT builds on the ID foundation and MEB platform. Two versions are on offer: ID.6 CROZZ and ID.6 X. The ID.6 measures 4.88 metres long and includes many innovations. Four configurations are available, with a range of up to 588 km and as much as 225 kW (306 hp) on tap. The MEB IQ.Drive systems are standard. Being the most spacious model in the ID family, it gets a lot of interior space and incorporates design highlights in lighting and material. Compared to the ID.4, the additional 300 mm of length makes for generous interior room and the ID.6 can seat up to seven occupants in safety and comfort. The ID.6 has two battery choices available: 58 kWh and 77…

INGOLSTADT’S ALL-ELECTRIC EXECUTIVE luxury saloon is a big deal. The A6 e-tron Concept is based on the futuristic Premium Platform Electric (PPE) that will see more offerings spawn over time. It’s also a completely refreshing take on Audi’s popular sedan, with completely new architecture making for a sea of change from what many are used to. The A6 e-tron Concept retains familiar dimensions: a 4.96-metre length, 1.96-metre width, and 1.44-metre height, all reflecting its roots but bringing a new, more expressive design language. It’s not just a design concept but gives a glimpse of what the new A6 e-tron as well as electric versions of the A4 and A8 may look like when they arrive. The low coefficient of drag, clear lines, and large wheels point to the form we…

THE HYUNDAI ALCAZAR STORY When Hyundai Motor India (HMI) proposed a seven-seater version of the Creta, it met with some scepticism by the bosses at the Korean headquarters. But the Indian arm had done ample research, survey, and competition-check clinics and was certain that a premium SUV with three rows of seat, if priced well, would surely get them enough numbers and rake in some profits. It’s this keen understanding of Indian car-buyer’s evolving needs that has helped Hyundai become the leaders of the SUV segment and a strong second spot in the overall car manufacturing business in our country. THE ‘ALCAZAR’ NOMENCLATURE The biggest hurdle for Hyundai Motor India was to ensure that the seven-seater model doesn’t get overshadowed by the well-established “Creta” brand. After all, their latest SUV,…

A WHITE KNIGHT MAY NOT BE WHAT EVERYONE SEEKS BUT A luxury chariot and many horses ahead? Sure! Why not? The E-Class has been the highest selling model for Mercedes in India and for good reason. It’s long, luxurious, well-equipped, refined, and quiet with a supple ride quality. Besides, there’s no denying the badge value, too. The new E 200 from Mercedes-Benz sees some styling changes and a slew of equipment updates to make it even more desirable to potential buyers. The changes start right from the face: new grille and bumpers, new LED headlights, new taillights, and new-design 17-inch wheels with 225/55 generous profile rubber. The shape and form are retained, of course, but there’s no denying it’s got new-decade looks about it. The body is slightly longer over…

› Why is it here? It is Volvo’s first electric car. It is also an XC40, which means it looks great inside and out and has a decent boot. Plus, this one is a proper Q-car: 0-100 km/h takes just 4.9 seconds. › Any clever stuff? Volvo’s latest infotainment system is Android-based and developed with Google. You can sign in with your Google account to personalize apps such as Spotify and control most functions with voice commands using Google Assistant which, unlike most voice-recognition systems, understands your request and replies quickly. › Which version is this? At the time of writing, this £53k (Rs 53 lakh) version is the only all-electric XC40 available. But a lower-spec car comes soon, followed by a smaller battery option. And it will be joined…