Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2022 i Car India

CITROëN HAVE UPDATED THE C5 AIRCROSS IN THE INTERNATIONAL markets for 2022. The mid-size SUV now gets a set of revised headlamps with sharp LED daytime running lights (DRL). It also gets new 18-inch diamond-cut “Pulsar” alloy wheels and six new body colours: Polar White, Pearlescent White, Perla Nera Black, Platinum Grey, Cumulus Grey, and Eclipse Blue. On the powertrain front, the car sports an array of six petrol or diesel engines. However, that’s not all, there are also five hybrid powertrain options. While we don’t have a definitive timeline for the updated C5’s Indian launch, we expect Citroën to get it to India by the end of this year. The 177-hp,2.0-litre HDi turbo-diesel engine with the eight-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels should continue.…

BIG BOY TOYZ, THE PRE-OWNED LUXURY CAR RETAILING COMPANY based in Mumbai, is one of the first automobile organizations in India to successfully venture into the online auctioning of vintage and classic cars in the country. In a recent vintage car auction, Big Boy Toyz witnessed large participation from bidders wherein almost half of the cars were sold. The auction was kickstarted on 19 December 2021 and showcased a wide range of cars from brands such as Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Cadillac, and Austin, among others. This month-long e-auction came to an end on 8 January 2022. A 1960 Volkswagen Beetle was sold for Rs 25 lakh to a 21-year-old tech entrepreneur. Cricketing big name, M S Dhoni, won the Land Rover Series 3 with the highest bid, with the Rolls-Royce Boat…

Land Rover Range Rover and SV Land Rover India have announced that reservations for the new Range Rover SUV and pre-orders for the Range Rover SV have begun. Prices start from Rs 2.32 crore (ex-showroom). The Range Rover is, perhaps, the most popular luxury SUV, balancing incredible off-road capability with luxurious appointments for between four and seven occupants, depending on the specification. A prospective customer can make their choice from among six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. The Special Vehicle Operations section of Land Rover has commissioned the SV variant, which adds a new level of exclusivity to this luxury SUV, with it serving as the portfolio’s new flagship model with unique minimalist design themes with fine details and material options. For the first time, it will be offered in both…

THE THRILL OF ADVENTURE IS SOMETHING WE automotive journalists experience on a regular basis — driving fast cars, burning rubber on two wheels, and testing machines to their limits. However, just like all you readers, we also love to travel and explore. I’ve always understood that adventurous people are of two kinds: mountain monks or beach babies. While I do adore the mountains, I am quite a beach baby too. Last Sunday, the Editor handed to me the keys to Renault’s brand-spanking-new compact SUV, the Kiger. Being the water lover that I am, my compass instantaneously pointed west and I planned to head towards the Konkan coast to chase the setting sun. Our journey consisted of a good 202 kilometres of narrow country roads, the destination being the tiny town…

IT’S AMAZING HOW IN JUST THREE YEARS KIA have become one of the top car-makers of India. Now they are ready with their third India-specific model: the Carens. Despite being based on a stretched Seltos platform, with a 160-millimetre longer wheelbase, the Carens looks nothing like its sibling. The promise is to offer three spacious rows of seating, segment-leading features, and to bring picnic baskets back in trend. The new model is being marketed as a ‘Recreational Vehicle’, one that offers SUV-like appeal and an MPV’s practicality. Easier said than done, but the Kia brand is full of surprises and we’re intrigued. The Carens looks very unique, especially from the front. The clamshell-inspired bonnet gives it an SUV touch, while the electric-car like front with a completely shut grille a…

MY TURN. TENSION MOUNTS, in the car and in the pit-lane. Next to me is the racer and test driver, Paolo Souza. ‘Bear in mind ESP is not operational,’ is his disconcerting opening gambit. ‘The throttle mapping and brake regeneration algorithm are also still work in progress.’ Never mind. We are ready to go, in the only running version of the Hispano Suiza Carmen. It is the first new car to bear the Hispano Suiza name since 1946. The plan is to build 19 of the regular Carmen, an electric two-seat grand tourer making 1,020 hp and priced at €1.5 million (Rs 12.90 crore) plus taxes and four of the more track-friendly Carmen Boulogne, which gains 95 hp and costs an extra €150,000 (Rs 1.29 crore). I am about to…

IT’S NOT EASY FOR A NON-EUROPEAN car brand to make a breakthrough in the luxury car segment, but Lexus with its unique recipe has succeeded in doing so. Take the ES 300h, for instance. It’s a combination of an edgy design, sublime cabin comfort, and an efficient hybrid powertrain along with proven Japanese reliability that has helped create a niche for this luxury sedan. It’s been almost four years since the seventh-generation ES reached our shores as an import and local assembly began within just a couple of years later, making it more affordable. Lexus have now introduced an updated version of their best-selling model to keep things interesting. To start with, the changes on the design front are rather subtle, but they do manage to make the ES 300h…

SÉBASTIEN LOEB (M-SPORT FORD WORLD Rally Team) is no stranger to being victorious at Monte-Carlo and he put that expertise to good use on Friday (21 January 2022). In the new hybrid era of WRC, Loeb’s Ford Puma was able to draw a lead ahead of his rival, Sébastien Ogier (Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team), by the tyre change zone in Puget-Théniers. Although not completely at home in the early stages of the rally, Elfyn Evans (Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team) bounced back to take second place for the day while Ogier settled for third. The following day turned out to be more dramatic because Ogier made a startling comeback. Many drivers had problems when they encountered snow and ice in the mountains. Evans even slid off the…

WORLDS COLLIDE AS THE NEW BMW IX M60 BRINGS BMW i TOGETHER WITH X AND M. COULD this 600+hp behemoth become the ultimate vehicle of the future? BMW i have been and are still on a roll. From the electric i3 hatchback and plug-in hybrid i8 sports car, the brand has seen more “iPerformance” models sprout and some exciting new electrics as well, both production and concept. The big news following the introduction of the i4, iX, and showing the concept XM, however, is the formal introduction of the high-performance iX M60 — an electric version of the X5 M Competition, so to speak. The iX was introduced in xDrive40 and xDrive50 avatars, which offer up to 326 hp and 630 Nm and as much as 503 hp and 765…

BMW HAVE ALWAYS GONE THE EXTRA MILE TO MAKE THEIR CARS stand out from the competition. They did that with the X6 Vantablack in the past and now they’re back with the iX Flow. Their new iX electric SUV sports a radical finish featuring E Ink. This wrap is stimulated by electric signals that allow it to change colour from white to grey to black. While this was unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2022, the biggest tech fest in the world, we highly doubt it would ever make it to production vehicles.…

MERCEDES-BENZ AND PROLOGIUM, A LEADER IN SOLID-STATE batteries, have signed a technology co-operation agreement to develop next-generation battery cells. The first Mercedes-Benz test vehicles equipped with solid-state batteries thus co-developed are expected to be introduced in the coming years. The companies also agreed on milestones that would enable integration of the solid-state battery technology into a range of passenger vehicles in the second half of the decade. Mercedes-Benz hope to go all-electric by the year 2030 wherever market conditions allow. By partnering with leading companies in the fast-evolving field of solid-state technology, Mercedes-Benz are furthering their research and development activities, facilitating greater leaps in battery technology and continuously expanding their network of top-flight tech partners to ensure access to up-to-date technologies. With their solid-state battery R&D and manufacturing know-how, ProLogium…

VOLKSWAGEN INDIA displayed a few SUVs at the Auto Expo 2020 and the Taigun and Tiguan absolutely wowed the crowd with their robust stance and unmatched build quality. Since the time they hit the Indian roads, both these SUVs have set new standards in their respective segments. Being an integral part of Volkswagen’s “India 2.0” programme, these well-rounded models are the first step in the company’s plan to expand its market share in India. Looking at the current automotive scenario in India, it seems that the only body-type that people are buying is SUV and Volkswagen have given two more reasons for this trend to expand further. We dig deeper to explore the winning recipe of these SUVWs. TAIGUN: Talk of the Town The Taigun is Volkswagen’s smallest SUV in…

The readers are the reason why Car India has grown into a powerhouse for four-wheeler content. Thus, when it comes to awarding a truly competent four-wheeler, your input is crucial. This award is completely decided by you. Let us know which of these cars you believe should win the award this year. And, as always, we have some special surprises for a few lucky participants. Dear manufacturers, please ensure that employees and other associated personnel refrain from participating in this vote so as to maintain the integrity of this award. Nominate your choice and WIN! To vote, send an e-mail to ciawards @nextgenpublishing.net with your choice mentioned in the subject line Voting open till 15 FEBRUARY 2022 The winner of the Readers’ Choice Award will be announced in the MARCH…

NOW THAT THE CITIGO SUPERMINI IS HISTORY, THE new Fabia once again sits at the bottom of the Škoda range. No longer cheap at a likely start price around £14,000 (Rs 14 lakh), the new Fabia still represents something of a bargain — especially since the closely related Polos and Ibizas are pricier. The latest iteration of the five-door hatch has grown to 4,108 millimetres long, its boot holds a best-in-class 380 litres, and the drag coefficient is a slippery 0.28. It looks as classy and clean as an early Audi A3, the cockpit easily beats the Golf Mk8 for intuitive functionality, its seats are comfy, and the build quality gives third-world materials a wide berth. Performance remains bargain-basement, however. There are three 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engines rated at 80…

AUDI HIT IT OFF IN THE INDIAN MARKET in a big way with a big offering back in 2007, the huge Q7. The premium crossover SUV of the time combined a high-riding body, seven seats, a potent selection of engines, and the brand’s signature quattro intelligent all-wheel drive. It worked well. Very well. The Q7 was originally introduced with a 280-hp 3.6 FSI V6 petrol, a more powerful 345-hp 4.2 FSI V8 petrol, and, the most popular choice of the lot, the 240-hp 3.0 TDI V6 diesel. It sold like hot cakes and, soon, Mercedes-Benz, the luxury segment leaders by a huge margin, were seeing their share of the pie diminishing. “Audi” became a new name in the premium luxury space and for good reason. The Q7 was robust, powerful,…

THINK ABOUT FAST MERCEDES FAMILY saloons and, without a doubt, the 300 CE (aka “Hammer”), the E 55 AMG, and, of course, the E 63 S come to mind. But what if you don’t want a big, mental V8 engine with 500… well, now, over 600 horsepower? What if you were one of those who wanted an E 500 with AMG kit and actual go-faster elements? Well, with the E 53, Mercedes-AMG have addressed exactly that wish. The “53” powertrain combines the new “M256 E30 DEH LA G” motor, a 3.0-litre, in-line six-cylinder petrol engine with two compressors: an exhaust-driven turbocharger and a 48-volt electric-powered turbine from Borg Warner. That codename is ironic because there is no lag when driving it. But more on that later. The six-pot makes 435…

SETTING BENCHMARKS HAS become a staple for performance car-makers. The crown of the quickest SUV is contested in a battlefield with the likes of the Lamborghini Urus, Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, Bentley Bentayga Speed, BMW X6 M Competition, and Audi RS Q8 gunning for glory with sub-four-second 0-100-km/h acceleration times and top speeds of 300 km/h or more. Now, Aston Martin have dropped a bomb in the form of the DBX707 — claimed to be the most powerful luxury SUV in the world. At first glance, the DBX doesn’t look all that different, but take a closer look and the aggressively profiled front splitter followed by a gigantic rear diffuser and new grille beg to differ. The grille is the largest one on any Aston Martin vehicle. Additionally, the round…

THE BMW 8 SERIES AND M8 MODEL RANGES FOR THE MODEL YEAR 2022 have been revealed with a re-worked front design, four new exterior colours, and more standard equipment across the board. The front end of the 8 Series — on the Coupé, Convertible, and Gran Coupé — has been revised. They have the “Iconic Glow” illuminated kidney grille as standard as well as the M sports package, which includes an aerodynamic body makeover and 19-inch double-spoke design alloy wheels. All new 8 Series and M8 cars can be chosen with optional M emblems in blue, purple, and red in place of the standard blue-and-white BMW emblem to commemorate BMW M’s 50th anniversary. The interior features include BMW Individual Merino leather upholstery, multifunction seats, anthracite-coloured M roof liner, M leather…

RENAULT, NISSAN, AND MITSUBISHI MOTORS HAVE ANNOUNCED A common roadmap, Alliance 2030, “the best of three worlds for a new future”. This 2030 roadmap focuses on pure electric vehicles (EV) and connected mobility and aims to enhance the use of common platforms to 80 per cent in 2026. The total investment will be to the tune of €23 billion (Rs 19,800 crore, approx) over the next five years to support their electrification offensive. The proposal of 35 new EVs by 2030 is among the largest global EV offers and is based on the five common EV platforms. Nissan will unveil a new EV to replace the popular Micra in Europe, based on the CMF-BEV Alliance platform. The vehicle will be manufactured at Renault ElectriCity, the electric industrial centre in Northern…

LEXUS HAVE CONFIRMED THE COMMENCEMENT OF BOOKINGS FOR the new version of their bestselling vehicle in India, the NX. For the new model year, this SUV sports new lighting that gets integrated indicators followed by an all-new front grille design. Inside, it gets new screens for the dashboard and instrument cluster, apart from a slew of connectivity and equipment enhancements. The biggest talking point is the powertrain, as it moves from 197-hp 300h form to a more potent 350h one. A 2.5-litre, four-cylinder engine, dishing out 178 hp and 221 Nm, is paired with a 105-kW electric motor good for 143 hp and 300 Nm. The combined output from the hybrid powertrain is now 239 hp. An electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (E-CVT) handles transmission duties. Overseas, a dual-motor eFour…

The Carens or the Crysta? I need a seven-seater. Personally, I am inclined towards the Toyota Innova, but my father is fascinated by the new Kia Carens. The turbo-petrol-DCT variant is the one we are considering. Which of these two would you recommend? Anything else I need to look out for? Jalpreet Singh, Pune Dear Jalpreet, The price of the Kia Carens has not been announced as yet, but it is expected to be in a bracket just below the Toyota Innova Crysta’s. Both cars have good petrol engines and it is worth noting that of the two, the Carens is more car-like to drive. Either way, you can't go wrong, so we suggest driving both one after the other to identify the pluses and minuses based on your needs.…

WITH THE DÉBUT OF THE new Tigor iCNG, Tata Motors have officially entered the compressed natural gas (CNG) market. The Tata Tigor is now India’s first sedan with three alternative powertrain options that include petrol, CNG, and an electric variant. The Tigor was first launched in India by Tata Motors back in 2017. Over the past four years, it has enjoyed a decent run in terms of sales and with this new iCNG offering, it will definitely appeal to the price-conscious customers who want to beat the rising petrol price. We took this compact sedan out for a drive to find out if that holds true. DESIGN The Tata Tigor remains unchanged in terms of design. It is one of the better styled cars in this segment and does not…

WITH THE RETURN OF THE KODIAQ, car-buyers who’ve been wanting a luxurious SUV within a budget got another strong contender. This might just be a facelift, but the Škoda takes the legacy forward with a new turbo-petrol engine and a list of updated features to lure the new-age customers. The changes in the design of the Kodiaq facelift are barely noticeable. It continues to have a strong Škoda face, though the front grille has been made slightly more upright and the headlamps appear to be more angular now. Even the bumpers have been tweaked a bit to keep things fresh. The estate-like profile remains unchanged, apart from the new 18-inch alloy wheels. The simple but tasteful lines keep things classy and come with a promise to age well with time.…

WITH 7,500-PLUS KILOMETRES TO cover in the deserts of Saudi Arabia, Dakar 2022 promised to be a thrilling affair. Tricky navigation and challenging obstacles lay in store for the racers and one could expect some close racing because there were multiple-time Dakar winners in this year’s line-up. Some had even signed up with new teams. Racing as he was so close to his homeland, Nasser Al-Attiyah (Toyota Gazoo Racing) was a force to be reckoned with and he asserted his dominance by winning Stages 1A and 1B, promptly placing himself at the top of the overall standings. Determined to add a Dakar victory to his long list of WRC titles, Sébastien Loeb (Bahrain Raid Xtreme) opened his account for 2022 by winning Stage Two. Making a début for Team Audi…