New Skoda Octavia launched at Rs 13.95 lakh

The new Octavia is a definte step up from the Laura in terms of dimensions and luxury, yet the weight has been reduced. Extra flab has been removed thanks to the intelligent use of high-strength steels while ensuring high structural rigidity. The new MQB platform provides for the bigger dimensions of the Octavia. Space has been increased on the inside without compromising on boot space which can now swallow 590 litres of your luggage. 

The Octavia follows the new Vision D design philosophy of Skoda while sticking to its Czech DNA sporting a minimalistic and understated exterior. The redesigned vertically stacked grille with a refined 

Skoda badge is the way forward for all future Skoda vehicles. The front has short overhangs and the side of the car sports a finely chisled line connecting the front to the tail lamps. The rear is very reminiscent of the Skoda Rapid mostly because of the C-shaped tail lamps. However, the overall appearance of the car has an air of sophistication and precision to it and as such grows on you with each new look.  The interior is made of fine quality materials and dressed in leather. The piano black finish on the central console provides for a premium touch.

                                

Skoda has launched the new 3rd generation Octavia in India at a starting price of Rs 13.95 lakh and in three trim levels, namely, Active, Ambition and Elegance. Engine options include the 1.4 TSI petrol (140PS power and 250 Nm torque), 1.8 TSI petrol (180PS power and 250Nm torque) and the 2.0 TDI diesel(143PS power and 320Nm torque) which is offered in both seven-speed DSG automatic and six-speed manual transmission options. 

Nissan Terrano launched at Rs 9.59 lakh

 Nissan today launched the car at a start price of Rs 9.59 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi. The Japanese car manufacturer had already started bookings at Rs 50,000 post the unveil.

 

 The Terrano is Nissan’s first locally manufactured compact SUV and with that it marks its entry into the fast growing compact SUV segment that Indian have this new found love for. Based on the already popular Renault Duster, the Terrano, although a badge-engineered sibling, screams out Nissan’s design language. The front grille, bumpers, tailgate as well as the creases have been given the ‘Nissan’ touch. The interiors too remain pretty much the same like the Duster except for a few changes that meekly add the differentiation between the two cars. 

 Mr. Kenichiro Yomura, President, Nissan India Operations, said, “Terrano perfectly embodies our spirit of delivering innovation and excitement to our customers.  It proudly carries forward the legacy established by our SUVs like Pathfinder and Patrol. We are confident that Terrano’s stylish exterior, premium interior and a well-balanced dynamic package will appeal to SUV lovers in India. Terrano is an important product for us and will set the pace for future product launches slated for 2014.”

Under the hood, the Terrano hosts the same 1.5-litre dCi mill that will be offered in two states of tune – the detuned 85PS diesel mill produces 200Nm of torque and the 110PS unit with 248Nm of torque. It is also available with the 1.6-litre petrol engine that produces 104PS and 145Nm of torque.  The 110PS diesel comes with a 6-Speed transmission while the rest of the range gets a 5-Speed gearbox. 

New Porsche Panamera launched in India at Rs 1.19 Crore

Porsche India has officially launched the all-new and much awaited 2014 Porsche Panamera. The new Panamera that made it’s debut in the 2013 Shanghai Motor Show comes to India in five variants. The base model Panamera and Panamera 4 feature a 3.6-Litre V6 engine producing 314PS. While the latter comes with rear-wheel-drive, the Panamera 4 comes equipped with Porsche’s highly sophisticated all-wheel-drive system. The standard Panamera is also the cheapest one on offer at Rs 1.19 Crore whereas the Panamera 4 is priced at Rs 1.22 Crore 

The all-new Panamera, in India, comes fitted with standard features like an electronic sunroof, a BOSE sound system, Porsche Communication Management and Navigation, Park Assist with reversing camera, Air suspension and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) which is present in all models except for the entry level V6 petrol. A range of customizable options such as a wide selection of wheels, all-LED headlamps and a 1000-Watt Burmester audio system is also available to buyers. Apart from the above, Porsche’s extensive customization program offers virtually unlimited options for the Panamera. 

The new Panamera features all-new headlamps, a new front bumper design with more aggressive air dams and a more pronounced bonnet. The all new Porsche Panamera also features subtle re-designs in the rear section of the car with an all-new tail lamp cluster, and a redesigned rear bumper that makes the car look more planted. The small and subtle modifications carry over to the side profile with redefined side-vents that accentuate the Panamera’s aggressive appeal.  

Hyundai Grand i10 launching on 3rd September

Well, what you see before you is on its way to fulfill that very objective and Hyundai is calling it the Grand i10.As can be seen, the Grand i10 with the help of Hyundai’s European Design Center in Germany has once again done wonders with its fluidic design theme, which even today looks fresh, a step ahead but in a lower segment. The i10 Grand would offer buyers a large cabin done up in a plush two tone beige-black combination that lends a Premier feel to the interiors.

Hyundai has also packed this car with a number of goodies that include a smart key, a/c vent for rear passengers (which is an industry first feature in this category of car, and an India exclusive feature on the BA, IA Grand i10), push button start/stop, 2DIN mp3 audio with 1 GB internal memory, steering mounted audio controls, rear parking sensors, Bluetooth, Aux-in and USB connectivity, glove box cooling, and electric ORVMs with integrated indicators.

As one of the most awaited small car launches of the year, the Hyundai Grand i10 appears to be a rather practical product for our shores, and the company has made it quite clear that India is an important market as any other, and will get products that are at par or superior to the rest of the world! Watch this space for more complete specifications and variant-wise price and feature listing at the time of launch

Mahindra Verito Vibe Launched

Two years after reports about Mahindra planning a sub-4-metre car based on the Verito sedan first surfaced, the company today took the wraps off the product – a hatchback – called the Verito Vibe. Featuring a cleverly chopped off boot that restricts the overall length to 3,991mm, the Verito Vibe falls well below the crucial 4-metre mark that entitles cars to excise duty benefits.

Styling-wise the car has a very 90s ‘vibe’ to it, fused with some smart, sporty touches such as blackened headlamps, carbon-fibre finished grille, pentagram-styled ‘Champagne’ alloys (available only on the top-end D6 variant), LED taillamps, roof racks, etc, to appeal to younger-gen buyers. The sporty treatment is carried over to the inside as well with faux carbon-fibre trim on the dash and centre console.

Space is, perhaps, the Verito Vibe’s biggest selling point and the cabin feels as roomy as the sedan. The wide backseats can accommodate three comfortably with plenty of leg-, head- and shoulder room for all. Besides, there’s also a headrest for the middle passenger, just as in the Verito.

Fiat launches the petrol-powered Linea T-Jet with more features in three variants

Apart from the difference in equipment between the three variants, the Active and Dynamic variants are fitted with 15-inch steel wheels that give the car a ground clearance of 185mm while the top-of-the-line Emotion variant gets 16 inch alloy wheels that give it a ground clearance of 190mm.

The refreshed Fiat Linea is powered by the same 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine that generates 114PS of power and 207Nm of torque and returns a claimed fuel efficiency of 15.7kmpl. The engine is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.

Fiat will be offering the Linea T-Jet in five color options, namely, Oceanic Blue, Tuscan White, New Pearl White, Hip Hop Black & Minimal Grey.

Honda launches Brio variants with more features

Honda has launched a refreshed variant of the Honda Brio hatchback with more features added to it. It has also revamped its variants line up to six variants, but which now has only one automatic variant from two earlier.

Following customer feedback, Honda has now taken a couple of features that were available in the newly launched Honda Amaze and added it to the Brio hatchback. This includes a rear defogger and a height adjustable driver’s seat in the top-end variant that is now called the Honda Brio VX-MT / VX-AT variant (the latter being the only available automatic now).

Honda Brio E-MT:  Rs. 4.12 lakh

Honda Brio EX MT (new variant): Rs. 4.28 lakh

Honda Brio S MT: Rs. 4.60 lakh

Honda Brio V MT: Rs. 5.06 lakh

Honda Brio VX MT (new variant): Rs. 5.34 lakh

Honda Brio VX AT (added features): Rs. 6.12 lakh

Bentley Continental GT Speed introduced

Bentley has been consistently making fast four seater luxury cars for a while now and the Continental GT Speed is their latest avatar of a seriously fast four-seater luxury lounge. 

Now available in India, the new Bentley Continental GT Speed is powered by a 6.0 litre twin turbo charged W12 engine that generates 625PS of power and 800Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a close ratio eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox for savage acceleration and impeccable cruising ability. 

The end result is 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 325 km/h for the latest sporty four-seater Bentley. 

Bentley also states that the new Continental GT Speed is also 13 per cent more fuel efficient than its predecessor.

The chassis of the Continental GT has been tuned for the ‘Speed’ spec and the suspension lowered to reduce body roll around corners at speeds. The luxury super car also gets 21 inch wheels along with a darkened grille and front bumper intakes.  

Next-gen Honda CR-V to launch on February 12 (Price 28 Lakh)

After launching the new generation CR-V in the UK in November 2012, Honda has announced the SUV will launch in India on February 12, 2013. The improved 2013 CR-V will be shorter and more refined. Prices are expected to be around Rs 28 lakh. For the UK, there is an oil-burner option but for India, the CR-V will debut only as a petrol version. For the first time, the CR-V will be available with both two- and four-wheel drive options.

The new CR-V has a more aerodynamic stance and lower coefficient of drag, a more raked and aggressive front end along with unchanged rear and signature tail lights.

It’s more spacious on the inside, with a 589-litre boot that goes up to 1648 litres with the rear seats folded flat. It will feature improved NVH levels, whiplash protection system and a number of new features