Honda NSX

To target Ferrari 328, Honda came up with an ambitious mid-engine sports car which they called HP-X (Honda Pininfarina eXperimental), a prototype  which they later put into production with the name NS-X (New Sports car eXperimental). It was launched in late ’89. It showcased impressive technologies and used what were then unconventional materials, like extruded aluminum for chassis and titanium for its connecting rod, for its construction. It also became one of the finest handling cars ever made. Honda offered NSX a variety of configurations during its 15-years. Only 18,000 were ever build and is so one of the rarest car. It had 270hp and later 290hp V-6 engine.

     

Owning a second generation NSX will soon be a reality. The all new supercar will feature around 550hp using a twin turbocharged V6 and also electric motors that will manage torque at each corner. The new 75-degree six cylinders will be mounted longitudinally and therefore, the car gets a SH-AWD configuration. The power will be transmitted to the wheels via a 9-speed, dual clutch gearbox. A whole lot of carbon fiber will also be added to the car. 

Jaguar XE

Lets now move on from the Bentley SUV and topless Evoque because the biggest stir of 2015 was the Jaguar XE. The Jaguar didn't just moved a head in the competition, kicking down Audi, BMW and Mercedes in the company car stakes but they also produced a car that everyone would want based on it merits rather than its British roots.

The rivals for the new car will be the BMW 3 series, Audi A4, Mercedes C-class, Lexus IS, Audi A3 saloon. And so the Jaguar takes key ingredients from its rivals and adds style, sex appeal and a real world wow factor. Overall its a stunning looking, real good to drive. The brand is offering a large number of personalisation options for the XE. There are a large number of exterior, interior and wheel choices.

Engine: XE is powered by a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder, turbo-diesel producing 178bhp.

Running cost: 9kpl( Average)

Price:  ₹30 lac-  ₹50 lac

The interior looks almost similar to that of its big brother, XF. There are a lot of optional extras for interior, as I mentioned earlier. You can have a Jet/Mid night blue leather, etched aluminium veneers, ambient interior lighting( all no cost) and if you pay extra you can have parking pack, 10x10 ways electric front seat, Wi-Fi hotspot, InControl secure.

All in all the Jaguar XE is an exciting car. This car deserves top to be on the wishlist as it is stylish, well equipped and is good to drive. All it need is to hit the Indian shores and can't wait to see how it performs here.

Topless Evoque

Land Rover has finally revealed the world's first automatic electronic convertible SUV. The topless Evoque isn't the most stunning Land Rover but its definitely got the fun factor. As Land Rover described "no compromise, all-season convertible" soft-top Evoque retains the drive-train and external dimensions of existing Evoque.

source: topgear.com

Even though they made a huge design change, Evoque's distinctive shape hasn't messed up. The convertible Evoque gets the same engine as of the normal Evoque, whch means, 2.0-liter TD4 Ingenium diesel (178bhp and 317lb ft) or 2.0-liter Si4 petrol (237bhp and 251lb ft) with a 9-speed automatic gearbox and optional Active Drive-line.

The convertible Evoque will go on sale by spring 2016. Land Rover has designed the longest and widest folding roof of any car currently on production. At the press of a button, the light-weight canvas will fold into a 'Z' shape and stows flush with the body. You can do this by even driving at a speed no more than 30mph. The roof closes in 21 seconds. There is also a 'Roll Over Protection Device' to protect the passengers in the event of vehicle flipping over. This system will automatically deploy two roll-over bars within 90 milliseconds, creating a survival space for the occupants.

new infortainment

JLRs new IN Control Touch Pro appears for the first time in Land Rover. Its a 10.2 Inch screen, much larger than the current 8 Inch system.It is as close to a smart phone, with touch, swipe, pan, pinch and zoom controls. And also, all new navigation system with guaranteed navigation even in poor satellite coverage areas.

Boot space inevitable suffers. It has a 251 liters boot space. And also there is a hatch  between the fixed rear seats to squeeze in long items. But who cares?! If you want a log-lugging mud-plunger, get a Defender!

source: Land Rover Owner Int'l

The Bentley SUV

The Bentley Bentayga is the fastest, most luxurious and the most exclusive SUV in the world. It is going to cost you around €160,200. They say it is the most important launch in the history of Bentley. The car is powered by 600bhp twin-turbocharged W12 engine. It has an electronic four-wheel drive system. Bentley claims Bentayga can go 0-62mph in 4.0 seconds and a top speed of 187mph. So it has what it takes to be a performance SUV. Eight drive modes can be selected but there is no low range setting for the eight speed gearbox. This isn't needed probably because there is 900Nm of torque available at 1,350rpm. The first four drive modes (sport, Bentley, comfort, custom) are for on-road. And the last four drive modes are for off-road. There are also different ride heights for the air suspension, electronic hill decent system. In total there are 90 different ECUs controlling the new Bentley!

Engine: Twin-turbocharged W12 engine, producing 600bhp to all the four wheels via a eight speed automatic transmission with 900Nm torque available at 1,350rpm. A smaller twin-turbo V8 and a plug in hybrid will be introduced at a later date.

Source: Yahoo

There is so much of raw acceleration available at every revs. The pure level of performance available from the W12 twin-turbocharged engine is remarkable. The electronic ride and roll control can be felt doing their magic even though its a 2.4-tonne Bentley.

As you would expect the interior is pretty special place to be in. There is high quality leather, wood and turned aluminium everywhere you look. The seats are comfortable and you can adjust the seat positions in every way possible, with the help of 22 different electric motors! The car looks and feels expensive. It reminds you that you are in a €160,200 worth Bentley. The steering is thick and small. Despite being Bentley's first electric system, the steering, feels natural. The ride is smooth and composed. In all the on-road drive modes, the Bentley rides well, steers accurately and handles neatly. As the drive mode goes into SPORT, the sense of composure beneath your backside get stronger. The power and performance of the large engine can be felt.

The lavish standard equipment include full panoramic sun roof and an eight-inch color touch screen sat-nav. And the full leather interior comes wit a choice of 15 hides. You can also get a 10.2-inch rear seat entertainment set-up, a veneered picnic table and a 22-inch alloys if you pay extra.The Bentayga may be the luxurious SUV, but isn't the roomiest. It has a small boot with 430-liter capacity.

The Bentley Bentayga is an incredible SUV. Its luxurious, powerful and its every bit is good to drive as is to sit in it. And the attentions to details is stunning. Bentley certainly moved, the SUV game, to a different level.

Source: Auto Express

XJ, Quattroporte and Rapide

Quattroporte

The Audi A8, BMW 7- Series and Mercedes Benz S Class are the trios in the Top Luxury Sport Segment. But what if the car you are looking for is none of these? What if you want to add a bit more stunning, sporty looks to it. Well, we have 3 cars that can be selected as an alternative.

JAGUAR XJ

The XJ is the top luxury sedan Jaguar offers you. The engine comes with three options

1) 2.0L, 4 cylinder petrol engine producing 237.36bhp@5500rpm  and 340Nm@1750rpm

(price: ` Rs.97.74 lakh)

2) 3.0L, 6 cylinder turbo charged diesel engine producing 270.88bhp@4000rpm and 600Nm@3500rpm.                 (price: ` Rs.1.4 crore)

3) 3.0L, 6 cylinder turbo charged petrol engine producing 270.88bhp@4000rpm and 600Nm@3500rpm

(price: ` Rs.96.57 lakh)

All specified models are AWD with 8 speed automatic gearbox. All 4 wheel are Adaptive Dynamic Suspensions.

And you can expect all features that are promised in the top luxury sedans.

 Maserati Quattroporte

The Quattropote is a thing to look at. Its absolute stunning looks will make any car buyer want it. And moreover it make some excellent exhaust sounds.

There are two versions for the Quattropote.

1) Maserati Quattropote Diesel is a 3.0L diesel engine producing 275 bhp @ 4000 RPM and 660Nm@2000-2600rpm

(price: Rs.1.50 crore)

2)  Maserati Quattroporte GTS is a 3.8L petrol engine producing 530 bhp @ 6500 RPM and 650Nm@2000-4000rpm

(price: Rs.2.20 crore)

Both engines are powered to the rear wheels through a 8-speed automatic gearbox. 

The performance of the car does sacrifice the comfort it has to offer.

ASTON MARTIN RAPIDE 

With the first, look you notice, that the Rapide is a stunning looking car. It looks more kind of a sport coupe. But then you will understand its much more of an elongated version of the Aston Martin DB9 with 4-doors.

It comes only in one version. 

1) Aston Martin Rapide S with a 6.0L supercharged petrol engine producing 470bhp@6000rpm and 600Nm torque @5000rpm

(price: Rs.4.40 crore)

Polo GTi to India in March 2016

As CARWALE reported earlier the VW Polo GTi was spotted testing in Pune recently. It is expected to be launched by March 2016.

The Polo GTi is powered by a 1.8l TSI petrol engine producing 180hp and a maximum of 250Nm torque. The same engine is used Abroad, to power Audi A3 and Skoda Octavia. The polo GTi might also have a 7-speed automatic transmission. To match for the power, the suspension and the brakes are also beefed up. The price range for this car might be of 9.95lakhs to 14 lakhs.

source: indianautosblog.com

 

 

 

BMW M2

The much anticipated all new BMW M2 is finally here.

This is one of the most beautiful looking coupe. The M2 has a more aggressive look than the M235i. The all new bumpers with 3 air dams and the rear end features a discreet trunk-mounted spoiler and four exhaust tips integrated into an air diffuser that’s painted gloss black.

All new 19-inch light weight forged rims with Michelin pilot super sport tyres give better road grip and road holding ability.

 Now lets talk about interior. The interior is spectacular.

M2 gets a three spoke steering wheel designed by the BMW's M division, sporty leather seats with blue stitching,adjustable side bolsters and an M footrest and knee pad on the center console for the driver. The M logo is sprinkled throughout the cockpit. Carbon fiber dashboard adds to the sporty touch.

Now lets take a look at the engine.

The M2 is powered by a 3-liter turbocharged six cylinder engine producing 370bhp and 465Nm torque and this torque can be increased to 500Nm with over-boost function. The M2 can reach 60mph from 0 in 4.2 seconds using the 7-speed automatic gearbox.

Expected price in India should be somewhere around 50 lakhs

Chevrolet TrailBlazer

Chevrolet will be launching their new SUV within few days from now. Lets take a look at it.

Exterior: The Chevrolet TrailBlazer has the usual Chevrolet touch to it with the split design and the mesh grille. Fog lamps and daytime LEDs are standard. All in Chevrolet has given the the muscular look to it.

The wheel arches of its LT trims are expected to be fitted with a set of 16-inch alloy wheels. While LTZ variants will gets an elegant set of 18-inch royal silver finish alloy wheels, which enhances the look of its side profile. These rims are further covered with high performance tubeless radial tyres

Interior:  Very spacious interiors and is quiet similar to that of Cruze.

The interior for India is expected to be Beige. Standard features are expected to include MyLink infotainment system, steering mounted audio control, automatic climate control and jump seats for 3rd row. It has an advanced surround sound system with 10-speakers. Adaptive cruise control is also equipped for the TrailBlazer. The instrument cluster features quite a few functions like digital tachometer, outside temperature display, fuel levels, trip-computer, a digital clock and several notification lamps for keeping the driver updated.

Engine: Engine is expected to be a 2.8- liter 4-cylinder Duramax diesel beast producing 200hp and 500Nm torque.This power is transferred to the wheels via a 6-speed automatic gearbox which also have an active system. With all wheel drive as optional. Whereas the standard model is expected to have a 2.5L Duramax engine producing 163hp and 380Nm torque. This model is equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission transferring power to the front wheels.

Mileage: The 2.5L engine is expected to give an average mileage of 12.5kmpl whereas the 2.8L version is expected to give around 8kmpl

The car is also equipped with a total of 6 airbags. The advanced engine immobilizer with alarm system prevents it from theft and any unauthorized entry. Apart from ABS and EBD, it is also equipped with brake assist which improves its braking ability.

The price tag is expected to be between Rupees 32- 40 lakhs