Mini Cooper S review, test drive

We’ve just got our hands on the very attractive Mini Cooper S, and we can tell you straight off the bat it’s exactly what we expect it to be – an absolute riot.

For a start, it’s just an unbelievable eyeball magnet. The go-faster stripes, pugnacious stance and breathtaking quality levels instantly tell you this is something special. And you just can’t get away from the fact that there’s plenty of retro rally car appeal to this Cooper S. Then there are the black wheels, the flush-mounted glass house and that big centrally mounted exhaust can. So attractive is the car, in fact, that almost no one noticed the brand-new full-sized German luxury SUV standing right next to it!

Then there’s the way the car drives – like a go-kart with a fizzing rocket motor strapped on. The turbo four under the hood delivers immediate and serious shove virtually from tickover, 184bhp of turbo boost is delivered in a sustained rush, and find a nice empty stretch and this sportscar in the shape of a hatch will breach 200kph quite comfortably. It weighs just 1100kg, so all that power goes a long way.


Price Range (in lakhs)*
Ex-showroom price     Rs 28.6 lakh (Ex-showroom, Delhi)

Engine
Fuel     Petrol
Installation     Front, transverse, FWD
Type     4-cylinders in-line 1598cc Petrol
Power     184bhp
Torque     24.47kgm / 26.51kgm (overboost)

Dimensions
Length     3723mm
Width     1913mm
Height     1407mm
Wheel base     2467mm

Chassis & Body
Wheels     6.5JX16 light alloy
Tyres     195/55/R16

SsangYong to launch new Rextron at Busan motor show

SsangYong has released a teaser image of a replacement for the Rexton SUV which makes its global debut at the Busan motor show in South Korea on 24 May. The South Korean SUV maker is now out of financial crisis and has set an up an ambitious plan as it recovers.

D200, the Rexton replacement project, was delayed by the bankruptcy of SsangYong Motor and its eventual purchase by Mahindra.

SsangYong showcased its might at the 2012 Auto Expo by unveiling 3 concepts and also confirmed the launch of the Rextron and Korando SUV for the Indian market. The 2 SUVs will be assembled at its new Chakan plant which will help the company to price the products aggressively.

We can expect the pricing to be below the 20 lakh if Mahindra is looking at volumes. The question remain when will the new Rextron be actually launched internationally and when will it make its India debut?

The current Rexton has been made at SsangYong’s main Pyongtaek plant since 2001 with assembly in Russia from SKD kits by UAZ since 2005.

Mahindra Reva NXR caught testing

The Electric cars may have not tasted success in the Indian market but thanks to the rising fuel prices the situation may soon see a drastic change. Mahindra Reva NXR has been caught testing several tines on the Indian roads. The NXR has once again been caught testing on the Indian roads and seems the company were doing some performance testing.

The two-door, four-seater car has undergone a style makeover that makes it more appealing to the masses. But the car, which now wears a Mahindra badge, will have to do a lot more, than just look good.

The Reva NXR can reach a maximum speed of 104 km/h. It is equipped with 15-inch alloy wheels, with disc front brakes and drum brakes at the rear. The NXR model will have a steel frame with ABS body which is made of dent-resistant material. the lithium battery will be costlier, it will offer higher speed as well mileage up to 100 km for every charge. The lead acid battery which also powers the existing two-seater Reva, is priced lower but can travel up to only 80 km per charge.

The Mahindra Reva NXR will be launched before the festive season in October/November 2012. Pricing and vehicle range will be crucial factors to generate volumes. Mahindra has taken a good first step and the Reva NXR has surely set a precedent for future electric cars in India.

The price of existing cars range from Rs 3.36 lakh to Rs 3.89 lakh (on road price in Bangalore). So we can expect a premium of atleast a lakh more.

Mercedes-M-Class launch pics, press release

Mercedes-Benz India introduced the powerful, agile and luxurious new third generation M-Class, sporting the Mercedes-Benz new design language, to the market. The New M-Class stays true to the lineage of its predecessors and drives into the future with better fuel efficiency, new look and superior performance. The New M-Class exemplifies Mercedes-Benz’s philosophy of the ‘Best or Nothing’ being the engineering marvel that it is.

Peter Honegg, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India explains: “At the start of this year we had promised to introduce exciting new models into the market. We are proud to present today the New M Class, built to perform with the highest precision and follows the Mercedes-Benz new design language. We are confident that the quality of drive and the luxurious experience it can deliver will be a big hit with the customers and it will be warmly received.”

Aggressive design language: The design of the M-Class is a trailblazing further development of the SUV concept. The unmistakable style makes the W166 series instantly recognizable as an M-Class. The horizontal lines at the rear emphasise the vehicle’s on-road character. These lines are picked up in the cockpit, with its compelling combination of ergonomic, practical design and the use of high-grade materials.

What’s New?

This new edition of the M-Class, now in its third generation, sets new benchmarks in SUV design, technology and performance. The NEW M-Class sports powerful exterior and interior design featuring high – quality details, following the interpretation of a contemporary SUV.

The vehicle leads the field in safety, comfort, quality feel over its competitors. The pinnacle of comfort and load compartment capacity offering ease of handling,  on and off-road.

Keeping true to the new design language, the new M-Class has been envisioned with a much sleeker frame as compared to its predecessor. Though the vehicle is significantly larger it does not make it look bulkier. There is an overall increase in the length and width of the car.

A true off-roader,  the New M-Class has been fitted with technology that would help customized settings for engine performance, automatic transmission, anti-lock braking system (ABS), Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and Electronic Traction System all at the touch of the off-button on the console.

Safety is a primary mover for Mercedes-Benz; the New M-Class is packed with safety technology. It has nine strategically located air – bags that ensures the safety of its passengers upon collision / accident. Additionally it is built with a PRE-SAFE technology that help prevent such instances.

Protection of the environment is a key task of every individual, the New M-Class has been built with this thought in mind. The vehicle has been built with the ECO start-stop function, which reduces fuel consumption and emissions- by automatically switching off the engine during traffic jams or traffic signals.

Making the drive more pleasurable is the technology that has been packed into the new generation such as ATTENTION ASSIST, that alerts the driver on detection of drowsiness on longer trips; an Active Parking Assist with integrated PARKTRONIC technology, and a new rearview camera that increases comfort and provides a real safety plus.

The NEW M-Class sets the bar higher for a Luxury SUV in driver’s delight, passenger convenience and overall safety, a testimony of which is the prestigious EURO NCAP 5 Star rating awarded to the vehicle.

Vespa opens new dealership in Mumbai, plans more

Iconic scooter maker Vespa has announced the launch of its all new dealership in the financial city of India. Piaggio launched the Vespa LX125 recently which positioned as a premium scooter.

Vespa’s new dealership Spice Motors is located at Plot -A-321, Rd no.22 Wagle Industrial Estate, Thane (W), Maharashtra respectively.

On the occasion of the Inauguration of the Vespa Stores in Mumbai, Mr. Ravi Chopra, Chairman and Managing Director, Piaggio Vehicles Private Limited (India) was happy to convey, “We, at Piaggio look forward to our association with Spice Motors; a sought after brand name in the Mumbai two-wheeler market. They are well-equipped and have the experience to support us in our vision – Vespa’ India chapter success. They will incorporate Piaggio’s global best practices and processes, ensuring a superior sales and service experience for our valued customers in India.”

Commenting on the launch, dealers from Spice Motors said, “We are glad to be associated with Vespa. Today marks a historic moment in the Indian two-wheeler segment as the iconic global-celebrity is being made available to patrons across Indian shores. We look forward to strengthening Vespa’s Indian journey.”

Both dealerships will encompass state of the art international facilities. Well-equipped to support owners needs, these dealerships will offer complete solutions from body work tools, spare parts, servicing, consulting etc. There are two more Vespa dealerships expected to be launched soon in the Bhandup and Goregaon areas.

Tony Weichselbraun designs an urban electric vehicle

Rumors have been making rounds for a long time now. Which rumor you ask? The one, which says that BMW will be doing some work to bring the Isettamicrocar from 1950s and pit it against the Smart ForTwo.

Well if the company is not very serious in this regard, Tony Weichselbraun, a recent graduate of the University of Applied Arts in Vienna is definitely serious as he wished to bring Isetta in this century and suitable for this century.

His efforts resulted in this modern eSetta, which is completely electric and the designing si heavily inspired from the original model. Also it looks so cute. Here is what Tony had to say:

    “The eSetta is an urban electric vehicle intended as a car sharing platform,  It is inductively charged at sharing hubs, thereby eliminating the unfound fear of limited range through empty batteries. Its design is inspired by the legendary BMW Isetta. The front door slides and rotates, allowing passengers to enter and exit the vehicle via sidewalk. By giving the car a highly recognizable and friendly appearance, I intended to reinforce the positive aspects of car sharing.”

As for now all we can hope is that it soon comes to the production facility and then Smart ForTwo will have a cuter competitor.

Chevrolet Trax will GMs answer to mini SUV competitors

Chevrolet will enter the mini SUV segment with the launch of all new Trax SUV.  The company has released a official image of the same and too some extent looks very similar to the Captiva. The car will be first shown at the Paris Motor Show in September.

The Trax will play a very important role for the Chevrolet in Mini SUV segment which is seen many new entrants. Ford and Renault were one amongst the first to see the potential of this segment.

The Chevrolet Trax will be sold in 140 countries and will be introduced first in Mexico in the fourth quarter of this year. But it will not be sold in the United States. The Trax is slightly smaller than the Chevrolet Equinox crossover SUV, which is sold only in the U.S. and Canadian markets.

The Trax will be built on the same underpinning platform as the Aveo and Sonic subcompact sedan which sadly the Indian market will not get and places of the same will be taken by the upcoming Sail twins which will go on sale after June.

Details including price, weight, length and fuel economy of the Trax are not released. We could expect similar power trains to do the duty on the Trax as in the Aveo twins.

India could certainly be one of the 140 countries which could see the launch of the Trax SUV.

Chevrolet to launch Cruze New facelift Model

Chevrolet wants to Cruze in the minus D-Segment in the Indian market. The American car maker is readying the face lifted Cruze which gets a cosmetic change on the exterior and interiors. Chevrolet Cruze will get updates in the form of new grille with horizontal slots which replace the honeycomb grille on the current Cruze. Othe changes on the exterior include, vertically aligned fog lamps clusters and re-designed front bumper. The headlamps also get slight tweaks with silver reflector material replaceing the black back ground.

On the interior end the Cruze receives a improved rear seat which will offer higher comfort level and also more head room. The Interiors upholstery will also receive tweaking. The centre console remains largely the same but we can expect the stereo to get updated with USB/AUX and iPod connectivity as standard.

Under the hood the Cruze will be powered by the same engine but will receive some power boost. The car will be powered by the 2.0 VDCi engine with 160bhp power output. The other mechanicals remain same.

Its unclear about the exact launch date but we can expect the Cruze facelift in a couple of months.