Next BMW X1 with the front-wheel drive UKL platform
BMW’s new X1 crossover has been successful in the global car market. Looking at the popularity of the next-generation model which is due in the year 2015, new details have started to pour out. The reports say that the crossover will be now riding on the front-drive UKL platform that will also construct a number of MINIs and also the 2013 BMW 1 Series GT. According to the insiders working on this development, the switch of the platform will reduce the cost of production and will increase the interior space because of the use of transversely-mounted four-cylinder engine lineup in the vehicle.
Although, the model will be using a number of components from the next generation MINI Countryman, but it is expected that the vehicle will be incorporated with a Haldex all-wheel drive system which will be optional in the vehicle. The vehicle is not expected to be in India soon enough, but will be welcomed in the country if launched sooner or later.
Red Bulls' Webber and Sebastian unveil 'Wings For Life' cars ahead British GP
Red Bull Racing drivers Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber unveiled their 'Wings for Life' cars today ahead the British Grand Prix happening this weekend. Both will drive their specially-branded RB8s, which each feature more than 25,000 photos that have been sent in by fans, throughout the race weekend. Organised for Wings for Life, the charity that is striving to find a cure for spinal cord injury, the initiative was open to fans all over the world who wanted to race with Mark and Sebastian at this year’s Silverstone race and support the cause. People from around the world have been uploading their photos and donating to Wings for Life. Red Bull Racing matched every donation made and 100% of all donations will go directly to spinal cord injury research projects around the globe.
The initiative has raised more than one million Euros. Every continent is represented on the car and photos were sent from a range of countries, including Costa Rica, Fiji and Guadeloupe. There are other famous people too involved with the cause including former F1 driver Niki Lauda and footballer Thierry Henry. Mark Webber commented: “The paint scheme on my car for this weekend looks awesome, the guys have done a great job. It’s great that the fans can travel with me round the circuit for the whole weekend, while supporting an incredible cause – let’s hope the livery gets a good result! I’m proud to be an ambassador for Wings for Life, which is doing fantastic work in its search for a cure for spinal cord injury.”
Sebastian Vettel added: “I think chances like this for the fans to be involved are great – I will have thousands of wing men and women with me on every lap of the track this weekend. The Wings for Life cause is a special one, I care a lot about the work they are doing and have been an ambassador of the charity for many years. It’s great for the fans to be able to join Mark, the Team and me at this year’s race in Silverstone – I’m looking forward to it.” FYI, Wings for Life is a spinal cord research foundation, which was found in the year 2004 by Red Bull and Motocross World champion Heinz Kinigander.
New Bentley EXP 9 F Concept's Images Are Out Officially
After successfuly showcasing the Bentley's New EXP 9 F concept at Goodwood festival of speed this year at UK, its exclusive images and the very first video have now been made public by the company.
Seeing the pictures, most would come to a conclusion that it's a combination of advancement, luxury, new-age technology, and above all great at driving. EXP 9 F also highlights Bentley’s intent to build the fastest and most luxurious SUV in the world.
The concept’s appearance at Goodwood is part of a systematic and comprehensive process of gauging customer and public reaction to the idea of a Bentley SUV, which began with its unveiling at the Geneva International Salon d’Auto earlier this year and will continue at the Concours d’Elegance in Pebble Beach, California in August.
Prior to exhibiting it at Goodwood Festival in the UK, this performance SUV was unveiled at Geneva Motor Show.
Hero MotoCorp Ignitor 125 cc, Silent Tiger, Launched at Rs. 55,900
It was just yesterday when HeroMotoCorp posted the specifications and other details about Ignitor 125cc on their official website. So now the tiger with its silent paws has slipped in. Just like their many other products, Hero MotoCorp has launched yet another two wheeler, Hero MotoCorp Ignitor 125cc, equally silently today. However, there was not much to create a hoopla about. This, we say, because though Hero MotoCorp has have a split from Honda, and now is an individual company and not Hero Honda, it still possesses rights to a few of the products that were produced with the merger infact. However, these rights are reserved only till 2014. So, as goes with the rights with Hero MotoCorp, Hero Ignitor is a refashioned Honda CB Stunner. However, Hero MotoCorp has tried to infuse some changes to it, with brining two variants of the model. The base variant gets drum brakes upfront, whereas the front disc brakes have been given to the upper variant. Few other features, like alloy wheels, electric start, etc. are the same in both the variants.
The base model of Hero MotoCorp Ignitor, the one with drum brakes, has been priced at Rs. 55,900 (ex showroom, Delhi); while the one with disc brakes, the upper variant, will come for Rs. 57,900 (ex showroom, Delhi) only. Ignitor gives a maximum torque of 11Nm at high RPM of of 5000, which is a bit changed from what Honda CB Stunner did, at 6500rpm. However, the engine chugs out the same energy as Stunner, 11bhp maximum power at an RPM of 8000. The Ignitor will come with a carburetor only. However, Stunner has both carburetor and fuel-injector. As for the looks, quite an attractive color set has been gifted to Ignitor. Colors like sports red, vibrant blue, panther black, and pearl white.
This bike will stand important for the company, since it is the 125cc segment that is seeing quite an upsurge in the market. Bajaj Auto and TVS have already started attacking the market with launches coming up or a few are in the pipe-line. Bajaj Discover 125 ST was brought to the public last month, which has received quite good response. TVS Motor is also testing its two wheeler, Radeon 125cc with its speculated launch in around September. Statistics and analysts are guessing that Ignitor would probably not as much of volume, but Hero MotoCorp would soon be seen offering its consumers few more exciting products.
Fiat 500X Previewed Officially, Might Come to Indian Shores
CarDekho inscribed it a couple of months back that the Fiat is working on to develop a compact crossover namely Fiat 500X, using the platform of 500 hatch , which will debut by 2013. And now at the launch ceremony of the 500L MPV in Italy, the Italian auto giant, Fiat Automobiles previewed this newest Member of the 500 range. Fiat showed the side profile of the car for a moment and then closed the curtain, which has given a fair enough idea if not complete that how the upcoming four-door mini crossover, Fiat 500X will look alike. The 500X is a four-door vehicle, which has got is taller than that of the 500 and a little black body cladding.
Although, nothing has been said about the specifications, but the teaser shown for a moment, was enough to create the sensation around. But as we spoke about it earlier as well, that it will be a 4.2 meter lengthy car and will have both petrol and diesel engine options. The engine is expected to be the same as the 500 hatch, which means a 1.3-litre multijet and 900cc Multiair for the diesel version and a 1.4-litre turbo for petrol. The 500X will first be launched in the American and the European markets, but rising demand of the compact SUVs in the Indian sub-continent make some sense of surety of Fiat bringing it to our shores. And if it happens, it will compete with the likes of newly launched Renault Duster, upcoming Ford EcoSport and Chevrolet Trax. Stay tuned for more updates on the same. Cheers!!
Mahindra Launches XUV500, Scorpio and Pick-Up Range in Kenya
India’s Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. known for its excellence in utility vehicle today launched its international range of utility vehicles and pick-ups for the Kenyan market. The product range includes the XUV500 SUV, the Scorpio SUV and Pick Up range, the Genio Pick-Up and the Maxximo mini-truck.
The company has appointed Simba Corporation as the sole dealer for Mahindra vehicles in Kenya. The dealership that will trade under Xylon Motors will offer the full range of Mahindra vehicles as well as provide complete servicing facilities, testing and an extensive after sales department supplying parts and accessories. This will enable Mahindra to further consolidate its presence in Kenya.
“We are delighted to expand our presence in Kenya which is a strategic market for us within the African continent. Our range of utility vehicles and pick ups have carved a distinct niche for themselves in markets across the world including Europe, South Africa, Egypt, South and Central America and Australia and I’m sure Kenya will be no exception.", said Sanjay Jadhav, Senior General Manager, Exports (Africa & Middle East), Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.
Simba Corp has invested close to 600 milion shillings in Xylon Motors and will offer new car owners warranty, parts and after-sales service at very competitive pricing. Mahindra already has a significant presence in Kenya where it sells its tractors through M/s Timsales, a part of the Rai Group.
Volkswagen Polo BlueGT Heads UK
New details about the Polo BlueGT have been released which tells about the design dynamics and the fuel efficiency of the vehicle. The Volkswagen Polo BlueGT uses a 1.4-liter TSI petrol engine that produces 138hp and 250Nm of torque. The engine accelerates the vehicle to 100kmph in just 7.9 seconds and can hit a top speed of 210kmph. The new 1.4 TSI is the top petrol engine in the entirely new EA211 series of petrol engines which is now being used in the BlueGT. The active cylinder management (ACT) and BlueMotion Technology (Stop/Start system, battery regeneration) with a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox have been incorporated in the BlueGT.
The Polo BlueGT has been launched to close the gap between the Polo 1.2 TSI and the Polo GTI.The exterior of the new Polo BlueGT is different because of its new 17 inch alloy wheels, GT badging, dual tailpipes and many standard features that have been adopted from the Polo GTI and Polo BlueMotion.
The Polo BlueGT comes with a black painted grille, R-line bumper vents and black side mirrors. According to Volkswagen, the active cylinder management system temporarily deactivates the second- and third-cylinders under low to medium loads that helps the model to reduce its fuel consumption.
The Volkswagen Polo BlueGT comes with a new bumpers, aerodynamic side skirts, a reduced ride height and 17-inch aluminum wheels along with the fuel saving technology incorporated in it. In the cabin, miniscule changes are done like sporty seats and a multifunction display which works only when the active-cylinder management system is on.
It is expected that the Polo BlueGT will be launched in the fourth quarter of the year and the German pricing of the vehicle will start from €19,650 (13,35000 rs., including VAT). VW currently sells the Polo in Petrol and Diesel in India and the BlueGT will be a very welcome variant if introduced here.
BMW Asia Launches 6 Series Gran Coupe- First Four Door Coupe
BMW Asia has yesterday launched the all new BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe in Singapore in two variants, namely BMW 640i and BMW 650i. It happens to be the first four-door Coupe in the History of the BMW. So the Grand Coupe being the third offering in the 6 series becomes more special for BMW and its fan base around the world.
In view of the newly launched BMW 6 series Gran Coupe, BMW Group Asia’s Managing Director, Mr Neil Fiorentinos said: “The introduction of the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé sees BMW broadening the diversity of its model range once again.
This particularly handsome addition is a unique combination of sporty driving pleasure, elegant design, exclusive interior ambience and travel comfort. Further, its level of practicality is unmatched by fellow premium four-door Coupés of its class.”
Except the aesthetic design of the all new BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe, what adds more to the beauty are the high performance engine combinations. Where top of the line variant, BMW 650i Gran Coupe has come out with the latest 4.4-litre V8 engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo joined by VALVETRONIC variable valve timing to produce better efficiency and response; on the other hand, the BMW 640i houses a six-cylinder, in-line engine along with BMW TwinPower turbo, thus makes it fuel efficient too.
Equipped with the eight- speed automatic transmission along with Adaptive Drive system, and the extensive range of standard equipments, the all new BMW 6 Series Grand Coupe proves to be a complete package that one would wish in a luxury car.
