BMW X3 launched in India – Sportier and Modern 3rd Generation

By: Javed Ali Khan

BMW India has started the year 2022 by launching the 3rd generation X3, with better sportier dynamics and modern amenities.  The vehicle up for sale are two petrol variants with an introductory price of Rs. 59,90,000 for X3 xDrive30i SportX Plus and Rs. 65,90,000 for X3 xDrive30i M Sport. The Diesel variant will be launched later.

“The new evolved third-generation BMW X3 is here to continue the model’s trailblazing success in the premium mid-size SAV segment. The refreshed design and driving performance make BMW X3 a luxurious and practical
car that is agile on and off-road.” – Mr. Vikram Pawah, President, BMW Group India said.

The car boasts of fresh Kidney grill design, adaptive LED headlights, LED rear lights – all of which add up to the overall looks of the vehicle. The M Sport package features larger air inlets finished in high-gloss black and air curtains. The interior of X3 welcomes its owner with an open arm and boasts features like Multi-function Sport Steering Wheel, electrical seat adjustment with memory function, exterior mirror package and if you opt for M Sport then you are pampered by Sport seats, Sensatec perforated upholstery, M leather steering wheel with multifunction buttons, M interior trim adding the performance-oriented ambiance, panoramic glass roof, and Welcome Light Carpet to name a few.

The two-liter four-cylinder petrol engine is linked with an eight-speed automatic Steptronic sport transmission, which performs smooth and almost
imperceptible gear shifts, which produces an output of 185 kW / 252 hp and a maximum torque of 350 Nm at 1,450 – 4,800 rpm. The car accelerates from 0 -100 km /hr in just 6.6 seconds with a top speed of 235 km/h.

BMW with its latest safety features like six airbags, Attentiveness Assistance, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) including Cornering Brake Control (CBC), electric parking brake with auto hold, side-impact protection, electronic vehicle immobilizer and crash sensor, ISOFIX child seat mounting, and integrated emergency spare wheel under the load floor makes driving sound and safe for its owners.

Mahindra S210 named ‘XUV 3oo’ – launch in Feb 2019

By Admin

Pictures: Mahindra

Mahindra has named S210 as ‘XUV3oo’ – pronounced as XUV, 3 double ‘Oh’ and with this, company has entered the very successful – ‘sub 4 metre’ – sub-compact SUV segment of Indian automobile market. Although earlier, Mahindra had launched Quanto which was later renamed as NuvoSport with an aim of achieving success like Ecosport did for Ford India.

    
The upcoming, all new, ‘XUV3oo’ will be pitched against the very successful Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Ford Ecosport and the Tata’s Nexon which recently achieved NCAP 4 star for adult safety and 3-star rating in child occupancy protection. XUV3oo is based on SsangYong Tivoli platform which has received multiple safety and ergonomic awards including a Grade 1 safety award from the 2015 KNCAP (Korean New Car Assessment Program), automotive safety test.

Indeed, XUV3oo resembles SsangYong Tivoli but the overall look and appearance is based on XUV5oo cheetah inspired design especially the headlamps, the fog lamps and wheel arches. The SUV will also boast of dual LED DRLs and LED tail lamps giving it a bold and charismatic road presence and yes one has to appreciate that boomerang effect to the DRLs at the front makes you stop doing everything and look at XUV3oo with deep breath.

XUV3oo will have – first in its class – dual zone FATC (Fully Automatic Temperature Control), all four disk brakes and seven airbags. The SUV will have a – expected – 1.2-litre petrol motor and the 1.5-litre diesel motor linked to 6-speed gear box and will have highest torque in its segment, as shared by the Mahindra team.

The interior straightway looks rich with premium upholstery and a touch screen infotainment system making driving surely a pleasure. The car also has ESP, ABS, cruise control apart from air bags as safety features. Not to forget, it will even have an option of Sun-roof but will be launched without an automatic transmission.

The car will be sold through the mainstream Mahindra showroom and not from premium store in store showroom specifically meant for selling Alturas G4. Mahindra, currently, is also working on the electric version of XUV3oo which will be out in 2020.


The sub compact SUV will be built in Nasik plant, will be available both in petrol and diesel and will be available in the Indian market in the first half of 2019.

The Name is Harrier, Tata Harrier

By Admin

Pictures: Tata Motors

 Tata motors had already impressed everyone during the course of 2018 Auto Expo by giving a glimpse of their SUV code named H5X concept. And by naming this SUV as ‘Harrier’, which sounds quite impressive, Tata has indeed taken the right step towards making a connect with the prospective buyers. With the success of their recent products starting from Tiago to Hexa, Tata is riding high and is leaving no stone unturned for keeping the momentum in their favour.

 

As per the posts made by Tata Motors on various social media platform, the #Tata Harrier will be launched in the first quarter of the next year. The SUV, as per the company, is based on ‘IMPACT Design 2.0’ philosophy and offers extraordinary exterior design, thoughtfully and intelligently designed plush interiors, future ready connectivity and best-in-class infotainment.

The monocoque SUV is being called as Born of Pedigree as it is engineered on ‘Optimal Modular Efficient Global Advance’ architecture which is derived from Land Rover D8 architecture. Mr. Mayank Pareek stated that – ‘Tata Harrier’, yet another game changer, to offer our customers a product, that is not only exciting but that which will take our brand value to the next level.

 

The company defines the word Harrier as ‘A dominant beast imbued with endless stamina and strength. Gifted with unwavering instinct. Effortlessly conquers every challenge thrown its way’ and is going quite strong with its marketing. Its now to be seen how Tata Motors would price the SUV so as it helps the company to achieve the desirable targets.

Mahindra U321 named ‘Marazzo’, to launched before Diwali, 2018

By Admin

Pictures: Mahindra Automotive

A re-tweet from Mr. Anand Mahindra on 28th July was more than enough for everyone to sit back and be ready for what was called as ‘Name-Revealing’ event or should we say ‘NamKaran’ of to be launched MPV which was code named U321. As per the tweet the event was to be held on 31st of July and it happened as planned.

Mahindra Automotive revealed the name of its soon-to-be-launched MPV which in Basque – a sub language of Spanish – means Shark. Scorpio, Bolero, Quanto Verito etc. all of them have letter ‘O’ as the end except Thar. So, it was expected that Mahindra would come up with a name which has ‘O’ at the last letter of the name and that has happened here too. Mahindra has named U321 as ‘MARAZZO’.

The name means shark and the similarity between car and shark is not upto the name but many design aspects of Marazzo are ‘Shark Inspired’. Mahindra while developing Marazzo has involved The Mahindra Design Studio and Italian design house Pininfarina. The ‘Shark Inspired’ Marazzo has a very aggressive but distinctive front frill which reflects the teeth of Shark. This makes the MPV very aggressive but in a beautiful manner. The tail light completely looks like the tail of a shark and that small antenna literally resembles a sharks fin.

The engine is new and will be efficient, robust and most importantly affordable to maintain. It is nothing what we have seen in the past in other Mahindra products. We expect it to be a 1500cc diesel engine initially. Also, the air-conditioning at the rear is not only ‘first in the segment’ but also ‘first in the industry’ which is based on ‘Surround Cool Technology’.

The interior, though an outline was shared, looks smooth and clean. The dashboard, the instrument cluster, the seats and design completely reflect the work which went behind the MPV by Mahindra Design Studio and Pininfarina. The expected date of launch is before Diwali this year i.e. 2018.  Dr. Pawan Goenka, Managing Director, M&M Ltd. said, ‘Marazzo is a brand new platform and is not a carry over from any existing product, Marazzo will not replace any of the existing product and it will fit into the current market very feasibly.

As per Mr. Goenka, 3 cars will be launched this year out of which 2 will launch before Diwali and one after Diwali. Also, the product to be launched after Diwali will be a premium product, namely G4 Rexton, which will be based and will be in direct competition with types of  Maruti Suzuki Nexa premium outlets.

Mini Urban Drive in India

By Admin

Pictures: Mini India

Mini, the brand which is owned by BMW, started its very own ‘Mini Urban Drive’ platform in India, which promotes and provides ‘Go-Kart’ like feeling among its users. The very first drive was held in August in Bengalauru where products like New Mini Hatch, New Mini Convertible, The All New Mini Countryman and the flagship Mini Clubman were present. The event will be organised throughout India in 7 major cities which are Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai, Pune, Chandigarh and Delhi and will over by October, 2018. The idea behind the event is to promote and showcase the safety and performance hidden in the various models of Mini.

This is what Mr. Vikram Pawah, Chairman, BMW Group India said, “The MINI Urban Drive provides a perfect opportunity for auto enthusiasts to be inspired by MINI’s ultimate combination of driving fun, top-notch quality and unique style. It offers participants not only the legendary driving experience of a MINI, but also significantly increasing safety at the wheel- whether in everyday traffic, performing rapid overtaking manoeuvres or at full –throttle on the racetrack. With MINI Urban Drive, we continue to extend the MINI lifestyle to more customers and look forward to welcoming more members to the MINI way of life.

Through out the event trained Mini Sales consultants will be present to assist users in a professional manner and provide details related to the products available for the drive. This would help customers to identify the Mini matching their lifestyle. Not only this, Mini India is accepting the booking of its products during the course of event.