Next BMW i8 will still be a hybrid – AutoPortal.com confirms

Bavarian Motor Works, better known as BMW, has a long list of luxury, sports, touring and family cars in its stable. A major automobile manufacturer in the across the world, BMW started its operations in India in the year 2006 and it is the leading name in the country when it comes to high end cars. 

In the year 2011, BMW came up with the i-series of hybrid and plug-in electric cars. Two cars were released under this series – the i3 – an all-electric car and the i8 – a plug-in hybrid car. The i3 and i8 were launched in the years 2013 and 2014 respectively. The i8 was unveiled by Sachin Tendulkar at the Auto Expo 2014 held at New Delhi and was launched in February 2015. 

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BMW i8 exterior

The body has scissor doors and sports several aerodynamic touches, including flat tunnels formed by the vertically extended rear fenders and lateral extensions of the C-pillars. The under body air intakes at the rear end of the side sills, bladelike ends on the rear fenders, and a radiator exhaust in the middle of the hood also add to the sleek body.

First plug-in hybrid sports car from BMW

BMW has referred to its i8 as the most progressive sports car. BMW i8 has focussed on cleaner emissions and better fuel economy. It is the first plug-in hybrid sports car from BMW that combines the benefits of an electric motor and a petrol engine. 

Under the hood

The i8 comes with a 131 bhp electric motor connected to a chargeable 7.1 KWh Li-Ion battery and a 1.5 litre, 231 bhp petrol engine. The car comes with a net fuel efficiency of 47.45 kmpl. The total power when both are used comes to 360 bhp and torque 570 NM. There are two selectable drive modes - comfort mode and EcoPro mode. The top speed is 250 kmpl. 

Interiors

The standard features include

·         Automatic AC with 2-zone cooling

·         Leather upholstery

·         Leather-wrapped multi functional steering wheel

·         Smart-key entry and electrically adjustable seats

·         Boot size of 154 litres.

·         BMW ConnectiveDrive with 4 top view and side view cameras

·         BMW Heads-up display

·         Digital instrument display on a 22” screen.

·         Voice control

·         Harman touch controller

·         GPS navigation system

·         Bluetooth connectivity

·         Front and rear parking assistance with camera

Price and competition in India

BMW i8 is at present sold in the country as a completely built up unit and so is bound to be expensive. The car is available as a single variant at a price of Rs 2.29 crores. There is only variant available in India with four upholstery versions. There is no direct competitor as such. 

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AutoPortal.com on the First Drive: Mahindra TUV300

Mahindra's all new TUV300 features distinctive elements that lend a unique look to the sub-4m SUV.

Exterior

The front-end gets a Jeep-inspired grille with chrome inserts, swept-back headlamps with static bending, and a pair of square-shaped foglamps flanking a rectangular mesh intake. The D-pillar is blackened for a floating roof impression, and features conventional vertical taillamps, a full size spare wheel mounted on the tailgate (SUV style 101), and a step for easier access to the third row. Check out images & photos of latest car models in India, upcoming cars etc. Follow AutoPortal on Pinterest. 

Dimensions

The TUV300 is tall, has a good ground clearance (184 mm), and sits on chunky tires 215/75 R15 tires. It measures 3,995 mm in length, 1835 mm in width, 1839 mm in height and has a wheelbase of 2680 mm.

Interior

The interior is finished in everybody's favorite beige and black combination, and features silver accents in the T8 trim. The plastics don’t look as cheap and the build quality doesn't appear to have any compromises. The design of the hexagonal silver trim bezel looks similar to a certain Maruti that launched this year. The console itself features a piano black trim, and houses the HVAC vents and infotainment system. The top-end trim comes with a small infotainment non-color display, standard music controls and bluetooth connectivity. Underneath the center console are the HVAC (Heating, ventilation and air conditioning) dials with chrome rings. The TUV300 has decent amount of headroom for a large passenger, but average legroom. One can switch between radio, Bluetooth, USB or AUX (the latter three have to be connected to show up on the display).

Boot space comes in at 384 L with the second row seatback in place. It expands to 720 L with the second row seatback folded down. Folding the second row seatback is a one man job, but can only be done from the 3rd row. Simply pull on the black strap and push the seatback down. For customers wanting to use it as a 5 seater, the 3rd row can be removed. 

Colours

The TUV300 is offered in six colours: Bold black, molten orange, majestic silver, dynamo red, verve blue and glacier white.

Power

Powering the Mahindra TUV300  is a 1,493 cc three-cylinder mHawk 2-stage turbocharged diesel engine producing 84 bhp at 3,750 rpm and 230 Nm of torque between 1,500 - 2,250 rpm. It is paired to a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 5-speed AMT (brings down the power to 81 hp). going from 0-100kph takes you 18.61secs.

Fuel efficiency

The fuel efficiency of the Mahindra TUV300 is an ARAI-certified fuel consumption of 18.49 km/l.

Safety

The braking system comprises of ventilated discs in the front and drum brakes for the rear wheels. It also has dual airbags and ABS+EBD as optional equipment in the base variant.

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New 2015 Mahindra TUV300: a report by Autoportal.com

Maihndra&Mahindra, like Tata, is a completely Indian automobile company. M&M have always specialized in SUVs, like the Scorpio, Bolero and XUV. They have recently launched a new vehicle, TUV300. The acronym TUV stands for Tough Utility Vehicle, and going by the looks, it has been named aptly. 

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Exteriors

It seems as if a military tank was an inspiration for M&M while designing the body of the TUV300. It is less than 4 meters in length, but appears longer. The bonnet is plain and flat, the radiator grille of this vehicle is similar to the grille of the jeep, though slightly sportier, with a small dash of chrome on its rectangular shaped edges, and the windows and bumpers also have the manly look, with its shape. Similarly the wheel arches are also slightly rectangular adding to the ruggedness of the vehicle. The company logo is emblazoned on the middle of the bonnet, just above the grille. Normal, powerful halogen lamps are fitted into the headlight cluster, which is also square, keeping in line with the whole exterior. The rear end is macho looking, with mounted spare wheel on the back door, and the windscreen is wide, having a high mounted brake light on top. Though it is an SUV, it looks more dignified than a regular SUV.

Interiors

Though there are only 2 rows of seats, the manufacturers have added 2 jump seats behind the second row, which can be folded to increase boot space or can also be used as seats for increasing the number of passengers, which means that either 5 or 7 passengers can travel in it easily. The hexa-pod centre console and twin-pod instrument cluster add to the magnificence of the cabin. The cabin of the Mahindra TUV300 has an opulent feel with a touch-screen entertainment and information system, mounted controls for audio system on the steering wheels and Bluetooth connectivity. The steering wheel is a 4-spoke one, bedecked with the company logo in silver. Reverse parking sensors have been attached to the cabin, for driver’s comfort. The interiors are done up so well that there seems to be no way in which a passenger might be discomfited. 

Engine

The TUV300 has been launched in diesel version alone, offering 7 variants with 1493 cc displacement. The mileage is said to be 18.49 km/l and except for 2 variants which have automatic transmission, the gear box is manual. The 1.5 liter 3 cylinder diesel engine produces a power of 80 ps and a peak torque of 230 Nm. The front wheels have disc brakes and the back wheels have drum brakes, both of which are equally impressive.

Price, color

The cost of the TUV300 ranges between 6.98-9.20 lakhs and is available in 6 colors.

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Hyundai Creta Price in India, Photos & Review – AutoPortal.com

Overview

Hyundai has finally launched the Creta in India in the month of July 21, 2015.

Price

The base petrol costs Rs. 8.59 lakhs, the top diesel variant costs Rs. 13.60 lakhs and the automatic costs Rs. 13.57 lakhs (ex-showroom Delhi). Creta got 15,000 pre bookings before the launch.

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Exterior

The Creta gets sharp edges and curves and a minor side cladding around the whole structure. The front gets huge chrome, three lined grill with a totally new bumper for the upcoming SUV. The fog lamps are differently shaped and the front DRL's are found below the projector headlamp in the front headlight. The 17 inch diamond cut alloy wheels look good. 

Dimensions

The car comes with a length of 4270 mm, a width of 1780 mm and the height of 1630 mm. It has a 2590 mm of wheelbase. It gets 190 mm of ground clearance.

Interior

Hyundai Creta gets trendy black and spacious interior with silver accents. The car comes with features like 7 inch touchscreen navigation system with USB and AUX compatibility, steering mounted controls and Bluetooth. It has 1 GB space and a 6-speaker system. Other features include a automatic temperature control unit. The instrument cluster has a tachometer, a speedometer and digital fuel gauge at the right. It comes with odometer, trip meter, clock and outside temperature display as the standard options. 

Also Check about Mahindra TUV300 Price in India Visit: AutoPortal.com  

Engine & Gearbox

The new Creta has 1582 cc, DOHC CRDi engine with variable geometry turbocharger, producing a maximum of 126 BHP @ 4000 rpm and 265 NM @ 1900 rpm. The diesel motor comes with a 6-speed manual transmission. The petrol has a 1591 cc, 121.4 BHP engine producing 154.94 NM of torque. It is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. The other diesel motor, which is 1.4 L, 4-cylinder is also used in the lower trims, making out a comparatively lower figure of 89 BHP. The car comes in the automatic variant in the 1.6 L diesel engine. 

Mileage

The petrol 1.6 L motor returns 15.29 kmpl whereas the 1.4 L diesel becomes the most efficient with a 21.38 kmpl figure. The automatic and manual versions of the 1.6 L diesel offer 17.1 kmpl and 19.67 kmpl respectively.

Safety Features

The braking power, ABS, dual front airbags, with side and curtain airbags are also available on the top most trim. The safety has been further enhanced by front and rear fog lamps, with defogger on the rear. Speed sensing door lock and impact sensing unlock are found. 

Variants

The Hyundai Creta is available in a total of 10 petrol and diesel variants.

Colours

Hyundai offers the Creta in Polar White, Mystic Blue, Phantom Black, Star Dust, Sleek Silver, Pearl Beige and Red Passion.

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