BMW 335Li LWB

A long-wheelbase version of the next-generation BMW 3 Series has been spotted and snaps of it have made their way to the web. This Chinese market version is meant for chauffeur driven buyers and could do well if launched in India.

While the 3 Series is known to be a driver’s car, in India where most buyers of luxury cars get them driven by chauffeurs, this LWB version makes good sense. The LWB 3 Series could bring back some of the buyers lost to Mercedes-Benz whose C-Class is considered a better buy for rear-seat occupying owners. The LWB 3 Series will bear the 335Li badge in China and is expected to make its official debut at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show in April.

2013 Mercedes-Benz SL

While Mercedes-Benz’s pavilion at the Delhi Auto Expo witnessed huge crowds, a big crowd puller, the new 2013 SL made its debut at the Detroit Auto Show.

Mercedes-Benz has given the legendary SL another lease of life with the new 2013 model which though looks familiar has new design elements and technology to keep it fresh. The overall dimensions of the roadster remain nearly the same as its predecessor but the new SL is based on a new all-aluminium structure and body which Mercedes says weighs about 125kgs less than the current model.

The new SL 550 will get a 429bhp 4.6-litre twin-turbo V8 which can propel it from 0-100kph in just 4.5 seconds, much faster than the older car’s 5.2 seconds. The car will feature a seven-speed automatic transmission. New features will include LED daytime running headlights, Magic Sky Control equipped folding hard-top and a new wiper blade system dubbed Magic Vision Control that streams wiper fluid along the blade to avoid overspray into the interior when the top is dropped. The entire wiper will be heated as well. The new SL is expected to launch in India in 2013.

New Ford Mondeo

Ford has taken the covers off its all-new Mondeo sedan at the 2012 Detroit Motor Show. This new Camry & Accord fighter is most likely to make its way to India in 2013.

Moreover the 2013 Mondeo is an all-new car and looks the part too. To be honest Ford has used many design cues from Aston Martin while designing the new Mondeo and it could be mistaken for a Rapide by those with an untrained automotive eye. It looks stunning and very proportionate from almost any angle.

2013 Ford Mondeo

The new Mondeo will be powered by 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre Ecoboost Turbo petrol and diesel engines and will also have a hybrid variant in overseas markets. Ford has given the new car an all-new suspension and electric steering system aimed at making it better to drive. When launched the new Mondeo could become a serious competitor to D segment sedans like the Accord, Camry and Passat.

New 2012 Hyundai Sonata

Hyundai’s pavilion at the upcoming 2012 Auto Expo will showcase the next-generation Sonata sedan which will be launched at the event according to company sources.

Hyundai’s existing Sonata Embera has gotten really old in the tooth and was hardly selling and thus the move to bring in the all new Sonata or the i45 as it is known internationally. The new Sonata will be manufactured in India and is thus expected to cost considerably less than its rivals which include the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry (new one expected at the Auto Expo), VW Passat and the Skoda Superb. While Hyundai hasn’t spilled the beans yet, we expect a price range of Rs. 15-18 lakh for the new Sonata.

The new luxury sedan will be powered by a 2.4-litre petrol motor and a 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel engine which also does duty in the Santa Fe. Hyundai’s new fluidic design language is found in abundance on the new car which appears a little fussy in terms of styling but might appeal to Indian buyers who like a bit of flash when it comes to their cars. Equipment levels like in the Verna are expected to be class leading. Will the new Sonata bring back the original Sonata’s glory days for Hyundai? Only time will tell. Along with the new Sonata, the new Elantra will also be revealed at the Delhi Auto Expo next month.

A sketch of the Audi Q6

Audi is reportedly working on a new crossover which will slot in between the Q5 and the Q7 and give competition to BMW’s X6.

Automotive News Europe magazine has confirmed this bit of information from Walter de’Silva, the design chief with the Volkswagen Group. While Audi has a rival for all of Mercedes and BMW’s vehicles a sports crossover would enable it to widen its offerings and tap into the lucrative though niche segment. Odds are that the new crossover would be named the Q6 and will share its platform with the Volkswagen Touareg and Porsche Cayenne.

2012 Fiat Punto and Linea are coming soon

Fiat’s mouth watering end of the year discounts on the Punto and Linea are because refreshed models are due for launch on 3^rd January 2012.

Fiat has officially confirmed that 2012 year models of both the Punto and Linea are to be launched on the said date. The cars shall be sold through existing Tata-Fiat dealers as well as via Fiat’s new boutique showrooms which are to sprout up next year beginning with the first one at Janpath, Connaught Place in New Delhi.

The refreshed Punto may not be the Punto Evo (pictured) and may just get a mild cosmetic makeover along with some new variants and equipment. The same goes with the Linea. Fiat hasn’t yet confirmed what would be ‘New’ in the 2012 models. The problem with Fiat is however not its cars but it’s lack lustre sales and service network and the problem with spares which existing owners continue to grapple with.

Refreshed Beat coming in 2012

Chevrolet has revealed an upgraded Beat which features minor exterior & interior upgrades and is expected to make its way to India in the first quarter of 2012.

The refreshed Beat will be launched in India in 2012 and gets a revised front look thanks to a new bumper, fog lamp inserts and grille. New tail lights, alloy wheels and rear spoiler are other exterior changes. On the inside too there are mild upgrades like a new LCD screen, new materials and finish.

Chevrolet has also launched a new Ecotec engine family which consists of 3 and 4 cylinder motors ranging from 1-1.5 litres. In India however thanks to the tax relief for cars with petrol engines under 1.2-litres the new Beat is expected to continue using the 1.2-litre 79bhp petrol engine and the diesel engine which power the current model. GM had given the Beat a new 1.2-litre SMARTECH engine in March 2011 and this engine is known to be rather frugal as well.

Hyundai opens bookings for the Eon

Hyundai has opened bookings for its new entry-level hatchback, the Eon ahead of it’s official launch on 13 October.

The 800cc Eon is expected to be launched in the Rs. 2.5-3 lakh price range and give competition to Maruti Suzuki’s Alto. It’s production has already begun at Hyundai’s Chennai plant. The tiny Eon will sell alongside the ageing Santro as Hyundai has no immediate plans to retire the old timer.

The Eon is expected to feature class leading technology and equipment and lure buyers away from Maruti which has been ruling the entry level market with the Alto.

BMW's X4 is coming......

BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer has confirmed BMWs plans to build an all-new X4 crossover vehicle which will slot in between the X3 and the X5.

The X4 will be a sporty crossover much like the X6 but about the same size as the X3. Also, the X4 is expected to share its powertrain with the new X3 much like the X6 does with the X5. Later a X4 M high performance variant is also planned.

While no production timeline has been given the X4 is expected to come around by 2013 and will most certainly launch in India as well.

Mahindra XUV 500

Recent reports suggest that Mahindra is gearing up to launch the all-new XUV 500 SUV on 28^th September.

The XUV 500 has also been recently snapped undisguised and the images reveal a rather fussy fascia with aggressive overtones. The rather modern looking interior has also been snapped by photo happy enthusiasts and it looks nicely put together with a quality feel about it. That however can only be validated once we get to experience the XUV 500 first hand.

Mahindra XUV 500 Interior

The XUV 500 will be launched in two-wheel drive initially with a four wheel drive variant planned for later. It will be powered by the same 2.2-litre mHawk engine which does duty in the Scorpio but rated at about 140bhp. While there has been no official word yet we expect the XUV 500 to cost between Rs. 12-14 lakh.