Honda will unveil an all-new electric sports car – the Sports EV Concept – at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show on 25 October, as part of a broad range of advanced two- and four-wheeled production and concept vehicles.

Other highlights being showcased by Honda are the Urban EV Concept – revealed to an overwhelmingly positive response at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September – and a range of Super Cub motorcycle models celebrating its 60 years anniversary and 100 million units production after the original introduction. Show visitors will also be able to see the Honda NeuV personal mobility concept and the all-new CR-V, both of which will make their Japanese debuts.

Sports EV Concept

Catching the eye with a striking silhouette, friendly face and supple body surfaces, all designed to ensure the car blends into any lifestyle, the Sports EV Concept will have its world premiere in Tokyo. The development team designed the sporty electric car to deliver a feeling of joy and emotional unity to the drive, achieved by efficiently combining the EV powerunit and AI technology in a compact bodyshape.

Urban EV Concept

Following a rapturous reception to its global debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, the Urban EV Concept will make its first appearance in Japan. Based on a newly-developed electric vehicle platform, its simple design and compact proportions are ideal for modern city driving. A communicative front grille displays battery charge status, driving advice and greetings in multiple languages, while the wrap-around interior display conveys a friendliness with the driver designed to inspire an emotive attachment. The production version will arrive in Europe in 2019.

Super Cub Celebration

To celebrates the forthcoming milestones of 60 years of production and the 100 millionth unit manufactured since its introduction, Honda show stand will feature a comprehensive display of the Super Cub’s history, the current model line-up and will provide a glimpse of its future. This will include the unveil of the 100 million production anniversary model of Super Cub 110 and a new Super Cub 125C motorcycle.

All-new CR-V

Retaining an evolution of the distinctive design of one of the world’s most successful SUV nameplates, the all-new fifth generation CR-V will also make its Japanese debut at the Tokyo Motor Show. The new model includes the implementation in an SUV of Honda’s two motor hybrid technology – i-MMD (Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive).

NeuV

The NeuV was first revealed in January at CES 2017 in Las Vegas, showcasing an electric mobility concept for the commuter. Equipped with the brand’s artificial intelligence engine – Honda Automated Network Assistant– its autonomous driving capability incorporates driver monitoring to determine driver stress from facial expressions and tone of voice, in order to support safer driving. NeuV learns about the driver’s lifestyle and preferences over time, so that it can suggest new routes and activities, realising a natural relationship between driver and machine.

UK-based automotive marquee MG Motor has announced the inauguration of its first-ever manufacturing facility in India, through a minimum initial investment of Rs 2,000 crore. With an initial capacity of 80,000 units per annum in the first phase, MG Motor India will roll-out its first product from the plant in 2019.

The state-of-the-art facility, spread over an area of 170 acres, will be completely revamped by MG Motor by 2019. The company has already hired an initial workforce of 70 employees at the plant. The facility will entail creation of significant number of jobs, apart from several additional indirect jobs in the state, as part of the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Skill India’ initiatives.

“Today is a water-shed moment for the MG brand in India with the inauguration of our first-ever manufacturing facility here. Overall, we aim to positively contribute to the ecosystem here in Gujarat including all stakeholders by generating employment opportunities for local talent, leveraging the capable supplier base and contributing to the overall benefit of the society and community here,” said Rajeev Chaba, President and Managing Director, MG Motor India.

“The Morris Garages brand already has a huge resonance in India with at least 500 owners in India since 1924, when the brand was first established in the UK. These owners and many passionate fans have expressed their curiosity, keenly anticipating the brand’s return to India. The first product will roll out from here in 2019, blending MG’s true DNA with modern British design language,” Chaba added.

The greenfield facility was inaugurated with a traditional Indian ‘Puja’ ceremony during the auspicious occasion of Navratras, in the presence of all MG Motor India employees, MG Motor International employees and key representatives of the local administration including Gujarat government.

“We greatly appreciate the pro-active approach displayed by the Gujarat government in facilitating the smooth transfer approval of the Halol plant and granting us the required approvals to re-start the operations. With this, we are very proud to play our role to the ‘Make in India’ initiative, contributing to the overall positive and sustainable development of the society here. With the takeover and other transfer formalities having completed, we will start refurbishing the entire plant very soon, with MG’s state-of-the-art manufacturing tools, equipment and processes,” said P Balendran, Executive Director, MG Motor India.

The MG brand, which originated as an iconic British Racing Sports Brand in the year 1924, has evolved into a modern-day innovative brand through the last 93 years.

Max Verstappen celebrated his 20 birthday weekend by doing exactly what he wanted to do – winning a Grand Prix from the front – as Malaysia signed off in great style as an F1 venue. A commanding drive saw the Red Bull driver soundly beat Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, with team mate Daniel Ricciardo holding off Sebastian Vettel for third – the Ferrari driver narrowly missing out on a podium having started from the back of the grid.

After winning an opening-lap tussle with the fast-starting Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas to seize second place, Verstappen confidently took the lead from polesitter Hamilton on the fourth lap. And as the Mercedes driver struggled a little, the Dutchman never looked back and controlled the race to win by 12.7s.

While it was a quiet race for the points leader, it was anything but for his pursuers.
Ricciardo fought and beat Bottas before himself coming under pressure late in the race from back-row starter Vettel, who drove a superb race. The latter started on Pirelli’s soft tyres and was thus on light fuel and supersofts when he began to slash into Ricciardo’s advantage late in the race, just as the Australian himself was closing on Hamilton. Vettel got close enough for a long look down the inside in Turn 1 on the 49th lap, but Ricciardo was having nothing of it and held his ground. That proved to be the tipping point, as Vettel’s challenge faded as his tyres began to go off and his engine gave cause for concern. From 0.5s the gap between them opened to 14.8s by the flag.

And after that there was further drama for Ferrari, when Vettel collided with Lance Stroll’s Williams on the slow-down lap and came to a stop with its left-rear wheel atop his engine cover. Vettel hitched a ride back to the pits on the sidepod of Pascal Wehrlein’s Sauber.

The result means that Hamilton is now 34 points ahead of Vettel with five races remaining. It was a tough day for Ferrari, as Kimi Raikkonen didn’t even take the start after being pushed off his front-row slot and into the pits, having experienced power loss on his way to the grid. It wasn’t great for the other Finn either, as Bottas finished a distant fifth ahead of Sergio Perez, who drove heroically for Force India despite feeling unwell.

A fine drive from Stoffel Vandoorne brought McLaren seventh place on a day when Fernando Alonso could muster only 11th, while eighth for Stroll and ninth for Felipe Massa – who had two incidents with Esteban Ocon – brought Williams a lot of points that help their fight with Toro Rosso and Renault, who both had bad days.

Ocon pitted his Force India early after contact with Massa in Turn 2 at the start, when he got squeezed between his team mate and the Williams, sustaining a puncture. After that he did a grand job to take the final point after doing 54 laps on a set of soft tyres.
Behind Alonso, Kevin Magnussen survived incidents with both the McLaren driver and Renault’s Jolyon Palmer as he held off Haas team mate Romain Grosjean and Toro Rosso rookie Pierre Gasly for 12th, as Palmer, who spun twice, crossed the line 15th, just a tenth ahead of troubled team mate Nico Hulkenberg.

Wehrlein and Sauber team mate Marcus Ericsson completed the finishers, as besides Raikkonen, Toro Rosso’s Carlos Sainz dropped from points contention with engine trouble.

To celebrate the spirit of festive season, Datsun India has announced the launch of the Datsun redi-Go Gold 1.0L, packed with a host of features and enhancements. Priced from Rs 3, 69, 737 the limited edition Datsun redi-Go Gold 1.0L will be available from today at all Nissan and Datsun dealerships pan-India.

Jerome Saigot, Vice President, Marketing & Datsun Business Unit, Nissan Motor India Pvt. Ltd. said, “Datsun will make the festive season even more special for our customers by bringing more power, style and convenience in the redi-GO GOLD 1.0L limited edition. Datsun redi-GO GOLD offers an accessible price, peppy driving performance, and a refreshing exterior which together reinforces Datsun’s commitment to offer stylish, high-value-for-money cars to our customers.”

The Datsun redi-Go Gold 1.0L’s prominent gold inspired decals on the exterior together with gold-themed seats in the interior, infuse an extra dose of style to the car. It is available in three body colours: Grey, Silver and White. Datsun redi-Go Gold 1.0L, comes with a first-in-segment ambient lighting app for mobile phones with which a customer can choose the mood lighting of the passenger cabin to suit his or her taste. The limited edition model is available on the T (O) trim level, with smart features such as Bluetooth audio system, and a reverse parking sensor, among others.

Suzuki Motor Corporation will unveil the SV650X at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show – which takes place from 27 October to 5 November – an evolution of the SV650 Rally concept shown at last year’s event.

The original concept was designed to pay homage to the tarmac rally cars and bikes of the 1970s. ‘Neo-retro’ design sees the SV650X get a newly-styled bikini fairing and tinted screen, fog lamps, clip-on handlebars, with a tuck-roll – already available as a genuine accessory on the SV650 – completing the look.

The Japanese firm is currently assessing market reaction and customer feedback before confirming production plans.

Suzuki GB General Manager, Paul de Lusignan, commented, “The SV650 Rally concept generated a lot of interest at last year’s show, with retro-styled machines proving very popular among riders. The SV650X is an evolution of that concept, and shows how that would translate to a production machine. Currently we cannot confirm a production schedule. We will first assess reactions to the SV650X before finalising plans.”

Suzuki will confirm it’s 2018 model plans before the end of the year.

Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL) has introduced its enriched BR-V, featuring the Digipad – Honda’s 17.7cm Advanced Touchscreen Audio Video Navigation (AVN) system. Along with the new infotainment system, BR-V comes with newly introduced rear parking camera and rear parking sensors to offer a more convenient and safer parking experience. The new features have been introduced in the VX grade of the BR-V.  The rear parking sensors have been introduced from S Grade onwards.

Speaking about the enriched Honda BR-V, Jnaneswar Sen, Sr. Vice President, Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India Ltd said, “We are delighted to introduce the enriched version of the BR-V for our customers in this festive season. The BR-V with Digipad, and other new features, adds to the model’s versatility and we are confident that this “Be Ready Vehicle” will complement the varied lifestyles of our customers.”

“Honda has introduced many new features in several Honda models during this festive season and they have received excellent customer response. We are quite optimistic of good sales numbers in this season,” he added.

The 17.7 cm advanced infotainment system, with capacitive touch-screen – the DIGIPAD – is especially introduced to add an advanced and interactive appeal to the BR-V. It features:

• In-built satellite-linked 3D navigation
• My Storage internal media memory of 1.5GB
• Mirror Link support for smartphone connectivity
• Internet access for browsing, email and live traffic via optional Wifi receiver
• Voice commands for media, navigation and calling
• Smartphone voice assistant activation
• Bluetooth for hands-free telephone and audio streaming support
• AM/FM Digital radio tuner, MP3/WAV, i-Pod/i-phone compatible
• USB slots (2 Nos), Micro SD Card slots for maps and media (2 Nos.) & HDMI-IN port

The price of the enriched VX grades of the BR-V (ex-showroom Delhi price) are as below:

1.5L VX MT Petrol – Rs 12,27,169

1.5L VX MT Diesel – Rs 13,22,512

Ducati India today launched the SuperSport, a motorcycle that aims to combine comfort and versatility making it an everyday sport bike without compromising on the style and soul of a true Ducati thoroughbred. The SuperSport is agile on urban roads, comfortable on highways and decisive when faced with out-of-town hairpin turns, the SuperSport allows anyone to indulge their sports instinct.

“Our seventh motorcycle launched in India this year, the SuperSport is an exciting model for both expert riders and riders contemplating the Ducati sports world for the first time” said Sergi Canovas, Managing Director of Ducati India. “Expert riders will enjoy its excellent road performance and penchant for touring while the ease of handling and versatility will be appreciated by first time sport bike buyers. The pre-bookings for the SuperSport have been great and our dealership across the country start deliveries today.”  

Powering the SuperSport is a twin-cylinder 937 cc Testastretta 11° engine, delivering 110 hp at 9,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 93 Nm at 6,500 rpm – a full yet linear torque curve. The innovative front fairing makes for an uninterrupted aerodynamic profile that draws attention to the sculpted tank. The tail piece that is separate from the rest of the fairing, adds sports elegance and ensures maximum aerodynamic efficiency.

The electronics package on the SuperSport increases the level of active safety. The Sport, Touring and Urban Riding Modes act on the Ride-by-Wire, ABS and DTC parameters to modify the behavior of the bike and adapt it to suit personal preferences and riding conditions. Ducati Safety Pack (DSP), which includes Bosch 9MP ABS and Ducati Traction Control, enhances the bike’s performance and optimises control even on surfaces that offer less grip.

The SuperSport S version comes with a fully adjustable Ohlins suspension, the Ducati Quick Shift up/down system, which is a race derived technology and a rear seat cover.  The Ducati Quick Shift and the rear seat covers are also available as accessories for the SuperSport version.

The SuperSport can be fitted with a full range of Ducati Performance accessories that let owners configure their bike to suit personal wants and needs. Deliveries for the Ducati SuperSport and SuperSport S have started across all seven Ducati dealerships in India including Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Kochi and Kolkata. The SuperSport and SuperSport S are priced at Rs 12,08,000 (ex-showroom India) and Rs 13,39,000 respectively.

(L-R) : Reetesh Vashist, East Zone Head, Tata Motors Ltd. and Pratap Bose, Head – Design, Tata Motors at the launch the Tata Nexon in Kolkata.

Tata Motors has announced its entry into the growing Compact SUV segment with the commercial launch of its new Gen-next lifestyle SUV, the Tata Nexon.

Targeted at the personal car buyers, the Tata Nexon is the 4th product based on the ‘Impact Design’ philosophy. It brings together global and contemporary design with best-in-class technology and features for the ones who would like to express themselves with a unique style of their own. Keeping customers and their aspirations at the heart of the business, the the Tata Nexon aims to deliver an emotional elevation through more individualized experiences in the passenger vehicles market.

With an introductory price of Rs. 5,99,003 ex-showroom Kolkata, for the petrol variant and at Rs. 6,99,224, ex-showroom Kolkata, for the Diesel variant, the the Tata Nexon is the most competitively priced SUV in this segment, with class-leading features. Starting immediately, the Tata Nexon will be on sale, across 650 Tata Motors authorised sales outlets in India.

(L-R) : Pratap Bose, Head – Design, Tata Motors and Reetesh Vashist, East Zone Head, Tata Motors Ltd at the launch of the Tata Nexon in Kolkata.

Pratap Bose, Head of Design at Tata Motors said, “The Tata NEXON is a revolutionary design, “Breaking the BOX” with an aerodynamic silhouette. This design element of the car enhances its sporty character and represents the evolution of the SUV design featuring the practicality and strength of an SUV with style of a sports coupe. It is the fourth product expressing the IMPACT design philosophy and is stylishly crafted, demonstrating the optimum balance of premium craftsmanship and advanced technology.

We are confident that our relentless efforts towards design will play a pivotal role in our long-term success in this dynamic market and NEXON will further usher in a new chapter of our growth story.”

The Tata Nexon is a revolutionary design of “Breaking the Box” with an aerodynamic silhouette. This design element of the car enhances its sporty character and represents the evolution of the SUV design featuring the practicality of an SUV with style of a sports coupe.

Available in four variants – XE, XM, XT, XZ+, the Tata Nexon will come in five exciting colour options – Vermont Red, Moroccan Blue, Seattle Silver, Glasgow Grey and Calgary White and will come with a standard warranty of 75000 kms or 2 years, whichever is earlier.

Tata Nexon Introductory Prices (Ex-Showroom Kolkata):

Petrol

XE – Rs 5,99,003

XM – Rs 6,69,006

XT – Rs 7,46,489

XZ+ – Rs 8,61,493

XZ+ with dual tone roof – Rs 8,76,494

Diesel

XE – Rs 6,99,224

XM – Rs 7,65,919

XT – Rs 8,31,749

XZ+ – Rs 9,46,753

XZ+ with dual tone roof – Rs 9,61,754

Volkswagen today announced the start of production for its premium luxury sedan, Passat at its Aurangabad facility in Maharashtra, India. Continuing the momentum to introduce its global portfolio in India, Volkswagen will launch the New Passat later this year, the first sedan based on the MQB platform in India.

Commenting on the occasion, Steffen Knapp, Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Volkswagen Group Sales India Pvt. Ltd. said, “We are happy to bring back one of our most successful premium luxury products to the Indian market, the Volkswagen Passat. With the introduction of the Passat we extend our portfolio, encompassing a wide variety of products from a hatchback to a luxury sedan. The Passat exudes style, timeless design, exemplary performance, and is symbolic of a luxurious lifestyle. We are proud to introduce this car with an iconic heritage to the Indian market.”

The Passat will be available with a 2.0L TDI, 177 PS engine mated to a 6-speed DSG automatic gearbox aiming to offer a blend of performance, efficiency, luxury and most importantly safety.

A limited number of bespoke McLaren 570GT models will this month become available to a fortunate few McLaren buyers in Europe. Commissioned from McLaren Special Operations as an MSO Collection, the six cars are finished in McLaren historic ‘XP Green’ exterior paint – the same colour as the famous F1 XP GT ‘Longtail’ homologation model built in 1997. The Saddle Tan leather interior additionally features green leather inserts in the seats and green contrast stitching, as well as a dedication plaque mounted on the centre tunnel beneath the infotainment screen identifying each car as one of six in the Collection.

The exterior of the car is adorned with Saddle Tan aero pin-striping edging the front aero blades, side skirts and rear diffuser, while each door carries a stripe of the same colour that runs rearwards from a subtle Union Jack emblem finished in silver-grey. MSO Black exterior components replace the front splitter, door inserts, side air intakes, side skirts and rear bumper, diffuser and spoiler, all of which would usually be finished in Dark Palladium or body colour.

“Any McLaren is a very special vehicle, but we are also seeing an increasing number of buyers expressing a desire to personalise their cars with additional features and options as well as colour and trim choices outside of the core specification offered,” explained Jolyon Nash, McLaren Automotive Executive Director, Global Sales and Marketing. “As well as making it possible for individual McLaren owners to have exactly the McLaren they want, McLaren Special Operations will continue to create limited-volume collections such as these six 570GT models in XP Green, to further extend customer choice.”

The McLaren 570GT is the most luxurious and refined Sports Series model, providing long-distance comfort and increased versatility while retaining a thrilling driving experience. Subtly visually different to the 570S Coupe, its classic GT lines sweep down into a side-opening rear glass hatch to provide an additional 220 litres of storage on the leather-lined touring deck, as well as an instantly recognisable identity. Chassis settings deliver the additional comfort expected from a car designed for touring, with spring rate stiffness reduced by 15 per cent at the front and 10 per cent at the rear compared to the 570S Coupe. The 570GT remains though a serious sports car, its 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged McLaren V8 engine producing the same outstanding 570PS and 600Nm as the Coupe, with performance to match.

The inspiration for the MSO colour and trim enhancements on the six 570GT models in the Collection is a combination of traditional British automotive hues and a very special car from McLaren’s own history – the F1 XP GT.

Although conceived as a road car, the McLaren F1 enjoyed significant motorsport success, including victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995 on its first attempt. This meant that further track competition beckoned and to keep pace with dedicated racing opposition, a ‘Longtail’ GT race car was developed. F1 XP GT, instantly recognisable by the extended rear bodywork and distinctive colour, was the original road-going prototype built to satisfy the homologation requirements of motorsport governing body, the FIA. The car’s deep bottle green paint finish, cherished as XP Green in McLaren Special Operation’s historic paint palette, is now reserved for bespoke commissions.

The XP Green 570GT cars will be going to owners in the UK, Germany and the Netherlands. The MSO content in each is identical and adds £21,000 to the final price of the vehicle, which will depend on other options chosen. A specification that encompasses a By McLaren Designer Interior, GT Upgrade Pack (which includes vehicle lift, rear view camera, volumetric alarm upgrade, Bowers & Wilkins audio system and car cover) and 5-Spoke Lightweight Forged Wheels in Stealth finish among the options gives the XP Green MSO Collection McLaren 570GT a price of £188, 567.