Renault Kwid: 500km Long Term Review

We've been following Renault's pursuit to take on the Maruti Suzuki Alto, the top selling small car in India, right though the making of the Renault Kwid in India and France. And then to Goa, where we got to test drive this new small car, which left us pretty impressed.

We also got this well packaged hatchback to the ZigWheels garage and found out that the Renault Kwid is compact, smart, attractive and frugal andndash; features most Indian car buyers adore. Having a French lineage is an added advantage, giving this compact hatchback a unique identity on our Indian roads. The Kwid's bold styling and SUV-like stance make it quite a head turner.

Just like the handsome exterior design, the cabin quality and materials used don't look cheap by any measure. Especially if you consider the Renault Kwid pricing which starts from as low as Rs 2.56 lakh onwards. The cabin is spacious, with abundant storage space including two glove compartments and a couple of coffee mug holders near the gear lever, and bottle holders on the door panels. Impressive for a car of this size.

The seats are reasonably large and well padded and can easily fit four adults. But what left me mighty impressed is the boot space which I discovered during a recent trip to the airport. The 300-litres might not sound that impressive, but it did manage to swallow two full size suitcases and still had space for more.

Powering this feather light (read: 660kg) Renault is a newly developed and very compact 3-cylinder 799cc aluminium motor, which develops 54PS of power and max torque of 72Nm and just about gets the job done.

There are vices too - mostly related to electricals and sensors. For example the left speaker of our brand new Kwid hasn't been working since day one. The central-lock button sometimes throws a tantrum and refuses to unlock. Minor niggles which needs to be ironed out by Renault if it wants the Kwid to challenge the auto giants like Maruti Suzuki.

Overall, in the last few weeks and over 500km, the Renault Kwid has proved its potential to be the kind of car that a fast-paced, modern India needs and is willing to embrace.

Renault Kwid review,Kwid user review,Renault Kwid long term review,Kwid road test,Renault Kwid details,Kwid specs India,Renault Kwid price

from zigwheels http://ift.tt/1LLqd9G
via IFTTT

Read More

Tata Zica interiors teased through new promotional video

Though recently had already given a fair idea of what to expect from the interiors of the hatchback, the clip, where the all-new Zica navigates across the beach-side locales of Goa, confirms the wee little details of its cockpit. On the pilot's seat is Tata's almost-traditional, short-diameter, three-spoke steering wheel with integrated music controls. The instrument cluster features a digital display, sandwiched between the tachometer and the speedometer, to indicate the driving mode, trip length and mileage among other details. The panel also sports different indicators for the ABS, SRS, servicing alert etc.

The dashboard further extends into a 2-DIN music system mounted below chrome-lined AC vents to complement the dual tone (black and white) interior with piano black, silver and chrome inserts at various places, as seen in the leaked images.

The looks heavily inspired by several European cars from this segment with a set of alloy wheels, fog lights with a chrome bezel, angular headlamps, sharp tail lamps, two-tone bumper and inbuilt spoiler.

On the engine front, the Tata Zica will get both petrol and diesel motors. The petrol engine will be a 1.2-litre mill that is expected to make 85PS of peak power and 110Nm of peak torque. The diesel motor in the other hand will be a new 1.0-litre mill that will make 70PS of peak power and 140Nm of peak torque. The new engines will also be extremely fuel efficient with the diesel expected to return over 25kmpl.

The Tata Zica is expected to be priced below Rs 4 lakh for the entry level variants. It will go up against the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Celerio, the Hyundai i10 and the Chevrolet Beat.

View the full video.

from zigwheels http://ift.tt/1RjnOtV
via IFTTT

Read More

Ferrari Mumbai showroom inaugurated

Ferrari inaugurated its first dealership in the financial capital of the country today. The Ferrari Mumbai dealership is located at Bandra Kurla Complex where many head offices of various multinational companies are located. The Ferrari Mumbai is the second dealership for the iconic Italian brand in India after Delhi. Ferrari is re-entering the Indian market as it had faced problems with its erstwhile dealer Shreyans Group. The Mumbai dealership of the prancing horse brand has been appointed to Navnit Motors Pvt. Ltd which also owns the dealership for British luxury carmaker Rolls-Royce in Mumbai. The third Ferrari showroom will come up in Bangalore to handle sales for the southern market.

The Ferrari dealership in Mumbai has been designed on the similar standard as any international Ferrari dealership which the Italian carmaker calls a boutique showroom. The Mumbai showroom can display three cars at a time and is spread across 4,000 square foot. There is also a special personalisation area where customers can go through the catalogue to customise their car based on their personal needs and according to the Italian carmaker very few Ferrari's are similar to each other owing to the vast range of customisation options.

Speaking about the new dealership, Sharad Kachalia, Navnit Motors Pvt. Ltd, said, "We are delighted to launch Ferrari's first showroom in Mumbai. Keeping Ferrari's legacy in mind, we will ensure that customer's expectations are fulfilled in every way. The showroom will offer new car sales and world class aftersales facilities with an exceptional buying experience."

With supercars becoming more and more popular in India thanks to steadily improving infrastructure and the rise of disposable incomes, Ferrari should have no problems selling its supercars despite the premium price they command in the country. Several Ferrari customers in the past have complained about how Ferrari service was a problem in the past due to both logistical and actual on ground service support. Navnit Motors will also offer full support and after sales to existing Ferrari customers.

from zigwheels http://ift.tt/1RjnOtR
via IFTTT

Read More

Ferrari secures $2.6 billion loan to finance its spinoff from Fiat Chrysler

Ferrari announced that it has entered into a andeuro;2.5 billion (or $2.6 billion) syndicated loan facility with a group of 10 banks that will together provide the Italian supercar maker its much needed capital necessary for its independence from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA). To break it down, Ferrari is getting a short-term "bridge loan" and a five-year "term loan" that are together worth 2 billion euros, along with a revolving line of credit of 500 million euros.

To bring you up to date, just in case you have missed it, this loan is another step on the path toward full separation of Ferrari and its longtime parent company FCA. The latter owned 90% of Ferrari for many years, but it sold 10% of its interest in an initial public offering in October. The remaining 10% of Ferrari is held by Piero Ferrari, the sole surviving offspring of founder Enzo Ferrari who is not selling. FCA's remaining shares of Ferrari will be transferred to FCA shareholders in a series of transactions over the next several months.

Ferrari didn't disclose the amounts of the individual loans, except to say that the term loan will be "a majority of the total facility." Some of the money from the bridge loan and term loan will be used to refinance debt that Ferrari currently owes to FCA, as well as for "general corporate purposes," Ferrari said in a statement.

from zigwheels http://ift.tt/1RjnOtO
via IFTTT

Read More

Facelifted Mercedes-Benz A-Class launch in December

The A-Class has been in the Indian market for quite a few years now. Mercedes-Benz will be launching the new A-Class on 8th December, 2016 in Mumbai. With the A-Class, Mercedes-Benz has also made its place in the compact luxury-hatch segment. The A-Class has been the smallest offering by Mercedes-Benz in India. The new A-Class will receive minor updates giving it an overall revised look. On the outside, the new A-Class will receive a new front bumper sporting a more aggressive look and reworked headlight units. The taillights will also receive a similar treatment completing the look. The side mirrors will be blacked out, giving the youthful A-Class a sportier appeal. The facelifted A-Class will come with a new set of 5-spoke wheels.

Along with the changes to the exterior, the new A-Class will also receive an updated interior with possibly new features. We expect a bigger infotainment system to take place of the existing one. As far as the engine options are concerned we believe Mercedes-Benz will continue with the existing 1,595cc petrol engine and the 2,143cc diesel engine, both mated to 7-speed dual clutch transmission as seen on the current A-Class and B-Class.

The new A-Class will the 15th new product launched by the three pointed star in the current year. The Mercedes-Benz new A-Class will compete with the likes of Volvo V40 Cross Country and BMW 1 Series in the Indian market.

from zigwheels http://ift.tt/1RjnPy3
via IFTTT

Read More

Porsche unveils 2016 911 Turbo and Turbo S

Porsche's legendary 911 range may be moving fully to turbos soon, but the 911 Turbo and Turbo S still occupies pride of place above their naturally-aspirated (for now) siblings. And now, Porsche has taken the wraps off the facelifted Porsche 911 Turbo and Turbo S models which are slated to make their public debut at the 2016 Detroit Motor Show in January next year.

To be available in both coupe and convertible versions, the 2016 911 Turbo and Turbo S models get an improved 3.8-litre bi-turbo flat-six that produces an extra 20 horsepower in both cases at 540PS and 580PS respectively. The increase in horsepower is achieved through modified intake ports in the cylinder heads, new fuel injectors, and higher fuel pressure. In addition to a higher maximum torque (750 Nm in overboost compared to 710 Nm on the Turbo), the Turbo S also has a higher redline at 7200 rpm instead of 7000 rpm.

The 911 Turbo can reach 100kmph from a standing start in 3.0 seconds, and reach a top speed of 320 kmph. The 911 Turbo S manages the same sprint in 2.9 seconds, and has a top speed of 330 kmph. Both models also feature 'dynamic boost', a system that improves engine response as throttle position changes. Along with its performance gains, Porsche has also improved the fuel economy of both models - with coupandeacute; variants now returning 31.0mph and cabriolet versions returning 30.4mpg.

Style-wise, similarities between these two variants and the base 911 Carrera and Carrera S are apparent, featuring similar front- and rear-end designs, save for a few unique 911 Turbo elements. The front end of the car gets new side airblades and narrower LED front lights with double fillets, which present the 911 with a wider stance. New centre-locking 20-inch alloy wheels are standard, featuring seven double-spokes on the Turbo and 10 spokes for the Turbo S.

At the rear there are new tail lights, a redesigned rear bumper and reshaped quad exhaust tips. Inside, the facelifted 911 Turbo and Turbo S welcome a new 918 Spyder-derived GT steering wheel and a newly-developed Porsche Communication Management Infotainment system as standard. Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) system and Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) are also included as standard. Optionally, customers of the new 911 Turbo and Turbo S variants will be able to specify a new radar-based lane change assist feature and a front axle lift system that can increase ground clearance by 40 mm at the front spoiler lip.

The new Porsche 911 Turbo and Turbo S will go on sale in Germany in January, with international markets set to follow in April. Further details will be revealed at the Detroit Motor Show, but expect both models to be slightly more expensive than the current versions.

from zigwheels http://ift.tt/1RjnOds
via IFTTT

Read More

Could this be the first image of the Lamborghini Huracan Superleggera?

Lamborghini normally likes to wait for a few years before unleashing the extreme versions of their conventional andndash; if you can call any Raging Bull that andndash; supercars, which is why we were taken by surprise when this image popped up on our social media feeds Tuesday morning. For example, Lamborghini unveiled the Gallardo Superleggera at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show, four years after the original Gallardo was unveiled and proved to be the runaway success it was. Then there's the Murcielago Superveloce that took about eight years to come around.

But, from the looks of this spy shot from the folks over at HuracanTalk.com, Lamborghini may already be on the move towards another model, having unveiled the base model in 2014 and the LP 580-2 just earlier this month. Finished in blue, the model here caught testing in Italy, seems to have a carbon-fibre rear wing and widened wheel arches compared to the standard Huracan. If this is indeed the Superleggera, that would make it the fourth Huracan variant after the coupe, Spider and rear-wheel drive versions. It is also unconfirmed whether the vehicle has a four-wheel drive system or a RWD layout. Lamborghini has already confirmed a beefier rear-wheel drive Huracan is on the agenda, so it could be that.

In its standard form, the Lamborghini Huracan LP610-4 features a 5.2-litre, naturally aspirated V10 engine producing 610PS, mated to an all wheel drive system and dual clutch transmission, making it capable of a 0-96 kmph time of 3.2 seconds and 0-200 kmph in just 9.9 seconds. It's likely that the Superleggera variant will feature the same powertrain and share most of the mechanics, with an increase in power output and further efforts focused on weight saving.

Either way, this is all speculation at this point, with no official word from Lamborghini yet. From what we see here, it does look quite ready, but this is one Huracan we might have to wait quite some time for.

Image: HuracanTalks.com

from zigwheels http://ift.tt/1RjnPxV
via IFTTT

Read More