Report – Lamborghini Urus reportedly still waiting for the go-ahead

Could be the fastest and quickest SUV on the planet, if made.

Even though Lamborghini scrapped the plans to make the production version of the Asterion that was revealed at the 2014 Paris Motor Show, they are serious about putting the much-awaited Urus SUV into production.

Lamborghini described the Urus as “the perfect complement to its super sports cars.”

The production version of the Lamborghini Urus was initially rumored to be official in 2017, but sources told Autocar that the Italian brand is awaiting the green light from its parent company Audi. They say that the decision to introduce the Urus into the market must be a financially sound idea, and that there is a demand existing for such a product in the global market.

“We are convinced the Urus can significantly boost global sales, but the financial conditions need to be sound,” said the source, who wished to remain anonymous. “Right now, there are signs we may be heading for a downturn in the markets due to various factors, including trouble in the Middle East, although this is not reflected in the current sales situation, which puts us ahead of 2013.”

If signed-off, the car would be based on the next gen Audi Q7’s MLB-Evo platform.

If Audi decides to give the green light for production, the Urus will sit on the MLB platform that also underpins the next generation Audi Q7 (that will debut at NAIAS 2015) and the Porsche Cayenne. Rumored engine options include a base 4.0-liter twin turbo V8 found in the Audi RS7 and Bentley Continental GT V8, and a detuned 5.2-liter V10 N/A engine from the Huracan.

Also Read: IAB’s interview with Filippo Perini, Head of Design, Lamborghini

Also on the cards is a hybrid option that could be similar to the one found in the Asterion, but with less power.

[Source - Autocar.co.uk]

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Comparo – Fiat Avventura vs VW Cross Polo vs Toyota Etios Cross

Here is a spec-sheet comparison of the soon-to-launch Fiat Avventura against its rivals, the VW Cross Polo and the Toyota Etios Cross.

In terms of dimensions, the Avventura is clearly the longest at 3,989 mm followed by the Cross Polo at 3,987 mm. In the height and width department, the Etios Cross clearly beats the Avventura, and the Cross Polo is the slimmest and shortest in its segment.

Thanks to its length, the Avventura’s wheelbase is the longest in its class, and the Toyota and the VW are nearly evenly matched at 2,460 mm and 2,456 mm respectively. The Cross Polo has the largest boot at 294 liters, followed by the Avventura’s 280 liters (Note: Fiat have not disclosed the boot volume of the Avventura yet. The Punto’s boot space of 280 liters is used as reference. As the Avventura gets an external spare wheel, the boot space could increase.) and the Etios’s 251 liters.

The Cross Polo was relaunched on the market in August with a new engine and improved looks.

Coming to the engines, we have compared the diesel variants of all cars. The 1.3-liter engine in the Fiat makes it the most powerful on paper at 93 PS, and the higher displacement 1.5-liter in the VW makes 90 PS. The Toyota, despite its 1.4-liter engine, makes the least amount of power and torque at 68 PS and 170 Nm respectively. The Cross Polo is the torque-iest of the lot at 230 Nm. It also has the best power to weight ratio in its segment.

The Etios Cross sells about 1,500 units a month, surpassing expectations, the company’s MD said in a recent interaction.

The detuned nature of the Toyota’s engine helps it perform better in the efficiency department, where it achieves a class-leading 23.59 km/l. The Cross Polo and Avventura average 20.14 km/l and 20.5 km/l respectively.

The Avventura will go on sale later this month. Once the pricing is available, it will be possible to see as to which one of the three offers better value.

Fiat Avventura – Image Gallery

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Report – Datsun Go+ MPV’s production starts at Chennai plant

The Go+ will come with the same 1.2L three-cylinder petrol engine as the Go.

A report on ZigWheels reads that Nissan has started production of the Datsun Go+ MPV at the Renault-Nissan alliance plant in Oragadam, Tamil Nadu. However, the market launch of the Go+ won’t come before early next year.

The Go+ will have its market launch early next year.

The cars made this year will likely be used for dealership display, demos and roadshows, where the car is unveiled to prospective customers in places with high footfalls like shopping centers.

Based on the Go hatchback’s platform, the Go+ is a three-row, 5+2 seat, compact MPV. With an overall length of just 3,995 mm, it will qualify for small car excise duty benefits, and hence an affordable price is expected.

The sub-4 meter MPV will sport a 5+2 seating layout.

Power for the Go+ will come from the same 1.2-liter three-cylinder petrol engine which produces 68 bhp and 104 Nm of torque, with a 5-speed manual transmission driving the front wheels.

The second product for Datsun in India will be priced and positioned above the Go, which ranges from INR 3.12-3.79 lakhs, ex-Showroom, New Delhi.

Also read: India-made Datsun Go launched in South Africa

The dashboard, adjoined front seats and second row seat are shared with the Go.

The Go+ gets an identical dashboard as the Go. Hence expect features like front power windows, power steering, a mobile docking station and follow-me-home headlights to be offered on the top-end variant.

Competitors: Maruti Eeco, Base petrol variants of the Maruti Ertiga, Chevrolet Enjoy and Honda Mobilio

Expected Price: INR 4.5-5.75 lakhs, ex-Showroom

Launch date: H1 2015

Datsun Go+ – Image Gallery

[Source - ZigWheels]

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Pakistan – Previous gen Honda City facelift launched as 2014 model

The City is powered by a 1.3L petrol engine in Pakistan.

Honda Atlas Cars Pakistan Limited (HACPL) launched the refreshed Honda City (previous generation City) as the 2014 model yesterday. Available in the Pakistani market in two variants (Standard and Aspire), the refreshed City sees no increase in prices.

A chrome grille, new bumpers and tweaked taillights are seen on the City facelift.

The refresh brings a new chrome grille, a redesigned front bumper, tweaked taillights with reflectors in the rear bumper, and blue illumination for the instrument cluster. In terms of features, the Aspire model gets a reverse camera with navigation, leather seats, foglights, alloy wheels and ABS.

The Pakistani City is powered by the 1.3-liter four-cylinder i-VTEC engine that makes 100 PS (98.5 bhp) and 128 Nm of torque. A 5-speed manual or automatic gearbox can be had with the car.

The refreshed model sees no increase in prices.

In the Pakistani market, the refreshed City is priced from Rs 1,508,000 to Rs 1,800,000 (INR 9.46 to INR 10.77 lakhs). The car is available in seven color options.

Honda Cars India ceased production of the old City late last year. The new generation model was launched in January 2014 in both petrol and diesel avatars, and is currently the market leader in its segment.

[Source - PakWheels]

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Spied – IAB reader snags the boxy Mahindra U301 (new Bolero) testing in Chennai

Is based on a new hydroformed ladder-frame chassis.

Indian Autos Blog reader, Mr. Anand Sayanam, spotted the Mahindra U301 (codename for the next generation Bolero) in Chennai this week. Like the smaller S101, the U301 would have its market launch in 2015, with sources telling Indian Autos Blog that it would be ready in the last quarter of next year.

The U301 will launch next year.

Until now, it has been reported that the U301 will be based on a new hydroformed ladder-frame chassis. However, at the launch of the new Scoprio which also uses such a setup, Mahindra said that the Scorpio’s ladder-frame chassis was modular, and that leads us to believe that the U301 will have some connections to it.

Where the Scorpio has its characteristic design identity, the U301 would look utilitarian with a boxy design and near-straight lines for the body panels and window panes.

New engines will be seen powering the SUV.

Also see: New Mahindra Scorpio’s accessories revealed

The U301 will be powered by Mahindra’s new engine family, which is again modular in nature. This means that power for the SUV could come from 1.5- or 1.6-liter petrol and diesel engines.

Competitors: Tata Sumo, Chevrolet Tavera

Expected Price: INR 6-8 lakhs, ex-Showroom

Launch Date: Late 2015 (Tentative)

2016 Mahindra Bolero – Spyshot Gallery

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