nissan evalia

Of late, we have seen a sudden proliferation of 'segment-breakers' in the Utility Vehicle category. As car buyers have become more demanding and discerning about where they spend their money, the level of choice and abilities of vehicles have improved. Consequently, Maruti's LUV Ertiga and Renault's Compact SUV Duster are currently taking the market by storm. It's Nissan's turn now; they're all set to launch what the Japanese call the 'Urban Class Utility Vehicle'. Has Nissan got everything right with the Evalia to have a winner on their hands? Let's find out.On the face of it, the Nissan Evalia is a conventional people mover. Though upright and boxy in design, the Evalia has an exquisite and aerodynamic frontal design. The unique grille with chrome garnish flows seamlessly into the slimline wraparound headlights and the Evalia looks great in the front three quarter view. However, the side and rear profiles are van-like and less aesthetically pleasing. 

Rexton

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M Ltd.), India’s leading SUV manufacturer launched its highly anticipated high–end SUV SsangYong Rexton in India. The Rexton SUV is priced at Rs 17.67 lakh (ex-showroom Mumbai) for manual transmission (RX5 version) and Rs 19.67 lakh for automatic transmission (RX7) and is designed and developed by SsangYong in Korea, the sports utility vehicle (SUV) is the third generation Rexton.

Hyundai Elantra

Remember Elantra? It's not time yet to forget a car that was pleasing to the taste of many, but failed to sell in great numbers and disappeared in 2006. A six-year long void is now filled with the all-new Elantra that marks the continuing evolution of Hyundai's Fluidic Sculpture design language.One needs to work at Hyundai to differentiate the Elantra from its 'fluidic siblings' at the first glance. Even though the hexagonal grille presents a more sinister smile than the Verna, the fog lamps create a flavorless impression. Again, the head lamps are so similar to Verna's, but they extend further into the fenders. In profile, the Elantra too gets that well-defined line stretching from the front door to the tail light.

Hyundai Sonata

Completely redesigned for 2012, the new Sonata is more refined, better equipped and more freshly styled than the model it replaces.

From a design standpoint, Hyundai has rolled in a healthy dose of its "fluidic sculpture" design, which makes it an inflated Verna in profile. However, the massive chrome grill flanking the cat’s-eye HID headlamps, complemented with two aggressive lines running on the bonnet, puts the Sonata head and shoulders above the contenders. The significantly redesigned tail lamps give the vehicle a splash of class. The exterior, in short, is exhilarating and looks absolutely classy. Thumbs up!

The sophisticated fluidic design character is reflected on the two-tone beige-and-black interior, too. This, combined with Hyundai’s proficiency in interior packaging, has created an interior ambience that delivers class-leading comfort, functionality and practicality.

Hyundai i20

Pictures of the face-lifted Hyundai i20 have surfaced on the web. Expected to break cover at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, the new model features refreshed styling, enhanced equipment and lower CO2 emissions.

The pictures suggest introduction of the company's 'fluidic sculpture' to the hatchback. Stylists at Hyundai have modernised the i20 with the company's signature hexagonal grille, new headlamp units, a more contemporary front and rear bumpers and freshly sculpted bonnet and fog lamps.

Although details on the interior are not revealed yet, the same design language should undoubtedly extend to the interior as well.

After the official unveiling at Geneva, the new i20 will soon make it to Indian shores.

Nissan Terrano

 Renault-Nissan  alliance has already brought us two great rebadged cars – Scala and Pulse. The third car born out of the partnership, the Nissan Terrano, is a rebadged Duster and this review will endeavor to find out how far the Terrano has departed from the Duster.Nissan has thrown in some stand-out styling cues into the Terrano that clearly differentiate it from the Duster. From the front, the Terrano can easily be identified by the signature Nissan grille that is reminiscent of the Pathfinder. It's certainly the most effective element of the Terrano’s look, because it translates well into a big SUV shape. The bold lines on the V-shaped bonnet that blends seamlessly into the grille make it unmistakably a Nissan. The angular headlamps and bumper are new as well

Honda CR-V

There’s good news and there’s bad news. The bad news is that there is no diesel and will not be for the foreseeable future.  The good news is, CR-V is now being assembled in India and prices have gone down by a whopping 2.7 lakh rupees. Well, that’s incentive enough to show some love for a petrol SUV, so let’s find out if the new price and features make it a good bargain; also how far the fourth generation CR-V has departed from the model it replaces.While the new CR-V’s structural design stays true to its roots, it flaunts a more sculpted body. Major changes are up front – the old-fashioned grille has made way for a more contemporary one. The three-bar grille flanked by swept-back HID headlamps lends the car a younger and distinct stance. Changes in profile are subtle, although the large ten-spoke alloy wheels and bold fender flares create a rugged presence.

Tata Vista D90

Indica has been an important car for Tata. Ever since its launch in 1998, the car has evolved into a capable and practical hatchback that always stayed on top of sales charts. Now in its latest Vista D90 avatar, Indica has shifted the goal posts to another pitch. Powered by a specially tuned Quadrajet diesel engine, the new Indica is a completely different animal that delivers 90PS of raw power. However, does it live up to the hype? I recently spent two days behind the wheel of the D90 to find that out.Tata has thrown in some new design elements that reflect the sportiness of the car. However, the new bumpers and an aerodynamic rear spoiler seen in the pictures are not part of the original D90, but a body kit that you may purchase from the dealership. What come as standard are just a contrasting roof and the D90 badge at the rear

Tata Cliffrider

1. The Tata Cliffrider is derived from the Tata       Crossover" Concept, which was originally unveiled at the last Geneva Auto Show. Sporting a silhouette like a high-slung sedan, the Tata Cliffrider is a dynamic package that combines lifestyle and sporty usage with the practical functionality of a pick-up truck.

Chevrolet Cruze

The Cruze is Chevrolet’s new compact sedan, replacing the Cobalt in the Chevrolet lineup. The Cruze aims to deliver a stylish design, roominess and upscale amenities while remaining fuel-efficient and inexpensive. Cruze is offered with either a a 1.8-liter Ecotec 4-cylinder engine or a 138-horsepower 1.4-liter Ecotec Turbo. Both engines are paired with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission and the Eco trim level is expected to achieve 40 mpg highway. The OnStar advanced communication system comes standard on the Chevrolet Cruze.

Suzuki A:Wind

Suzuki Motor Corporation announced A:Wind, the new A-segment hatchback concept at the 30th Thailand International Motor Expo 2013.The A:Wind is so named because it seeks to bring a fresh wind to the A-segment as a global compact car

BMW 1-series

BMW 1-series launched at Rs 20.90 lakh

BMW has launched the new 1-series compact luxury hatchback in India at a starting price of Rs 20.90 lakh for the base petrol variant. The 1-series  comes with two engine options, a 1.6-litre turbo petrol developing 136bhp and a 143bhp 2.0-litre turbo diesel. Both BMW 1-series variants come with a ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox.