Weekly wrap-up: Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG launching soon, we drive both

Audi and Mercedes-Benz are launching their compact sedan and we get our hands on both on them before their respective launches. Read our review of them and also of the new Tata Zest with the revolutionary Revotron petrol engine and a diesel engine with only two pedals. We also drive the BMW 3 GT and share our preview of the Tata Bolt. Honda has decided to drop the AVN system from its Mobilio, it will be launched at a later stage.

Land Rover has updated the existing  Range Rover and Range Rover Sport with more features for the 2015 model year. The Volkswagen Polo is finally launched and Audi has now introduced dynamic badging on its all models. All are soon coming to India too. Jaguar too has announced the launch of its new entry-level sedan the XE on the 8th of September in London. The test mule of the Renault Lodgy has been spotted.

BMW globally recalls 3 Series sedan for faulty airbags

BMW, the luxury carmaker in order to rectify the faulty airbags has issued a global recall of BMW 3 Series manufactured between May 1999 and August 2006. The company is recalling more than 16 lakh cars worldwide on the safety concern of airbags. On the recall the manufacturer said that it's a precaution because other automakers using similar systems have reported problems. Read more

Honda to drop the AVN system in upcoming Mobilio

Honda India in a surprise turn of events has dropped some of the luxury features in the upcoming Mobilio MPV. The audio, video, navigation with touchscreen, also termed as ‘AVN’ is deleted along with the faux wood center panel, leatherette seat covers, LED scuff plates. The reverse camera is also ditched as the touchscreen goes off. Earlier, these features were supposed to be offered in the top-end variant of Honda Mobilio. Read more

Honda India recalls Accord & CR-V over faulty air-bag inflator issue

Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL) today recalled 1,085 units of Honda Accord and 252 units of Honda CR-V manufactured in the year 2003 & 1 unit of CR-V manufactured in year 2002, to carry out preventive replacement of Passenger Side Air Bag inflator. The measure is a part of the manufacturer's global recall regarding the potential defect related to passenger air bag announced in June this year. Read more

Aston Martin unveils V12 Vantage S Roadster

Bond’s favourite (to be specific the only brand), Aston Martin has unveiled the new V12 Vantage S Roadster. This new V12 powered Roadster is capable enough to give goose bumps even to our British Secret Agent. Yes, the thrill of open top driving is back! V12 Vantage S Roadster shares most of the styling cues from V12 Vantage S Coupe as it features ventilated hood, carbon fiber components and black or titanium silver accents. While the grille is inspired from CC100 Speedster concept. According to the British manufacturer, the V12 Vantage S Roadster is the most fastest and most capable roadster till date. Read more

Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4 Super Trofeo teased

Sports car maker Lamborghini has released the first images of its all-new Huracan LP 610-4 race car, which will be competing in the Super Trofeo one-make racing series from 2015. Recently, Squadra Corse, Italian carmaker's motorsport arm announced that it had hired some special drivers to test the sports car, and now a recent report claims that the initial shakedown testing has gotten underway at the Vallelunga race track at its home. Read more

Land Rover updates the 2015 Range Rover and Range Rover Sport

Land Rover has announced the introduction of a comprehensive suite of updates to Range Rover and Range Rover Sport for 2015 model year. The potent SDV8 now produces 334bhp and 740Nm – a 40Nm increase – with a fuller torque curve from 1700 to 3300rpm thanks to detailed calibration changes. The ZF 8HP70 8-speed automatic gearbox has been re-engineered with a revised torque converter incorporating a twin-spring damper. Read more

2014 facelifted Volkswagen Polo launched in India @ INR 4.99 lakh

Volkswagen has finally launched the much-awaited 2014 Polo facelift in India at INR 4.99 Lakhs. This is the first refreshment given to the premium hatch since its Indian debut about five years back. Read more

Jaguar XE to make world premiere in London on September 8th

Jaguar’s all-new sports saloon, Jaguar XE, will make its world premiere in London on September 8th. Jaguar XE brings with it first-in-segment features such as all aluminium monocoque chassis, Integral Link suspension and All Surface Progress Control. This is first of the series of four technology previews that will highlight the technical, design and engineering features in the XE and will also provide information on the car’s advanced aluminium architecture, unique driver aids and new Ingenium engine range. Read more

Audi moves on to Dynamic badging

Generally Audi cars are badged by the engine options they offer. Uptil now, the company has been using the nomenclature as we have seen on the Volkswagen family cars. For instance, a 2.0-litre diesel engine gets the variant as 2.0 TDI, while a 2.0-litre petrol gets 2.0 FSI and a 2.0-litre turbo petrol gets a 2.0 TFSI badge. This is the same badging as we have seen across the Volkswagen family, be it the Skoda or the Volkswagen brand. Read more

Toyota introduces the GT86 TRD

Since its launch in 2012, the Toyota GT86 has revitalised Toyota's reputation for building cars that are all about the pure pleasure of driving. The concept of getting back the front engine and rear wheel drive layout back was a decision made by the Japanese automaker to make a coupe of the enthusiasts. It isn’t just an efficient car but it is also fun to drive. The boxer engine is a four-cylinder 2.0-litre engine that reduces the centre of gravity for the car. The tyres of the GT86 are as thin as that on the Prius, to reduce its carbon footprint. Read more

Honda Mobilio launch on 23rd July

Honda will launch the Mobilio on the 23rd of July. This is the first MPV from Honda for the Indian car market. The bookings for this MPV have already began and Honda will be aggressive with its pricing. We have already reviewed the car. Please find our Honda Mobilio review. Read more

Renault India to enter into MPV segment with Lodgy; Test Mule spied!

Renault Lodgy MPV was spied testing for the first time in the country, seems like the French automaker is ready to take on the MPV segment with cars like Innova, Ertiga and the upcoming Mobilio. We told you earlier that Renault is coming up with a Duster facelift and two new cars – sub-4 lakh hatchback and an MPV. Speaking to it, Lodgy is based on the Duster platform and will share bits and pieces with compact SUV. Read more

Audi India to launch A3 on August 7

Relived? The day since Audi showcased the A3 sedan at the 2014 Indian Auto Expo, people started pining for this car and their temptation was further aired after Audi said that it's base variant will start from under 25 lakh! If reports are to believed Audi A3 is coming next month on 7th. It will be the most economical 'four-ring' car in the country and will compete with the growing entry level luxury segment with cars like Mercedes Benz A and B Class and BMW 1 series. Read more

What to expect from the upcoming Tata Zest's 1.2L Revotron turbo petrol?

Tata Zest, the most important launch from Tata Motors in recent times is about to enter the market. The Zest compact sedan will be accompanied by the Bolt hatchback. These are not just another new offerings from the Indian automaker, they also bring along plethora of changes, like the company's new design language – 'DESIGNEXT', a new turbocharged petrol engine range – REVOTRON and new infotainment range – CONNECTNEXT besides others. Except Zest and Bolt, Revotron is the main attraction from Tata this time. Read more

Tata Zest Expert Review

A stepping stone to conquer best in automotive technology and design, Tata, our home grown automobile manufacturer seems to have moved in the right direction with the upcoming Zest sedan. Would it be able to shake the competition and finally leave an impression on the mind of the consumer, is what we intend on finding out. Read more

BMW 3 Gran Turismo Expert Review

A long distance traveller vehicle is given the Grand Tourer (GT) badge. As always, Italians differ by calling their cars as Gran Turismo. It has been years since GT cars be it performance or luxury, have seen the light of the day and our maturing market is now getting such products. BMW had introduced the 5 GT back in 2010 and now it has introduced the 3 GT, which is the entry-level for this range. Read more

Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG Expert Review

I don’t think Michael Jackson and Mercedes-Benz have too much in common, apart from the fact that he must have owned one at some point in his life. Well that was until I realized that his song, “The Way You Make Me Feel” is actually about the hottest looking “Star” that is being launched in India this month. Yes, I am referring to the all-new CLA45 AMG. The hot new girl in school that all the guy’s want to date and all the girls want to be friends with. We get our hands on the CLA45 AMG a few days before the launch and take her out for a spin. Read more

Audi A3 Expert Review

Audi India is the largest luxury car maker at the moment, as it became the first automaker to cross the 10,000 units mark in this range of manufacturers. While competition is introducing higher-end cars, Audi becomes the first automaker to introduce a compact sedan for our market. The Ingolstadt-based carmaker invited us to Udaipur to drive the new compact sedan. Read more (https://www.cardekho.com/road-test/audi-a3-expert-review-249.htm)

Tata Bolt Preview

Tata Motors had showcased the new Bolt and Zest at the Auto Expo. These are the two new products that the company has been banking on. With a goal becoming the second largest passenger car player, the Pimpri-based manufacturer will be introducing several new products in the coming years. It has already refreshed its existing products and several new are in the pipeline. We got our hands on the Tata Bolt and we share our preview of this new B+ segment hatchback that should be available by the festive season. We had already previewed the Zest and this is a separate preview for the Bolt. Read more