Weekly Wrap-up: Mercedes Launched A-Class Facelift, Tata Motors Discontinues Manza and Vista and Lots More!

The past week was one that invoked nostalgia. We kicked off our week with the launch of the final installment in Mercedes’ 15 launches for 2015 Indian portfolio and we took a look at the company’s journey over the past year. We got a detailed look at Tata’s upcoming hatchback, the Tata Zica and witnessed a milestone in the Indian automotive industry as cab franchise Ola paired up with cellphone manufacturer Oneplus to deliver company’s exclusive products in a zippy 15 minutes.

Mahindra e2o’s 4-door avatar was spied during a road test, which came in at an opportune time, considering the escalating pollution conditions in Delhi. To tackle this situation, government roped in 4,000 buses, in addition to entertaining the ‘Odd-even rule’. Speaking of pollution, Volkswagen India has announced that it will be re-launching its halo car, the Beetle in India on 19th December.

Tata motors announced that it will be discontinuing the production of its Vista and Manza models. Next up, Jeep imported its Renegade compact SUV in India, which could be an indication that Renegade might be launched in the Indian market soon. The Renegade compact SUV, while being loaded onto an aircraft, while Maruti Suzuki YBA was spied in Rajasthan. Hyundai announced that it will be hiking the prices of its cars by Rs. 30,000 from January 2016 and following into its footsteps, Maruti announced that it would be increasing the prices of its cars by Rs. 20,000. Speaking of Maruti, India’s largest automaker also launched a special ‘Premia’ edition of S-Cross at Rs. 8.99 lacs.  

In other stories we also celebrated ‘Human rights day’ by listing out 5 cars that are used by United Nations for its rescue operations and are available in India. We also took a look at the holy trinity of hot hatches that are making their way to India next year. So, let's check out what was happening in the world of automotive this week.

Hot News:

Tata Zica Comprehensive Image Gallery

Tata is one of the most prominent automakers of India. It took over the hatchback segment with Indica but since then, have struggled to create a similar impact. The automaker came out with the Bolt and Zest in second half of the year; both the cars managed to better the image of Tata, to some extent if not completely, as a more youthful brand. And now, all eyes are on Tata Zica as it becomes the most anticipated product in its segment. Developed completely new from grounds up, this upcoming hatchback surely has a strong appeal to it. And not only the looks, Tata has showered this hatch with all the latest gizmos they have in their belly. You can know everything about the Zica here, but first, let's have a look at the car. Read More

Mercedes-Benz A-Class Facelift Launched at Rs. 24.95 lacs

The baby Mercedes has completed the German automaker's '15 in '15 promise as the A Class hits the showroom floors today. The car has been launched at a price tag of Rs. 24.95 lacs. The A 180 Sport kicks off the pricing at Rs. 24.95 lacs (ex-showroom Mumbai), and the Mercedes A 200d variant comes at Rs. 25.95 lacs (ex-showroom Mumbai). Largely a facelift, the updated A Class remains mechanically unchanged. The A Class facelift carries over the same engine and 7 speed dual clutch gearbox combo. While the facelift got Mercedes' 4MATIC system globally, it didn't make its way to the Indian market. Read More

Grand i10 moves past Swift in Top 10 Selling Cars for November

In a major upheaval, Hyundai Grand i10 dislodged Maruti Swift from the spot of best selling B-segment hatchback for November 2015. Although major reason for the break in sales for Swift (drop of 34% sales) was the launch of Baleno, it was Grand i10 which took advantage of the rivalry among these cars. Launched in September 2013, the South Korean car registered increase in sales by 54% and has been able to dominate Swift for the first time. Read More

Tata Motors Discontinues Manza and Vista, Eyes on Zica

Tata Motors has officially pulled up the sale of Manza sedan and Vista hatchbacks. These cars have been removed from the company's line-up and no more feature on the official website. The Indian carmaker from sometime was considering to abandon some of its ageing cars. Previously, it stopped old Tata Nano and now following up, it has halted the production of Manza, Vista and Sumo Grande (Movus). Read More

Jeep Renegade Imported in India; Possible Launch in the Works

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is gearing up for the launch of its globally revered premium SUV brand ‘Jeep’ in India.  In a bid to do the same, the automaker has imported Its compact SUV, ‘Renegade’ in the country. The import has been carried out to assist the company in its research and development  operations. Jeep will commence its operations in India in February next year, with the launch of its Cherokee SUVs, which will be followed by the launch of Wrangler. Read More

Audi Q7 Facelift Launched at Rs 72 Lacs

Audi has launched its Q7 facelift at a price of Rs 72 Lacs, ex-showroom Delhi. Initially, the vehicle will be imported through a CBU route but local manufacturing will start somewhere around mid-2016. This new SUV is lighter, faster and better looking than the previous version. Also, the new car is slightly smaller than its predecessor, 37mm shorter and 15mm less wide. The car will still compete against Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, BMW X5 and Volvo XC 90. Read More

Hyundai announces Price hike of Rs. 30,000 from January

Hyundai Motor India has announced a price hike of up to Rs. 30,000 applicable from January 2016. The hike will be imposed on a range of models starting from Eon (Rs. 3 lac approx.) to Santa Fe (Rs. 27 lac approx.) and includes i10, Grand i10, Elite i20, Active i20, Xcent, Verna and Elantra. The South Korean company said that the price hike comes at a time when input costs are increasing. Apart from that, it claims the Indian currency is devaluating which further adds to the problem. Read More

#OddEvenFormula - Delhi Govt. Ropes in 4,000 Buses for Effective Implementation

Delhi government, after coming under heavy criticism for ‘not’ understanding the practicality of odd/even car ban, has roped in 4,000 buses to bolster public transportation. It has tied up with Delhi Contract Bus Association (DCBA) which will now provide 4,000 buses for public use. Read More

Hike Alert! Buy Maruti Cars Before the Offer Runs Out

As it turns out, the new year will not be as happy as we were hoping it to be, as Maruti has announced that it will be hiking the prices of its line-up by Rs. 20,000 from January 2016 onwards. The company claims that it is making this move, in a bid to compensate for the decline of Rupee value against the American Dollar and to sustain an equilibrium with the inflation. We feel that the company is aiming to motivate the purchase decision of potential customers, so that they buy  their “Dzired” cars before the year ends and dealers get an opportunity to clear inventories. Read More

Volkswagen India to Re-Launch Beetle on December 19, 2015

Volkswagen Beetle will be available only in a fully loaded trim with 1.4-liter TSi turbo petrol motor and will compete with Mini Cooper S, Fiat Abarth 595 Competizione along with Mercedes-Benz A-Class and BMW 1 Series. Read More

Maruti Suzuki YBA Compact SUV Spied Again

Maruti Suzuki’s upcoming compact SUV has been spied again, the vehicle is probably in last stages of its testing as the launch is expected in February at the Expo. The automaker might reveal it next month. This vehicle will foray Maruti into the highly competent and growing sub-4m SUVs/crossovers segment. On the lines of recently launched products by the automaker, YBA will come loaded with features. YBA is the internal codename and its official name could be revealed next month or at the Expo, however, reports suggest that it will be called Vitara Brezza. The vehicle was reportedly spied in Rajasthan. Read More

India Bound: Jeep's Underdevelopment C-SUV Spied

Jeep’s upcoming project is very compelling because it would be making to India. The C-SUV or Codename Jeep 551 has been snapped being loaded onto an aircraft. The airport is supposedly somewhere in South America and it's reported that this prototype is being shipped overseas for testing purpose. And who knows! the destination could be India, our home. Read More

Feature Stories:

Upcoming Hot Hatches in 2016

With the launch of the Fiat Abarth Punto Evo and the overwhelming reception garnered by it, the fact that Indian car market is more than hospitable to hot hatches has become evident. The appeal of hot hatches comes from a range of factors, the most prominent of which is the practicality that the 5-seaters offer. This is followed by the exhilaration offered by those souped up power-plants and last but definitely not the least are the looks. The gobsmacking aesthetics that help you distinguish yourself from the herd of blacks and whites is the perfection of vanity that customers chase after, providing bread and butter to customizers and bodyshops across the globe. With the new year's fast approaching, we are in for a treat, as 2016 will bring in an exciting batch of brand new hot hatches, which will hit the Indian streets for the very first time. So, we have compiled the holy trinity of hot-hatches that will be making their way to us. Lets check them out! Read More

Human Rights Day - United Nations' Hot Wheels with Indian Connection

I have always believed that automobiles are the perfect example of human spirit's triumph over the most adverse challenges and what challenge can be more adverse, than that of peacekeeping. 10th December marks the ‘Human Rights day’ and celebrating the same, we have compiled a list of heroic cars, which have been crucial to upholding peace, assisting citizens in exercising their fundamental rights and saving the world “every day of the week and twice on Sunday.” Read More