Eberhard Kern, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India commented, “The G-Class has the essential attributes of a Mercedes-Benz: Dynamism, Comfort, Safety and Status. Yet its pedigree and classic form has been retained across the 34 years of its existence. The G-Class retains its shape, rugged design and the same mission to cope with extreme conditions. It’s not surprising therefore that the G-Class is called upon to serve in extreme terrains; its cult status makes it the vehicle of choice of world leaders and celebrities alike. The G 63 AMG reconciles an involving, compelling driving experience with performance, functionality and timeless appeal which is exceptional in this vehicle class. We are excited to introduce the G 63 AMG for the discerning Indian customers.”

The G63 AMG is available at a price of Rs 14,577,000 ex-showroom Mumbai.

Vijay Singh, CEO, Fox Star Studio India commented, “We are extremely proud to present the latest and fifth edition of Die Hard series, ‘A Good Day to Die Hard’, to the fans across India. What makes this moment truly special is our in film association with an entire fleet of Mercedes-Benz. The audience experience is bound to reach a new height when they witness spectacular car chases and stunts, that keep the never say die spirit of Die Hard intact with a touch of class of Mercedes-Benz.”

With a rated output of 400 KW (544 hp), the G 63 AMG develops maximum torque of 760 Nm yet remains extremely efficient thanks to the standard-fit ECO start/stop function. Exterior highlights: metallic paint, AMG radiator grille with chromed twin louvers, AMG wheel-arch flaring with ‘V8 BITURBO’ logo. There is an AMG exhaust system with twin chromed side tailpipes, AMG 5-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels in Titanium Grey with red painted brake calipers and 275/50 R20 tyres. The stylish look is completed to perfection by the standard-fit Exterior Stainless Steel package.

(Team-)BHPian Asva caught this uncamouflaged SX4 from his office building in Bangalore. The SX4 facelift is bound to be compared to the Tata Indigo, something Maruti Suzuki might not really want in its favour. The resemblance is mostly courtesy of the new chrome grille. New front bumper and fog lamp housing are the other prominent design changes.

It is also rumoured that the aging SX4 will get a Garmin Navigation system to help catch up with its more modern rivals.

Ford has launched a refreshed variant of the Endeavour called the ‘alterrain Edition’. The new variant of the Endeavour gets a new grille, new decal that spells ‘ENDEAVOUR’ boldly on the hood, new alloys and steering mounted controls. The interiors also get a new ‘Majestic Molten’ color scheme and a one-touch power window button.

The Endeavour alterrain Edition is powered by the 156PS 3.0-litre engine mated to a 5-speed auto transmission and Ford’s electronic SHIFT-ON-FLY system that lets you select 2WD or 4WD.

The Endeavour alterrain edition is priced at Rs.23.20 Lakhs (ex-showroom Delhi).

Volkswagen calls it the Polo Street Racer (SR). The Polo gets front and rear skirts, 15 inch alloys, rear lip spoiler and chromed exhaust to earn the SR tag. The SR is being offered only in the 1.2 Petrol variant with interior features retained from the Highline variant.

Motoroids says they have insider news that confirms an important bike launch on the Mumbai Orange Day to be held on the 24th February 2013. As speculations go, this is one we have a hard time accepting at face value. The important bike may very well be the Duke 390 but we also aren’t ruling out the possibility of the Duke 200 with ABS making an apperance.

Source: Motoroids

Students pursuing the Master in Transportation Design course at IED, Turin are a lucky lot being geographically close to Fiat-Chrysler EMEA Design Center. The Alfa Romeo Style Centre proposed a product brief to twenty students of the said course in IED, Turin all of whom came back with a 1:4 clay model of their concept. The one that fit Alfa’s brief most was selected and the students have worked on it and will present the full scale clay model at the 83rd Geneva Motor Show set to open form the 5th of March 2013.

Alfa Romeo has been pushing for a North American entry for sometime now the first steps laid down by the Alfa Romeo 4C which will also debut at the Geneva Motor Show. The ‘Gloria’ concept is Alfa Romeo’s proposal for a V6/V8 biturbo engine powered saloon for the American and Asian markets. The Gloria is 4700 mm long, 1920 mm wide, 1320 mm high and with a wheelbase of 2900 mm. Leather straps up front are a nod to the leather straps found in older Alfa Romeo cars which were used to secure the luggage compartment.

“We asked the students in the Master programme to give us their completely independent interpretation of a new Alfa Romeo saloon,” states Lorenzo Ramaciotti, Head of Fiat & Chrysler Design. “During development, we commented, discussed and guided the projects in order to get the most from their spontaneous expressions of creativity. The result was stimulating and marked by professional and creative excellence.”

“The possibility of developing a concept car in collaboration with the Alfa Romeo Style that we were offered was a great opportunity to demonstrate that the IED is, first of all, an Italian school that aims to generate beauty,” states César Mendoza, Director of IED, Turin. “What better brand than Alfa Romeo to teach our students how form and volume can convey strong emotions, fuelling the desire to design a car? The passion that the brand evokes had a powerful impact on the students and teaching staff, allowing them to push themselves within tight deadlines to achieve the final delivery of a project which was unquestionably complex. Today, the European Design Institute is proud to represent Italian teaching excellence internationally.”

In addition to the 1:1 clay model at IED’s stand at Geneva, there will also be an augmented reality application run on an iPad that will let visitors swap the alloys on the Gloria for five other designs, again results of a collaboration between the students and OZ Racing. OZ Racing also sponsors the current 20″ alloys on the Gloria.

BMW has discontinued the petrol variants of the X1 and has introduced a slightly tweaked variant of the 2.0 litre diesel mill. The diesel mill now makes 184PS. A new 8 speed automatic gearbox is available. xDrive is not being offered as an option. All variants get BMW’s ECO PRO mode and brake energy recuperation.

Exterior changes include slight tweaks in the bumper, the scuff plate and the outside rear view mirrors. Change is also prominent in the interiors of the headlamp housings.

These moves are aimed at helping the X1 keep its own against the likes of the Audi Q3.

Prices of variants (ex-showroom Delhi)

sDrive 20d: 27.9 Lakhs
sDrive 20d Sport Line : 32.5 Lakhs
sDrive 20d xLine : 32.5 Lakhs

The fourth generation CR-V has been finally launched in India. The new CR-V will be assembled in India at HCIL’s plant in Greater Noida and has a starting price of Rs. 19.95 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi, for the 2.0 litre manual transmission variant.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Hironori Kanayama, President & CEO, Honda Cars India Ltd., said “With the launch of the fourth generation CR-V, we once again affirm our commitment to bring the latest from the global Honda portfolio to our customers in India. It is a matter of great pride for us at HCIL to assemble the CR-V in India for the first time.” He also added, “The all new CR-V offers driving comfort and efficiency of a sedan, and the confident and powerful stance of an SUV and will appeal to both SUV and premium sedan buyers.”

As we’d mentioned earlier the CR-V gets two engine options, the 2.0 litre and the 2.4 litre petrol. The 2.0 L engine is good for a maximum output of 156PS@6500pm, which Honda says is 13PS more than the last generation model and 190Nm of torque @4300rpm. The 2.4L engine makes 190 PS @ 7000 rpm, again 29PS more than the outgoing model and 226 Nm of torque @ 4400 rpm.

The 2.0L engine can be had with the six speed manual and the five speed auto box while the 2.4 L comes only with the 5 speed auto box. The 2.4L engine option variant with the auto box also gets Honda’s REALTIME 4WD.

At 4545 mm long, 1820 mm wide, 1685 mm tall and a wheelbase of 2620 mm, the CR-V should be definitely spacious. The wraparound projector headlamps get a washer. The 10 spoke 17 inch alloys look fantastic as do the Dual Tone Sienna Beige Interiors with leather upholstery.

The All New CR-V will be available in 5 colors : Carnelian Red Pearl, Sparkling Brown Metallic, Urban Titanium Metallic, Alabaster Silver Metallic and Taffeta White.

Honda is also offering two new accessory packages : Elegance and Inspire.

The prices of new Honda CR-V (ex showroom Delhi) are:
2.4L AT with Audio Video Navigation : 23.85 lakhs
2.4 L AT : 22.40 lakhs
2.0L AT : 20.85 lakhs
2.0L MT : 19.95 lakhs

Prices ex-showroom Chennai

2.4L AT with Audio Video Navigation : 24.59 lakhs
2.4 L AT : 23.12 lakhs
2.0L AT : 21.54 lakhs
2.0L MT : 20.62 lakhs

Rolls Royce, as promised has revealed more of their most powerful car, the Wraith in the second teaser.

The teaser reveals the rear haunches of the Wraith. The car exudes a powerful imagery with the strong haunches. We have to quote the following paragraphs from the Rolls Royce press release.

The next teaser is scheduled for the 19th of February, the last on the 26th February 2013 and then the world premiere at the 83rd Geneva Motor Show.