On 18th January, bookings for the new Maruti Suzuki Swift opened for a sum of Rs 11,000 and it will be launched in India at the Auto Expo in February. This is the 3rd generation Swift, and holds out the promise of building on the success of its predecessors and satisfying lakhs of more customers. The first generation Swift was introduced in India in 2005 and was an instant success. The modern and fashionable Maruti Suzuki Swift also won the inaugural ICOTY (Indian Car of the Year) award in 2006 and the second generation version that was introduced in our country in 2010, was also the ICOTY 2012. Right from its launch, the Swift has featured among the top five best selling cars in India. The new Maruti Suzuki Swift is built on the 5th generation Heartect platform which is also the base for the likes of Baleno, Ignis and Swift Dzire. This platform is not only lighter, but also stronger and more rigid thanks to the significant usage of high tensile steel. While it reduces weight and helps … [Read more...] about 2018 Maruti Suzuki Swift first drive review
Review
Autoweek in review: Everything you missed Jan 14-19, 2018
Autoweek in review is where we bring you the biggest stories in the car world that you might have missed this week. Whether you were actually getting some work done or you stepped away from your computer for a moment, here's your chance to catch up and have something cool to talk about over the weekend. 2018 Detroit auto show: Everything we saw Detroit auto show media days are winding down as the international journalists escape to warmer climes, like Sweden and Canada, and this means that public days are approaching. We've seen just ... 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt rolls on stage before Detroit auto show Ford let out the world’s worst-kept secret Sunday night, revealing the 2019 Mustang Bullitt before its debut at the Detroit auto show. It appeared on stage with a surviving dark Highland green ... Mercedes-AMG ups its EQ with 2019 CLS53, E53 Coupe and Cabriolet at NAIAS It wasn’t all Gelandewagen … [Read more...] about Autoweek in review: Everything you missed Jan 14-19, 2018
Datsun redi-GO 1.0 AMT: First Drive Review
Automatic transmissions are gaining popularity in India as our roads are becoming more congested with every passing day. In order to offer its buyers the convenience of an automatic transmission in a budget, Datsun will soon launch its most affordable car, the redi-GO, with an automated manual transmission (AMT). The redi-GO shares mechanicals with the Renault Kwid and the 5-speed AMT paired with the 1.0-litre engine isn’t an exception either. We drove the redi-GO AMT in the heart of India’s capital to find out whether automating gear shifts has made the little Datsun a better city runabout. Since the redi-GO AMT remains the same as the redi-GO 1.0, read our review of the latter to know more about the 1.0-litre engine’s performance and the exterior and interior styling. Without beating around the bush, let’s get straight to what’s new here, the 5-speed AMT.Also Read: You can now pre-book the new Datsun redi-GO AMT More … [Read more...] about Datsun redi-GO 1.0 AMT: First Drive Review
REVIEW: Triumph Street Triple 765RS, 765S and 675R
In its middleweight naked sports range, Triumph has had resounding success with the Street Triple 675, since its launch in 2007. Riders found a lot to like about the 675, with its light weight and nimble handling. Last year, the boys from Hinckley followed the 675 up with the Street Triple 765 and raised the performance stakes a notch with the RS version, designed with an eye to track use. Triumph did not forget the “normal” rider though, producing the 765 in R and S versions. But, curious minds want to know, what is different? Are there enough differences between the S and RS as to justify the almost RM18,000 price difference between the base and top models, at RM49,900 and RM66,900 respectively? Moreover, is the performance gap between the new all-singing, all-dancing 765 RS that much better than the previous-generation 675 R, which was, in itself, no slouch in the handling stakes, both of which made the paultan.org Top Five bikes list two years running. Here’s the … [Read more...] about REVIEW: Triumph Street Triple 765RS, 765S and 675R
Land Rover Discovery TD6 review: Rediscovering diesel
The Land Rover Discovery is settling back into its badge after a puzzling but brief period in which its predecessor was called the LR4. With seven seats and recognizable family looks, the Discovery delivers a compelling mix of luxury features and off-roadability that belies its buttoned-up suburban looks.The Discovery's engine lineup is straightforward. Two 3.0-liter V6 engines are on the menu: a supercharged gasoline version good for 340 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque or a turbodiesel churning out 254 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. Both are paired with an eight-speed automatic and an impressive number of driving modes and adjustments should owners find themselves retracing the Oregon Trail.Off-roading is still the Discovery's calling card, and this means a double-wishbone front suspension and a multilink setup in the rear, along with an adjustable air suspension that maxes out at 11.4 inches of clearance at its highest setting. Land Rover was also able to squeeze out a 34 degree approach … [Read more...] about Land Rover Discovery TD6 review: Rediscovering diesel
Autoweek in review: Everything you missed January 7-12, 2018
Autoweek in review is where we bring you the biggest stories in the car world that you might have missed this week. Whether you were actually getting some work done or you stepped away from your computer for a moment, here's your chance to catch up and have something cool to talk about over the weekend. Bigger than a breadbox: Toyota brings toaster-like transport to CES The pods are coming and Toyota is bringing them. They’ll haul people around, deliver things, and a cute little one will even bring a pizza to your door.When, you ask? Someday, within a few ... DeLorean down: This DMC-12 blaze is a pop culture tragedy DeLorean DMC-12s might not have been universally loved when they rolled off assembly lines the first time around, but since “Back to the Future” made them cool prices have spiked. ... NASCAR preseason testing begins this week at Texas Motor Speedway Four Monster Energy … [Read more...] about Autoweek in review: Everything you missed January 7-12, 2018
2016 Chevrolet Malibu LTZ Rental Review – Your Next Used Car?
Was it really 22 months ago that I first encountered the fleet-customers-only 2016 Chevrolet Malibu? Indeed it was — and although the rental companies were quick to take advantage of what was presumably an absolutely massive discount on the General’s leftovers, they have not been in a hurry to release their inventory of these cars into the auction lanes.That’s particularly true in the case of our local National Car Rental franchisee, which is actually a Chevrolet dealer in disguise. Which explains why Danger Girl’s final car rental of the year turned out to be a rather well-worn and thoroughly undistinguished example of the fleet-spec ‘Bu LTZ.Why review this car yet again? Simple. You’d never guess it, but my review of the rental-spec Chevrolet Captiva turned out to be one of the biggest articles in TTAC history. A lot of people who were looking at ex-rental Captivas in the used market ended up reading it and (one hopes) learning something about the … [Read more...] about 2016 Chevrolet Malibu LTZ Rental Review – Your Next Used Car?
Suzuki Gixxer SF Fi ABS: Road Test Review
If we were to give it its full name, the bike we have here today would be called the Suzuki Gixxer SF Fi SP ABS. Quite a mouthful, isn’t it? You see, a few years ago, when Suzuki India re-entered the 150cc motorcycle space with a stormer of a naked street bike, it was called just the Gixxer, rather ambitiously borrowing its name from Suzuki’s hallowed litre-class machine. Then came its faired version, and with it the “SF” monicker. And finally, what we have here today is its snazzier sibling, the one with all the bells and the whistles. Fuel injection, new paint job, and the biggest feature that fans have been clamoring for, an anti-lock braking system. Fi, SP, ABS -- in that order. For brevity’s sake, let’s just stick with Gixxer ABS for the rest of this review, shall we? Design and FeaturesVisually, nothing has changed on the latest version of the Gixxer from its standard sibling save for the subtle … [Read more...] about Suzuki Gixxer SF Fi ABS: Road Test Review
2018 Audi Q5 35 TDI first drive review
Like the past few years 2017 also saw a slew of SUVs get launched in the country. And I'm not even surprised my first review in the new year is that of an SUV, the all-new, 2018 Audi Q5. It is Audi's first launch this year and also probably its most strategic one. When it was launched in India originally in 2011, the Q5 was welcomed with open arms by buyers and was quick to succeed in the then nascent midsize luxury SUV segment. It propelled Audi India to the top of the luxury car game and considering that 2017 wasn't the best of years for it, Audi is keen on getting right back into the numbers game. We got a little taste of the second generation Q5 on Indian soil, after our exclusive drive earlier this year in the UK, and here's what we think. The second generation Audi Q5 looks leaner, sharper and more athletic What is it? The Audi Q5 needs no introduction as one of the most popular midsize luxury SUVs. The last generation model also performed excellently in terms of bringing in … [Read more...] about 2018 Audi Q5 35 TDI first drive review
2018 Infiniti QX30 Premium AWD Review – A Comfortable Compact Oddity
2018 Infiniti QX30 Premium AWD 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder (208 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm; 258 lb-ft @ 1,200-4,000 rpm)Seven-speed automatic, all-wheel drive21 city / 30 highway / 25 combined (EPA Rating, MPG)10.6 city, 8.0 highway, 9.4 combined. (NRCan Rating, L/100km)Base Price: $37,700 (U.S) / $38,490 (Canada)As Tested: $46,460 (U.S.) / $48,161 (Canada)Prices include $995 destination charge in the United States and $2,045 for freight, PDI, and A/C tax in Canada and, because of cross-border equipment differences, can’t be directly compared. Why Infiniti needs a subcompact crossover that shares its platform with the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class is a mystery that only the folks at Nissan HQ know the answer to.After all, I spent four days wheeling one all over Los Angeles, from the airport to downtown and back, and I still don’t know the answer to that question.Separating the QX30 from its platform mate and judging it on its own merits, however, is nonetheless … [Read more...] about 2018 Infiniti QX30 Premium AWD Review – A Comfortable Compact Oddity