India-spec MG Hector SUV official images revealed

MG Motor today revealed the Hector, its first product for the Indian market. The MG Hector is one of three different overseas versions of the Baojun 530 from China, and as you can tell from these pictures, it’s almost identical to its Chinese twin on the outside.

The Hector gets LED headlights mounted low on the front bumper, with slim LED daytime running lights on top, with a big 'MG' badge. Completing the look are front and rear faux skid plates, diamond-cut alloy wheels, a split roof spoiler and a light bar that connects the tail-lamps.

Expected to be part of the MG Hector’s features list are a 360-degree camera, a Harman Infinity audio system, a six-way power adjustable driver’s seat, push-button start, keyless entry, cruise control and a tyre pressure monitoring system, among others. And as revealed earlier today, the Hector’s connectivity feature suite will include AI-powered Voice Assist, pre-loaded apps and the ability to receive over-the-air updates.

One of the MG Hector’s key USPs is its tons of connectivity features, and those are centred around the iSMART Next Gen infotainment system. It has an embedded Machine to Machine (M2M) eSIM that is 5G ready. Leading telecom operator Airtel is the service provider for connectivity. The brain of the system is housed in a large 10.4-inch full HD head unit.

Thanks to the eSIM, the MG Hector is the first locally manufactured model to offer OTA (Over The Air) updates like on smartphones and tablets. It will periodically download new look and themes for the screen, latest maps and other new infotainment content. The data related to the driver and vehicle analytics will be uploaded to a Microsoft Azure cloud data centre.

An ‘E-Call’ emergency calling feature will make accident situations much less fatal. In case of a condition where airbags are deployed, an E-Call is automatically triggered and a message via the connected system is transmitted with the exact location, to a response team at MG’s 24x7 customer centre called ‘Pulse Hub’. Pulse Hub is useful not only for emergency service but also for concierge services, via ‘I-Call’.

The MG Hector features a cloud-enabled, AI-based voice assistant that responds to “Hello MG” and can take over 100 different voice commands, including functions of the sunroof, climate control, windows, radio, music, navigation and more. Built by Nuance, the voice assistant has been trained for understanding Indian English and will enhance over time with AI enabled Machine Learning.

The MG Hector’s infotainment system features embedded maps and navigation solution from TomTom. In fact, it is the first receiver of TomTom’s ‘IQ Maps’ worldwide. IQ Maps use AI to automatically update the parts of the map that are most relevant to the driver. The maps of the areas where the driver frequently drives are given priority while updating.

IQ Maps automatically detects when relevant updates are available. The downloading and installation is done using the cellular connection of the vehicle in the background. There’s also an option to download maps via Wi-Fi or download them on phone via Wi-Fi and transfer to the vehicle later.

MG Motor will offer an iSmart mobile app to remotely control various functions of the Hector, such as pre-cooling, find my car, geo-fencing, etc. The company has embedded AccuWeather weather and Gaana music apps into the infotainment system, and it will offer Gaana premium subscription for free.

It has now been officially confirmed that MG will launch the Hector by June 2019, and when it does go on sale, the Hector’s price is expected to be in the Rs 15-20 lakh range (ex-showroom), which will see it go up against the likes of the Tata Harrier and Jeep Compass.

Hyundai Kona 2019 coming in the second half of this year

Almost all major automakers will be showcasing their electric products for the Indian car market in 2019. Tata, Ford, Maruti, Mahindra, Jaguar, Nissan, etc are all planning to introduce some of the other electric cars in India soon. The South Korean giant, Hyundai isn’t far behind in this race. Hyundai Kona 2019 electric is going to be the first car that the manufacturer gets for the Indian car market. The car will be launched in late-2019. The manufacturer will be launching the upcoming compact SUV – the Hyundai Venue in the month of May this year followed up by a facelifted version of the Hyundai Tucson.

From what we understand the Kona electric will take either the CKD route. Hyundai will be offering this new SUV for the Indian car market at an affordable price, a CBU would be more expensive. This will be a lot more affordable and practical choice than Ionic. The lower pricing should favor the Kona electric. It has been recently spied testing on Indian roads, and to check those pictures out scroll down now.

If the company goes ahead with this electric vehicle, then expect it by mid-2019. This will be an all-new vehicle and doesn’t share any kind of platform with other products. Moreover, the electric battery pack will make it a complete import. We will update this story as and when we have more information on this.Minimum Price₹ 22 lakhsMaximum Price₹27 lakhs

The Kona would have been something in the Creta pricing. Hence, we reckon the regular petrol and diesel version should have costed about  10-15 lakhs. Whereas the electric will be more expensive and the additional duty charges make it about ₹ 22-27 lakhs. This is an expensive price tag as the vehicle will not be locally built completely. Once that can be achieved the pricing will drop and we will see that for all the electric vehicles. The Indian government is looking to curb the import of fossil fuels and electric vehicles is the only way out of that.

Specifications:-

In international markets, the Kona EV is available with two options – a 39kW battery pack with about 312km claimed range and a 64kW unit with a 482km range on a single charge. For India, Hyundai is expected to bring the 39kW model, which makes the equivalent of 136hp and 395Nm of peak torque, has a claimed 0-100kph time of 9.7sec and a top speed of 155kph.

The lithium-ion battery pack can be charged to 80 percent capacity in as little as 54min using a 100kW DC fast charger, or 6hr 10min from a standard AC source.

Design:-

This is a stylish crossover. The Hyundai Kona 2019electric will look no different from its petrol and diesel siblings. There is a large trapezoidal front grille with honeycomb mesh. The headlamps and daytime running LEDs are sleek and pulled back. Front fogs are circular. The side profile is well chiseled with crisp lines running across. There are 17-inch wheels and pillars and roof are blacked out. It doesn’t have the appearance of an SUV or the road presence of the Creta but it does stand out in styling. There are several bits about this crossover that are not very Hyundai SUV design.

Stylish all-black interiors complement the exterior styling. There is large touchscreen jutting out like a tab. There are other elements like a new-gen steering wheel, climate control and all the bells and whistles you need in an SUV. There will be space for five and more than sufficient ample headroom and knee room in both the rows. We need to wait until we get to review the Kona in detail.

In comparison to the standard Kona SUV, the Hyundai Kona 2019electric gets subtle visual differences outside. These subtle changes are like the absence of exhausts, a closed grille and 17-inch alloy wheels, while the cabin features a digital dashboard. Hyundai claims that the battery pack has been integrated into the SUVs’ platform without compromising on interior space, although the charging cable at the rear has caused the car’s original 373-liter boot space to fall to 332 litres.

         
                   

The Hyundai Kona 2019 electric is meant to be a statement to show Hyundai’s commitment to an EV future. This means that it is not expected to sell in large numbers. Hyundai plans to keep a framed target of about 50-60 units per month. However, the Korean brand is looking at locally assembling the Kona EV using CKD units in order to keep costs down. The Kona will not face competition from its own segment right away but from the electric cars that will come at a lower price and will be more affordable. MG, Kia, Mahindra, and many manufacturers are planning electric SUVs for India soon. People who want to by an expensive SUV and want an electric car will have the Kona as a choice as of now.

New Ford SUV Puma to sit above the Ford EcoSport

Ford is planning to bring an all-new SUV for the global markets that it will be positioned above the EcoSport. The brand’s compact SUV. This new SUV is likely to be around 4.2m-long and will take on the likes of the Hyundai Creta and Kia's upcoming SUV the SP concept. Expected to be called the Ford Puma, this new SUV will sit on the latest-gen Fiesta’s underpinnings. This new SUV is likely to see a global unveil next week at an event in Amsterdam.

With this new SUV, Ford aims to attract those want a crossover-style SUV that is larger than the EcoSport but smaller than a Kuga. The new Ford Puma is likely to come with a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel engine. The model will share quite a few of its underpinnings, along with engine and gearboxes, with the latest-gen Fiesta hatchback.

Reference:- https://www.autocarindia.com/car-news/new-ford-puma-suv-to-sit-above-the-ecosport-412127

8th generation Porsche 911 

The Porsche 911 is iconic in shape and is identifiable as one from a mile away. Hardcore versions do look more substantial, with their wide bodies and fixed spoilers.

As per report the latest generation Porsche 911 will launch in India on 11 April 2019. The prices of the 2019 Porsche 911 are expected to fall in the range of INR 1.6-1.9 crore (ex-showroom). It will rival cars like Nissan GT-R, Audi R8 and Mercedes AMG-GT.

The eighth-gen 911 will make its local debut in the Carrera S and 4S coupe and cabriolet variants. It is underpinned by a re-engineered platform that is capable of supporting a hybrid powertrain. Powering the Carrera S and 4S models is an updated 3.0-litre turbocharged flat-six motor that comes mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The engine produces a maximum power of 450 PS at 6,500 rpm and a peak torque of 530 Nm at 2,300-5,000 rpm.Thanks to the extra traction from the 4-wheel drive, the Carrera 4S is capable of accelerating from 0-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds, which makes it 0.1 seconds quicker than the Carrera S. Both the models are roughly 0.4 seconds faster compared to than their predecessors. Moreover, the 0-100 km/h timing can be reduced by 0.2 seconds by opting for the optional Sport Chrono Package. The Carrera 4S and Carrera S have a top speed of 306 km/h and 308 km/h, respectively.

The new-gen Porsche 911 features an evolved design that looks more modern than that of the outgoing version. The increased dimensions play's an vital role in enhancing the road presence of the supercar. The front-end of the supercar is characterised by a set of higher-set headlamps that features several LEDs. The rear-end features a seamless light bar that runs across the width of the vehicle.

On the inside, the latest Porsche 911 features a 10.9-inch central touchscreen system that runs Porsche Communication Management (PCM) infotainment suite. The standard equipment list now includes a wet driving mode as well.

Hyundai Venue

Hyundai has finally announced the name of its sub 4m, compact SUV that will be unveiled on 17th of April 2019. Hyundai Venue, known as the Hyundai QXi (codename) will be rivalling the Maruti Suzuki Vetara Brezza, Ford Ecosport, Mhaindra XUV 300 and Tata Become.

The Hyundai Venue styling has been inspired from the upcoming Hyundai Kona with its split light format. The side profile will be similar to that of the Hyundai Creta while the rear too will feature a modern design.

The new Hyundai Venue will likely go on sale with a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol  producing 120PS and 117Nm of torque, 1.4-litre naturally aspirated petrol and a 1.4-litre turbo-diesel motor which produces 90PS of power and 224Nm of torque.

As per reports With 33 connectivity features, the Hyundai Venue promises to set the standard for in-car technology among compact SUVs. The ‘Smart Connected SUV’, as Hyundai calls it, will get 33 connectivity features, of which 10 have been developed specifically for India. The India-specific list comprises the following: 

‌Driving Behaviour

‌Share the destination 

‌Real time vehicle tracking 

‌Share and track vehicle location by family

‌Out-of-area alert 

‌Speed Alert 

‌Time fencing alert 

‌Valet Alert 

‌Idle Alert 

‌Server voice recognition for Indian English enunciation .

All new Porsche Cayenne

The all new Porsche Cayenne coupe is an upmarket SUV that's traded a bit of practicality in d name if style. The Porsche Cayenne coupe will rival cars such as the BMW X6 and the Mercedes Benz GLE.

While the standard Porsche Cayenne is costs up to 1.19cr (ex-showroom) the Porsche Cayenne coupe will start around 1.40cr(ex-showroom). The 2020 Porsche Cayenne couple will be offered with 2 engine options. The 3.0liter turbo charged V6 which will produce around 339 PS and 440 nm of torque. It can do 0-100 in just 5.7 sceonds. While the second engine is a 4.0 liter twin-turbocharged V8 which will produce around 200 more HP which is 550hp and 770 nm of torque. This engine can do 0-100 in just 3.7 seconds which makes it one of the fastest SUVs.

In terms of design the coupe is a sleeker version of the standard Porsche Cayenne with a smaller wind screen,  sloping roofline and a liftback like posteriors. The Porsche Cayenne coupe also has an active roof spoiler which will rise up to 5.3inch when reached at a speed of 90km/h to increase the downforce. The Porsche Cayenne coupe gets an redesigned bumper as compared to the standard Cayenne and if wished required can make front looks more sportier
by picking up the sports package.