2013 LEXUS RX BROCHURE LEAKED

                   2013 LEXUS RX BROCHURE LEAKED

Leaked  the first photos of 2013 to Lexus RX on the brochure Japanese, which got an update after 3 years of the launch of the current generation, comes this update to coincide with the Lexus updated all of its cars, including the so-called update mid-life, which normally carry out auto companies during the half period of each generation of cars.

Lexus RX got a grille of a new identity for the new Lexus, which operates Lexus is now added in all its cars, and also got Saddam in front of me again and lamps locate  containing lights LED work during the day (daytime running lights), as well as the rear lights up to date, and rims new .

In the interior, we note that Lexus has changed the steering wheel, and is expected to be added entertainment system optional for the rear seats. including the news the most prominent is that Lexus will produce a copy F sports for the RX 350 and RX 450h sport, is evident from the photos leaked, where it will be characterized by Saddam's new front grille sporting a wider from the bottom, in addition to the tag side and back, and rims sports, lamps background opaque black, as well as steering athletes and additions to the engine to increase performance.

Lexus will reveal officially 2013 RX in the coming weeks, and we expect to reach the markets to the quarter last quarter of 2012.

Source – Toyota club saudi

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CHALLENGING OF LEXUS IN INDIA

CHALLENGING OF LEXUS IN INDIA

A lot of us German car owners simply can’t wait for 2013 when Lexus arrives on Indian shores. After all, Lexus’ cars are known to offer stupendously high reliability, and are as hassle-free to own as a Corolla. That’s saying a lot when the direct competition – Mercedes, BMW & Audi – inexplicably suffers from poor reliability ratings & expensive upkeep costs. I mean, when a humble Maruti Alto can offer years of reliable service, what reason do the Germans have for their failure? We even have a thread on the love affair between European cars & flatbed

Then, Lexus is also known to provide unparalleled refinement levels, matches (or beats) the Germans on spec & features and has established itself as a luxury car marque in only 25 years since introduction. Lexus’ service quality is the stuff of legend; the brand has frequently topped customer satisfaction rankings and is known to bend over backward for its clientèle. No surprise then that Lexus has been the best selling luxury brand in North America for a majority of the last decade.

Personally, I'm a fan of Lexus' clean designs as well. This is definitely an advantage in my book, compared to the quirkiness of recent Mercedes cars. Of course, BMW studios have returned to churning out the timeless look, while Audi has always had some of the greatest looking cars.

The understated nature of Lexus could work in its favour, with the rich customer who doesn't necessarily want to draw attention to his wealth. However, Lexus is going to face more than its share of challenges in our extremely unique market. Reasons:

   

Late Entry : The 3 German biggies are well-established in India. Arriving last at the party does have its own set of disadvantages, chief amongst them being that your competitors are well-entrenched in the mindset of the Indian customer. The competition's dealership network & brand visibility are formidable too.

     

    Diesels : Lexus has a shockingly limited range of diesel engines. The GS is sold only with a petrol. Chief competitors – the E Class & 5 series – offer two diesel engine options (a 4 & 6 cylinder) each. The Lexus IS220d (C Class competitor) does have a 2.2L diesel under the hood. But then again, the flagship Lexus LS hasn’t ever been powered by an oil-burner. This is one of the main reasons that Lexus hasn’t been able to make a mark in Europe. The brand is too dependent on the petrol-only USA market to be bothered with diesels.

   

           SUVs? : Not having a strong lineup of SUVs will affect Lexus’ India aspirations at a time when our market cant seem to get enough of them. Just ask Audi whose sales for the initial years in India were driven primarily by SUVs. The compact Lexus RX is a petrol-only SUV, a breed that simply doesn’t make the cut in India. The bigger GX & LX are basically rebadged, spiced up versions of the Prado & Landcruiser (respectively). Seeing not too many people are buying a 1 crore Landcruiser, I doubt the more-expensive Lexus variant will make any impact.

     

        Lacks excitement : Lexus' are supremely refined & comfortable, yes. Equally, they are known to be boring to drive. This immediately takes the brand off the list of the enthusiasts. In addition, being perceived as boring can affect brand perceptions. The Lexus LFA is one exception, albeit it's a niche product that will probably never see Indian shores.

   

            Speed & Response time : BMW entered the market in 2007; yet, it has become the No.1 luxury car marque in India, continuously beating Mercedes & its 10 year lead. BMW has proven that a fast, extremely aggressive strategy is key to market penetration. On the other hand, Toyota is known to be a slow, steady mover. Consider how many years it took the Fortuner to enter India, even though it had a market ready and waiting. Can Lexus match the speed of its super-aggressive German rivals? Audi recently stated that it will overtake Mercedes in 2 years. Obviously, the VW group company has no intentions of slowing down.

    

           Brand : In the 20+ lakh segment, brand is everything. The badge can make or break your product. While Lexus is well-established in North America, it doesn't quite enjoy the same appeal in other markets. Building the Lexus brand & image in India will be an extremely delicate exercise. Will Lexus be able to build the same aspirational value that the three-pointed star or blue/white roundel enjoy?

  

        Local Assembly vs CBU : Mercedes (especially) and BMW already assemble their volume cars here, giving them a crucial cost advantage. Audi is also in the process of locally assembling its popular cars & SUVs. Initial rumours suggest that Lexus will be brought in via the CBU (completely built unit) route. I hope the rumours are wrong, as this move will give Lexus a severe price disadvantage. In North America, Lexus undercuts the Germans by a noticeable margin and that's exactly how things ought to be in India.

Source - teambhp

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2013 AUDI Q7 PICS

                               
             2013 AUDI Q7  PICS

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SKODA RAPID HATCH PICS

                             SKODA RAPID HATCH PICS

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BMW INDIA LAUNCHED CAR LEASING SERVICE LIKE MERCEDES

BMW INDIA LAUNCHED CAR LEASING SERVICE LIKE MERCEDES

Taking a cues  from rival Mercedes' book, German luxury car maker BMW's financial arm, BMW Financial Services India has introduced the lease facility here. This option allows a customer to drive a BMW  lease entitles a customer to the JOY of driving a BMW of choice of his/her choice for a fixed period of time and for a pre-decided rental.

Under BMW Financial Services India, BMW Lease will offer cars for a fixed period of time in return for a pre-decided monthly rental. Available through its dealers, the service will initially be offered in six States — Delhi, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka & Maharashtra.

Mr Dan DeChristopher, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, BMW India Financial Services said, “BMW Lease provides customised financing options, flexible lease tenures & better tax benefits. We are confident it will provide further impetus to BMW India sales.”

With a lower ownership cost, customers can choose between a finance lease & operating lease. Under the first option, all substantial risks and rewards incidental to the ownership of the vehicle is transferred to the customer. At the end of the tenure, the customer has an option to retain the vehicle at a price substantially lower than the market price.

Under an operating lease, BMW bears the risk of ownership, and at the end of the lease a customer can decide to upgrade to a new BMW or purchase the vehicle at the prevailing market price.

Source -  thehindubusinessline

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NEXT GEN 2012 FORD ENDEVOUR TO GET THE CURRENT 3 – LITRE DIESEL ENGINE

NEXT GEN 2012 FORD ENDEVOUR TO GET  THE CURRENT 3 – LITRE DIESEL ENGINE

The Endeavour in Indian market and this SUV is largely based on the Ranger. Now, the quickly aging SUV is soldiering on in our country since quite some time.

However, Ford Endeavour has to be one of the few capable off roaders in India (this side of Toyota Fortuner).

It may be noted that the next gen of this SUV is currently undergoing development in Ford’s Broadmeadows design and engineering centre in Australia. The news is that the upcoming generation of this SUV should continue having the current gen’s 3.0 TDCI diesel motor under its hood. A recently published report by GoAuto.com.au says that the next gen Endeavour will come in LTD and XLT variants. While the LTD will be a 4×4 automatic, the XLT will come with a manual tranny and 4×2 and 4×4 options. Under the hood should be the same 3.0 litre oil burner that powers the current generation of the SUV.

The next gen Endeavour should be unveiled at the upcoming Bangkok Motor Show. Likewise the present gen car, the new Endeavour is based on the new Ford Ranger. The CKD units of this car will continue to be imported from Thailand even after the new vehicle is introduced sometime in 2013.

 

Source - goauto.com.au

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SPIED 2013 Mercedes-Benz G 65 AMG

        SPIED 2013 Mercedes-Benz G 65 AMG

Reports of an upcoming V12-powered halo version of the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen have existed since mid last year, & these spy photos of a G-Class prototype appear to lend credence to those rumours .

Spotted in Europe during winter testing & this lightly camouflaged G-Class ( seen here alongside its G 55 brother ) has a heavily-vented front bumper that is our only substantial clue as to what lies under its angular bonnet.

Some say it's powered by the 6.2 litre naturally-aspirated AMG V8 that's currently being phased out by Mercedes, but we're not so sure.

Source - MOTORREPORT

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THE MERCEDES BENZ E- CLASS GOING TO GET A FACELIFT ON 2013

THE MERCEDES BENZ E- CLASS GOING TO GET A FACELIFT ON 2013

Mercedes-Benz management continues the plans to attract new, younger clients towards the Three-Pointed Star with the unveiling of a massively rehauled E-Class beginning with 2013. The business limousine is scheduled to become more attractive through a new and far more dynamic design.

Although the overall dimensions will be kept untouched, the front and rear ends are bound to receive some major make-ups. The front fascia will get a pair of new headlights: no more quad architecture, but single-piece lights fitted with LED technology. The radiator grille will inspire a solid feel thanks to its impressive size and the "V" angulation, whereas the bumper is also destined to undergo a visual change. The 'Ponton' crease will fly away from the sides and the tail lamps will be refreshed as to meet the demands of the new design package. Not long ago, a W 212 prototype with minor upgrades was spotted, but most probably, more is to come this year. Test vehicles for the 2013 E-Class should hit streets very soon.

Source – autobild.de, mercedes-benz-blog

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THE NEW GENERATION MERCEDES S – CLASS IN 2013

THE NEW GENERATION MERCEDES  S – CLASS  IN 2013

 

The  new  generation Mercedes-Benz S-class is slowly becoming more apparent: the S arrives in 2013 and will be joined by around half a dozen spin-offs, as Daimler seeks to replace the unsuccessful Maybach limo range.

CAR's new illustration pics capture the W222, the 2013 S-class which arrives first. It will also be sold as a long wheelbase model, codenamed V222 and also arriving in 2013.

Source – autobild.de, popularcars.host56.com

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Honda India Back to Normal Production

  Honda India Back to Normal Production

The Indian unit of Honda Motor Co. Resumed normal car production at its factory in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, having recovered from a shortage in supply of parts from Thailand following heavy floods there last year.

Honda Siel Cars India Ltd. aims to make 370 cars a day in two shifts, rising to 440 cars a day from next week, said Jnaneswar Sen, the company’s senior vice president for marketing and sales.

“Honda Siel Cars India Ltd has been carefully monitoring the part supply process and has taken all the necessary recovery actions to normalize [the] production situation with critical components now being sourced from Japan and China,” Mr. Sen said.

Production of the new City sedan has already resumed, according to the company, which said it made more than 1,500 units of the model in January.

Mr. Sen said production of the Brio small car has also already resumed, while that of the Jazz small car will start towards the end of the month.

  Honda Siel Cars India Ltd stopped making the new Brio model in January because of the shortage in parts supply from Thailand, the source of some of its electronic and under-body car parts.

 Honda Siel Cars India Ltd , which is 99.9%-owned by Honda and 0.1% by India’s Siel Ltd., makes the Brio and Jazz hatchbacks as well as the City and Accord sedans at its factory in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh state. It also imports the CR-V sport-utility vehicle.

Honda Siel Cars India Ltd can produce up to 100,000 cars a year at the Noida facility.

Source - wsj.com

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Toyota Kirloskar India launched a cheaper version of Corolla Altis Automatic called the 1.8 G-HV variant.

Toyota Kirloskar India launched a  cheaper  version of Corolla Altis Automatic called the 1.8 G-HV variant

Toyota India has introduced new petrol variants of its D-segment sedan Corolla Altis. The new petrol variant called G(HV) comes with a same 1.8-litre petrol engine and the seven-speed CVT automatic transmission, also available on the top-end VL variant. Toyota has priced the G(HV) at Rs 13.76 lakhs ( ex-showroom Delhi ) , which is Rs 1.23 lakhs cheaper than the V automatic variant.

Toyota India has introduced this model with limited branding activities, but we can’t help but highlight the fact that this is not the cheapest automatic in the D-segment. Since the engine and transmission are the same from the top-end, the company has compromised on few features to reduce the cost.

Besides lower maintenance costs, compared to other vehicles in the segment , the  new Corolla vehicle is looked upon as a secure and safe vehicle due to safety features like being bomb proof. Corolla Altis G-HV has a touchscreen DVD console with Bluetooth connectivity. Obviously a host of other luxury features will have to be done away with so as to compensate the lower price tag.

The features that have been deleted include electric seats, leather upholstery replaced by fabric seats, Xenons with headlamp washers replaced by normal headlamps, retractable rear sun shade, start/stop button, keyless entry retained without smart entry,full leather wrapped steering retained without wood wrap.

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2013 Audi A3

             2013 Audi A3

These illustrations match spy shots and concepts we have already seen.

So they are really close to the production model.

Just like other Audis, there will be no surprises. The hatch looks barely new compared to the current car.

 

Source –burlap cars

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2013 Mercedes A Class

        2013 Mercedes A Class

The A class will finally make it into the world with the 3rd generation.

These would do battle with the all new A3 from Audi, as well as the Lexus Ct200h.

Source –burlapp cars

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2013 LEXUS RX F SPORT & FACELIFTED PICS IN ONLINE LEAKED

2013 LEXUS RX F SPORT & FACELIFTED PICS IN ONLINE LEAKED

The Lexus brand's new family styling is beginning to take shape, with the new "spindle" grille debuting last year on the new GS sedan and the big LX luxury SUV.

Now, new brochure images obtained by Japanese website Minkara reveal an update to the RX midsized SUV. These reveal a new bumper and, of course, the new chrome-framed spindle grille.

The SUV's headlights have also been updated, and while the shape remains unchanged, the carmaker's familiar L-shaped LED daytime running light dominate the new look. The tail-lights have also been given a going-over.

Source – motorreport

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TOYOTA FT-Bh CITY CAR CONCEPT

    TOYOTA FT-Bh CITY CAR CONCEPT

Toyota says it will unveiling of a new city car concept at next month's Geneva Motor Show, potentially previewing a new rival for Volkswagen's entry-level Up ! Car .

Wearing the familiar 'FT' prefix carried by more than a few of Toyota's concepts, the new car will be dubbed FT-Bh - pointing to the car's B-segment city-car size, & a hybrid powertrain.

The hybrid system is expected to be the only powertrain option for the production version of the FT-Bh, setting it apart from the petrol-powered Up! &  the planned e-Up! electric vehicle.

Toyota says the FT-Bh has been designed to keep manufacturing costs down, with a focus on introducing the new model at a competitive point in Europe's hard-fought city-car market.

Little else has been revealed at this stage,  although a teaser illustration today suggests the concept will combine design elements from the current Prius, the new Yaris light car, and the recent NS4 concept.

Source – motorreport

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The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport coming on this march 2012.

The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport coming on this march 2012.

The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport coming on this 2012 march .

Until a few years ago, we had two generations of Pajeros being sold in India. Come to think of it, we still have two Pajeros being sold. The difference is that earlier, both were branded as Pajero and now the newer generation has been christened as the Montero. The generation that is still being sold as the Pajero dates back to 1991 and is the second generation of the Pajero SUVs (Montero being the third). 

A month back, we had reported that the vehicle will be launched towards the end of this month. Now, the car has been delayed again.The Mitsubishi Challenger, nay, the Pajero Sport will be here only by March, at least that is what our sources suggest. The Challenger started its life in 2008 and it seems to be taking a fair amount of time to come to India. The Pajero Sport gets the same 2.5 litre diesel engine that is internationally available in the Challenger. This oil burner pumps out a healthy 140 Ps of power and it is said that the engine is fine tuned for fuel efficiency.

It may be noted that we had been hoping to have a rendezvous with this vehicle back at the recently held Delhi Auto Expo. However, Mitsubishi had to opt out of it as it ended up having to delay the launch owing to the devastating floods which gave a blow to its production facility in Thailand.

The Pajero Sport comes with an All Wheel Control Super Select 4WD mechanism which makes the vehicle quite a capable soft roader. The Pajero Sport will come to India in a 7 seater avatar with 3 rows of seats. It will also come loaded with active safety features life ABS and EBD and dual front airbags.

The Pajero Sport will be launched in India initially as a CBU import. However, if the vehicle gets a good response, safely expect Mitsubishi to start with assembling the car in India. It may be noted that the very capable and our favorite Mitsubishi Outlander could never really do well in the market. Primarily, the lack of a diesel engine proved to be quite lethal to the handsome SUV.

  

However, The mitsubishi might still end up getting the better of Toyota if it puts a competitive price tag on thePajero Sport.

Source – motoroids

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MAHINDRA LAUNCHED NEW FACELIFTED XYLO

MAHINDRA LAUNCHED NEW FACELIFTED XYLO

                                                                                                                                         

Mahindra has launched its new facelifted Xylo that features massive muscular restyled.

Exterior changes on the face-lifted model are apparent right up front with a spirited new front grille, the nicely curved bonnet and the newly styled headlights, which add instant flair to the new MUV’s forward stance. A closer look reveals sporty air dams, refreshing body decals, a lot more pronounced wheel arches and chrome-tipped body moulding - all tasteful cosmetic touches to a new generation model that will now look prettier when it hits the streets and gets down to doing its business of moving people around in comfort.

Panache would be an over the top term to describe the interiors of this revamped people mover, but certain style and utility elements are definitely worth mentioning. ‘New and style’ are almost complimentary to one another in the advent of new car launches. However, on the new Xylo where comfortable long distance commutes are in sync with the MUV’s distinct character, the integration of genuine leather upholstery, a 2-DIN music system, a two-tone dash, new door trims and a noticeable glossy, wood-finished console now add some further sheen to its interior feel and ambience.

‘Utility’ is the Xylo’s middle name and for this reason, Mahindra has made it a point to add some needy functional gear to the interior of this MUV, like individual AC vents for rear passengers, foldable snack trays for easy consumption of meals over long commutes, handy laptop and mobile charging points and some well thought out storage spaces will make life within the four walls of the car a lot less cluttered.

The new Xylo comes with three engine options to better suit your driving requirement. First up is the powerful mHawk engine that also does duty on the company’s Genio pick up range and its princely XUV5OO SUV model.  A torquey mEagle and a more refined and efficient mDI CRDe engine will also be on offer as optional drivetrains for the new Xylo. Packed with Dual SRS airbags, an Intellipark reverse assist system, ABS with EBD and Extra Stability Technology (offered as standard across variants) safety on the new Xylo is exemplary for this pedigree of vehicle.

But what really sets this car apart and puts it at the top of India’s multi-utility vehicle charts is the introduction of a fully-functional and state-of-the-art Voice Command Technology, which through simple audio commands can operate your headlights, lock/unlock your doors, open your fuel lid and even warn you when a safety lapse is detected. This feature will make life a lot easier for daily commuters, who would rather sit back and play boss, while the car performs all the menial opening and closing chores.

Priced at Rs 7.37 lakh for the base D2 variant (cheaper than the previous generation D2 model), the new Xylo will be sold in seven trim levels depending on the level of equipment you wish to pay for, with the highest sum of Rs 10.25 lakh fetching you the top of the line E9 variant.

PRICES OF THE NEW MAHINDRA XYLO

Variant                   Price (ex-showroom, Delhi)

D2                                    Rs 7.37 lakhs

D4                                    Rs 7.77 lakhs

E4                                    Rs 8.11 lakhs

E4 ABS                           Rs 8.34 lakhs

E8                                     Rs 9.1 lakhs

E8 ABS and airbags       Rs 9.47 lakhs

E9                                      Rs 10.25 lakhs

Mahindra plans to launch the new Xylo is two phases, starting with Delhi, Maharashtra, UP, Bihar, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, AP, TN, Kerala and Karnataka in Phase I followed by the rest of the country in its subsequent and final launch phase.

Source – motoroids,zigwheels

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