Mahindra launches Xylo D2 Maxx 9 seater at Rs 7.12 lakh

India's leading utility vehicle maker Mahindra & Mahindra has today launched the Xylo D2 MAXX with 9 seats option, which makes it the first 9-seater Xylo model. Priced at Rs 7.12 lakh (BS3, ex-showroom, Mumbai), this variant gets side-facing rear seats in additon to the regualar model. The company claims the Xylo D2 MAXX to have received a new look front grille with Mahindra logo, new bumper with sporty air dams and wheel arches, giving it a distinct look.

According to Vivek Nayer, Chief Marketing Officer, Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. “The Xylo D2 MAXX with the mDI CRDe engine is a variant of the Xylo, which delivers great mileage, low maintenance and maximum space, making it a very popular choice with the tour and travel segment. Today, we are delighted to offer our customers the 9 seats option with side-facing rear seats – a feature preferred by the tour and travel segment. Given that the Xylo has best-in-class space, the side facing seats will provide a great deal of flexibility for carrying people or luggage.”

2014 Fiat Linea Facelift Spotted

We have been hearing about the updated Fiat Linea's Indian arrival ever since it was launched in international markets last year. Now when the vehicle has been spotted doing test runs several times, it assures of finally getting to see the vehicle launching here. Our friends at Team Fiat have now managed to click the clear exterior and interior pictures of the updated Linea, which was found in a still position somewhere.

Looking at the pictures, one can easily figure out that the new Linea has gone through cosmetic updates both inside and out, making it look refreshed and better than before. It now gets redesigned front grille, revised bumper, new fog lamp cluster and lots of chrome at the front fascia. At the rear as well, there is tweaked bumper and the number plate is now on the bootlid. However, the side profiles remains all the same.

New Fiat 500L MPW launched in UK

Fiat, the Italian automaker has launched the new Fiat 500L MPW in the UK market. It is the perfect expression of Fiat's know-how in making space-efficient cars with a twist-combining the charm and agility of the Fiat 500 with the comfort and contents of a C-segment car and the space and the versatility of a people carrier.

The Fiat 500L MPW offers in two compelling packages - a five seat and an optional 5+2-seat configuration. A five seat 500L MPW is a credible alternative to a traditional C-segment estate, combining exceptional roominess and comfort with an impressive load capacity of 638-litres. As a people carrier it is the most compact 5+2-seater* in its segment, measuring just 4,352mm in length, 1784mm in width and 1,667mm in height, while still offering the same kind of load-carrying versatility of the five-seat version when its rearmost seats are folded flat and stored neatly under the boot the floor.

EXCLUSIVE: Fiat India to introduce seven new models

Fiat India isn’t just setting up new dealerships, but it is also getting ready for several more launches. The company had recently unveiled the Grande Punto Sport, and now we will soon see the Abarth Punto and the Jeep Cherokee and Wrangler by the end of this year. These make it three for this year.

The currently sold Linea will get a facelift in the coming six months. There will be the Linea Classic also available in the market that will be lighter in weight and with lesser features than the existing Linea. The Linea Classic will have the same 1.3-litre multijet diesel engine, but the power could be reduced to 75bhp. This will compete in the C segment. In the second half of 2014, the Linea will be available only with a 1.4-litre T-Jet engine and 1.6-litre multijet. To further diversify its portfolio, Fiat will introduce the Punto Adventure, that will be something similar to the VW Cross Polo. CarDekho was the first to report on this, and we get you more insights of the Fiat’s future plans.

Fiat Linea Classic launching tomorrow

Fiat India is all set to launch the Linea Classic sedan at an event in Delhi tomorrow. It is expected to be a price cut version of the regular Linea model and will be positioned in the lower C-segment. The repositioning will help the Italian automaker to form a place for Linea facelift, which is expected to hit the Indian shores by the end of this year. It is also expected that the vehicle could carry a lower spec engine to keep costs down.

Since the company will launch the vehicle as a lower c-segment sedan, we can expect some features to be removed from the regular Linea. The Fiat Linea Classic might carry the same 1.4-litre petrol mill and 1.3-litre Multijet diesel engine. The exact pricing details of the vehicle is still behind curtains, but we expect it to be priced around 50,000-75,000 lesser than the regular Linea model. With affordable pricing the vehicle will compete against the likes of Swift Dzire, Ford Classic, Honda Amaze, Sail sedan and Toyota Etios.

Jeep Compact SUV to Bring Competition to Duster and EcoSport

The iconic SUV maker Jeep's Indian subsidiary has already disclosed its Indian plans, the company is planning to make the Indian debut with the popular Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee models. The company which has earlier revealed its plans of launching a B-Segment and a c-segment Compact SUVs in India, now further discloses that the said vehicles will be manufactured in India and then will be exported to several international markets.

Moreover, India will be the first market to receive the 2014 Jeep B-Segment SUV, which is expected to be priced around Rs 10-12 lakh and to compete against the likes of Renault Duster, Ford EcoSport and Mahindra Quanto. The B-segment SUV from the Jeep will house a 1.4-litre petrol and fiat's 1.6-litre multijet diesel engine.

One Millionth Jeep Wrangler JK Produced

Jeep Wrangler is no doubt one of the most iconic SUVs in the world, and yesterday the one-millionth JK model rolled off the assembly line at Chrysler Group’s Toledo (Ohio) Assembly Complex. The special occasion was attended by Chrysler executives, plant employees, UAW representatives and supplier partners. Chrysler Group’s Vice President- Vehicle Assembly Operations, Mauro Pino and Dan Henneman, Jeep Unit Chairman of UAW Local 12, drove the black 2013 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition, bound for a customer in Sarasota, Fla., off the final line to the applause of employees.  

“Every Jeep Wrangler sold to customers around the world is born in Toledo, Ohio,” said Pino. “Since this facility opened eight years ago, the Toledo workforce has built every one of those million vehicles with pride, passion and a focus on quality. We all look forward to building the next million.” Appreciating the efforts put by you workers, he further said, “More than 600 UAW-represented workers at the Wrangler assembly plant come to work every day with a dedication unmatched in the industry,” said Zach Leroux, Plant Manager – Toledo Assembly Complex, Chrysler Group. “We all understand that we are the keepers of the Jeep legacy and we take that role very seriously. The entire team is humbled to be part of this milestone moment.”

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) announced the start of its festive campaign ‘Q Service Sparkling offers’ – a 2 month long festive campaign conducted across Toyota dealerships in India between 1st October and 30th November 2013. Toyota has set a benchmark in the automobile industry for its quality products and more so for Q Class Service Experience. Keeping this tradition alive, Toyota has launched this service campaign. 

Under this campaign, all Toyota customers visiting Toyota Dealerships during campaign period will be eligible for a Specially Priced Comprehensive Service Package which includes Tire Care Package, Engine Protection Package, A.C. Care Package, Car Protection Package and Car Body Spa Package. Customers can also avail exciting free gift voucher on purchase of Smiles Toyota Service Value Pack. In addition to this, free movie vouchers on upgrade to Synthetic engine oil, which helps in improving overall efficiency of the car.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Sandeep Singh, Deputy Managing Director, TKM, said, “Toyota’s ‘Customer First’ approach is a culture that encourages us to ensure that the festive season is marked with ample glitter for our customers. The ‘Q Service Sparkling offers’ Campaign will add another feather in our hat of superior customer experience while optimizing the car care regime. The festive campaign aims to enhance customer satisfaction experience and gear up their vehicles for trouble free drives during this festive season.”

Toyota Kirloskar Motor has today introduced the updated Toyota Innova with a new top-end Z grade. Among the existing trims, the changes have been included in GX and VX trims, while the E and G Grade remain unchanged in both BS III & BS IV.

The Innova facelift now features a bigger chrome grille with three horizontal slats, revised front bumper, new airdam with redesigned fog lamps, body graphics on the doors, a new roof spoiler, chrome touches on the rear door, making it look more refreshed than before. The car has recieved some changes inside the cabin as well like a wood and silver finished dashboard panel, leather wrapped dual tone seats, wood finshed gear knob and armrest panel, new infotainment system, roof mounted screen and few more. The car hasn't recieved any mechanical changes, and is powered by the same 2.5-litre diesel and 2.0-litre petrol engines options. Both the engines come mated to a five speed manual transmission.

Jaguar Land Rover UK is celebrating record September sales with retail figures up 13 per cent year-to-date over the same period last year. Land Rover had its best ever September month of sales with 10,769 vehicles registered; up 11 per cent on the same month last year and 13 per cent up year-to-date. The bookends of the brand drove the impressive figures with a record September for the Land Rover Defender (up 30 per cent compared to the same period last year) and continued strong sales of Land Rover's flagship vehicle, the all new Range Rover (up 24 per cent compared to the same period last year)

The Range Rover Evoque continues to be successful (up 35 per cent September 2013 versus September 2012) and the new Range Rover Sport has made a strong start with sales of 1,309 vehicles during what is only the second month of customer deliveries. Monthly retail figures for Land Rover's newest model are set to increase in line with production ramp-up and will see the UK fulfil its healthy order bank over the coming months.

The Land Rover Discovery's popularity remains with outstanding residual values and class-leading versatility keeping sales stable. The Land Rover Freelander continues to have an excellent 2013 with retails up 13 per cent in September and 35 per cent year-to-date.

Jaguar is celebrating a 19 per cent increase in car sales year-to-date, with a year on year increase across its model range of seven per cent. The successful launch of the stunning new F-TYPE convertible sports car, of which more than 1,000 are now with UK customers, is one highlight in a year which has seen a surge in sales of the popular Jaguar XF executive car and XJ luxury saloon. In 2013 sales of the XF are up 12 per cent and XJ six per cent; a result of the introduction of new, efficient and high performance derivatives of each model.

French automaker Renault is working on hybrid technologies including a plug-in hybrid drivetrain, to be offered with its passenger vehicles by 2020, claims a French newspaper. Renault is already famous for its electric vehicles, and hybrid being a growing preferred option, too seems a step in the right direction.

In an interview with Les Echos, Renault's powertrain strategy director Marc Bodin said, "We are studying the gradual introduction of hybrids in our range by 2020." And he also said that the company is working on all available technologies from a mild hybrid to a plug-in hybrid.

When Automotive news contacted to a Renault spokesman, he said that Renault's hybrid plans are in the "exploratory stage". "We have yet to make a decision about whether we will launch a hybrid car model," he said. The spokesperson said that the automaker is working on a range of hybrid technologies, including a full hybrid drivetrain.