Ford Motor Company's new premium 7 seater SUV, the Equator has been leaked online. The much awaited new SUV is all geared up for launch in the coming months in China with bookings to be opened early next year. The Ford Equator is exclusively built for the Chinese market.
Manufactured under the Jiangling-Ford joint venture, this new large SUV will rival the Hyundai Palisade, Toyota Highlander and the Jeep Commander. The details, specifications and other details of this new SUV have surfaced online on a Chinese social media platform.
The new Equator has a unique front end with a wide grille with honeycomb inserts, resembling the MG Gloster/Maxus D90. The SUV features a set of small headlights on top with integrated daytime running LEDs while the actual headlamps are placed just above the air intakes.
The rear features horizontal LED tail lamps connected by a thick LED strip running across the width. The bold Equator lettering on the tailgate is mounted in the middle below the Ford badge. There are also twin tailpipes and a subtle faux diffuser.
According to the leaked documents, the SUV has a length of 4,905 mm (193 inches), with a width of 1,930 mm (76 inches), the height of 1,755 mm (69 inches) and a 2,865 mm (113 inches) wheelbase.
The Ford Equator SUV will be available with a 2.0-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder petrol engine mated to either a five-speed automatic transmission or a five-speed manual transmission. An all-wheel drive configuration is also expected on the top-end variants.
The new Ford Equator SUV will be launched early 2021. Stay tuned for further updates.
The Nissan Magnite production version was revealed a couple weeks ago. This new compact SUV is going to be the Make-it or Break-it product for Nissan India. Now we have got the details of the variants and features split up of the new compact SUV. Here are some clear details on what to expect:
Variants:
The Magnite will be sold in four variants, namely the XE, XL, XV and the XV premium. All variants except for the entry-level XE can be ordered with either the 1.0L non turbo or the turbo petrol engine. Let's take a look at the features on offer:
XE variant:
16” wheels
Dual
Dual tone bumpers
Roof rails
All power windows
3.5” LCD display
Dual airbags
ABS with EBD
Reverse sensors
Central locking
Pretensioner seatbelts
XL variant:
Electric ORVMs with auto fold
Auto climate control
6 speaker audio system
Steering mounted audio controls
XV (High):
16” Dual tone alloy wheels
LED DRLs
LED fog lamps
8” touchscreen
Wireless Android auto & Apple carplay
7” TFT colour instrument cluster
Voice commands
Reverse camera
Smart key access
Push button start
60:40 split folding rear seat
XV (Premium):
LED bi-projector headlamps
Cruise control
360 degree surround View camera
Tire pressure monitoring
All black interior
XV (Premium) optional:
Dual tone roof
Technology pack
The Nissan Magnite will also be available with an optional Technology Pack on the XV and XV Premium variants. Features on this package include:
Wireless smartphone charging
Air purifier
Ambient mood lighting
Puddle lamps
JBL speakers
Exterior
The production-spec Nissan Magnite seems to retain most of the concept’s design elements including the large grille, the Sharp creases and the funky alloy wheels. It has even the same sculpted bonnet and angular headlights. Since the Magnite was originally meant to be launched as a Datsun, the grille bears resemblance to the other Datsun models.
The side profile looks muscular with prominent body cladding and large wheel arches which seem to dwarf the 16” wheels. The higher spec variants also receive a dual-tone roof option, blacked-out pillars and silver roof rails. At the back, the Magnite sports sharp looking tail lamps which resemble those on the Triber's, a clean tail gate and a dual tone bumper. The Magnite is also set to be the first model in India to sport the new Nissan logo.
The interior too is quite close to the concept with a large, centrally mounted 8” touchscreen and layered dashboard with hexagonal AC vents.
The Nissan Magnite will be available with two engine options. The first will be the 1.0L Energy series, 3 cyl Naturally aspirated engine from the Renault Triber, producing 72PS Power through a 5 speed manual gearbox. The second powertrain will be a new 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol unit producing around 100PS through either a 5 speed manual or CVT automatic gearbox.
The XE variant will be available only with the 1.0L naturally aspirated engine.
The new Nissan Magnite will be launched with pricing by early December 2020. The Magnite is also likely to be priced very aggressively with expected starting price of Rs.5.5L ex showroom for the entry level non turbo variant. The fully loaded top spec variant is expected to be priced equivalent to the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, one of its chief rivals. When launched, the Magnite will go against the Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Ford Ecosport, Mahindra XUV300 and the Honda WRV as well.
Stay tuned for further updates on the Nissan Magnite.
Morris Garages India have have launched their new flagship full size Gloster SUV in India ranging from Rs.28.9L to Rs.35.3L. Bookings are now open for the feature loaded full size SUV, with the booking advance of Rs.1L. MG’s full-size SUV will be available with either a six- or seven-seat layout and will offer 4WD as an option. The MG Gloster is a rebadged version of China's Maxus D90 which is also sold as the LDV D90 in Australia.
Variants and features:
The Gloster is available in four trim levels – Super, Smart, Sharp and Savvy. The MG Gloster Savvy and Sharp variants
The top spec Savvy variant will include the following features:
All LED Headlamps & tail lamps
Cornering assist lamps
Auto headlamps & wipers
Auto Dimming IRVMs
19" alloy wheels
Panoramic sunroof
Auto park assist
12 way Power adjustable driver seat with memory
8 way Power adjustable passenger seat
Triple zone auto climate control
Ventilated front seats
Massaging driver seat
Auto park assist
Intelligent auto start Stop
PM 2.5 filter
Smart powered tailgate
Heated and smart ORVMs
Tire pressure monitoring system
12.2” touchscreen system
i-Smart connected car tech
Digital instrument cluster
Leather upholstery
The MG Gloster also features Advanced Driver Assist Systems which include:
Adaptive Cruise control
Automatic parking assist
Forward Collision warning
Auto emergency braking
Blind spot detection
Lane departure warning
Powertrain:
The Gloster will be available with two 2.0-litre diesel engine options. The Super and Smart Variants will be available with a single turbocharger engine and develops 163hp and 375Nm, while the Sharp and Savvy Variants will get a twin turbo unit developing a superior 218hp and 480Nm. An 8-speed automatic gearbox is standard on both engines. The twin turbo engine will be available with Borg Warner's shift-on-the fly four-wheel drive with selectable drive modes including Snow, Sand, Mud, Rock, Auto, Eco and Sport modes. The single turbo diesel is two-wheel drive only.
Safety features:
The Gloster has been awarded 5 Star rating at the Australian NCAP crash tests and includes a long list of standard safety features:
6 airbags
All wheel disc brakes
ABS with EBD
ESP with traction control
Hill hold control
Hill descent control
Auto vehicle hold
Roll movement intervention
Electro mechanical differential lock
Pretensioner seatbelts
360 degree camera
Driver Fatigue reminder
Heated ORVMs
Electric parking brake
Smart key access
Pricing and launch:
The new MG Gloster is competing against other full-size, 7-seat ladder-frame SUVs including the Ford Endeavour, Toyota Fortuner and the Mahindra Alturas G4. Prices for the Single turbo diesel range start from Rs.28.98L for the Super Variant and goes upto Rs.30.98L for the Smart variant. The Twin Turbo range starts from Rs.33.68L for the Sharp 7 seater with the 6 seater costing Rs.33.98L and the top spec Savvy 6 seater priced at Rs.35.38L.
These prices simply make the Gloster the best value for money full size SUV compared to its rivals.
The popular performance version of the Octavia- the RS has a new version- the RS 245 and straight away, it has some striking numbers. Starting with the price- at 35.99 Lakhs, the introductory price tag is quite brave to be honest. But again, only 200 units of this car will be available in India so yes, it does have that special touch to it.
Talking of more numbers- the RS 245 is equipped with the 2.0 Litre TSI petrol unit that churns out 245 PS and 370 NM of torque. Connected to a 7 Speed automatic Dual Clutch Gearbox compared to
While the performance has changed, the exterior remains the same mostly. A sports butterfly grille, gloss black touches, projector headlamps, LED DRLs, LED tail lights, sporty tailpipes, the sport vRS badging, 18- inch glossy Black Dual Tone alloy wheels make this car very appealing to look at. We the like the way it looks like a normal sedan but has some prominent highlights to it that don’t scream performance but when you need it, it is all at your disposal. So much, that it will surprise many!
The interior does look like a normal Skoda Octavia apart from some exception like RS seats with perforated leather and red stitching, 3- spoke flat bottom steering wheel with paddle shift. LED ambient lighting, an 8 –inch touch screen infotainment system with Apple Car Play and Android Auto, digital instrument panel, dual-zone Climatronic air conditioning suggest that comfort and convenience is in no way compromised for the sake of performance. Some optional features include Black Alcantara sport seats and a 12- way electrically adjustable driver and passenger seats.
The Skoda Octavia RS 245 also comes with loads of safety tech like ABS, ESC, Mechanical brake assist (MBA), multi- collision brake (MCB), adaptive front- light system (AFS), Anti- slip regulation (ASR) and Electronic differential lock (ESR). So, this car then does add a lot to the confidence.
Available in five colours like Race Blue, Magic Black, Rallye Green, Corrida Red, and Candy White. The Skoda Octavia RS 245 is a highly desirable performance car for enthusiasts who want to drive tastefully.