But what about hatchbacks? Well, they’re still in demand too and we think they still would be in the near future. After all, small, affordable and peppy cars are always good in have in congested cities. Speaking of small cars, the Kia Picanto has made quite a name since its launch a few years ago. Also known as ‘ Kia Morning’ in many countries, the Picanto is available in three engine options, funky colours and a few of the so called attractive features.

Based on the Hyundai i10 platform internationally, the Picanto is quite similar in size to that of the

i10 making it look like one too, if you look closely from different angles. But that’s possible only if you have a keen eye. The 2020 avatar of the Picanto has many aesthetic changes made to it which make it a bit overwhelming for a small car.

The front end gets a new chrome ‘Tiger Nose’ grille, LED projector headlamps, a redesigned bumper with a new place for the fog lights and bigger air dams. Overall, we think Kia has tried to make the Picanto look a bit aggressive but the front actually looks like there’s too much happening there all at the same time. A bit cramped of sorts.

The rear and sides too don’t miss out on the 2020 updates. The rear bumper gets a diffuser, taillights are now LED and the alloy wheels get a new design. Yes, we know, it looks like it has fake exhausts. The look at the back is opposite from what’s happening in the front. There’s lots of space the designers could fill stuff in. Or not, perhaps.

Speaking of the interior, most things looked the same as the earlier models except for a few additions that would make it a highly attractive package in India. A large eight- inch touch screen Infotainment System with UVO connectivity suite, automatic AC, push button start- stop, an electric sunroof, ventilated front seats and a semi digital instrument panel with a 4.2 inch multi- information display. As keen drivers, we liked the electric sunroof bit the most.

Speaking of the heart of the matter, the Kia Picanto comes with three engine options- a 1.0 litre three cylinder naturally aspirated engine churning out 75 bhp and 95NM of torque, a four cylinder 1.2 litre engine making around 85 bhp and lastly, a 1.0 litre three cylinder turbo petrol engine producing 99 bhp. That’s a lot of choice for a small car! The three cylinder motors however get only a 5 speed manual gearbox whereas the four cylinder motor gets the option of a 4- speed automatic.

Safety too isn’t compromised. It has what most modern small hatchbacks come with- seven airbags, ABS, EBD, reverse parking assist, and many other features which we may not see in India even if the car is launched soon. The seven airbags option is also a great start in terms of safety for a small car like the Picanto and we do hope to see it if at all the car is launched in India.

Speaking of the Kia Picanto launch in India, Kia has expressed that it isn’t keen on entering the hatchback segment in India yet, especially when it is currently focussing on bringing the compact SUV Kia Sonet into India soon. But with times changing quickly, you may see the Picanto on Indian roads sooner than expected. Or, maybe not so soon. Well, only time will tell in case you’ve been waiting for this hatchback.

The Nissan Magnite production version was revealed a couple of weeks ago and now the price has been revealed online before its official launch. 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-tone interior

• 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 color 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 tailgate, and a dual-tone bumper. The Magnite is also set to be the first model in India to sport the new Nissan logo.

Interior:

The interior too is quite close to the concept with a large, centrally-mounted 8” touchscreen and layered dashboard with hexagonal AC vents.

Powertrain:

The Nissan Magnite will be available with two engine options. The first will be the 1.0L Energy series, 3 cylinders Naturally aspirated engine from the Renault Triber, producing 72PS Power through a 5-speed manual gearbox. The second powertrain will be a new HRA0 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol unit producing around 100PS (97bhp) of power and 160Nm of torque which will be mated to a 5-speed manual transmission option as well as an X-TRONIC CVT automatic gearbox. 

The new HRA0 1.0 3 cylinders turbocharged engine will get mirror bore cylinder coating technology from its legendary sport's car Nissan GT-R which will help to reduce the resistance inside the powertrain and also it will increase the overall efficiency of the engine.

The XE variant will be available only with the 1.0L naturally aspirated engine.

Pricing and launch:

The new Nissan Magnite will be launched with pricing by early December 2020. 

All-new Nissan Magnite Compact SUV Expected Price will start from 5.5 lakh and the top-spec Turbo Petrol CVT variant will go up to 9.55 Lakh.

All-new Nissan Magnite Variant wise price details (ex-showroom)

• 1.0L Petrol XE - Rs 5,50,000
• 1.0L Petrol XL - Rs 6,25,000
• 1.0L Petrol XV - Rs 6,75,000
• 1.0L XV Premium - Rs 7,65,000
• 1.0L Turbo Petrol XL - Rs 7,25,000
• 1.0L Turbo Petrol XV - Rs 7,75,000
• 1.0L Turbo Petrol XV Premium - Rs 8,65,000
• 1.0L Turbo Petrol XL CVT Rs 8,15,000
• 1.0L Turbo Petrol XV CVT Rs 8,65,000
• 1.0L Turbo Petrol XV Premium CVT Rs 9,55,000

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.

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Ford India and Mahindra had formed a strategic alliance last year. The collaboration, using the strengths of both companies to deliver operational excellence and value to stakeholders. The partnership will allow Ford and Mahindra to offer new product to customers faster than before and will deliver profitable growth to both companies.  We have more received news that Ford’s new line-up of SUVs from the Ford-Mahindra joint venture will be designed by Italian design house Pininfarina which itself is now owned by Mahindra.

Ford Midsize SUV:

      This new mid size 5 seat Ford C segment SUV is likely to be

based on the next-generation Mahindra XUV500 which is currently in testing phase. Both, the underpinnings and the powertrain of the XUV500 will be shared with the Ford SUV. The Mahindra XUV500 is likely to be powered by a mHawk 2.2-litre diesel producing 156PS and a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine from the mStallion engine family producing around 170PS. The new Ford ‘CX757’ SUV will rival the Jeep Compass, Tata Harrier and the MG Hector in the Indian market and expected launch will be to happen only after the launch of the new XUV 500 late next year.
      
Ford Compact SUV:

       A smaller 4300mm length B-SUV will be launched after the C segment SUV. Codenamed ‘BX745’, the B segment SUV is likely to be based on an extended version of the XUV300 and is also expected to be designed by Pininfarina. The B-SUV is likely to arrive with a 1.5-litre TGDi (turbo-petrol) from Mahindra mStallion family producing  around 150PS and a 1.5-litre diesel producing 120PS as well. The smaller B segment SUV will compete against the best selling Hyundai Creta and the Kia Seltos when launched in Early 2022.
       
Ford Sub Compact SUV:

      The last of the three new SUVs is the next-generation Ford EcoSport sub compact SUV. This new EcoSport is codenamed ‘BX744’ and is also likely to get the design inputs for Pininfarina. The next-generation EcoSport is expected to be powered by the Mahindra XUV300’s 1.2-litre TGDi (turbo-petrol) engine producing 130PS along with the familiar 1.5L 4 cyl diesel engine producing 120PS.
      
   Stay tuned for further information on these new SUVs from the Ford-Mahindra alliance.