Ford India had plans of launching a new Midsize SUV based on the new platform of Mahindra when the JV between both companies had been announced. However, now that both brands have parted their ways, Ford India officially doesn’t have an India focused product in the pipeline. The Ford CSUV project along with the others have been put on hold while the company is going through feasible options.

Ford Territory based SUV:
Ford is now officially considering resuming the development of the CX757 CSUV on the platform which underpins the Ford Territory SUV sold in markets including China and Brazil.

The Territory is based on a lower cost platform by Jiangling Motors Corporation or JMC. The Territory was designed with the help of Ford’s R&D center in Australia to ensure quality standards and this is where the R&D of this new CX757 SUV is also likely to take place.

Dimensions:
While the CX757 was initially designed to be based on Mahindra’s new XUV700 platform with a similar length and wheelbase, the Ford Territory too has an identical wheelbase of 2,716mm. Also the Territory is likely to be similar in length to the new XUV700. This means Ford can easily integrate the design of the CX757 to the Ford Territory JMC platform without any significant changes to the Pininfarina design of this SUV.
 

Design:
The new CX757 is confirmed to have been designed by Pininfarina, the world famous studios that have designed numerous beautiful cars including some of the best Ferraris. Despite being based on the JMC platform, this new C-SUV is likely to be vastly different when compared to the Territory SUV.
 

Features and Tech:
Just like the exterior, the interior of the CX757 too will be significantly different compared to that of the Ford Territory’s. However most of the tech and features of the Territory are expected to be carried over to this SUV. Just like the Territory, it is expected to feature a dual tone colour theme with faux wood or metal finish along with plenty of soft touch surfaces for a premium feel.
The new C-SUV is likely to offer the latest tech and features in the Ford portfolio.

Expected features include:
10.1 inch touchscreen system
Sync 4 connectivity
Wireless Android auto/Apple carplay
Wireless charging
Dual zone Auto climate control
Panoramic sunroof
Powered driver seat
Digital instrument cluster
Ford Pass connected car tech
LED lighting
Auto headlamps & Wipers
Auto dimming IRVM
Keyless access and go
17 & 18 inch alloy wheels

Powertrain:
Ford currently manufactures the 2.0L EcoBlue Turbo Diesel engine in India for the Ford Endeavour. This engine is also being used in some FWD cars like the Mondeo and Edge abroad. So it will be easy for Ford India to fit this same engine under the bonnet of this new C-SUV as well. This engine is capable of producing 170PS Max Power and 420NM and is likely to be mated to a 6 speed manual and automatic transmissions.
Ford is also likely to introduce a new 1.5L turbo petrol Ecoboost engine producing around 150PS of power through similar transmission options. It is also likely that this engine will offer a 48V mild hybrid system as well.

Launch and Price:
The new Ford CX757 SUV is expected to be ready for launch by the second half of 2022. When launched, it will compete against the new Mahindra XUV700, Tata Harrier/Safari and the MG Hector siblings. Expect the pricing to be in a similar range as well.
Stay tuned for further updates.

Hyundai Motor has unveiled their next contender for the premium hatchback segment in India- the 2020 Hyundai i20. The new avatar is entirely different from what it was earlier and thankfully, we can call this an upgrade because the changes are not just cosmetic outside. The changes take place inside the cabin and to the engines as well. The Indian version of the 2020 Hyundai i20 is expected to have most of the features offerer in the European Spec. India launch of the Hyundai i20 2020 is expected to be around August 2020.

The Hyundai i20 has been one

of the most popular hatchbacks in India, giving tough competition to its rivals like Maruti Suzuki Baleno, Honda Jazz, Toyota Glanza and Tata Altroz. While it has been a hot selling unit for Hyundai Motor in India, the upgraded version is expected to do even better considering the features on offer and the price.

Yes, the 2020 Hyundai i20 is expected to be priced between Rs 6 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi) and Rs 10 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi) in India. Tempting? You must check out the features below then.


The Europe-spec 2020 Hyundai i20 displays a big new grille in the front. Thankfully, the headlamps too have been redesigned and are LED units with LED DRLs. Not only that, the front and rear bumpers have been redesigned. The new model also gets 17- inch alloy wheels.

The rear hasn't been left out by Hyundai either. The new Hyundai i20 2020 gets LED taillights, shark fin antenna and rear spoiler. We are expecting these features to be made available in the India-spec i20 2020 as well but features like 17 inch alloys maybe left out keeping in mind Indian driving conditions.

When it comes to the new Hyundai i20 2020's interior, the Europe-spec car will get a new 10.25-inch digital cluster and centre touchscreen connected to a Bose audio system with eight speakers. Wireless charging and Hyundai's BlueLink connectivity technology will also be included. A test mule was spotted in India whose cabin looked similar to the Europe Spec version with Audi- esque vents and 4 spoke steering wheel featured in the 2020 Hyundai Creta as well.


Coming to the heart of the matter, the 2020 i20 may have a few engine options which of course will be BS 6 compliant:
1. A 1.0-litre T-GDi with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system
2. A 1.2-litre MPi unit
3. 1.5 litre detuned diesel mill from the Kia Seltos

New Hyundai i20 Colours

The Europe-spec Hyundai i20 2020 gets as many as 10 colour options, with four being new. The fresh ones are Intense Blue, Aurora Gray, Aqua Turquoise and Brass. Among the already available are Polar White, Sleek Silver, Phantom Black, Dragon Red, Tomato Red and Slate Blue. There is an option for a Phantom Black roof also.

 

Ford Motor Company has launched the new Ford Puma ST. This is the third model to join Ford’s ST performance line-up, following the Fiesta and the Focus. The Fiesta ST’s chassis has only received minor tweaks from its transition to the Puma’s crossover body. The rear torsion bar is 40 per cent stiffer to compensate for the extra weight and height.

Exterior:

The Puma is spruced up by the ST-specific styling pack. The front gets a new grille design with ST badging, while a splitter increases front downforce by 80 percent over the standard

car. The back gets a larger rear wing and diffuser help to balance out the extra downforce at the other end. The Puma ST is also available in the new ‘Mean Green’ shade with a total of 5 color options. The roof and spoiler, front grille surrounds, side trim and door mirror caps are always painted black while the new 19 inch alloy wheels complete the look.

Interior:

Inside, the Puma’s cabin also gets the ST treatment; including a flat-bottomed steering wheel, a sporty gear knob and pedals, along with Sporty Recaro front seats. However still, the ST’s boot retains the hose-down 80-litre ‘Mega Box’ from other Pumas, and the 456-litre volume is retained. 

All Puma STs get a generous standard equipment list:

• Wireless charging

• Front and rear parking sensors

• Quick clear heated windshield

• Rain sensing wipers

• Automatic LED headlamps

• 12.3 inch digital instrument cluster

• 8 inch Touchscreen system

• SYNC 3 connectivity

• Android auto, Apple carplay

• Bang & Olufsen sound system

• Ford pass connectivity

Safety Features:

   While the Puma crossover received a 5 star rating at the ANCAP crash tests, the new Puma ST includes the following advanced driver assist tech:

• Active braking assist

• Pre Collision assist

• Active park assist

• Cross traffic alert with active braking

• Intelligent speed limiter

• Local hazard information

• Geofencing & tracking

• 6 airbags

• ESC with traction control

• Torque vectoring control

Powertrain and Performance:

        Mechanically, the Puma ST is very closely related to the Fiesta ST. The 1.5-litre turbocharged Ecoboost engine is the same, though a revised exhaust system has been tuned to be ever so slightly more civilised. This engine produces a power output of 197bhp and 320Nm through a 6 speed manual gearbox to the front wheels. With launch control engaged, the Puma cracks the 0-62mph benchmark in 6.7 seconds – two tenths down on the Fiesta, while the 137mph top speed has dropped by 7mph.

        The Puma ST also offers multiple driving modes. ‘Sport’ sharpens the throttle and adds weight to the steering compared to ‘Normal’, and it opens up valves in the exhaust to provide a sportier soundtrack. Switch into ‘Track’, and the traction control switches off and the intervention from the stability program relaxes – though this can still be turned off completely if the driver wishes. At the other end of the scale, ‘Eco’ mode makes the most of a stop/start system and cylinder deactivation to help reduce fuel consumption. Based on the official WLTP testing procedure, the Puma ST achieves 40.9mpg and emits 155g/km of CO2.

The Puma ST’s steering system is claimed to be 25 per cent quicker than the standard Puma’s, and buyers will be offered the option of a Quaife mechanical limited-slip differential to improve traction on corner exit. This also works in conjunction with a torque vectoring system which activates the brakes on the inside wheel to help the Puma hug a tighter line through corners. The Puma ST gets larger brake discs which measure 325mm at the front and 271mm at the back, and are housed within 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in specially developed Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres.

The Puma ST is expected to go on sale in Europe by early 2021 and will cost from £28,500.