Mahindra is all set to launch their new generation Thar SUV on the 2nd of October. The new Thar is based on an all-new platform featuring lots of new features and new petrol engine option with an automatic gearbox. With this new-gen Thar, Mahindra has made it more road and user friendly. Here are all the details on the new Indian made lifestyle SUV.

Exterior:

    The new Mahindra Thar has grown in every dimension while maintaining the traditional Thar design. With a wider track and longer wheelbase, the Thar now resembles the Jeep Wrangler. The front grille and the bumpers are quite

different in design though. The higher-spec LX variants also feature LED DRLs along with 18” alloy wheels. The lower-spec AX variants get 16” Steel rims. The new Thar will be available either as a Hardtop on the LX variants or with a fixed or convertible soft top on the AX variants. As standard, all variants come with a tailgate-mounted spare wheel with the LX variant getting a full-size alloy wheel.

Interior:

    The interior of the new-gen Thar gets revolutionary changes when compared to the previous model. The design, layout and materials are vastly superior with more creature comfort and features.

Variants:

The new-gen Thar will be available in two variant series; the Adventure focused AX series and the feature-oriented LX series.

    The AX series variant offers the following standard features:

• AC

• Power steering

• Power windows

• Central locking

• 16” Steel wheels

• Reverse sensors

• Steel footsteps

• Mechanical Diff lock 4x4

• Fixed soft top

• 6 seats (the side facing rear seats)

However, the AX series can also be had with an option pack including the following features:

• Remote locking

• Forward-facing rear seats

• ISOFIX child seat mounts

• Height adjustable driver seat

The comfort-oriented LX series will include the following additional features:

• 18” alloy wheels

• Front fog lamps

• LED DRLs

• Electric ORVMs

• Driver seat lumbar adjust

• TFT instrument cluster

• 7” touchscreen system

• 4 roof-mounted speakers

• Android Auto & Apple car play

• Adventure stats and Tyre direction assist

• Electronic AC controls

• Cruise control

• 4 seats

• Convertible or Hardtop

• Moulded footsteps

• Brake locking differential

All these features will make the new Thar more modern and comfortable for daily usage too.

Safety:

       Safety features on the new Mahindra Thar BS6 include:

• ABS with EBD

• Dual airbags

• ISOFIX child seat mounts (only on 4 seaters)

• Pretensioner seatbelts

• Engine immobilizer

• Hill hold assist

• ESP with traction control

• Tyre pressure monitoring system

Powertrains:

       The new Thar will be offered with both Turbo petrol and turbo diesel engines. The 2.2L MHawk turbo diesel engine produces 130PS Power and 300NM torque through either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed Torque converter automatic gearbox (only on LX variants). Mahindra's new 2.0L MStallion turbo petrol engine will be debuting on the new Thar, producing Max Power of 150PS and torque of 320NM. The turbo petrol will be available with a 6-speed manual transmission only on the AX variants and with a 6-speed automatic transmission only on the LX variants.

All Thar variants will be available with a standard manual Shift-on the fly 4X4 transfer gearbox with diff locks.

Launch & price:

        The new Mahindra Thar will be launched on 2nd of October with expected pricing from Rs10L to Rs11L ex-showroom for the AX series and Rs11.5L to Rs12.5L for the LX series. With all the additional features and power, we expect this new Thar to give a tough time to the urban-oriented compact Crossovers too. Bookings for the new Thar will be open by the end of September. Stay tuned for further details and pricing.

The new Hyundai i20 premium hatchback was launched on 5th November and this third generation model surpasses it’s predecessors in terms of premium features, technology and several first in segment offers. The new Hyundai i20 is available at an introductory Price which is applicable on deliveries till 31st December 2020 only. The new Hyundai i20 is priced from Rs.6.79L-10.59L and is available with 3 engines, 4 trim levels and 5 transmission options.

Despite being priced higher than rivals, new gen Hyundai i20 has received a great initial response in India with over 20,000 bookings in just 20 days since launch. Of

these, 4,000 units have already been delivered.

This here is a quick walkthrough on the highlights of the new generation Hyundai i20.

Exterior: 

       The new Hyundai i20, sports a completely different design language. On the front fascia, it features a new and larger hexagonal cascading grille with a more swooping bonnet and angular headlamps. The headlamps will feature LED lighting on the top spec trims along with DRLs. Lower variants will get Projector units. Projector fog lamps are also expected to be offered. The new i20 will be longer and wider than the current model. The sides have sharp, dynamic creases lending the car a more dynamic profile. The window line features Chrome detailing which flows from the A pillar to the top of the C pillar whereas the snazzy Z-shaped LED Tail lamps are connected by a chrome bar running across the width on the Asta(O) variant. The new i20 will also receive unique looking 16” alloy wheels on the top spec variants.

Interior:

       The new Hyundai i20's interior features a fresh and clean layout with a wraparound layered design. The interior sports a flowing cockpit theme while being loaded with features. There are 7 slats running across the width of the dashboard, connecting all four AC vents. All Variants will feature an all black theme with few silver accents.

Variants:

       The new i20 will be offered in four variants:

• Magna

• Sportz

• Asta

• Asta(o)

 Here's an extensive list of features on the top spec Asta(O) variants of the new i20:

• 10.25” touchscreen system

• Blue link connectivity

• Fully digital instrument cluster

• Automatic climate control

• Air purifier system

• Ambient lighting

• Leather upholstery

• Split folding rear seats

• Electric sunroof

• Auto LED headlamps

• Cruise control

The new i20 will also offer more safety features:

• Pretensioner seatbelts

• 6 airbags

• ABS with EBD

• ESP with traction control

• Hill hold control

• ISOFIX child seat mounts

• Smart key access

• Geofencing & tracking

Powertrains:

       The new i20 is will be available with two petrol engine options and one diesel engine. The standard 1.2L 4 cyl Kappa petrol engine will produce 83PS Power through either a 5 Speed manual transmission or a CVT. The 1.0L 3 cyl turbo petrol powertrain is expected to be carried over from the Venue Turbo producing a maximum output of 120PS through either a 6 speed IMT gearbox or a 7 speed DCT. The 1.5L turbo diesel engine from the Venue is also expected to be on offer producing 100PS Power through a 6 speed manual transmission.

The 1.2L petrol will be available on all Variants with only the Sportz and the Asta variant getting a CVT option.

The 1.0L turbo petrol will be available on the Sportz, Asta and Asta(O) Variants. However, a 6 speed iMT gearbox will be available on the Sportz and Asta whereas the 7 speed DCT will be available only on the Asta and Asta (O) Variants. This means the Sportz variant will get only an iMT and the Asta(O) gets only the DCT.

The 1.5L diesel will be available on the Magna, Sportz and the Asta(O) variants with only a manual gearbox.

Stay tuned for our detailed report and reviews.

The Nissan Magnite compact SUV was launched earlier this month starting from Rs.4.99L (ex-showroom) for the entry level XE Variant, making it the most affordable sub-4m SUV in the country. We may have read the brochure or virtually checked out the base Variant through Nissan’s website, however no one has seen the entry level variant in real life until now. We have managed to get exclusive access to the base level Nissan Magnite XE variant and here is a detailed walkaround video of the same.

The Magnite XE doesn’t look too bare-bones in reality. Even this

base Variant gets the same large Octagonal grille with chrome surrounds, lending the Magnite a strong presence. However, the bumper skid plates are finished entirely in black unlike the silver skid plates on the higher Variants. The XE variant is available only with two paint schemes; white and silver. The variant features sharp-looking halogen headlamps up front, L-shaped chrome strips that take place of the LED DRLs seen on the top-end trims. Despite having the lesser powered engine, the Nissan Magnite XE comes with 16-inch Steel wheels as standard. While the ORVMs are finished in ebony black, surprisingly the door handles are body-coloured. As expected, the turn indicators are located on the front fenders on this variant. Adding to the surprises, even this base level Variant offers Silver-finished functional roof rails on the Magnite, which can withstand upto 50kg of luggage. Furthermore, this XE Variant gets rear windshield wiper, washer and demister too along with 4 reverse sensors.

Getting inside, the Magnite XE gets a dual-tone beige and black theme, along with black inside door handles, chrome surrounds for the AC vents. In terms of features, this base level variant gets only manually adjustable ORVMs with knobs on the inside; however front and rear power windows are a standard feature. The even more surprising feature, is the availability of 60 min operation for the Power windows even after removing the key. As expected, the XE Variant misses out on an audio system and Central locking. The Pizza-inspired instrument cluster with an LED 3.5-inch MID is similar to the one seen on the Renault Triber and the Kwid. Even on this base variant, the gear lever gets Chrome and piano Black accents with an art leather Boot featuring contrast white stitching. The seats, though similar to the top spec variant in comfort and design, have a more hard-wearing fabric upholstery on this base variant. More surprising features include soft fabric padding on all doors and Rear seat adjustable headrests.

Standard safety features include dual airbags, ABS with EBD, engine immobilizer, pretensioner seatbelts, rear seat adjustable headrests and reverse sensors.

The boot capacity remains the same at 336L however, this base Variant doesn't get a parcel tray or boot lamp. The rear seats can be 100% flat folded to increase cargo space though. The 15” space-saver spare wheel is neatly placed under the boot floor along with the tools.

The Nissan Magnite XE is available only with the 1.0L naturally aspirated 3 cylinder petrol engine from the Renault Triber. This engine produces 72PS power and 96Nm of torque which will be adequate in terms of performance due to the car’s relatively low 939kg kerb weight. This engine is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard.

For now, this XE variant is available for Rs.4.99L ex showroom; which translates to roughly around or above Rs.6L on road. This price is around the same range as the entry-level variants of B-segment hatchbacks such as the Maruti Suzuki Swift, Tata Tiago and Hyundai Grand i10 Nios. When compared, the Nissan Magnite XE seems like an incredible value for money deal overall. However, this XE variant’s price will be increased to Rs.5.45 lakh ex-showroom on the 1st of January 2021, as confirmed by Nissan India.

The Nissan Magnite seems to revolutionize “Value for money” in the Indian Automotive industry by offering surprising number of features, more than expected space and comfort, all for compact-car money. We wish Nissan India and the Magnite all the very best.

Stay tuned for further detailed coverage and reviews.