Prices for the BS6 petrol variants start at ? 8.04 lakh and go all the way up to ? 11.43 lakh. Prices for the Ecosport BS6 diesel variants start at ? 8.54 lakh and top at ? 11.58 lakh for (all prices ex-showroom, India). Ford has also extended the 100,000 km or 10-year service package to the BS6 model at an additional cost of ? 4,700.

The Petrol variants continue to have the 1.5L Ti-VCT three cylinder engine that produces 118 bhp and 149 NM of torque. The Diesel option too is Ford’s popular a 1.5L engine that produces 99 bhp

Unlike the 2020 BS6 Ford Figo, the Foed Ecosport carries forward many of its features over to the BS models. SYNC 2 Infotainment System with 9 inch Touch screen, rain sensing wiper, push button star/ stop, Projector headlamps with DRLs, etc are present in the BS6 version as well. Top end variants also offer 6 airbags while ABS and EBD are present in all variants.

Strong build, a peppy ride quality and good road presence, value for money and safety is what the Ecosport is known for. Thankfully, nothing much has been changed in the Ford Ecosport and it will continue to offer the same as both petrol and diesel engines have been made BS6 compliant by Ford unlike many other manufacturers that have had to discontinue their older engines.

The new 3rd generation Hyundai i20 premium hatchback was launched recently and it is significantly better than its predecessor in almost every area. Currently it is available with 3 engine options, 4 variants and 5 transmission options. At present the Magna is considered the entry level variant and is priced at Rs.6.79L (Ex-showroom) and hence it is not the most affordable car in its segment. However, Hyundai will soon launch a new base level, Era variant of the new i20.

The upcoming base-spec Era model will get only 2 engine options, namely the 1.2-litre Kappa petrol engine which produces 83 PS

The new Era variant will weigh around 80 kilograms lighter than the Magna 1.2-litre petrol variant.

It will also miss out on several features:

Rear AC vents

Rear Power windows

Electric ORVMs

Audio system

Steering mounted audio controls

Remote locking

Wheel covers

Fog lamps

The features likely to available on the new entry-level Era variant include:

Manual Central locking

15” Steel wheels

Reverse sensors

Front Power windows

Manual AC

MID instrument cluster

Tilt/Telescopic steering

Dual airbags

ABS with EBD

Pretensioner seatbelts

With only essential features available, the new base-spec Era variant of the i20 is expected to be priced at Rs.5.99L (Ex-showroom), which is around ?80,000 cheaper than the Magna variant. Stay tuned for further updates on this new base Variant.

The Mahindra XUV300 had scored an outstanding 5 star rating at the global NCAP crash tests, becoming the safest Made in India car tested to date. The Marazzo had also scored an impressive 4 stars. Now the all-new 2020 Mahindra Thar has also been crash tested by Global NCAP. The 2020 Thar has been awarded an impressive 4 star rating in the crash test. The tested model is the Thar LX with twin airbags, ABS and ESP and the vehicle’s body structure was noted as ‘stable’. However, the footwell area was noted to be unstable, and incapable of withstanding further

Global NCAP also subjected the new Thar to side impact crash test.

Global NCAP also conducted separate test for the Thar’s Electronic Stability Control ( ESC). However, the vehicle showed an unstable dynamic behaviour. Global NCAP has recommended that Mahindra review the Thar’s dynamic behaviour, and improve on the same.

The Mahindra Thar has scored four stars (12.52/17) for adult protection and four stars (41.11/49) for child protection. The Thar has received the highest child protection score ever for made in India cars tested by Global NCAP.

Mahindra has seriously worked on the new Mahindra Thar over the previous generation model in terms of comfort, features and safety. Being based on an updated platform of the Mahindra Scorpio, the new Thar is much safer than before.

The standard safety features on the top spec LX Variant include:

• Dual airbags

• ABS with EBD

• Engine immobiliser

• Central remote locking

• ESP with traction control

• Hill hold assist

• Mechanical locking differential

• Reverse parking sensors

• Front fog lamps

• ISOFIX Child seat mounts

Going by the results, the New Mahindra Thar is currently the 6th safest made in India car tested by the Global NCAP.