Ford says the new Bronco will be a body- on- frame 4x4 built to take on some of the toughest terrains. Features include a solid rear axle and an Air Roof while Ford’s Terrain Management System,Trail Control and a novel active suspension could be optional features.

Also on the cards could be a more hardcore version of the Bronco called the Wolftrak and a raptor version most probably having a V8 engine. Speaking of the looks, the Bronco sports a boxy and edgy design with round headlamps, thereby resembling with the original Bronco.

Many patent applications suggest what appears to be a

With the ongoing trend of Ford’s EcoBoost Engines, the Bronco could get one as well. It could most likely receive a 2.3 litre EcoBoost unit that produces 270 Horsepower and 420 NM of torque mated to a 10 Speed Automatic. A hybrid and a V8 engine are also expected.

It is also highly likely that the Ford Bronco could receive the Twin Turbocharged 2.7 litre V6 engine from the F-150 that produces 325 HP and 542 NM of torque. The off roader would be produced at Ford’s plant in Wayne, Michigan. From the looks of it, Ford plans to offer the Bronco in America initially as there are no reports of plans to offer the Bronco in other markets globally. However, Ford has filed for a Trademark on Bronco in Europe. That should say a lot.

The Bronco could be priced around 35,000$ in USA. It was expected to be featured at the 2020 New York Auto Show that got cancelled. We expect the official unveiling to occur sometime in the last quarter of 2020.

The new Mahindra Scorpio (codename Z101) has been under testing for more more than 2 years now on public roads. The new generation model will be based on the brand new platform that is seen on the new Thar as well and will be completely all new.

Name

According to news updates, the new gen Scorpio is likely to be named with a suffix. Mahindra has trademarked the name “Scorpio Sting” for the new SUV. It is also likely that a special variant with the name “Scorpio-n” will be launched later.

Design

The new Scorpio will be longer and wider than before, but still

The design language will be evolutionary and will feature strong character lines that run along the sides, including a pronounced kink on the rear door that pushes upwards along with the window line; similar to the current gen model and the XUV siblings as well. At the back, it is likely that the new Scorpio will continue using a side-hinged door with vertically placed tail-lights.

Interior

Similar to the exterior, the new Scorpio will get an evolutionary yet fresh interior design too. The new upright dashboard is likely to house large portrait-style touchscreen infotainment system. Most of the switchgear will be shared with other Mahindra models like the new Thar and the Marazzo. The new SUV will also offer features such as Auto climate control, Auto headlamps, auto wipers, electric sunroof, side airbags, ESP, hill hold and leather upholstery on certain variants.

Powertrain

The new Scorpio SUV is expected to come with the same 140PS, 2.2-litre diesel with a 6 speed manual gearbox as the current model. The new 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine with 153PS is also likely to be offered with a 6 speed manual. The 6 speed torque converter automatic gearbox from the Thar is also expected to offered with both engines. Mahindra will provide four-wheel drive as well on the top spec variants, similar to the outgoing model.

Launch

The new generation Scorpio will be unveiled by May 2021, with an expected price range of Rs.11-18L ex showroom.

Stay tuned for further updates.

   Global New Car Assessment Programme (Global NCAP) have now revealed the crash test results of three more best selling cars, under its Safer Cars for India initiative. The entry-level variant of each was chosen for the crash test.

    Global NCAP crash tests cars at a speed of 64kmph, which is 8kmph higher than the stipulated test speed under Indian safety norms. The Indian safety norms were upgraded in October 2019, and is now at par with, and ahead in some areas, in terms of safety norms, compared to markets like USA and Brazil.

All

November 2020 crash tests:

• Maruti Suzuki S-presso  : Adult : 0 stars.  Child :  2 stars

• Hyundai Grand i10 Nios : Adult : 2 stars.  Child : 2 stars

• Kia Seltos                          : Adult : 3 stars.  Child : 2 stars

Maruti Suzuki S-presso:

The S-Presso got an appalling zero star for adult occupant protection and two stars for child occupant protection. The S-Presso offers only driver airbag as standard. The body structure was rated as unstable along with the footwell area. Child occupant protection was poor with the poor performance of the restraint systems. The S-presso does not offer 3-point belts in all positions as standard and has no ISOFIX Child Restraint Systems (CRS).

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios:

The Grand i10 Nios achieved a disappointing two stars for adult occupant protection and two stars for child occupant protection. The Grand i10 Nios offers dual airbags and pretensioner equipped seatbelts for front passengers as standard. Its structure and the footwell area were rated as unstable. 

Child occupant protection showed poor results due to the absence of ISOFIX Child Restraint Systems. The Grand i10 Nios does not offer standard 3-point belts in all seating positions and does not offer standard ISOFIX anchorages.

Kia Seltos:

The Biggest disappointment is that the best selling Kia Seltos Crossover SUV achieved only three stars for adult occupant protection and two stars for child occupant protection. The Seltos offers dual front airbags and pretensioner seatbelts as standard. Its structure was rated as a borderline case unstable and the footwell area too was rated as unstable. Child occupant protection showed poor results mainly because of the absence of ISOFIX Child Restraint Systems. The car does not offer standard 3 point belts in all seating positions and has no ISOFIX anchorages standard.

The USA and Australian spec Kia Seltos had scored a full 5 star rating at the USNCAP and ANCAP tests respectively.

Domestic Manufacturers such as Tata Motors and Mahindra secured a full five-star rating for models including the Mahindra XUV300, Tata Altroz and Tata Nexon while the Mahindra Marazzo, Tata Tiago and Tata Tigor scored four-star ratings earlier this year.

These stark contrasts show the double standards of global manufacturers of Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai and Kia towards Indian consumers.

We recommend consumers to choose safer cars and drive safe.

Airbags are not a substitute for seatbelts, passengers must always wear seatbelts.