The Nissan Magnite was launched on the 2nd of December and is expected to challenge rival sub-compact SUVs with Pricing, features and space as it's Trump cards. In just 5 days, the newest compact SUV has received 5,000 bookings, apart from over 50,000 enquiries. This is no mean feat given the meagre number of dealerships in India. 

The Nissan Magnite was launched with an introductory starting price of Rs 4.99 lakh (ex-showroom) for the entry-level variant. However, 60% of the bookings are for the top XV and XV premium variants.

This introductory pricing though is valid till December 31 only, after which

the entry-level XE variant will be priced at Rs 5.59 lakh (ex-showroom).

The Magnite offers a whole lot of features and creature comforts; with all Variants excluding the entry-level XE being available with two engine options including a turbo engine and a CVT transmission option. The top-of-the-line XV Premium is loaded with features such as 360-degree monitor, Digital instrument cluster, rear AC vents, 16” alloys, all-LED lamps, etc. The XV premium is also available with a Dual Tone roof option which makes the topmost CVT version available for Rs 9.59 lakh (ex-showroom).

The Magnite offers a spacious cabin with comforts like rear-seat armrest available from the Turbo XL Variant itself. The entry-level XE variant offers quite a list of standard features including all power windows, Rear wiper, washer, defogger, 16” wheels and fabric padding on the doors.

All Variants are available with a 1.0L naturally aspirated 3 cylinder petrol engine which produces 72PS of Max Power through a 5-speed manual gearbox. However, the 100PS turbo petrol engine is available only from the XL Variant onwards. All turbo variants get ESP, traction control, Hill holds assist and Hydraulic brake assist as standard. The turbo variants also can be had with the Xtronic CVT automatic gearbox.

Nissan is also offering a Tech Pack for an additional Rs 38,698 on the XV and XV premium Variants. The Tech Pack includes more features like an air purifier, puddle lamps, ambient light, wireless car charging, premium JBL speakers and LED scuff plates.

NISSAN India is not only targeting the CSUV segment with the Magnite; The non-turbo variants are aimed at the hatchback segment buyers who would want additional space, comfort and SUV appeal. For sure the Magnite will be a great success and will help rebuild the image of the almost forgotten Japanese car market in India. However, Nissan will have to put more effort to expand its sales and post-sales network, which is essentially the key to gain the trust of customers.

The new Toyota Innova Crysta BS6 facelift has been finally launched in India. The Innova is one of the best-selling MPVs in India with over 8.80 lakh units sold till date since it's launch in 2005. The new facelift of the second generation Innova Crysta was launched in Indonesia a few months ago and now it has been finally launched in India starting from Rs.16.26L (Ex-showroom).

Exterior:

 

The new Innova Crysta Facelift gets cosmetic updates and new features while the mechanicals remains exactly the same. The front receives a significant makeover. The dual

chrome-slatted front grille has now been replaced by a bold trapezoidal piano-black grille with chrome surrounds on either side. The headlamps have also been slightly redesigned and now it gets new daytime-running LEDs. The fog lamp assembly is redesigned along with new sharp front bumpers and faux skid plates. These updates make the Innova's fascia resemble that of the New Toyota Hilux pickup.

The new BS6 Innova Crysta Facelift also gets a new Sparkling Black Crystal Shine shade for the exterior.

The side profile and rear of the new facelifted Innova Crysta doesn’t get any major changes except for the slightly different tail lamp detailing and the new 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels.

Interior:

 

The interior design and layout of the Crystal remains exactly the same as before except for the new all-black theme. However, the top-spec ZX trim gets a new Camel Tan colour for the upholstery. Additionally, there is an all-new Smart Playcast 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. The instrument cluster has also been redesigned and it now gets front clearance SONAR with indication on the MID for improved safety. The new Innova Crysta Facelift will be still available with both, a seven-seater as well as an eight-seater option

Powertrains:

The engine and transmission options remain unchanged. The BS6-compliant 2.7L petrol engine produces 166PS of power and 245Nm of peak torque. The 2.4L diesel engine produces 150 PS of power and 360 Nm of peak torque. Both the engines are available with either a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission.

Variants and Prices:

The new facelifted Innova Crysta will be available in three trim levels, namely the GX, VX and ZX. Pricing for the new 2021 Toyota Innova Crysta Facelift starts at Rs.16.26L (ex-showroom) for the GX petrol and goes all the way up to Rs.24.33L (Ex-showroom) for the ZX Diesel Automatic.

Toyota Innova Crysta Petrol Price(ex-showroom) :

• Innova Crysta 2.7 GX MT (7-Seat) :Rs 16.26 lakh

• Innova Crysta 2.7 GX MT (8-Seat) :Rs 16.31 lakh

• Innova Crysta 2.7 GX AT (7-Seat):Rs 17.62 lakh

• Innova Crysta 2.7 GX AT (8-Seat) :Rs 17.67 lakh

• Innova Crysta 2.7 VX MT (7-Seat) :Rs 19.70 lakh

• Innova Crysta 2.7 ZX AT (7-Seat) :Rs 22.48 lakh

Toyota Innova Crysta Diesel Price(ex-showroom):

• Innova Crysta 2.4 G MT (7-Seat) :Rs 16.64 lakh

• Innova Crysta 2.4 G MT (8-Seat)    :Rs 16.69 lakh

• Innova Crysta 2.4 G+ MT (7-Seat) :Rs 17.92 lakh

• Innova Crysta 2.4 G+ MT (8-Seat) :Rs 17.97 lakh

• Innova Crysta 2.4 GX MT (7-Seat) :Rs 18.07 lakh

• Innova Crysta 2.4 GX MT (8-Seat) :Rs 18.12 lakh

• Innova Crysta 2.4 GX AT (7-Seat) :Rs 19.38 lakh

• Innova Crysta 2.4 GX AT (8-Seat) :Rs 19.43 lakh

• Innova Crysta 2.4 VX MT (7-Seat) :Rs 21.59 lakh

• Innova 2.4 VX MT (8-Seat) :Rs 21.64 lakh

• Innova Crysta 2.4 ZX MT (7-Seat) :Rs 23.13 lakh

• Innova Crysta 2.4 ZX AT (7-Seat) :Rs 24.33 Lakh

Stay tuned for further update and please follow us on WhatsApp , Instagram and YouTube .

   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

the cars were tested only for frontal crash protection.

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.