LeEco unveils its vision of a smart electric car of the future, and it's called the LeSEE!

Thanks to Flipkart and those multiple full page adverts in leading newspapers, most of us Indians need no introduction of LeTV, one of the many new smartphone makers from China to have landed on Indian soil. But not many are aware this Chinese tech company, that recently re-branded itself as 'LeEco', has an interest in automobiles too.

If you're wondering how, LeEco made headlines earlier this year with its investments in Faraday Future, an electric car start-up that made a splash of its own at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, and partnership with Aston Martin to jointly develop the RapidE electric luxury sedan. 

That doesn't make LeEco an aspiring automaker, does it? Ah well, put an end to such thoughts right away! Just look at the brand's own electric car concept 'LeSEE' below and you will know why we said that.

Sleek, futuristic and minimalist aren't words that we generally use when discussing the design and styling of Chinese cars. LeSEE makes us use all that and more. Used to seeing cars with thick chrome grilles and air dams, the LeSEE's fascia might appear bland to most trained eyes out there. But then, Tesla has made us immune to bland-faced cars. Coming back to the LeSEE, it's the car's gorgeous profile and the sexy rear that impressed us a lot. We know this is just a concept and there is absolutely nothing to read into it. Still, the LeSEE is one impressive automobile.

With suicide doors at the rear, touchscreens at the front and the rear, a steering wheel that can be folded down when not in use, rear seats that can apparently adapt to the shape of passenger's bodies and the capability of providing isolated environments for each passenger, LeSEE's interiors scream 'concept car crazy'. LeEco even has ideas to incorporate automated driving, self-learning, face recognition and a whole lot of stuff in the LeSEE along with grand plans to have a fleet of autonomous taxis based on this car. Now you know why the car is called LeSEE, the last three alphabets standing for Super Electric Ecosystem.

At the moment, this is just a tech company formally announcing its intentions to make it big in the automotive industry. Neither the car's specifications nor a firm launch timeline has been announced. But, if the short demo that LeEco showed a packed audience at an event in Beijing last month is any indication, the LeSEE looks good as it is and there is no reason why this can't be developed into a full-fledged mass-production electric car with a whole ecosystem to support its existence.

Tesla, Google and a handful of established automakers including Toyota, General Motors, Ford, Daimler, Jaguar and Land Rover are already moving ahead in the path of electric cars, autonomous capabilities, car-to-car connectivity and smart mobility solutions. Has LeEco got what it takes to fight with the biggies and convert the impressive LeSEE from concept to production? We hope it does, just to see the beautiful LeSEE roam on public roads!

Honda launches BR-V in India between INR 8.75 - 12.90 Lakhs

Honda's much-awaited entry into the compact SUV segment finally became a reality with the launch of the BR-V today. Priced between INR 8.75 and 12.90 Lakhs ex-showroom Delhi, the BR-V has a slew of competitors to tackle - the Maruti-Suzuki Vitara Brezza and Ford Ecosport at the lower end and the Hyundai Creta, Maruti-Suzuki S-Cross, Renault Duster and Nissan Terrano at the upper end of its price band.

Like most recent Hondas that have made it to India, the BR-V is based off the same platform as the Brio hatchback, the Amaze compact sedan and the Mobilio MPV. Crucially, the BR-V gets an unique front end that doesn't resemble the Brio family. The bold and upright fascia gets the trademark thick chrome grille flanked by sharp wraparound headlights with projectors and LED light guides. The bumper gets a rather large air dam and chrome-ringed fog lamps. At the rear, the split taillights connected by a reflector strip and the layered tailgate look interesting while the plastic cladding all around and skid plates at the front and rear gives the BR-V its 'SUV' armour. The long profile that's straight off the Mobilio doesn't gel well with the overall design and looks more like a MPV rather than a SUV, the BR-V's 210 mm of ground clearance notwithstanding. 

The all-black interiors, again, are similar to the recently launched Amaze facelift which is a definite improvement over the Brio-based interiors that the Mobilio has. The top-end variant gets features like a heat-absorbing windshield, leather upholstery, keyless entry with push button start, automatic climate control, power folding mirrors, 2-DIN audio system with Bluetooth functionality and driver's seat height adjustment. A touchscreen infotainment system is conspicuous by its absence, given that most of the BR-V's competitors have one. Driver and passenger airbags are standard across the range while Antilock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) is standard on all but the base petrol variant. The BR-V's USP is likely to be its generous interior space and the presence of proper third row bench, making it a genuine 7-seater.

Powering the BR-V are the familiar set of engines that power the City and the Mobilio. The 1.5-liter i-VTEC petrol engine produces 119 horsepower and 145 Nm of torque while the 1.5-liter i-DTEC diesel engine is good for 100 horsepower and 200 Nm of torque. Both the engines are mated to a 6-speed manual transmission making the BR-V more suited for long-distance cruising. The petrol engine also has the option of a Continously Variable Transmission (CVT). Interestingly, this variant gets steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, a first in the segment. The ARAI-certified fuel efficiency figures are 15.4 km/l for the manual petrol, 16 km/l for the automatic petrol and 21.9 km/l for the diesel variant.

The BR-V is available in four variants - E, S, V and VX in a palette of six colours - Carnelian Red Pearl, Orchid White Pearl, Urban Titanium Metallic, Taffeta White, Golden Brown Metallic and Alabaster Silver Metallic.

With Honda's strong brand image and the never-ending craze for SUVs and crossovers in India, the BR-V makes a strong case for itself. Despite losing out on some features compared to its key rival, the Creta, the BR-V makes up by undercutting its Korean rival in terms of pricing. This H vs H battle is going to be an interesting one!

Toyota launches Innova Crysta in India between INR 13.83 - 20.77 Lakhs

Few vehicles have dominated their segments as much as the Toyota Innova did in India. Ever since its launch more than a decade back, the Innova overcame all odds including multiple upward price revisions, a slew of competitors aimed squarely at it, modest power output and sparse equipment list to become India’s most-loved Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV). If Toyota hadn’t stopped production, the Innova might have continued its joy run for a few more years, we bet! 

After ruling the MPV segment for a 11 whole years, the second generation Innova, now with the ‘Crysta’ suffix, has replaced the ageing first generation model. After showcasing the vehicle to the public at the Auto Expo in New Delhi earlier this year, Toyota announced the prices of the Innova Crysta yesterday with bookings and test drives at dealerships starting immediately afterwards.

Based on an all-new International Multi-purpose Vehicle (IMV) platform, the Innova Crysta has underwent a complete transformation inside and out compared to its predecessor. One quick look is all it takes to realize the Crysta is far more sharper, modern and imposing than the vehicle it replaces. Much of that is due to that striking front end that feature a new dual-slat chrome grille, large swept-back projector headlights and the massive air dam in the bumper. The profile is characterized by a strong shoulder line that clearly splits the sheet metal and the windows. Talking of the windows, the sharp upward kink at the rear gives the Innova Crsta an unique identity. The long rear overhang gives it a proper ‘van’ look while the interestingly-styled taillights are sure to split opinions either sides. 

The interiors, as we said before, are a massive step forward from the ageing cabin of the old Innova. Following the same ‘retro’ theme that debuted in the new Corolla, the Innova Crysta finally gets a cabin befitting its price tag. The flowing dashboard design and the dual-tone colour theme are impressive and so is the feature list. A host of ‘first in class’ features including automatic LED projector headlamps, interior ambient lights, cooled glove box, one touch tumble second row seat, easy slide front passenger seat and rear automatic air-conditioning with digital display make their way into the Innova Crysta. Some of the other features in the flagship ‘ZX’ variant are a 4.2-inch TFT Multi Information Display, 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, keyless entry and go and reverse parking sensors and camera.

Standard safety feature on all trim levels include driver and passenger airbags, driver knee airbag, Antilock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA), three point seat belts for all occupants and ISOFIX child restraint system. The top-end ‘ZX’ variant has seven airbags, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Hill-start Assist Control in addition.

Replacing the crude and modest 2.5-liter diesel engine from the old Innova are a pair of new-generation 4-cylinder diesel engines from the ‘GD’ family. The smaller 2.4-liter unit is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission and produces 148 horsepower and 343 Nm of torque while the bigger 2.8-liter mill generates 172 horsepower and 360 Nm of torque. Mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission, the latter is available only in GX and ZX variants while the former is available across the range.

Available in six variants with two powertrain options and two seating configurations, the Innova Crysta’s prices have seen a significant upward revision as well. While the base ‘G’ variant starts at INR 13.83 Lakhs, the top-end ‘ZX’ retails at INR 20.77 Lakhs ex-showroom Mumbai. That’s a whopping 6 Lakh Rupees between the base and top variants and a solid 2-3 Lakhs higher than the outgoing Innova. But then, with Toyota’s brand reputation and Innova’s legendary reputation for reliability, we have no doubt that the Innova Crysta is going to enjoy the success its predecessor had. 

Having said that, Toyota has left the INR 8 – 13 Lakh price bracket wide open for its competitors to enjoy. Does that mean the Avanza is on its way here to occupy the space the Innova originally did in 2005? We have our fingers crossed.

Bentley Bentayga launched in India, sold out for 2016

Bentley, the British luxury brand, launched the Bentayga in India recently. In line with the global trend, the Bentayga marks Bentley’s entry into the Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) segment. With its arch rival Rolls-Royce’s SUV still some time away, the Bentayga is also the world’s first and only super luxury SUV on sale.

Externally, the Bentayga sticks to the traditional Bentley styling cues and borrows a lot from the other models in the range, notably the Mulsanne. Featuring a bold and butch fascia, the large squarish grille, the massive hood and the twin circular lights give the Bentayga a lot of character. The profile is dominated by bulging wheel arches and prominent haunches that defines the rear fenders. At the rear, the rectangular taillights and thin bumper-mounted exhausts are similar to what we have seen in other Bentleys. Giving the Bentayga true SUV credentials are those massive wheels and the front and rear skid plates.

The interiors, as one would expect from a Bentley, looks plush and luxurious with extensive detailing and high-quality materials. The design of the dashboard stands out with its unique stitching pattern that mimics the wings of the Bentley badge. That stubby gear stick in the center console is a work of art and so is the steering wheel with those gorgeous ‘knurled finish’ buttons. The floating driver information panel is the other stand out feature in the Bentayga. Made of hand-crafted wood and leather with polished metallic bits thrown in the mix, the Bentayga’s cabin is amongst the best in the industry right now.

Feature list runs into pages and include leather upholstery with diamond-quilted seats, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, a 60GB hard drive and a Bentley signature sound system, Wi-Fi connectivity and a panoramic sunroof. There are expensive optional features for those with cash to spare like a Breitling Tourbillon dashboard clock that’s priced at an insane INR 1 Crore.

Based on Volkswagen Group’s MLB-Evo platform, the Bentayga shares its underpinnings with the other SUVs in the group like the new Audi Q7 and the upcoming next-generation Porsche Cayenne. Under that massive hood sits a 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 motor that produces 600 horsepower and 900 Nm of torque, making the Bentayga the most powerful SUV on earth. Mated to a ZF-sourced 8-speed automatic transmission and a permanent All Wheel Drive system, the Bentayga is capable of sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.1 seconds and reach a top speed of 301 km/h.  

That bring us to the Bentayga’s price, a cool INR 3.85 Crore ex-showroom Delhi. Bentley has apparently allotted just 20 Bentaygas for India for the whole of 2016 and every one of them, according to reports, has been sold out! So, the rest of the super rich population with an intention of buying one has to wait until at least 2017.

Tesla does it again, this time with the Model 3!

Rarely, very rarely, do we come across such stories in the automotive industry. One such hell of a story is unfolding right now for us to witness. And yes, we are talking about the newest electric kid on Tesla's block, the Model 3!

Before you get excited and loosen your purse strings to join the overwhelming interest and the mad rush it has generated worldwide, please note the Model 3 is scheduled for launch only towards the end of 2017. Deliveries would begin in the state of California where Tesla has its manufacturing plant and slowly expand eastwards in the United States of America before covering the other countries. 

So what, you think? Now get this. 

Within 24 hours of its unveiling on March 31, 2016, the Model 3 received a massive 180,000 pre-orders. With a $ 1,000 deposit against each reservation, that's a cool $ 1.8 Million in Tesla's accounts in 24 hours! In the first week, the order book bloated to include 325,000 reservations. Considering the options selected and the average price, Tesla claims that's a cool $ 14 Billion in pre-orders!

Though Tesla did bring a Model 3 on stage during the unveiling ceremony, Tesla's CEO Elon Musk revealed on Twitter some important elements will be added to the Model 3 prior to launch and some will evolve. In that sense, the car hasn't even been fully revealed yet and still, more than 300,000 people have decided to forgo $ 1,000 to reserve one against their name.

The basic specifications are out though. The 4-door Model 3 will accommodate five adults, have a driving range of 215 miles per charge, accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 6 seconds and meet 5-star safety rating. Rear wheel drive (RWD) architecture, Autopilot hardware and supercharging capability will be standard while a dual motor All Wheel Drive option would also be available. 

Prices for the Model 3 would start at $ 35,000 before incentives for the base model, making it the most affordable Tesla yet. America would still be the biggest market for this car but the news that the Model 3 will be on sale in countries like South Korea, Ireland, South Africa, India, Brazil, New Zealand and Singapore have excited a lot of folks outside Tesla's existing markets.

From the pictures released, the Model 3 looks like a shrunken Model S which, in essence, it actually is. If massive chrome grilles and air dams feature in your definition of an automobile's fascia, the Model 3 would disappoint. It sports an unusually clean front end. The shiny sheet metal is devoid of any sort of opening and there's not even a fake grille like the one on the original Model S (Tesla has removed it in the recent Model S facelift!). Just like the Model S and the Model X, the dropping roof line and the upward-sloping windows gives the Model 3 a coupe-like appearance. Given Teslas are still not a common sight on public roads, the Model 3 will turn heads for sure. 

With such phenomenal interest shown towards the car, the pressure is now on Tesla to deliver. Every single Tesla launch till date - be it the Roadster, the Model S or the new Model X, have had multiple delays before deliveries finally started. The car-maker has to ensure it isn't repeated with the Model 3 where the stakes are higher and the customer base wider. 

Nevertheless, the Model 3 is undoubtedly one of the most successful automobile launches we have seen in the last few years. Elon Musk appears to be a visionary with a magic wand and the Model 3 is the latest in which he has worked his magic. Go Elon, go Tesla, the whole automotive industry is watching you with bated breath!