Ford launches its iconic Mustang GT in India

The Ford Mustang might be an automotive icon with an enviable legacy dating back to the sixties but the current sixth-generation model is the first to be developed with the option of a right-hand drive (RHD) configuration. Sure enough, Ford has wasted no time in bringing the popular American muscle car to India.

Launched earlier today at the Buddh International Circuit near New Delhi with much fanfare, it’s the hard-top GT Fastback variant of the Mustang that has made it to our shores as speculated. At INR 65 Lakhs ex-showroom Delhi, the Mustang GT isn’t cheap but given that its imported as a Completely Built Unit (CBU), the pricing is quite good. Problem is, this Ford will end up competing with luxury sedans and sport coupes from Mercedes-Benz, Audi, BMW and the likes.

If killer looks and eyeball-popping presence are what you require, the Mustang GT has them in droves. The Mustang's retro styling elements mixed with modern design touches look aggressive, sexy and undeniably distinct. The sharp nose, those wide shoulders, the raked roofline and the flared wheel arches impart a sense of muscularity to the Mustang that few rivals can match. Sleek headlights with triple LED slashes, classic triple-bar LED taillights and the mirror-mounted puddle lamps that project the Mustang 'pony' logo look dramatic and ups the style quotient further.

The Mustang might rival some German luxury cars on price but it isn’t a luxury car. Set the expectations accordingly and the cabin will appear reasonably plush and well-equipped with premium black leather upholstery sprinkled with chrome detailing. Standard features include dual zone climate control, cruise control, keyless entry with push button start, a 9-speaker sound system with an 8-inch touchscreen, SYNC 2 connectivity and Voice Control, 6-way power-adjustable driver and passenger seats, heated mirrors, automatic headlamps and rain-sensing wipers.

A full suite of safety features including eight airbags, Antilock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TCS), Pull Drift Compensation, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and Hill Launch Assist complement Mustang’s much-loved handling capabilities. 

If its gorgeous looks and feature-packed interiors aren't convincing enough, what's lying under that long and bulging hood of the Mustang GT will make you go weak on your knees. The 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 has been detuned for India but still churns out 396 bhp and a whopping 515 Nm of torque. A 6-speed dual clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters transmits all that power and torque to the rear wheels.

Drivers can choose from four driving modes - Normal, Sport+, Track and Snow/Wet - each of which activates predefined powertrain and chassis calibrations, by tapping one of the many classy aviation-inspired toggle switches on the dashboard. The Mustang is also equipped with an electronic line lock that locks the front wheels while leaving the rear wheels free to spin, a tool that lets you perfect those crowd-stopping burnouts.   

Since its launch in 1964, the Ford Mustang has sold more than 9 million units globally with the latest sixth-generation model emerging as the world's best-selling sports coupe last year. 

With such credentials to go with its ballistic power, drop-dead gorgeous looks and fun-to-drive nature, the Mustang is the sort of car our dreams are made of. Its no wonder then the Mustang got such an arousing reception at the 2016 Auto Expo earlier this year. We won't be surprised if Ford manages to sell the first few hundred units allotted for India within the first few weeks.

Porsche debuts the new Panamera in a visually-transformed, Nurburgring lap record-breaking avatar

The all-new Porsche Panamera made its debut last week at an event held in Berlin, Germany. Currently in its second generation, the sporty luxury sedan from Porsche has clearly carved a niche for itself in the market, something we thought the Panamera would struggle to do when it first debuted in 2009.

What worked for the Panamera was the fact it successfully bridged the gap between the performance of a sports car and the comfort of a luxury sedan and, more importantly in our view, Porsche's welcoming and 'open-to-experiments' loyalists. The Stuttgart-based brand, after all, churned out nothing but sports cars not so long ago. Now, it's the two SUVs and Panamera that bring in more volumes and revenue for Porsche than the iconic 911 and its derivatives.

The first-generation Panamera's design was a hit or a miss and that humpback whale-like derriere was quite an eyesore. Despite being just an evolutionary change, the new Panamera has smitten us. It's remarkable what a little nip here and a tuck there has resulted in! The new Panamera looks more pleasing and less oddball while flaunting the classic 'coke-bottle' silhouette that the 911 has been gracefully carrying for so many decades. The new Panamera is longer, wider and taller than before but the front wheels have moved outwards, the wheelbase has increased and the height above the rear of the passenger compartment has come down, giving the car a mean 'glued-to-the-road' stance. Porsche's characteristic 'flyline', or in other words the way the roof line drops down, leaves no stone unturned in impressing upon the fact that we are looking at a four-door coupe.

Distinct, four-point LED Daytime Running Lights up front are paired with matching four-point brake lights at the rear. A narrow LED strip runs across the full width of the car and looks dramatic when illuminated. We are told this is going to be a Porsche trademark in future!

The Porsche Advanced Cockpit aboard the new Panamera results in a cabin that sees touch-sensitive surfaces and digital screens replace cluttered buttons and switches. An analogue tachometer greets the driver with two 7-inch displays on either sides.

What matters most on a new Porsche is not the way it looks or feels from the inside but the speed at which it accelerates and the way it drives. In that sense, the new Panamera definitely won't disappoint prospective customers. Engine options include a 550 horsepower V8 petrol, a 440 horsepower V6 petrol and a 422 horsepower V8 diesel, all featuring biturbo direct injection technology. A 8-speed Porsche dual-clutch transmission (PDK) and permanent all wheel drive system are standard across all three engine options. The top-spec 'Turbo' variant with the V8 petrol under its hood and the Sport Chrono package can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in a measly 3.6 seconds. If you ever need a sedan that can comfortably confront and pass sports cars, this is it!

Would you believe us if we tell you that the Panamera beat cars like the Lamborghini Murcielago SV, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Porsche's own 911 GT3, Ferrari F430 Scuderia and the new Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio by clocking an incredible 7 minute and 38 seconds lap around the Nurburgring Nordschleife? Yes, it's that quick!

Sporty and elegant sedans are the kind of cars that make our Sunday mornings so much better and the Panamera did just that today. So what if you can't go and drive one now? Check the new Panamera inside and out in the official video released by Porsche.

Rolls-Royce and Mini celebrate BMW Group's centenary, unveil 'Vision Next 100' Concepts of their own

One hundred years. That's quite a milestone to survive. BMW Group has did just that and are celebrating their centenary with bold concepts predicting the next 100 years. While we saw BMW's vision of a car of the next century earlier this year, it is time now to look at what Rolls-Royce and Mini think of themselves a hundred years from now!

Named the 'Vision Next 100 Concept' just like its BMW sibling, Rolls-Royce's prediction of its future car looks bonkers. Its either distinctively futuristic or downright ridiculous and nothing in between. The big trapezoidal grille with the 'Spirit of Ecstasy' proudly on top and the long hood are just like the ones we see in Rolls-Royce motor cars today but that's where the similarity ends. The pinched fascia, the hidden wheels, the sloping roofline and the whole car itself tries too hard to look different. While no details are released, an electric drivetrain is said to be the mode of propulsion. Of course, its autonomous and does away with the need for a driver's seat and even the steering wheel. With just a plush sofa in there and a big OLED screen in front, this is literally a lounge on wheels.

Rolls-Royce says the Vision Next 100 Concept is a culmination of what Rolls-Royce patrons could expect from their car in the coming decades and the brand's own vision of how to meet those expectations. We bet those said patrons didn't see what was coming when they gave their inputs! Personal Vision, Effortless Journey, The Grand Sanctuary and The Grand Arrival are said to be the key tenets of this future vision from Rolls-Royce. Whatever they call it, we think its just too weird and polarizing!

Mini played its part and contributed to the centenary celebrations with its vision of a car of the next century. And quite unlike the Rolls-Royce, the Mini Vision Next 100 Concept looks a lot like the current Mini. The classic silhouette, the heavy floating roof, the circular headlamps and the lean greenhouse atop a wide lower half are all there, just a bit modernized and tuned to the future. 

Mini predicts the future would be car-sharing and to ensure the car is adaptable to those driving it, Mini has made the car a blank canvas that responds and changes to the individual user. Thankfully, Mini thinks humans will still like to drive as often as possible. So there is a steering wheel that can be slid in the space between the driver and the co-passenger if the occupants wish to switch to autonomous driving. A central circular instrument that's so typical of the Minis of today finds its place in the cabin. Its cheekily called a 'Cooperizer' and acts as a link between the driver and the car's digital intelligence. As expected, a zero-emission electric drive system is said to be sitting underneath that diminutive shell.

Now that we are done with seeing how BMW, Rolls-Royce and Mini envision them 100 years from now, let's see what BMW Motorrad has in store later this year!

Datsun launches redi-Go in India between ₹ 2.39 - 3.34 Lakhs

Renault Kwid's stupendous success has proved that customers at the budget end of the market are willing to look beyond Maruti-Suzuki when its time to part with their hard-earned money. Not wanting to miss out on the action, Nissan's low-cost subsidiary Datsun unveiled its budget car 'redi-Go' on Indian soil earlier this year. 

First shown in concept form at the 2014 Auto Expo in New Delhi, the redi-Go attracted show-goers with its funky styling and tallboy stance. In what was a pleasant surprise, the production model unveiled this April retained most of the concept's styling elements and proportions. The results are quite impressive with the redi-Go's smart and distinct lines standing out from the mundane A-segment crowd. Datsun's trademark hexagonal grille and the segment-first LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) gives the redi-Go an almost premium touch up front. Strong character lines and flared wheel arches look distinct and so does the pinched rear with the contoured tailgate. The next-generation Alto sure has its work cut out if it has to stand a chance against cars like this.

Unlike the exteriors that look like they belong to a car from a higher segment, the interiors of the redi-Go is strictly bare-bones. Make no mistake though, the redi-Go's cabin looks noticeably better than Datsun's earlier offerings even at first glance. While the base variants are understandably spartan, the top-end variant gets features like a driver airbag, power steering, front power windows and a music system with CD/USB/Aux inputs. If you are looking for more, Datsun has lined up more than 50 accessories to customize your redi-Go. Thanks to its tall stance, space inside the cabin should be adequate for four passengers with a fifth adult being a tight fit.

Based on the CMF-A platform developed by the Renault-Nissan alliance, the redi-Go shares its mechanicals with the popular Renault Kwid. As such, the same 799 cc in-line 3-cylinder petrol mill that powers the popular Renault does duty in the redi-Go too. Generating 53 horsepower and 72 Nm of torque, the specifications are similar too. Being lighter than the Kwid, expect the redi-Go to be peppier than the Kwid on the go.

Still searching for that elusive first hit, Datsun has nailed the redi-Go's pricing. The base variant starts at INR 2.39 Lakhs with the top-end variant stretching to INR 3.34 Lakhs. Both prices are ex-showroom Delhi. Those are extremely competitive prices making the redi-Go more affordable than a Renault Kwid or a Maruti-Suzuki Alto. Datsun also claims a 32% lower maintenance cost for the redi-Go compared to the Alto.

After a lackluster show with their earlier models, the Go and Go+, Datsun will be hoping the redi-Go helps establish them as a credible alternative to Maruti-Suzuki in the entry-level segment. It has the potential for sure but we will have to wait and watch if Datsun gets third time lucky in India.

Volkswagen launches Ameo in India from ‎₹ 5.24 Lakhs

After a lot of hype and pre-launch hoopla that stretched into months, Volkswagen finally launched its 'made-for-India' Ameo compact sedan today. Based on the same platform as the Polo hatchback and Vento sedan, the Ameo is the German brand's entry into the crowded and popular sub-4m sedan segment that's currently dominated by the Maruti-Suzuki Swift Dzire with the Honda Amaze and Hyundai Xcent trailing behind.

Volkswagen cars are known for their clean and timeless design with nary a hint of flashiness in their sheet metal. The Ameo is no different. The fascia is pretty much like its siblings and you could hardly differentiate between the Polo, Ameo and Vento when viewed side by side. The classy front end turns into a slightly awkward profile with the long hood and the short and stubby boot not gelling well together. That said, the boot integration is superb and doesn't look like an afterthought in the Ameo. The squarish taillights and the bootlid with the Skoda Rapid-like treatment for the number plate recess looks distinct and neat.

The interiors are typical Volkswagen with the cabin and the dashboard looking very similar to the Polo and Vento. That's a good thing because, knowing Volkswagen, the build quality, fit and finish should easily be the best in segment. With a wheelbase that's identical to the Polo, space at the rear might not be class leading or even as much as the Vento. Like the rest of the Volkswagen lineup, safety features like Antilock Braking System (ABS), driver and front passenger airbag, front and rear fog lamps, front and rear height-adjustable head restraints and rear defogger are standard across the range.

It might be a late entrant to the compact sedan space but Volkswagen has given the Ameo a lot of kit to fight it out with the best-sellers. First-in-class features include cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, front center armrest with storage, auto-dimming rear view mirrors and one-touch, anti-pinch front and rear power windows that could also be opened with the remote key. Other features in the Ameo include automatic climate control, touchscreen infotainment system with USB, Aux-in and SD card input, steering-mounted BlueTooth and audio controls, Voice Command, tilt and telescopic adjustable steering wheel, power-folding rear view mirrors, cooled glove box, rear AC vents and leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob.

At launch, the Ameo is only available with a 1.2-liter petrol engine under its hood. Shared with the Polo, the engine that's mated to a 5-speed manual transmission generates 73 horsepower and 110 Nm of torque. Later this year, Ameo will also get the updated 1.5-liter turbocharged diesel engine that's said to generate more power than the one in the Polo and Vento. In what could be the car's USP, Ameo's diesel variants will also get the infamous 7-speed DSG dual clutch gearbox. 

Available in three trim levels - Trendline, Comfortline and Highline, the Ameo is competitively priced with ex-showroom Delhi prices of INR 5.24, 5.99 and 7.05 Lakhs respectively. When launched, the diesel variants would be positioned at a premium over the petrol variants with the DSG-equipped variants at the top of the price chain.

Of course, the Ameo isn't going to challenge the Swift Dzire but it's clean styling, feature-rich interiors, decent pricing and Volkswagen's premium image gives it a fair shot at success.