Review Car

The Datsun Redi GO is the third car from the Japanese automaker as part of its re launch strategy for the brand. It was unveiled at the 2014 Auto Expo and will join the GO, GO+ and the soon to be unveiled sedan (Russia market only) as Datsun’s budget offerings for various markets. It is a B-segment hatchback and is expected to sit above the GO hatchback in the Datsun hierarchy.
Exterior
The Redi-GO gets a slightly more futuristic adaptation of the Japanese automaker’s fascia that was unveiled with the GO in July last year. It retains the chrome hexagonal grille from the GO and GO+ but gets sleeker swept back headlights. The fascia also includes a futuristic bumper which is separated from the front grille by a narrow air dam. The headlights and the fog lamps are both LED units but we expect that in the production version, the hatchback will get standard halogen units in a bid to keep the cost of the car down.
The side profile includes flared wheel arches and aerodynamic lines that extend into the boot and then onto the other side. The Redi GO’s roofline slopes at both ends and gives the impression that the car is forward leaning thanks to the little bits of the body work that cover the edge of the A-pillar and the C-pillar. Despite the quirky design, the Redi GO is a four door but we expect that headroom in the second row will be a bit of an issue if this is the shape adapted in the production version.
At the rear, the Redi GO gets a sloping roofline with a smaller rear spoiler. The two-tone bumper is body coloured expect for the number plate holder which has been painted in grey to match the same section on the front bumper. The tail lamp assembly flows from the rear wheel arch to a point near the middle of the boot door. Despite the rest of the car having so many lines and little touches to give it a funky appearance, the rear is little less spectacular than the rest of the car. We already know that it has a wheelbase of 2.3 meters which means the overall length of the Redi GO should be in the range of 3.2-3.6 meters.
Interiors
The interiors of the Redi GO have not been revealed but we expect that it will be a slightly more premium version than the ones found in the GO and GO+. It is expected to get all the standard features like the AUX-IN with two speakers, mobile charging point, beige upholstery, the dash-mounted gear lever and handbrake.
Engines
It is expected to be powered by the same 1.2-litre three cylinder engine that produces 67bhp and 104Nm of torque. Power is transmitted to the front wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox. It is possible that this car maybe offered with a CNG or an LPG compatible option also.
Price, competition and launch
It is expected to be priced in the range of Rs 3.5 lakh to Rs 5.5 lakh and will compete in the B-segment with the Chevrolet Sail hatchback, Tata Indica eV2 and the Hyundai i10. It is expected to be launched in early 2015 for most of the markets where Datsun has a presence.

The Ka is the new hatchback concept from Ford, developed under the code name ‘B562’. Like the EcoSport, this hatchback is also developed by Ford Brazil indicating that this product will primarily target emerging markets including India.
The Ka concept was unveiled in Brazil, last November, with the design cues similar to that of the European Ford Mondeo. Ford says the Ka concept highlights "bold design, quality engineering and innovative technologies", and adds that it will be "a new choice for entry-level urban customers".
The Ka concept is expected to be production ready by the end of this year and it will be launched in India in the first quarter of 2015. The hatchback will most probably be the first model to be rolled-out from Ford’s new facility in Sanand, Gujarat.
The Ka concept looks bigger that the Figo hatchback, but proper comparison can be made only when we have the exact dimensions. The fascia of the Ka is similar to that to the current generation Fords, the headlights look futuristic but these won’t be part of the production version. However, we don’t expect too many other changes in the design of the final product.
The production version of the Ka will use the 1.0-litre three-cylinder EcoBoost petrol engine, only the entry-level variants may be offered sans the turbocharger. The diesel version will continue to derive power from the 1.4-litre TDCI mill.
A lot will depend upon Ford’s positioning of the new car. If the new car is positioned as the Figo replacement, then we might miss out on certain features like the SYNC system and powershift automatic transmission. However, if Ford positions this car above the Figo to compete with the i20 and the Polo then it might get some additions to become viable in that segment. For India, the Ka concept might also be a base for a sub-four metre sedan to compete with the Maruti Suzuki Dzire and the Honda Amaze. Once launched, the new sedan will replace the Ford Fiesta Classic.
Ford will debut the new Ka concept in India at the 2014 Auto Expo. We might also get some additional information from the American manufacturer regarding the launch of the new hatchback at the event.

Hyundai has tasted quite a bit of success with the launch of the Elite i20 in India and is now working on a crossover based on this hatchback. The test mules of this vehicle have been spotted testing several times. Amidst the horde of compact crossovers and SUVs coming to India in 2015, Hyundai will also launch this crossover to increase their market share and improve the domestic volumes.
Exterior
The crossover will be based on the current Elite i20 which is the second generation version of the i20. It will share the same platform but get additional features making it look meatier and muscular in appearance. The wide but compact air intake with mesh design, the revised grille in the front bumper with restyled fog lamps and sweptback head lights are expected to be carried over to the new car. The crossover will also stay in line with the new fluidic design seen on all new Hyundai cars. The company will give the car a body cladding while bringing in a new design for the alloy wheels and roof rails. The newly designed tail lamps might also be carried over with the addition of the tail-gate mounted spare wheel at the back of the car.
Interior
The cabin of the crossover is expected to be similar to the one in the Elite i20. Hyundai might borrow the new instrument panel with gear shift indicator and three-spoke steering wheel with integrated audio and Bluetooth controls from the hatchback. The layout is expected to be the same, but the company might give the interior a sporty look. Like the feature rich i20 hatchback, the crossover will also be packed with many features like height adjustable driver’s seat, cooled glove-box, 2-Din audio system with 1 GB internal memory, climate control system, cruise control, a second power outlet, reverse parking assist, clutch lock etc.
Engine and Gearbox
The engine options for the hatchback-based crossover are expected to be the same petrol and diesel mills from the Elite i20. The petrol variant might be powered by the four-cylinder 1.2-litre Kappa motor that produces 83bhp of power and 113Nm of torque and comes mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. The diesel version might employ the 1.4-litre CRDI motor that churns out 89bhp of power and 219Nm of torque. This mill comes paired to a six-speed manual gearbox.
Price and competition
The Elite i20-based crossovers entry-level variant might be priced Rs 60,000 to Rs 90,000 more than the base version of hatchback. The top-end variant might demand about Rs 1.5 lakh more than the high-end Elite i20, putting the car in a price bracket of Rs 6 lakh to Rs 11 lakh. Its prime rival will be the upcoming Maruti Suzuki SX4 S-Cross, while it will also go up against the Toyota Etios Cross, Volkswagen Cross Polo and the Fiat Avventura.

The compact SUV segment is growing fast in India and Tata also wants to make its presence felt there. With their plans of launching two new products every year till 2020, they will get their compact SUV concept, Nexon, which they displayed at the 2014 Auto Expo. We can expect the manufacturer to launch the vehicle by the end of 2015 or early 2016 since the company is concentrating on the mass market offerings first. This means the new compact SUV might be brought in only after the Kite hatchback and sedan are introduced to the market.
Exterior
Tatas Nexon is based on the X1 platform which also underpins the Zest sedan and Bolt hatchback. The car gets a futuristic design setting the car apart from its current siblings. The production version of the car is expected to borrow styling cues from this concept that sports LED headlamps and tail lamps, and might be toned down a bit. The Nexon measures four metres in length, 1.73 metres in width and 1.6 metres in height and has a wheelbase of 2.54 metres. The vehicle has a high ground clearance along with the large alloy wheels.
Interior
The futuristic design in the external appearance has been carried over to the cabin of the Nexon as well. The interior features an intelligent human interface system with a full width instrument cluster and a floating console. It will also use the ConnectNext technology that Tata has developed with Samsung. However, we are not sure what all features will make it to the final production version though.
Engine and Gearbox
The Nexon will be powered by the 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol Revotron engine that will be tuned to churn out around 110bhp of power and 170Nm of torque. We can also expect a diesel variant powered by the 1.3-litre Quadrajet engine, sourced from Fiat. These engines are expected to come mated to a five-speed transmission.
Price and Competition
Tata will up the competition if they price the Nexon in the range of Rs 6.5 lakh to Rs 9 lakh. It will go up against the Ford EcoSport, Renault Duster, Nissan Terrano,the upcoming Maruti Suzuki S-Cross SX4 and Hyundais i20-based crossover.

The Porsche Cayenne and VW Touraeg have both got major updates this year so it only seemed obvious that the Audi Q7 be updated too. Now, Audi has taken the wraps off the 2015 Q7 SUV and it appears to have undergone some major cosmetic reconfiguration.
The flagship SUV from the Ingolstadt- based automaker retains an all too familiar shape but is now a whopping 325kgs lighter and roughly 26 per cent more efficient than the outgoing model. The SUV tips the scales at 1995-kgs and has managed to pull off this task thanks to an all-new aluminum-steel chassis and multi-material body composition.
Exterior
The 2015 Q7’s fascia reflects the German automaker’s new design philosophy which now sees its cars moving away from the previous two generation’s rounded edges to much sharper features. The headlights can now be configured in the form of Xenon’s, LEDs or matrix LED headlights. What appears to be standard across all three headlight setups are the arrow- shaped LED daytime running lights with the top-spec models getting the integrated turn signals.
The side profile appears to have been retained from the outgoing model but the roofline has a sharper rake at the rear end and it appears that the whole roof has also been lowered slightly. The bulging wheel arches add to the butch look of the vehicle while there is some contrast coloured moulding on the base of doors. The designs of the alloy wheels too are different now, though we expect that the company is likely to continue offering the older shapes depending on the market.
The rear, like the fascia, gets sharper lines giving a square appearance to the overall design but thanks to the forward rake of the glass does not look out of place. The entire mid-section below the tail lamps has been reworked and thereare two bulge- like design elements on which the badging have been placed. Finally, the exhaust tail pipes have been changed and thanks to the new design philosophy are now flatter and rectangular in shape.
Interior
Less is more seems to be the new philosophy for Audi as it has simplified the cabin design by decreasing the size and number of the elements on the dashboard. The steering, instrument panel and climate control system all appear to be new while the screen has moved from being in the dashboard to the top of it and has now also become larger as well a touchscreen unit. It now uses Audi’s latest MMI system while offering support for Android Auto as well as Apple Car Play. Adding to this package is either a Bose system or a 23-speaker B&O surround sound system.
In conformity with the reducing design, the gear lever is now a smaller unit but other than that all elements look to be carried over and in the same places too. If the front gets so much, then the rear too looks to be a fun place. It can be configured with one or two 10.1-inch tablets that boast of a 32GB memory and full HD camera (for when that car selfie moment happens). Like its predecessors, the 2015 Q7 boasts of three rows of seats and lots of storage spaces.
Engine and gearbox
The Q7 is being offered with the 3.0-litre TDI diesel mill which in higher- spec models produces 272bhp and 600Nm of torque. It is also available in a lower spec config where it produces 218bhp and 500Nm of torque.
On the petrol front, the engine is a 3.0-litre unit that produces 333bhp and 440Nm of torque. There is also expected to be a 2.0-litre petrol engine which will produce 252bhp and 370Nm of torque. This engine will be offered only for the Asian markets. This Q7 also debuts Audi’s new 3.0-litre plug-in hybrid diesel engine that will produce 373bhp and 700Nm of torque. All engines are offered with an 8-speed AT and Quattro system as standard. Audi is now also offering an all-wheel steering on some specific models.
Compeition and Price
The 2015 Audi Q7 will go on sale in Europe and America in the period of June-August 2015 which means that we in India will get it by the end of next year. It is expected to be priced significantly higher than the current model and will compete with the VW Touraeg, Porsche Cayenne and the Land Rover Range Rover.

Toyota unveiled the facelifted Camry at the Moscow Motor Show in early 2014. The manufacturer then put the car on sale in Russia at the end of the same year. While the car made its debut in China at the Guangzhou Auto Show, the updated car is expected to be launched in that country in 2015. This is when we can also expect the latest iteration of the Camry to be brought to the Indian soil as well.
Exterior
This version is different from the Camry sold in the European market. This revised model gets many changes to the exterior. The most evident one on the fascia being the new bumper with larger air intakes. This bumper has been redesigned with fog lamps surrounded by the chrome slats. The car gets new headlights, daytime running lights and there is a horizontal chrome slat at the end of the bonnet. The grille is also embellished in chrome. While we can see a new design pattern for the alloys, there are a few tweaks at the back of the vehicle as well. The rear bumper is updated and there is a chrome lining for the tail lamps.
Interior
There are not many changes inside the cabin apart from a few modifications that differentiate the refreshed car from the current model. The company has equipped this new model with a new three-spoke multifunction steering wheel. While the layout of the dashboard is the same, the instrument cluster is redesigned. The car will come equipped with the features seen in the current model. Front dual airbags, ABS and traction control will be offered as standard on the top-end version of the Camry.
Engine and Gearbox
This facelifted model of the Camry is available in three engine options globally. These include the 2.0-, 2.5- and 3.0-litre petrol mills, while in India we get only the 2.5-litre petrol variant and the 2.5-litre Hybrid model. The engine comes mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox, while the Hybrid variant comes paired to a CVT transmission. We can expect the same powertrain to continue in the facelifted version.
Price and Competition
This refreshed Toyota Camry is expected to be priced in the Rs 25-30 lakh bracket and will go up against the Volkswagen Passat, the Skoda Superb and even the new Audi A3 sedan.

The Ford Figo Concept is Ford’s new global concept that was unveiled just before Delhi Auto Expo 2014. Unlike the current Figo, it is a compact sedan that will compete with the likes of the Honda Amaze, Suzuki Dzire and the Tata Zest. It will be less than four metres in length, but the concept car has good proportions. Elements like the headlamps, tail lamps, fog lamps, wheels and tyres will not make it as is to production because of the cost target involved. Things like the rear disc brakes will also not make it to production.
The Figo Concept aligns itself with Ford’s “One Ford” philosophy, which means it now looks a lot like the new Mondeo and Taurus. It is a bold new grille, and the headlamps complement the design nicely. The silhouette is pretty much the same as most of the other compact sedans, but the rear is slightly disappointing. Unlike most other cars from the segment, it doesn’t put the rear number plate on the bootlid, instead opting for a low mount on the bumper. This leaves the rear with a look that is a little too vertical despite the horizontal creases that try to alleviate the visual height.
The interior of the car wasn’t developed at the time of the unveiling, but we expect it to carry forward lessons from the Figo and the EcoSport. It should be a modern, futuristic interior with a quantum leap forward in connectivity – it will support a lot more apps, and maybe even run apps on your smartphone. At the same time we expect it to share parts from the EcoSport to keep costs down – the Classic will probably be the last model with hydraulic steering assist from the Blue Oval, provided the current Figo hatch is discontinued.
Ford hasn’t committed to a launch date beyond an enigmatic “soon”, so we expect it to be production-ready within a year’s time.

We first saw the Suzuki S-Cross SX4 crossover at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show in March. First developed and produced in collaboration with Fiat, the S-Cross SX4 is currently in its third generation and for the first time will spawn two separate models with the same naming convention. We in India,for the first time, are also expected to get the compact crossover due to a sudden spurt in demand for compact utility vehicles.
Exterior
The S-Cross SX4despite being a crossover has a very familiar shape that the Indian market will be able to recognise, thanks to the presence of the SX4 sedan that has been on sale here since 2006. The front gets a three piece black grille with the Suzuki logo prominently standing in the middle. The headlights are the same as before but now get daytime LEDs. There is a black plastic cladding running along the base with a bit under the number plate holder and doors in a silver shade.
The side profile has changed slightly from the previous vehicle with the roofline being altered slightly. At the back, the S-Cross SX4 retains a similar profile as the outgoing vehicle but now gets sharper features including a new design for the tail lamps. The silver and black cladding can be seen here too and runs the length of the rear bumper. Suzuki has also fitted roof rails but in India we expect that they will offer a carrier as an optional extra.
Interiors
Suzuki by virtue of being known for its mass markets vehicles follows the policy through and through. This is most reflected in the interiors which look very similar to the ones found on the smaller Swift. The steering wheel, gauges, gearbox, stalks and buttons are all exactly the same as is the case with the layout. In fact, if you were to blindfold someone and seat them in the car, it would be hard for them to tell which Suzuki vehicle they are sitting in. The only major difference is that in the four-wheel-drive enabled models there is a drive selector. The rear can seat three people comfortably and will fold down to expand the boot space.
Engines
The S-Cross SX4 is being offered with one diesel mill and one petrol engine. The oil burner is a turbocharged 1.6-litre unit that produces 120bhp and 320Nm of torque. Power is transmitted to the front wheels or all four wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. The petrol is also a 1.6-litre mill but is naturally aspirated. It produces 120bhp and 156Nm of torque. Power is transmitted to all four wheels or the front wheels via a five-speed manual or a CVT gearbox.
When to expect and price
We can expect that Suzuki will tounveil the car in the second half of 2014 and is likely totbe launched at the start of 2015. It will give the Indo-Japanese automaker an entry into the highly competitive crossover segment and with their reputation and service network should do quite well. It is likely to be priced in the range of Rs 8 lakh to Rs 14 lakh putting it in competition with the XUV500, Mahindra Scorpio, Renault Duster and the Ford EcoSport.
Price: Rs 8 lakh to Rs 14 lakh

Jaguar has always been known to produce cars that slot into the higher sections of the premium category and this has been evident since the new look XJ and XF began production in 2009. It has however been missing a contender in the entry-level sports segment which is dominated by cars like the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. However, this will now change when it launches the XE sports sedan next year. Aimed at giving the British manufacturer a chance at the volumes game we can expect to see an Indian debut by the middle of next year.
Exterior
The Jaguar XE, in the released publicity material and spy shots, looks exactly like the larger XF and the flagship XJ. This is a common practice among all the manufacturers partly due to economies of scale and partly due to the fact that it is easy for them to adapt a successful design across all their models to retain familiarity of product.
The Jaguar XE will get a smaller version of the XF’s massive chrome mesh grille complete with the leaping cat. Standard features are expected to be projector headlights, LED daytime lights and projector fog lamps. We even expect that the bumper will remain the same but with a higher ground clearance.
The side profile is also similar to that of the XF in terms of roof line, flared wheels arches and the rake angle of the roof line both in the front and back. However, while the boot will have similar design elements as the XF and XJ-like tail lamp cluster and chrome strips, it appears to be far smaller (in relation to the larger cars). The rear bumper is expected to be a little sportier and will be complemented by dual exhausts.
Interior
While the exteriors are clear thanks to the plethora of spy shots and press release images, the interiors are still a mystery. However, given the theme of continuation on the outside, we expect that it will be no different inside. The overall design is expected to be very close to that of the XF and XJ but with the obvious cost cutting measures like fabric/Alacantra seats and shiny but high quality plastic in place of wood for the trim options.
We expect that the infotainment system, climate control and instrumentation will remain the same but there will none of the Houdini-like hidden vents and rotary dial appearing from hidden crevices. Instead we believe that there will be a standard gear lever and fixed gear selection dial in the cabin. The rear seat space will adequately seat two persons in full comfort thanks to the transmission tunnel and the rear AC unit.
Engine and gearbox
The XE will be the British automaker’s first vehicle to be derived from an all-new aluminium platform and engine family called Ingenium which will comprise units in the capacity of 1.8-litres to 2.5-litres and have power outputs in the range of 184bhp to 300bhp. There is also expected to be a top-of-the-line RS variant which will be powered by the 3.0-litre V6 unit from the F-Type range.
This family has both petrol and diesel engines and will be mated to either a six-speed manual or the ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox which will send power to the rear wheels or to all four-wheels in a 60:40 ratio.
Price and competition
We expect that Jaguar will price the XE in the range of Rs 28 lakh to Rs 45 lakh and launch it in mid- 2015. It will compete with the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The biggest move is expected to be that Jaguar will locally assemble the car in India in a bid to price it as competitively as possible.