Maruti Suzuki Vitara Compact SUV Spy Shots Reveal Look of the Car

Maruti Suzuki has to up its game if it’s going to contend with the likes of cars that are pouring out of the Hyundai stable and the Vitara Compact SUV. As we’ve said earlier the car will be rolled out by April, 2016.

The company confirmed that the Vitara compact SUV will be showcased at the 2016 Delhi Auto Expo and a launch of the product will follow suit. The compact SUV is a priority product for Maruti Suzuki and they can’t wait to bring it here. The car, in fact, has already made it to India and here are a few pictures of it.

The India-bound Maruti Suzuki Vitara will look similar to the iV-4 concept which made its debut at the 2014 Paris Motor Show. It shares the same platform as the XA Alpha concept which was showcased at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo.

The Vitara compact SUV that will go up against the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Renault Duster and even the upcoming Honda BR-V (which will be seen at the Auto Expo too). But it looks like price will play an important role and the company is looking to price it under the 10 lakh mark.

If the car is priced under the 10 lakh mark, the Vitara will prove to be a serious threat to the others and knowing how Maruti Suzuki prices its cars, the competition is about to heat up in this segment. As far as the engine options for the Maruti Suzuki Vitara are concerned, the company will plan on bringing the 1.4-litre VVT petrol and a 1.3-litre multijet diesel, however considering that the 1.6-litre diesel has already made its way to India, Maruti Suzuki might just up the ante by loading it in the Vitara.

Image Source: Fiat Moto Club

Fernando Alonso Leaving Ferrari, Says Outgoing Team Chief

Fernando Alonso was said to have lost faith in Ferrari's inability to produce a winning car. With three races of the championship remaining, he sits third in the drivers' championship standings.

    

Spaniard Fernando Alonso is leaving Ferrari because he "can't wait much longer" if he wants to win another world title, outgoing Ferarri chief Luca de Montezemolo confirmed on Thursday.

Former two-time world champion Alonso was widely rumoured to be leaving the Italian giants at the end of the current season, two years before his contract ends.

De Montezemolo, who recently quit his post as president of the company, confirmed to Italian television Rai that the Spaniard was leaving "for two reasons".

"He's leaving for two reasons. One is he want to test himself in another environment, and two because he's at an age where he can't wait much longer if he wants to triumph again."

Alonso was said to have lost faith in Ferrari's inability to produce a winning car. With three races of the championship remaining, he sits third in the drivers' championship standings.

"It hurt him that he didn't win this year and he needs fresh motivation," added De Montezelomo.
Alonso's contract with Ferrari was set to expire at the end of 2016, meaning he would leave two years short of its expiry.

While speculation over the Spaniard's future destination continues, four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull is rumoured to be heading to Ferrari.

Vettel announced last week he was quitting Red Bull.

Mercedes-Benz GLA 45 AMG Launching on October 27, 2014

Mercedes-Benz India that launched the GLA-Class SUV recently, will launch the performance-oriented model of the car - the GLA 45 AMG - on October 27, 2014. The car features the same 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder, direct-injection petrol unit that also powers the CLA 45 AMG. Claimed to be the world's most powerful production 4-cylinder engine, it churns out a whooping 355bhp and 450Nm of peak torque. The company has reduced also the car's height by 15mm as compared to the regular model in order to make it easier to handle at high-speeds.

Other features that help differentiate the GLA45 AMG from the regular model are its sportier bumpers, a different-looking grille, quad exhaust, rear diffuser and red callipers. The cabin too looks quite different from the regular model with features a racy flat-bottomed steering wheel, a new gearbox, red seatbelts and contrast stitching on seats and steering.

As far as interior features are concerned, the GLA45 AMG is likely to be offered with rear AC vents, an infotainment system with a large touch-screen, automatic climate control, 19-inch alloy wheels as standard  provisions in addition to necessary safety and comfort features.

Rent a Tata Nano at Rs. 399/Day Through Carzonrent

India's leading car rental company, Carzonrent Pvt. Ltd and Tata Motors announced their partnership, under which people can hire a Tata Nano for self drive at Rs. 399 per day. As part of 'Myles City-Drive' initiative, Delhi-NCR would have access to 200 Tata Nano Twist units across 43 locations in the city. Customers, who wish to own the car for less hours, can get it at a price of Rs. 99/hour. And if a consumers wants it for a month, will have to pay Rs. 6,999.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Rajiv Kr Vij, Managing Director & CEO, Carzonrent (I) Ltd. said, "MYLES CITY-DRIVE with NANO TWIST will provide the city commuters a license to drive, empowering them to do and enjoy everyday life a little more. This association with Tata Motors is a step forward on Carzonrent's endeavor to build long-term partnerships with auto manufacturers to develop a dynamic ground mobility landscape in India."

Deepankar Tiwari, Head - Institutional Sales, Tata Motors, "The NANO TWIST is the perfect smart city car for zipping through Delhi-NCR. We are delighted to associate with Carzonrent and through this partnership we will reach out to a larger customer base and give them an opportunity to experience the awesome Nano in a self-drive avatar."

Carzonrent's Myles is currently available across 16 Indian cities and offers a wide range of cars from Mahindra e20, Swift, Innova, XUV500 to Mercedes-Benz and now has added the Nano Twist to its fleet. The car rental company currently has 600 Myles cars and aims to expand its self-drive fleet to 5,000 cars by 2016.

Interested customers can book cars through Carzonrent's official website or their android-based mobile application.