Revamped and Relaunched – A round-up of the latest high-end cars launched in the Indian subcontinent
Welcome to this feature guide which lists some of the most recent automobile launches in the Indian subcontinent. Let us get down to it without much ado!
Renault Scala Travelogue Edition
Just how do you go ahead and make a gigantic piece of automotive beauty seem even better? Simple – you add a load of additional features to make an already alluring machine even more tempting. And yes, you induct it in your “Travelogue Edition” lineup too! The head honchos at Renault recently added a few more models of the Renault Scala to their Travelogue Edition lineup in India. The French auto behemoth inducted the special edition for all 4 top level versions of its diesel, petrol and petrol CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) configurations.
While there are no mechanical updates in these newly inducted models, their armory has now been provided new ammunition in the form of:
Exteriors
A contrasting strip that runs across the body all the way from the headlamps to the rear.
Interior
- A Multimedia Navigation System
- Bluetooth connectivity
- A rear shade
- Illuminated scuff plates
To sweeten the deal further, Renault has agreed to throw in an extended warranty of 2 years and free roadside assistance of 4 years as well.
Pricing
It retails as follows:
Ex-Showroom Delhi Ex-Showroom Mumbai RxL Petrol - Rs 8.48 lakh RxL petrol- Rs 8.79 lakh RxL CVT Petrol - Rs 9.61 lakh RxL CVT Petrol - Rs 9.98 lakh RxZ CVT Petrol - Rs 10.51 lakh RxZ CVT Petrol - Rs 10.93 lakh RxL Diesel - Rs 9.31 lakh RxL Diesel - Rs 9.66 lakh RxZ Diesel - Rs 10.20 lakh RxZ Diesel- Rs 10.60 lakh
Mercedes S 350 CDI
Mercedes Benz S class which is the most exemplary combination of style, luxury, comfort and a personal statement – and did I mention luxury? To help make your choice of these beauties even harder, Mercedes Benz India recently launched this diesel variant of its older cousin – the S 500 (a petrol variant). Mercedes Benz India, keeping in mind that this is a younger sibling of the S 500, has decided that the S 350 CDI, too shall be assembled and bodywork done as well in India at their Chakan plant in Pune.
There are numerous differences between these two German power horses, some of which are listed below-
Exterior
- No 360-degree cameras results in a simpler grille. However, the rear camera proves to be quite helpful while parking in tight spots.
- No night vision camera either.
- Smaller wheels (18-inch instead of the 20-inch) along with a simpler 10-spoke design.
- Super light aluminium chassis is used for the S 350 CDI.
Interior
- This is a 5-seater instead of the original 4-seater – thereby making it THE PERFECT vehicle for the family of 4 plus a driver.
- This results in loss of the rear split-cabin seats, which are present in the S 500.
- Ability to move the front passenger’s seat upto 77mm forward enables a truly First Class experience for the rear passengers – especially in
- the legroom segment!
- Wood trim is missing from the steering wheel herein.
- Boot lid is not power-operated.
Other features
Having said all the above, I would now like to bring in your attention to some more features of the S 350 CDI –
- The S 350 CDI gives an fuel economy of 12.2 kmpl on the highway and 8.6 kmpl in the city – a brilliant and highly commendable feat for a limousine of its calibre, segment and weight (2.1 tonnes for those interested).
- The drive is smoother than a newly born’s bottom – a fact verified by veterans from renowned and leading automotive publications – internationally and domestically.
- The 3.0L V6 diesel engine is so quiet while performing that it is quite hard to discern – even for the rear passengers – that one is seated in a diesel limousine!
Thus, on a last note, while the S 350 CDI does lose out on some driver-friendly features, while retaining and improving on some for the rear passengers, it more than makes up in the pricing department as this model retails at INR 1.07 Crore (Ex-showroom, Pune); implying pretty cool saving which is upward of INR 25 Lakh over the S 500!
Mahindra XUV500 Sportz
M&M has been known throughout its LMV history primarily for its SUVs. However, there is one vehicle which has been so phenomenal and outstanding in just about every metric and benchmark available, that it managed to disrupt the sales of similar vehicles in segments above and below it as well! We talk of none other, but the Mahindra XUV500 – a beast of a vehicle which has captured the Indian market in a way akin to how the Maruti 500, back in the 80 and 90s, caught the fancy of just about every Indian who could afford the vehicle – and even those who couldn’t!
Taking things one step further, Mahindra & Mahindra has released a special edition of the XUV500 called XUV500 Sportz. It shall further provide an exquisitely exclusive feeling to all who purchase the model as this is a limited edition variant, of which only a 1000 shall be produced. It has been modelled on the top end variant of the XUV500 i.e. the XUV W8. Moreover, at a price markup of only about INR 25000 over the XUV W8 2WD, it seems like a great buy considering the various new features inducted in this variant.
Features
The Sportz variant shall be equipped with –
- A 140 bhp mHawk Engine with 330Nm torque and a 6-speed transmission – the same as in the XUV500 W8.
- Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with rollover mitigation.
- 6 airbags (front, side and curtain).
- ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
- Hill Hold Control & Hill Descent Control
- Rear-view camera.
- Leather & fabric combo seats.
- 6 – inch touch infotainment system.
- Cruise control.
- Smart rain & light sensors.
- Micro-hybrid technology.
- Special decals & a red accent across numerous parts to demarcate it as a special edition release.
Sadly, this variant does not boast of any mechanical changes.
Thus, at a price of INR 13.8 Lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi, it seems a good purchase for those interested in the “Best Value for Money Car of the Year 2011”.
Duster 85PS Adventure Edition
The second Renault on our list today is the Duster. Renault has now launched the 85PS variant in the Adventure Edition lineup at a price of INR 9.17L, ex-showroom, Delhi. This variant is a 84bhp diesel version of the compact SUV on offer by Renault. This Adventure Edition is extremely similar in looks to its elder sibling – the Duster 110PS Adventure Edition – and differs primarily due to a change in the engine and price (again, due to the change in engine primarily)
This Duster is powered by a 1.5L 4-cylinder diesel engine which develops 85hp and 200 Nm of torque. The 2WD has a 5-speed manual transmission configuration which transfers the requisite power to the front wheels. This makes the Adventure Edition a more rugged version of the SUV. The following are the featured changes in this variant –
Exterior
- A grille guard with integrated lights.
- Smoked headlights.
- Protective plastic padding on the wheel sides and arches.
- Alloy wheels.
- White ORVM cover.
- Adventure Decals on the D-pillar.
Interior
- Interior comes with a lime green theme for this variant.
BMW X5
The folks at BMW seem to have hit a home run with the launch of the new, and highly anticipated, 3rd generation X5. This monster of a vehicle is bound to get you more attention than you probably yearned for – even if it’s only for purchasing it at the tad high pricing of INR 70.90 Lakh (ex-showroom, Pune).
This beast of a machine, which will only be available as a Diesel variant in the form of the BMWX5 xDrive 30d, is brought to life by a peppy and powerful V6 3.0L twin turbo-charged robust engine, which promises to produce a healthy 258bhp of power and 560Nm of torque. This, coupled with the 8-speed steptronic sport automatic transmission gearbox and the xDrive intelligent 4WD system, enables the SUV a nigh-perfect variable torque split amongst the 4 wheels at the driver’s disposal. Moreover, for a vehicle of its built, it proffers a pretty good mileage of 12.28 kmpl (min. in City) and 15.35 kmpl (max. on highway)!
It flaunts its curves while maintaining its regal and rigid, yet stylishly crafted, structure it has come to be adored for. It is now adorned with a highly distinguishable front bumper, the new ‘Kidney’ grille like the one on the 3 Series, BMW’s LED lightning system along with LED fog lamps. Moreover, the interior facade has been completely redone with a huge dose of metallic and wooden inserts – underlining the company’s attempt to give an avant-garde and aristocratic feel to the cabin. In fact, I doubt that I shall be able to do this beauty any justice through any amount of inordinate writing. Thus, have a look for yourself instead.
