Mahindra is reportedly working on an under 4-meter iteration of its UV, the Bolero. This new Bolero will be the fourth product in Mahindra's compact UV portfolio, after the KUV1OO, TUV3OO and NuvoSport. Mahindra is likely planning to launch the mini-Bolero in August this year.

The Bolero currently on sale in the market is 4,170 mm long. This means that Mahindra designers will need to shave off 170 mm to bring the UV under 4-meters. Reports claim that the wheelbase of the mini-Bolero will remain identical to its longer sibling, while the front and rear overhangs would be optimised to reach the targeted 4-meter length. The front and rear bumpers too would be re-profiled, while majority of the body panels would remain identical to the larger Bolero.

Interior design elements are also expected to be borrowed from the full-sized sibling. Seat design might be re-engineered to optimise space inside the cabin. The mini-Bolero will be offered with a 7-seater layout, similar to the arrangement inside the TUV3OO and the NuvoSport. As a result, the last row would get two side facing jump-seats.

Under the hood, the mini-Bolero would house a 1.5-litre, three-cylinder mHawk diesel engine, which is the same unit that is found in the TUV3OO and NuvoSport. But in order to deliver better fuel economy figures, the mini-Bolero's engine will be detuned to deliver 68 BHP.

Source: Autocar India

Mahindra's Executive Director, Dr. Pawan Goenka, has confirmed that the Indian automaker would be developing a new SUV, which will be based on the SsangYong X100 platform. This is the same platform that underpins the Tivoli, which is expected to make its Indian debut in the near future.

Speaking at the FIA Formula E championship in London, Dr. Goenka confirmed that Mahindra is currently working on two new platforms, one of which will be the Tivoli-based SUV. This vehicle is expected to be launched in the next 14 to 16 months. On the other hand, details of the second platform haven’t been revealed, though the final product is expected to be unveiled by 2018.

What must be noted here is the fact that Mahindra already has a crowded compact SUV portfolio, with the TUV300 and NuvoSport. With the SsangYong Tivoli too expected to enter the market, it will be interesting to see how Mahindra places its new SUV. It is likely to be placed higher than the NuvoSport, but lower than the Tivoli.

Rumours suggest that the new SUV will mark the debut of an all-new 1.5-litre petrol engine, which will then also be offered in the current range of SUVs such as the TUV300 and NuvoSport. It remains to be seen whether Mahindra plonks the Tivoli's 1.6-litre diesel engine in its new SUV, or introduces a new power mill.

Source: IndianAutosBlog

Nissan India is planning to launch the Kicks compact SUV in 2018. These speculations have been fuelled after Nissan India's President, Guillaume Sicard, announced the company plans for the next three years. Sicard claimed that the company is putting its focus on SUVs and Crossovers, since Indian customers have shown an inclination for cars of these two segments. And if there is one crossover in Nissan's global portfolio that fits the Indian requirements, it is the Nissan Kicks.

The Kicks recently made its global debut in Brazil, and is scheduled to go on sale there by the end of this year. Nissan India, meanwhile, is preparing a domestic version of the Kicks, keeping in mind the Indian customer preferences.

In India, the Nissan Kicks will be most likely offered with a 1.5-litre K9k diesel engine that also powers the Terrano. Under the Terrano's hood, this engine develops 83.8 BHP or 108.5 BHP, depending on the state of tune. Nissan might also launch a petrol powered Kicks, in order to cap the growing demand of petrol cars in the country.

Once launched, the Nissan Kicks will compete against the Renault Duster and Hyundai Creta. It will be interesting to see whether Nissan India discontinues the low-selling Terrano to make space in its portfolio, or sells it alongside the Kicks.

Source: Rushlane

Honda has launched the BR-V compact SUV in India. The vehicle is priced between Rs. 8.75 lakh and Rs. 12.90 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

The BR-V measures 4,453-4,456 mm in length, 1735 mm in width and 1,666 mm in height. It has a wheelbase of 2,662 mm and a ground clearance of 210 mm. The car rides on 16-inch wheels shod with 195/60 section tyres.

Engine options for the BR-V include a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder, i-VTEC petrol unit and a 1.5-cylinder, 4-cylinder i-DTEC diesel unit. The petrol engine develops 117 BHP @ 6,600 rpm and 145 Nm of torque @ 4,600 rpm. The diesel engine puts out 99 BHP @ 3,600 rpm and 200 Nm of torque @ 1,750 rpm. Both engines are mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. The petrol power plant is available with a continuously variable transmission with paddle shifters as well.

The ARAI-certified fuel efficiency figures for the petrol manual, petrol CVT and diesel stand at 15.4 kpl, 16 kpl and 21.9 kpl respectively.

The BR-V is available as a 7-seater in E, S, V and VX variants. The top-end VX variant comes with features such as faux skid plates, chrome side protectors, alloy wheels, LED position lamps, projector headlamps, chrome door handles, roof rails, electrically adjustable and foldable ORVMs with integrated turn-indicators, heat absorbing windshield, leather upholstery, keyless entry & go, 2-DIN audio system with Bluetooth and a 3D speedometer with a multi-information display among others.

All variants get dual airbags. ABS with EBD is available on all variants of the diesel and the S, V and VX variants of the petrol version.

The BR-V is available in six colours - Carnelian Red Pearl, Orchid White Pearl, Urban Titanium Metallic, Taffeta White, Golden Brown Metallic and Alabaster Silver Metallic. The car comes with a 3 years unlimited km warranty with another 2 years of optional extended warranty.

Prices:

Petrol

• E - Rs. 8,75,000
• S - Rs. 9,90,000
• V - Rs. 10,90,000
• VX - Rs. 11,84,000
• V CVT - Rs. 11,99,000

Diesel

• E - Rs. 9,90,000
• S - Rs. 10,99,000
• V - Rs. 11,85,000
• VX - Rs. 12,90,000

Thank you to Ganesh Raj Mohan for sending this image in. Heartfelt gratitude for sharing it with other enthusiasts!

Earlier, we had disclosed that the Honda BR-V will be available in petrol and diesel versions and will be sold in four variants - E, S, V and VX (click here to read report). Here is some more information on the features that are expected to be available on each variant.

In addition to the features mentioned previously, the E variant will get a chrome front grille and rear garnish, body-coloured door handles and ORVMs, adjustable headrests for all rows of seats, 60:40 split second row of seats, 50:50 split third row of seats with reclining function, digital controls for the air-conditioning, front and rear power windows and tilt steering.

Apart from all the features on the E variant and the ones mentioned in our previous report, the S variant will come with better fabric upholstery, a door centre sash black tape (blackened pillars) and cladding for the wheel arches.

The V variant will get chrome door handles, ORVMs with integrated turn indicators, front and rear mudguards, a 3D speedometer, security alarm, tweeters, speed sensitive automatic door locks and an impact sensing auto door unlock system.

The top-end VX variant will come with LED position lamps (DRLs), skid plates on the front and rear bumpers, leather seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob and leather pad on the door armrests. The driver's window will get an auto up / down feature.

Honda is scheduled to launch the BR-V in India later this week.

Thank you to Ganesh Raj Mohan for sending this information in. Heartfelt gratitude for sharing it with other enthusiasts!

Honda is scheduled to launch the BR-V on May 5, 2016. Bookings for the car have opened and the booking amount is pegged at Rs. 21,000.

The BR-V will come in petrol and diesel versions and will be sold in four variants - E, S, V and VX. Here's a quick look at the features that will be available on each variant.

The E variant will get projector headlamps, LED tail light guides, roof rails, an ECO lamp, reclining seats for the second row and flexible boot configurations. On the safety front, this variant is equipped with dual airbags. ABS will be available on the diesel version only.

The S variant will come with all the features of the E variant. Additionally, it will get a 2-DIN audio system with Bluetooth, steering mounted audio controls, automatic air-conditioning, rear air-conditioner vents, a passenger side vanity mirror, height adjustable driver seat, recline and slide functions for the second row of seats, electrically adjustable ORVMs and rear defogger, washer and wiper. ABS will be available on the petrol version as well.

The V variant will be equipped with alloy wheels, fog lamps with chrome bezels, electrically foldable ORVMs, keyless entry & go (engine start/stop button), a multi-information display, a vanity mirror for the driver and an armrest for the second row of seats. An automatic transmission (CVT) with paddle shifters will be available in this variant.

The VX variant will sit at the top of the BR-V variant line-up. It will get leather upholstery, chrome side protectors and a heat-absorbing windscreen.

The BR-V will compete with the Hyundai Creta, Maruti-Suzuki S-Cross, Renault Duster and other compact SUVs.

Honda is gearing up to introduce the BR-V in India. According to a media report, the launch of the car is scheduled for May 5, 2016.

The BR-V uses the same platform that underpins the Brio, Amaze and Mobilio. The car shares many other parts with other cars in Honda's line-up as well. It measures 4,455 mm in length, 1,735 mm in width and 1,650 mm in height. It has a wheelbase of 2,660 mm and ground clearance of 200 mm.

The car sports a large chrome grille, projector headlamps, skid plates at the front and rear and roof rails. On the inside, it gets six seats and a dashboard similar to the one in the refreshed Amaze.

The BR-V is expected to use the same 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines that are found in the City sedan.

Honda will position the BR-V against the Hyundai Creta, Maruti Suzuki S-Cross, Renault Duster and Nissan Terrano.

Source: Autocar India

The Tata Nexon crossover has been spotted on test once again. In the latest round of spy shots, the car is seen with an automated manual transmission (AMT).

According to reports, the Nexon is expected to come with a 1.2-litre petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel engine. While the petrol unit is borrowed from the Zest and Bolt, the diesel is a new motor that is rumoured to develop around 110 BHP and 260 Nm of torque. It is still unclear which engine will get the AMT. The manual transmission on offer on the diesel will be a 6-speed unit.

The Nexon was shown as a concept at the 2014 Auto Expo. Tata Motors showed the car again at the 2016 Auto Expo and said that that the version displayed would be how the production version of car will look.

The Nexon is expected to be launched in 2017. It will compete with compact SUVs such as the Ford EcoSport and Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza.

Source: Motor Octane

In July 2015, we had reported that Hyundai had plans to launch an MPV in India (click here to read report). However, the company is reported to have shelved this plan. Hyundai's MPV would have rivalled the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, Honda Mobilio and Renault Lodgy.

Autocar India reports that sources within Hyundai have revealed that the company has indeed put its plan of entering the MPV segment on hold.

Seeing the growing demand for compact SUVs over the months, Hyundai is shifting its focus towards this segment. This was reflected by the vehicles displayed by the company at the 2016 Auto Expo in February where the company had not displayed any MPV, but had showcased a compact SUV - the Carlino concept.

This vehicle has been designed at Hyundai's Namyang Design Centre and measures less than 4 metres in length. The production version will take on the Ford EcoSport and Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza.

Source: Autocar India

Designed at Hyundai's Namyang design centre, the Carlino compact / sub-4 metre SUV concept was presented at the 2016 Delhi Auto Expo. The concept previews a production car that will enter the same segment as the Ford EcoSport, Mahindra TUV300 and of course, the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza. Like the Brezza, it looks like Hyundai's sub-4 metre SUV will be a project led by the company's Indian R&D team.

According to the report by ET Auto, Hyundai's design centre in Hyderabad will lead the development for the compact SUV. The South Korean car maker has around 750 engineers at its R&D centre and Hyundai Motor India Managing Director - Young Key Koo, highlighted their importance in market research, design and local component sourcing. He added that more than half the development of the Creta was done by engineers here.

The sub-4 metre rule is peculiar to the Indian car market and has found favour with car buyers. The segment is relatively young with a lot of competition and potential, making it sensible to rely on local know-how for the model's development. While some reports did suggest that the car would hit showrooms by 2017, Mr. Young Kee Koo has been quoted stating a 3-4 year launch time-frame, which means the compact SUV may hit Indian roads only around 2019 or 2020.

A 3-4 year time frame does seem rather long, but Hyundai plans to focus on building a premium image in the meantime with launches like the Tucson SUV and new Elantra saloon. The Hyundai Sonata may return as well. Other launches could include petrol automatic variants of the Creta and Elite i20, along with a facelifted Grand i10.