Lamborghini Urus slated for 2017 launch.

Lamborghini is having a gala party for its 50^th anniversary and in the process has divulged fresh information about its upcoming and eagerly anticipated product the Urus. Apparently the concept SUV unveiled last year at the Beijing Auto Show has gathered much interest amongst the enthusiasts and is scheduled to be put into production in 2017. There were also patents for its technology filed in China earlier this year and a few months after that, there were hints that the Urus is slated to hit the roads by 2017.  The Urus shares its MQB platform with the current Porsche Cayenne, VW Touareg and Audi Q7, all of which will see a new look by 2017. Lamborghini will also be looking at the Urus as its number raker in the Chinese markets and in the developing regions. Prices are expected to be around the Rs 90 lakh mark when it hits the market. Will definitely be a worthy successor to that LM002.

2013 Ford EcoSport

Some say "there's no replacement for displacement". However, it seems Ford doesn't believe in the saying. Large engines may be powerful but it doesn't mean smaller engines can't perform as well. Welcome to the 1.0- litre EcoBoost engine from Ford, it's a compact turbocharged direct-injection engine and it debuts in Ford's new star, the EcoSport (pronounced echo-sport). India will be the first country to get this engine in the EcoSport. 

The Titanium variant is the only variant available with the EcoBoost engine. The 3-cylinder, 999cc engine may sound like an entry-level hatchback unit but it performs exceedingly well. And that's down to its output figures of 125PS of max power and 170Nm of peak torque; figures one usually associates with a 1.6-litre engine. This turbocharged DOHC engine even features variable valve timing (intake side) and is quiet and refined.

Work it hard and you'll hear a distinctive three-cylinder engine note. Vibrations are low but it sounds like one for sure. The power delivery isn't jaw dropping but it is quite powerful and one can feel the pace. The engine revs all the way up to 6500rpm and thanks to longer gear ratios, one can take the SUV all the way to 100kmph in second gear. Turbo lag is minimal and driving around town is effortless and one doesn't have to shift quite often. It is an involving engine and suits the EcoSport's fun character. Now, We didn't test the car for its economy, but the ARAI claimed figure is an impressive 18.9kmpl. A quick 0-100kmph run and the EcoSport EcoBoost will do it in an impressive 11.6 seconds.

The Ford EcoSport handles well too; the suspension is slightly stiff and around corners it's more like a sporty hatchback than an SUV. Despite the height, it holds the line perfectly. The steering is set slightly towards the lighter side but considering its an electric unit, the feedback offered is impressive (like in the Fiesta); it helps you corner precisely and keeps one involved all the time.

The compact steering wheel is borrowed from the Fiesta and it is great to hold. There is a hint of body roll when pushed hard into bends but it never is a cause for concern, and even at higher speeds, the car feels completely planted. 

And despite the stiffly setup suspension, the ride quality is pretty good. It handles the undulations well, and even over broken and bumpy roads, the ride never got jarring or uncomfortable even. Braking is another area where the Ford EcoSport impresses - the SUV's brakes have good bite and progression.

So how spacious is it? Well for a car that's under 4-metres, there is ample space. Up front, the driver and passenger are comfortable and there is more than adequate knee room at the back. However, three grown-ups at the back will be a tight squeeze and the floorboard, which isn't completely flat, hinders comfortable seating for the second row passengers. There are 20 storage spaces inside including 9 bottle holders.The boot holds 346 litres which is more like in a big hatchback but the good thing is that the space is usable with very few intrusions. If one needs more space, the seats even fold 60:40 and the boot capacity increases to 705 litres.

Back to the cabin, the all black interior does make it feel less roomy inside but adds to the sporty character. The A-pillar is quite broad and does affect visibility while the high belt line hampers the view for the rear passengers.

The EcoBoost model is only available in the top end feature loaded Titanium variant. So one gets standard features like SYNC (Voice assist), stereo with aux, Bluetooth and USB connectivity, leather upholstery, 16-inch alloy wheels, ABS and six airbags to name a few.

Prices haven't been announced yet but expect the Ford EcoSport EcoBoost to be priced over the 1.5-litre petrol variant and on par with the diesel. The EcoSport will be available in four variants and eight colours. Bookings for the EcoSport will start in June and expect the SUV to now go on sale in July.

Bentley unveils Continental, Mulsanne Le Mans limited edition models

Bentley is celebrating the upcoming 24 Hour of Le Mans with special edition models of the Continental and Mulsanne. You see, Bentley has a history with Le Mans, having participated in the inaugural event and winning the endurance race in 2003. The six unique limited edition package versions for the Mulsanne and Continental have been inspired by victorious Bentley racers of the past. The packages also have been named after these gentlemen - John Duff, Woolf Barnato, Dudley Benjafield, Glen Kidston, Tim Birkin, and Guy Smith. While the company is yet to reveal the price for the packages, they have announced that the Continental GT Le Mans edition will be available right now,  while the Mulsanne Le Mans will be open for bookings in a few months.

Only 48 examples of each will be made and the special packages will bring along with them diamond-quilted hide seat covering, diamond-quilted hide door panels, Le Mans Edition illuminated treadplates, drilled alloy foot pedals, sports tuned suspension and steering, 'Quad' Effect Tailpipe finishers, and two-piece five spoke dark tint alloy wheels.

    

    

KTM E-SPEED

  KTM has confirmed that the E-SPEED which it first showcased at the Tokyo Motor Show 2013 will debut in production form as a 2015 model. To recap, the E-SPEED is KTM’s second electric bike but it’s first for the urban populace. The Freeride E, the other concept for off-roaders will debut as a 2014 model. The KTM E-SPEED weighs in at 140kgs and makes 15PS and 36Nm from its Li-Ion battery pack. KTM says that on a two hour charge, the E-SPEED will cover a distance of 64km. ABS is standard and the E-SPEED also comes with regenerative braking. The KTM E-SPEED's chassis is built of a hybrid trellis frame which is made of light metal. And needless to say, this KTM scooter also is a looker with its signature orange wheel theme and all.

KTM executive board member for business development and production Harald Plockinger says that the company is looking forward to electro-mobility on two wheels and that KTM is convinced that electric mobility will be a success in urban areas.

KTM is going the green way with this, it’s electric E-SPEED concept. Unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Show, this 15PS/36Nm 140kg liquid cooled scooter is targeted at the urban market. KTM says that the Li-ion battery pack takes around two hours for a charge and will run for 64km before running out of juice. Regenerative braking and ABS are standard. The scooter uses a hybrid trellis frame made of light metal and by the look of it is a far cry from the bug-eyed specimens that masquerade themselves as of the electric brigade. Not to mention the signature orange colour makes it stand out.

Stefan Pierer, KTM CEO said, “We at KTM are completely convinced of electric mobility as a perfect complement to conventional power-trains. In the long term, the electric drive will come out on top for short distances – particularly in areas which are highly sensitive from an environmental perspective, like open nature and densely populated metropolitan areas! Vehicles like the ‘E-SPEED’ and FREERIDE E can help powered two-wheelers win back more acceptance in society. Not just because of their environmental credits, but because they are easy to use, quick, and simply great fun.”

Royal Enfield Continental GT 2013: Specs, Price, Custom, Release Date

Nothing like you have seen before in India. The design harks back to the old British era when Cafe Racers were quite popular in Europe. This is the first attempt by Royal Enfield to design something entirely different from the norm for the company but without losing sight of their history or heritage. The clip-on handlebars sit low, very unlike any other Royal Enfield bike, the twin pod console, the long fuel tank and the short seat all make for a very attractive package. Unlike the concept showcased at the Auto Expo, the Continental GT has normal mirrors rather than the cool upside down ones.

The look is very similar to the old Royal Enfield Continental GT from 1965 with similarities like the GRP tank, a humpy racing seat, rearset footrests, clip-on handlebars and well off course, the cafe racer looks. Customers back then also had an option of ‘brake cooling discs’ at the front.

 Royal Enfield has decided not to put in it’s traditional engines. Instead they have chosen to go back in time to the old Lightning's displacement, 535cc. However, while the cubic capacity may be identical to the Lightning, the engine shares nothing whatsoever with the erstwhile motorcycle. RE has bored out the Classic 500’s UCE fuel injected engine and fitted it with a lighter flywheel and a re-mapped ECU. The company claims that this should help the engine rev quickly. Additionally, the motorcycle weighs a good 15kg lighter than the Thunderbird 500. All this should translate in to the fastest and most powerful production Enfield to hit the roads. If Royal Enfield can extract about 35PS or thereabouts out of the new motor, we are in for a treat.

In their lineage, this will be the first time in more than five decades that Royal Enfield will be using a double down-tube cradle for better handling. Aiding the chassis will be Paioli shock absorbers and to go with it, again a first for an RE, Pirelli tyres and let us not forget the disc brakes at either end. All this suggests that the Continental GT should turn out to be a vastly more accomplished handler than the other  Royal Enfields.

On the price front, it is likely to cost between 2- 2.5 lakh, which maybe steep but hardcore bulleteers and classics lovers will find it every bit worth the money. That price will make it the most expensive Bullet ever. 

2014 F800 GS Adventure

BMW has unveiled a premium variant of its hugely popular F800 GS and have added the Adventure moniker to it. The new motorcycle follows the same theme as its bigger R1200GS Adventure brother, what with ABS, touring and off-road upgrades on offer. While the engine remains the same 798cc parallel twin making 85Ps of power, the fuel tank capacity has been increased by approximately eight litres, taking the count now to 23 litres. While at it, the windscreen has also become larger.

The BMW F800 GS Adventure also comes with BMW’s Electronic Suspension Adjustment (ESA) and Automatic Stability Control (ASC). BMW have also added a pannier rack, engine crash bars to the motorcycle. To make it easier for the rider to stand up in the saddle, wider foot pegs as also a reinforced brake pedal have been added. The company also claims to have made the saddle more comfortable. There are a host of optional accessories, some as farfetched as an onboard computer and then normal ones like heated grips, centre stand and fog lamps. All this ofcourse comes at a price. At launch, two colour will be on offer, Sandrover matt and Racing red.

The BMW F800 GS Adventure also comes with BMW’s Electronic Suspension Adjustment (ESA) and Automatic Stability Control (ASC). BMW have also added a pannier rack, engine crash bars to the motorcycle. To make it easier for the rider to stand up in the saddle, wider foot pegs as also a reinforced brake pedal have been added. The company also claims to have made the saddle more comfortable. There are a host of optional accessories, some as farfetched as an onboard computer and then normal ones like heated grips, centre stand and fog lamps. All this ofcourse comes at a price. At launch, two colour will be on offer, Sandrover matt and Racing red.

2013 Honda CBR600RR

Honda might be focusing a big chunk of its attention on bringing new or returning riders back into the motorcycle fraternity these days, but it hasn’t completely forgotten about those who have never left it. But many moto veterans probably haven’t been feeling that way, though, and long-time fans of the 600cc Supersport class in particular haven’t had much to get excited about lately - not until they got a jolt when Kawasaki re-introduced the 636 recently and now with Honda releasing its revamped CBR600RR.

We can’t quite call it “all-new” yet, but the latest edition of the CBR600RR is changed enough for Honda to host a formal one-day riding introduction for the press on what is one of the company’s most prized productions.

It pretty much goes without saying that the CBR600RR, which made its debut in 2003 and was redesigned in ’07, was already a great bike but it was in need of some freshening up. After all, it’s been a while. Knowing it already had a fantastic package on its hands, Honda was careful about what they did to it when came time to make changes. Any alterations would have to be without question an improvement. No “ah, we think this will be better” with the CBR600RR.

One safe change they made was swapping out the old fork with the company’s new 41mm Showa Big Piston Fork, which made its debut on the CBR1000RR in 2012 and it was met with approval from the big-big sportbike crowd. So, naturally, it found its way on to the 600, as did other similar improvements that the 1000 got last year - such as split-spoke wheels, similar EFI and ABS programming updates, and a more efficient ram air-intake system with a revised Intake Air Control Valve .

But the most revealing update of all has to do with the CBR600RR’s appearance, which Honda also didn’t take lightly. In fact, it was one of their number-one priorities when it came to spiffing up the CBR. It got all-new plastic and with it a new shape that gives it a more modern, edgy look that resembles the company’s MotoGP bikes. From what we can tell already, some of you like the new design, some not so much.

It will compete with the Yamaha R6, MV Agusta's 600 cc supersports, Kwacker ZX6R and the Suzuki GSX600RR
The CBR600RR will come in three flavors: all red; red, white and blue; and Repsol team colors. Good luck choosing one because, in our opinion, all three look tasty.

Looks, however, aren’t everything. Honda says that the new bodywork is also functional. They say the new shape makes the CBR far more aerodynamically efficient than before, thanks to many hours spent testing in the wind tunnel. In fact, some of what they learned while testing the CBR600RR’s bodywork was passed on to the race team (usually it’s the other way around). The end result, Honda claims, is a 6.5 percent reduction in drag, which is a big number and a huge accomplishment.

So what does 6.5 percent really mean to you and me? For one, better fuel economy. Honda tells us that the CBR600RR’s estimated mpg has gone up from 40 to 44 miles. Let’s see, that’s roughly a $2 savings per tankful. Honda also claims there is less windblast on the rider, which reduces fatigue and improves comfort.

Unlike mpg, one good thing that hasn’t gone up, however, is price. Despite getting the upgraded fork, better wheels, and updated plastic and ram air, the MSRP for the base model has actually dropped $50 to $11,490! That’s not much, but it’s far better than what it could’ve happened. You can, however, add $1000 for ABS and another $500 for the Repsol edition. (The all-red CBR600R is only available with ABS.)

The new CBR600R is an improved machine. Not drastically, but noticeably. We had a 2012 model at our disposal and I was able to make back-to-back comparisons and a few things stood out in my mind - one of which was the fork.