what car - january 2015

INDIAS BEST CAR BUYERS GUIDE Vol. 9 No. 6 | January 2015 | Rs 50

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JANUARY 2015

BEST NEW CARS FOR 2015

COMPARISON TESTSPETROL MID-SIZE SEDANS COMPACT LUXURY SUVs LUXURY SPORTS SUVs

Maruti Ciaz vs Honda City Mercedes GLA vs Audi Q3

New Porsche Cayenne vs Range Rover Sport

HYUNDAI iX25

NEW CHEVROLET CRUZEMARUTI S-CROSS

NEW HONDA JAZZ

20 cars that are worth waiting for

NEW FORD FIGO+

MERCEDES-BENZ CLA

NEW FORD ENDEAVOUR

Welcome to What Car?

JANUARY 2015This month

What Car? going the extra mile

WHATCAR? JANUARY 2015 3www.whatcarindia.com

fought comparison between the petrol-powered Honda City and the Maruti Ciaz, Mercedes new crossover, the GLA takes on the segment benchmark, the Audi Q3, and the new Porsche Cayenne takes on the Range Rover Sport in a battle of luxury SUVs. Oh, and if you are one of the smart ones looking at buying a car at the end of the year, with all the deals and discounts

flying around, make sure you check out both our deals page and our feature that tells you how best to deal with your wily neighbourhood car salesman. Buy the best car you can get at the best price; it really isnt that difficult once you know how. Most of all, happy shopping and have a great 2015.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?First things first. Work out your monthly budget. You have to factor in fuel, insurance, servicing and maintenance well help you understand those costs, too.

GO SHOPPING Our comprehensive Buyers Guide, starting on page 75, has all the information you will ever need to draw up your shortlist.

DEALING WITH DEALERSSalespeople have been highly trained with one aim: to make money out of you. Our tips on how to win in the showroom, on page 76, let you play the salespeople at their own game.

WERE HERE TO HELPWere here to offer more money-saving advice, tips on getting more from your car. As a member of our Reader Test Team, we also want to hear your experiences. Shapur Kotwal, editor-in-chief

[email protected]

GROUP TESTSOur exhaustive car comparison tests mean you can rely on us to tell you which is best

WHAT CAR? HOT DEALS Our Hot Deals show you how much you can save on a new car. Our mystery shoppers research prices across India to get the discount you should get.

Road Test Centre

READER TEST TEAMYou dont get just our opinions, but those of real car buyers. Want to join the team?

Reader Test Team

USED CAR TEST CENTRESave money, time and hassle with our used car buying guides and advice

Used Test Centre

BACK IN THE day, the car-buying process was simple. There werent more than a handful of cars to choose from, and what made car

buying even easier was the fact that most of these cars had been around forever. You knew exactly what to buy. Not keeping up with information on the car market today, however, could seriously hamper your car-buying effort. Imagine going ahead and signing on the dotted line for a car you like, only to be informed a few weeks later that a much nicer alternative is just around the corner. This is precisely why keeping track of whats on in the horizon is vital in todays multiple-choice age. And is there anything better than an advance warning? This is precisely why our January issues New Car Special is so popular. Start shortlisting now.

Also in this issue, a really hard-

Helping you buy the right car at the right price

JANUARY 2015Contents

On the cover

Buying & owning, New cars A-Z and Buyers guide


20 new cars for 2015 We bring you a list of new and upcoming cars that will enter our showrooms over the next twelve months 37

10 Bolting ahead Tata has a new hatchback to

replace the Vista. Can it shake up the segment?

14 More on the Go Datsun creates the concept of

seating seven under four metres with the Go+. Does it work?

30 Tricks of the game How to buy the car you want

without paying through your nose. Read our guide for useful tips

21 Practical style The Mini Cooper gets five doors

for the first time. Does sporty get more sensible?

34 Seasonal caution Driving in winter can be dangerous

and difficult. We tell you how to make your journey safer

56 Executive encounter Marutis new Ciaz takes on the

Honda City. Which sedan strikes the better balance?

This months new cars tested Indias biggest and best car comparisons

WINNING IN THE SHOWROOM

BUYING A NEW car appears to be a fairly simple process. However, things start getting difficult when you begin dealing with the salesman at the showroom. To buy the car you want within your budget, you will need to negotiate for a good deal. A common folly that potential car buyers make is that they assume the salesperson has their best interests at heart.

and get to know their strengths and weakness. Visit the manufacturers website, check the product brochure and evaluate the car, in terms of standard features across trims, and then compare it with what the competitors offer. Also, check the current promotion deals being offered by the manufacturers.

Call the dealership and find out the

price. It is an inflated amount which includes a fat margin for the dealer. A salesperson is caught between making a potential buyer believe they are getting the best deal and achieving their own sales target. So, they may even offer you a price list by saying it has been decided by the manufacturer. Never agree to the price quoted by the salesperson and be

Trust me, I would if I could.

But tell you what, book it today and

Ill throw in goodies worth Rs 10,000

for free.

Yaar, he seems to be a helpful guy who is offering

me the best deal he can.

That seems reasonable. Chalo, you have a deal.

I only need a few signatures.

Brilliant! A full Rs 60,000 profit

without even trying to push for a deal.

Whats new?First drives, new models and newsNew Cars

8 Star entry Mercedes upcoming CLA is its

smallest sedan yet

19 Adventure time Fiats new Avventura crossover

now comes with a petrol engine

48 Small size, big prize Mercs new GLA faces off against

its strongest rival, the Audi Q3

50 The sport of luxury The new Porsche Cayenne butts

bonnets with a Range Rover Sport

22 News l Cars to get more expensive l Camry facelift coming soon

l New Audi Q7 here in 2015

62 Reader Test Team The Skoda Yeti facelift is under scrutiny from our readers

75 Buyers Guide All that you need to know before buying your car

114 Under-rated BMWs 1-series is one of the best small luxury cars to be overlooked

ELECTRIC HORNS

Roots. Adding Value.

BRAKE PAD & SHOES

HALOGEN LAMPS

BATTERIESBRAKE PAD & SHOESPAD & SHOESP

ELECTRIC HORNS

Roots Industries India LimitedKathirnaickenpalayam Road, Thoppampatti Post, Coimbatore - 641017

ADDING VALUE

Every product from Roots complies with global quality standards and

comes with the assurance of safety, performance and quality.

At Roots, we look at it as our way of adding value through

many dimensions, both on the road and beyond.

BATATA TERIES

HALOGEN LAMPS

Phone: +91 (422) 423 5000 | Fax: +91 (422) 233 2107

Email: [email protected] | Website: www.rootsindia.com

JANUARY 2015About What Car?

Why What Car? tests are the best

New Cayenne diesel and Range Rover Sport battle it out for the luxury SUV crown pg 48.

Weve been giving expert, impartial advice for more than eight years.Before we get in a car, we research the needs of a typical buyer.We drive every car over hundreds of kilometres on every type of road.We have our own equipment to test, assess and photograph the cars.

Our verdicts are based on hard data, not seat-of-the-pants hunches.We mystery-shop every car to get you the best Hot Deals in the market.


What our ratings meanOUTSTANDINGVERY GOODGOODREASONABLEPOOR

Editorial Tel: 022-43021000 Fax: 022-43021050e-mail: [email protected]

Editor-in-chief Shapur KotwalManaging editor Ajit DalviAssistant Editor Ameya DandekarCorrespondents Samarpan Bhowmik, Aditya Bengali, Pradeb BiswasSenior copy editor Gavin DSouzaResearch Santosh GangadharanArt editor Ellared DSouzaAssistant art editor Pralhad Kusuma Senior designers Mohan Ghag, Rajesh Rathod, Jagdish Bari, Sukhdeep Singh Bhamra Chief photographer Ardeshir Ashley Baxter Photographer Vishwajeet ChavanSenior editorial executive John Fernandes (Mumbai) Editorial executive GK Singh (Delhi)

Ad sales, marketing & distribution Tel: 022-43021000 Fax: 022-43021050e-mail: [email protected] head Ad Sales Harvinder Pal SinghNational manager - Ad Sales Sonali PandaSenior Managers Ad Sales Jagmohan Singh, Jaidev Wadhwa (Delhi), Amit Jha (Mumbai) Managers Ad Sales Nackeeran M (Chennai)Asst manager Ad Sales Praful Baghel (Mumbai)Co-ordinator Ad Sales Varsha LaheriAssistant manager Marketing Vatsank BakshiGeneral manager Circulation Gilbert DSouzaManager Circulation P Vijaykumar (South)Senior executive Circulation Ashok More (Mumbai)Assistant manager Subscription Mahesh MalusareDeputy production manager Prasad GangurdeManager Finance Amol Mahadik

Contact usMumbai: Ground Floor, Podar Centre, 85, Parel Post Office Lane, Off Dr B Ambedkar Road, Parel East, Mumbai 400 012Tel: 022-43021000 Fax: 022-43021050 e-mail: [email protected] New Delhi: A 2/9, Lower Ground Floor, Safdarjung Enclave, Main Africa Avenue Road,New Delhi 110029 Tel: 011-46020600, 32444090, 32969125 Fax: 011-46020633Chennai: F3, 1st Floor, 8/27, Govindu Street, T Nagar, Chennai 600 017 Tel: 044-4212 3230 Bangalore: No. 811, A Wing,8th Floor, Mittal Towers, M.G. Road, Bengaluru - 560001Tel: 080-2559 3775Hyderabad: No. 6-1-144, Nirmal Bhavan, Ground Floor, Street No 9, Walker Town, Padmarao Nagar, Secundrabad 500 025.

News-stand price Rs 50

Subscription enquiries: e-mail: [email protected] publisher makes every effort to ensure that the magazines contents are correct. However, he can accept no responsibility for any effects from errors or omissions. Unsolicited material including photographs and transparencies is used in WhatCar?, but it is submitted entirely at the owners risk and the publisher accepts no responsibility for its loss or damage. All material published in WhatCar? is copyright and unauthorised reproduction is forbidden.Printed and published by Hormazd Sorabjee on behalf of Haymarket SAC Publishing (India) Private Limited, Ground Floor, Podar Centre, 85, Parel Post Office Lane, Off Dr. B Ambedkar Road, Parel East, Mumbai 400 012.Printed at Kala Jyothi Process Pvt Ltd, Kondapur Unit, Survey No 185, Kondapur Village, Serilingampally Municipality RR District - 500 133. A.P. Published at Haymarket SAC Publishing (India) Private Limited, Ground Floor, Podar Centre, 85, Parel Post Office Lane, Off Dr. B Ambedkar Road, Parel East, Mumbai 400 012.CIN: U22120MH1998PTC116780 Editor: Hormazd SorabjeeWhat Car? is under licence from Haymarket Magazines Ltd.This magazine contains 116 pages, including both covers.

The What Car? team

Whats new?

8 JANUARY 2015 WHATCAR? www.whatcarindia.com

SOME PEOPLE WANT a Mercedes just for the three-pointed star on the bonnet, others are fans of how well it is engineered, and others still are bowled over by the comfort, refinement and sheer driving pleasure. The price of Mercedes sedans, however, has been steadily on the rise over the years, putting a brand new one out of reach of everyday car buyers.

The CLA-class hopes to change all that when it is launched this month at an expected price of Rs 27-32 lakh. One of the hottest-selling sedans launched last year, the CLA is a runaway success in markets like the US and China due to its rakish looks. The question

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GLA in India. The 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine is likely to make 181bhp of power and will be the one to go for if you want strong performance. Expect a 0-100kph time of around 7.5 seconds. The diesel CLA 200 CDI is likely to be less performance oriented, with the 2,143cc engine making only 134bhp. A seven-speed double clutch gearbox is likely to be the only choice as far as gearboxes are concerned. One change we will get on Indian cars is a more comfortable ride. As on the A- and B-class, Mercedes will soften and raise the suspension for our roads, and thats a good thing, especially as the CLA is otherwise known to have a stiff ride.

is, how competitive will it be against cars like the new A3? Heres what you can expect.

What is it? The CLA is a sedan version of the A-class. Dissect the name CLA and you can break it up into CL and A. CL in Mercedes terminology stands for a low-slung, coup-like four-door car. First seen on the E-class based CLS-class, this low-rider profile created a sensation when it was launched back in 2004. And Mercedes expects the CLA to galvanise the market here as well when it is launched; it is targeted at a very young customer base, after all. The second part of the name A tells you

this car is based on the same mechanical bits as the A-class.

The talking point of this car, of course, is the low-slung, sporty roof, which loops back to the rear in one clean swoop. It looks stunning, and its not just the roof; the rear of the car is also beautifully designed, with the lines on the sides and the top appearing to converge in the boot. Whats also nice is that the already-much-appreciated nose of the car gels nicely with the rest of the design. Theres little doubt, the CLA is an attractive looking car thats much appreciated.

Mercedes plans to power the CLA with the same set of engines that power the

Mercedes-Benz CLA-classWhat is it? Mercs entry luxury sedan with an accent on stylePrice Rs 27-32 lakh (est, ex-showroom, Delhi) On sale February 2015

STARCAR

First look


the CLAs low roof, you need to bend a bit more when getting in and out. And headroom in the back is tight for tall passengers.

Should I buy one? Mercedes is expected to price its most affordable sedan quite competitively, without going in for a stripped down version with an attractive sticker price.

It still may do an Executive Edition at a later stage, but prices for the CLA are expected to start at around Rs 27 lakh (ex-showroom). Top-of-the-line versions could easily cross the Rs 30-lakh mark, with the most expensive versions going up to around Rs 32 lakh. No, the CLA is unlikely to give you the full Mercedes-Benz sedan

Mercedes-Benz CLA-class

Whats it like on the inside? Step into the cabin and the A-class family link is visible too. The architecture of the dashboard, in fact, is almost identical to that of the hatchback. Where the CLA will differ from the A-class is in its use of materials. While its not clear what we will get on India-spec cars, you can safely expect a bit more chrome, leather and equipment in the sedan. And then theres the fact that even the A-class is built well, the plastics, buttons and switches delivering a good impression of luxury. Also, as weve seen with the CLA 45 AMG, Mercedes has several tricks up its sleeve when it comes to making the cabin look more up-market.

While space and comfort are ample on the front seats, the CLA is a bit cramped in the rear. Its not that the Audi A3 sedan, its natural competitor, is that much better when you are sat in the back. Its just that with

' It's stunning, but a bit impractical too.'

experience, but if you are keen on the looks and want to drive a sedan with a three-pointed star on the nose, this could be the car for you. More details to follow in subsequent issues. SHAPUR KOTWAL

BUILD It may be one of Merc's cheapest cars but it is built tough.

EQUIPMENT CLAs will get more equipment and better materials.

DESIGN It's basically the same on the inside as the A-class hatch.

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BUYERS FILEEngine sizes 2.0 P/2.1 D

Price(est) Rs 27-32 lakh*

Power 181/134bhp

Torque 30.59kgm

Gearbox 7-speed dual clutch auto

Fuel tank 50 litres

Boot 470 litres

The lines of the car seem to converge at the rear; nice. Low roof, however, caused headroom related issues.

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IN AUGUST 2014, Tata launched its second compact sedan, the Zest, and the overall impression of that car has been very positive. In fact, the Zest with a diesel engine and manual gearbox was good enough to beat our segment

favourite, the Hyundai Xcent, in WhatCars comparison test two months ago. As you may know, the Zest has a sister car, the Bolt hatchback, which will be launching very soon. Since the two cars have a lot in common, will the Bolt make as strong

an impression as its sibling did? Weve finally driven the showroom-ready version to find out exactly that.

Look at the Bolt head-on and you might not be able to tell it apart from the Zest at first. It has the same angular

headlamps, bonnet, bumper and grille. However, there are a few subtle changes, like the headlights having black insets rather than chrome and the absence of the LED daytime-running lamps. In profile, however, it looks a whole lot

Tata BoltWhat is it? Tatas new premium hatchback that will replace the Vista.Price From Rs 4.3 lakh (est, ex-showroom, Delhi) On sale This month


Tata Bolt

over from the Vista and now feel much more comfortable, if perhaps lacking a bit in side support. This is a spacious car, and youll have no problems at the front, or at the back, where its wide enough for three. The only slight downside is that the

see that a greater effort has gone into making this car look fresh, with the C-pillars around the rear windscreen wrapped in black to make it seem like the roof is floating, much like Hyundai has done with the new i20. The tail-lights are also smaller, and abandon the tall, Christmas Tree look that we first saw on the original Indica way back in 1998.

Step inside and youll see the same, fresh interior from the Zest, with one key difference the colour scheme is all black rather than two-tone, but it still looks smart. You get the same chunky steering wheel, the attractive, jewel-effect dials and the angular dashboard. The seats have been worked

like the Vista hatchback that it will be replacing. Thats because changing the fundamental shape would be too expensive, although Tata has added some attractive creases along the doors to liven things up. Move to the rear, however, and youll

l Uses Tatas 1.2 litre Revotron turbo petrol motor

l The diesel is the same 74bhp 1.3 motor as the Vista

l It gets lots of segment-first equipment like sat-nav

l New suspension gives best-in-class ride quality

l It gets Eco, City and Sport modes to alter drive

Five key facts

STARCARFirst drive

EQUIPMENT Seriously well kitted out for the segment, with sat-nav, touchscreen and voice controls.

DASHBOARD Angular design looks modern and attractive, despite ditching Zest's two-tone scheme.

QUALITY A big step over the Vista with better materials and fit, but still a few rough edges.

Blackened pillars make roof appear 'floating'; new tail-lamps look nice.

Whats new?

BUYERS FILEEngine size 1.2 (P)

Price from Rs 4.3 lakh*

Power 88.7bhp at 5000rpm

Torque 14.28kgm at 1400-4000rpm

Gearbox 5-speed manual

Boot 210 litres

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' The Bolt in Sport mode is one of the fastest cars in its class.'

REAR SEAT Great on space, support and comfort for three. FRONT SEAT Comfy seats, but a tad too soft.BOOT 210 litres not large, not well shaped either.

210-litre boot is not very large or well shaped. Though there are a few rough edges visible, the cabin quality is a huge step up from the Vista. Plastic quality is much better and there is good use of different colours and textures, though it doesnt feel quite as premium as a Hyundai cabin.

This is a top-spec car, and were happy to report that it gets almost all the same equipment as the well-equipped Zest, and even has a few new features. Theres the same touchscreen infotainment system that supports USB, aux-in and SD card playback (but no CD player), and it can now play videos back too. Its all wired to a Harman eight-speaker audio system that sounds really good. The big news is segment-first satellite navigation, which runs via your Android smartphone (other operating systems will be supported later). You have to download an app to your phone and sync it to the car via USB each time, but once thats done, the system doesnt require a data connection. Via your phone, you also get other goodies like voice commands and SMS playback.

There will eventually be the familiar 74bhp 1.3 Quadrajet diesel engine from the Vista, but we were only able to sample the petrol version. Its the same 89bhp 1.2-litre turbocharged Revotron engine introduced in the Zest, but Tata has tweaked it since then. Contrary to what its name suggests, this engine isnt very eager to rev like, say, a Honda petrol engine is, and instead, works best if you drive in a

more measured manner. We found it a little less jerky and quicker to respond than in the Zest too.

It also depends on what driving mode you have selected; yes, like the Zest, the Bolt petrol can be set to Eco, City or Sport modes, another segment first. Eco mode dulls the engines responses in the interest of better fuel economy, and is fine in slow traffic, but if you want to make a quick overtake, it will leave you wanting. City mode is a little better, but Sport is the mode that really works best. Its a lot quicker this way too; our tests revealed it to be a full 3.16sec quicker from 0-100kph

than in Eco mode. Compared to the competition too, this is a quick car.

The area where the Bolt really shines, though, is ride comfort. Its suspension has been really well calibrated and it can absorb the worst our roads can throw at it. At high speeds in a straight line, it feels stable and relaxed, and at lower speeds, it doesnt crash through bumps. It, however, isnt the best handling car around, and if you push it hard around a corner, it will show you a lot of body roll. Still, we think it will be an entertaining enough drive for most owners, and the superb comfort that comes with it is certainly

worth the compromise.Though there is some visual

similarity to the old Vista, its clear that everywhere else, the Bolt is a huge step forward. Its not perfect, of course there are still a few rough edges in the cabin, there isnt a lot of cabin stowage space, and going by the official ARAI-rated figures, this heavy car is not as efficient as its peers. But consider how much it has improved from the Vista and how much it delivers, and also that prices are expected to start at as little as Rs 4.3 lakh, and its clear Tatas promise of incredible value is stronger than ever in this car.GAVIN D'SOUZA

Ride quality is superb over just about every surface at any speed.

Whats new?

Datsun Go+What is it? The sub-four-metre car with seven seats from Nissans budget brand Price Rs 3.5 - 4.1 lakh (est, ex-showroom, Delhi) On sale This month

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DATSUN, THE BUDGET brand from Nissan, made its comeback with the Go hatchback, which debuted in India. Now, nearly nine months later, the carmaker is ready with its second product, the Go+ MPV. With

this car, the company has created a new sub-segment altogether the compact MPV. It's got seven seats but still ducks under the four-metre mark. Now most people would be skeptical about the ability to seat that many with only

so much space available, but with the kind of value Datsun is delivering, it may just have quite a few shelling out for the new car.

What is it?This new car is basically

an extended version of the hatchback and so, looks pretty much the same from the front. From the Datsun-trademark hexagonal grille, the V in the bonnet to the wrap-around headlights, the chin and bumper, it's all identical. It's

STARCARFirst drive

l Not really a seven-seater but has a lot of cargo space.

l Rear suspension tweaked for handling more weight.

l Minor changes to engine give Go+ a sprightlier drive.

l Better sound insulation than Go makes cabin a quieter place.

l Rear hatch different from Go's, rear windscreen smaller too.

Five key facts


Datsun Go+

Right: Roof slopes down to meet waistline, a nice design touch. Below: Looks exactly like the smaller Go from the front.

Above: Third row not suitable for passengers.Left: Tweaked suspension improves ride.

only once you move past the rear doors that you see the new bits. The roofline slopes down and meets the upward-moving waistline. And the hatch at the rear is different from the Go's, with a smaller windscreen. The Go+ uses the same wheelbase as the hatchback as well, with only the overall length increasing; it still qualifies as a sub-four-metre car.

What's it like on the inside?When you step inside, again, it's exactly the same cabin as the hatchback, at least in the first row. The dashboard has the same fresh but sparse design and it's the same slim bench you sit on. The air-

conditioning is still a basic four-speed blower with no functions like de-fog or re-circulate. In the second row though, there seems to be some difference, feeling more spacious and airy than in the Go. Comfort levels are still similar with not enough support. Now, for the entirely new bit the third row. Getting here is about as complicated as in any seven-seater, with the second row flipping and then folding forward. Once you do manage to make your way here, however, you're unlikely to be able to stay. The reason for this being that Datsun has placed this bench right on the floor and there's no place whatsoever for your feet. Even your head will knock against the roof

if you're taller than five feet. While it's practically unusable for seating, this row can hold three to four bags comfortably. With the seatback folded down, there's 347 litres of space available in the boot.

What's it like to drive?The other part where Datsun has made changes is under the skin. While the 1.2-litre, three-cylinder engine mated to a five-speed manual gearbox is the same as in the hatchback, making the identical 67bhp and 10.6kgm of torque, the carmaker has worked on the engine's responsiveness so that there are no hiccups in handling the higher weight of the MPV.

Whats new?

You would imagine that with the same pulling power as the Go, this bigger vehicle would be sluggish to drive. But surprisingly, the engine tweaks have worked well and it takes off in quite a sprightly manner. It can amble around the city even in higher gears owing to the great pulling power and there isn't that much need for you to row through the gears constantly. This is a good thing as the gearbox isn't exactly very smooth to operate; you need to be firm when slotting in each gear. Even the steering is quite well weighted and makes manoeuvring the Go+ through tight traffic quite easy. That said, sedate driving would be advised on this car

as it rolls quite a bit when going around corners and the thin tyres don't inspire much confidence either.

The other change is to the rear suspension and this makes the ride quite plush even when not fully loaded. Datsun also claims to have bettered the sound insulation, and the outside does seem more shut out than in the smaller car.

Should I buy one? So, all things considered, the Go+ can't really be called a seven-seater. It has seven seats but can't seat anyone but infants in the last row. But what it can do is hold plenty of luggage after seating five in the first two rows. The other thing that may be an issue is how built-to-cost it appears to be. The basic


Price from Rs 3.5 - 4.1 lakh*

Power 67bhp at 5000rpm

Torque 10.6kgm at 4000rpm


Boot 347 litres

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Datsun Go+


' Go+ only makes sense as a five-seater that holds many bags.'

SECOND ROW More spacious than in the Go. BOOT SPACE 347 litres but only with third row down.

EQUIPMENT Only basic features provided; air-con doesn't get re-circulation or defog functions.

DESIGN Dashboard exactly the same as the Go's, still sparse and only functional.

FRONT SEATS Slim and flat, not very supportive.

PARKING BRAKE Pull-type brake may be a bit difficult to operate for novice drivers.

GLOVEBOX Still no cover for the dashboard compartment; makes it look cheap.

equipment and its sparse interiors may be a bit too much to accept for some customers. But what may hold their interest is the fact that this more spacious and practical car is likely to be priced at only Rs 30,000 more than the hatchback. And this is the very thing that may work in Datsun's favour with its newest product. SHAPUR KOTWAL

Whats new?

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Fiat Avventura 1.4 petrol


THE FIAT AVVENTURA is more than just a hatchback wearing a strongman suit. Its a proper crossover with bigger tyres, revised suspension and most importantly, higher ground clearance than the Punto Evo hatch its based on.

The car you see here has a 89bhp 1.4-litre petrol motor under its hood. Unlike the diesel Avventura thats available in three trims, the petrol Avventura misses out on the top Emotion variant and is available in just two trims instead. The base-spec Active variant is priced at Rs 5.99 lakh, while the Dynamic trim car here is priced at Rs 7.05 lakh (all prices ex-showroom, Delhi).

The petrol Avventura looks identical to the diesel version from the outside. So, you get the same big 16-inch wheels with chunky tyres, the stylishly mounted spare wheel at the rear, the aggressively styled nose, tough-looking cladding, and a pseudo skid-plate under the bumper.

Inside, the front seats are quite large and comfortable but a comfy driving position is difficult to find. Taller passengers will find the rear bench a bit short on support

and space. The equipment list is quite modest, and you get an audio system with CD, USB and aux inputs, power windows and mirrors, remote locking, and a manual AC. Airbags and ABS are surprisingly not even an option on the petrol Avventura. So, its not the best-equipped car at this price point.

While the 89bhp 1.4-litre petrol motor looks good on paper, its a bit different from behind the wheel. It feels a bit

sleepy at low engine speeds and so, overtaking quicker-moving cars will need you to work the gearbox. It will perform if you are diligent with the throttle, but you will have to work the engine hard. Putting it in perspective, the Avventura takes 14.41 seconds to hit the 100kph mark, while the EcoSport 1.5 petrol takes 14 seconds flat.

Thankfully, the clutch is light and the gearbox shifts

Fiat Avventura 1.4 petrol

Part of the dashboard is soft-touch and the overall look is good.

What is it? A Fiat Punto with added hardware to tackle tough roads. Price Rs 7.05 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) On sale Now

First drive

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Engine a bit sleepy at low speeds. Cover looks stylish; can be locked.

quite smoothly. The blunted performance is chiefly because the Avventura weighs a considerable 1,195kg; thats heavier than larger cars such as the Honda City.

On the upside, this solidly built crossover feels like a bigger car from behind the wheel. The Avventuras ride is flat for the most part; this Fiat irons out most of what our roads throw at it. Over patchy roads and smaller potholes, the Avventura forgives you for not slowing down but it can get a bit jiggly at low speeds. Also, the nicely weighted and accurate steering wheel inspires confidence on winding roads.

All told, the petrol-powered Avventura doesnt make a strong case for itself, and is worth considering only if you dont want to foot the extra Rs 60,000 for the similarly equipped diesel (with added ABS).ADITYA BENGALI


Price Rs 7.05 lakh*




0-100kph 14.41sec#

Whats new?

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Mini Cooper 5 Door


THE NEW MINI Cooper has grown. Quite literally! It is now wider and longer. And for the first time, has two rear doors. Known as the 5 Door Mini, this new model poses a practical solution for those who have always shied away from this previously only two-door car.

The 5 Door, however, doesn't look as good as the 3 Door, having gained length. It has all the styling cues of the Mini family but the longer space between the wheels does take some getting used to. The boot is bigger at 278 litres, which definitely is a plus for those buyers who like to take their city roundabouts for out-of-town trips on the weekend. Yes, the backseat is definitely an improvement over the 3 Door in terms of space but still not by a very big margin. The small windows and rear doors also don't help matters and make the back a bit claustrophobic. Where it still is fantastic is the front two seats. The dashboard is the same one as in the 3 Door. With the same

great quality of materials used and good view out. However, bear in mind that equipment like the infotainment system, heads-up display and leather seats are options you'll have to shell out considerable cash for. There are some puzzling omissions though, like the lack of electric adjust on the front seats, strange in a car at this price point.

Under the hood resides Mini's new 1.5-litre three-cylinder diesel. It makes 114bhp and 27.5kgm of pulling power and while that may not

look like much pitted against the Mini's 1190kg weight, in real world conditions, it does just fine. There's no noticeable delay in responses at low engine speeds and when you rev the engine further, you're rewarded with decent pulling power. Another thing of note is the sound of the engine, it's very refined for a three-cylinder diesel, the snarl a cultured purr more than clatter. The six-speed auto gearbox is also quick, performing gear shifts in effective time.

The 5 Door's handling is also

Mini Cooper 5 DoorWhat is it? Five-door version of the latest Cooper D. Price Rs 35.2 lakh (ex-showroom, India) On sale Now

First drive

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worthy of the family name and it feels even more stable than the three-door version owing to the bigger footprint. Corners are despatched with ease, the steering is very accurate and the tyres provide decent grip. It may not be as nimble as the 3 Door, but by any measure, it is a driver's delight.

As for cabin ambience, helping along with the lovely craftsmanship is the great sound insulation that shuts out the world very effectively.

It is quite an expensive proposition at Rs 35.2 lakh, but then it's an iconic, timeless luxury product that's also a hoot to drive. If the 3 Door seems too impractical for you, go for this one. NIKHIL BHATIA

The interiors are Mini-typical great

quality and view out is good too.

5 Door takes corners well, with an accurate steering and grippy tyres.

BUYERS FILEEngine size 1.5 (D)

Price Rs 35.2 lakh*



Gearbox Six-speed auto

0-100kph 9.94sec

News

Whats new?


CLA here early 2015Mercedes-Benz will be launching the CLA-class sedan in India early in 2015. Slated to be the most affordable Mercedes sedan, it will be a direct rival to the Audi A3.

Mercedes has focussed on styling the car to attract young buyers. Mechanically, it is similar to the GLA; it gets a 2.2-litre diesel and a 2.0-litre petrol engine. The diesel motor makes 135bhp and 30.59kgm of torque, while the petrol engine delivers 181bhp and 30.59kgm of torque. Both engines come

mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

When it goes on sale, Mercedes-Benz is expected to price the CLA at an estimated ex-showroom price of Rs 27-32 lakh.

Unlike what Mercedes does usually, the CLA will not have any highly specced Launch Edition, and will launch with standard variants. The company is also expected to start assembling the CLA in India by late 2015, which will help cut costs considerably.

Cars to get slightly costlier in 2015Rising input costs, expensive imports have forced carmakers to hike prices.While there's a lot of news pouring in about new and exciting car launches in 2015, carmakers are also gearing up to increase prices of their existing India portfolios. The price hike, across segments, has been attributed mainly to rising input cost and expensive imports, a result of the depreciating rupee. Most of these price hikes will be effective from January 1, 2015.

Indias largest carmaker, Maruti Suzuki will increase prices by 2-4 percent on all its cars. Executive director (marketing and sales), R S Kalsi, said the company has been bearing the impact of higher input costs for a while now, without hiking prices, as market conditions were poor. The last price hike was in October 2013.

High input costs coupled with expensive imports and high cost of sales has also led Hyundai to announce price hikes in the range of Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000. Hyundais vice president, sales and marketing, Rakesh Srivastava said that Hyundai has been bearing most of the cost, but now will have to

resort to hiking prices.Nissan will also hike prices

of its India line-up and of Datsun vehicles by up to 2.5 percent and up to 3 percent, respectively. This will result in Nissan cars getting dearer by up to Rs 18,000 and Datsun vehicles by Rs 11,000.

The latest carmaker to join

the list is Renault. It will hike prices by 2.5 percent, mainly due to rising input costs too. Commenting on the price hike, Rafael Treguer, vice president, sales and marketing said, "The industry is eagerly looking forward to pro-business policies to reignite the automobile industry in India.

BMW will also increase prices across its India line-up by five percent. However, it hasn't given a definitive reason for the hike. And we have found out that Audi is likely to folow suit too.

Carmaker Price hikeMaruti Suzuki 2-4 percent

Hyundai Rs 5,000 - Rs 25,000

Nissan/ Datsun 2.5/3 percent

Renault 2.5 percent

BMW 5 percent

Next-gen Figo coming The next-generation Ford Figo is already being tested on Indian roads.

The new hatchback is expected to get Fords 1.2-litre petrol engine and 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engine. There is also a possibility that a new 80bhp 1.0-litre petrol engine, derived from the 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine may make it to the Figo, albeit without the turbocharger.

The next-generation Figo is expected to be manufactured at Ford's all-new facility at Sanand in Gujarat.

Apart from the Figo hatchback, two more body styles will make up the new Ford Figo range. India will get the sub-four-metre Figo+ compact sedan previewed at the Auto Expo last year, while a full-size Figo sedan will also be launched globally.


Datsun will launch its compact MPV for the Indian market, the Go+, on January 15, 2015. The Go+ is basically a Datsun Go with added length and two small seats in the rear. Head on, it looks exactly like the hatchback everything from the hexagonal grille, the V in the bonnet, to the wrap-

around headlights with metal inserts and the windscreen are the same.

Mechanically too, it uses the same three-cylinder, all-aluminium 1.2-litre engine making 67bhp. However, it has been tuned to be more responsive on the Go+. At launch, Datsun is expected to price the MPV at a starting price of Rs 3.5 lakh. Tata Motors will launch its

new Bolt hatchback in India on January 20. The company has already started taking online bookings on its website, for a token amount of Rs 11,000.

The Bolt hatchback gets Tata Motors' new design cues that were first seen on the Zest, plus a few unique features like a blackened C-pillar to give a 'floating roof' effect.It is powered by a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine making 89bhp and 14.27kgm

of pulling power, as well as the tried and tested 74bhp 1.3-litre Quadrajet diesel engine from the old Tata Vista. The biggest news, however, is a much improved cabin with loads more equipment on offer.

Tata Motors has said that it has concentrated on raising quality in the Bolt hatchback. For this, all the parts supplied by component makers are now thoroughly checked, before proceeding to the assembly line.

Datsun Go+ to be launched on January 15

Tata Bolt launch on Jan 20

Audi has started testing the new Q7 SUV here in India. At first glance, it is easy to tell that the front gets a new, bolder design, with a single-frame grille, similar to the recently updated Q3.

Audi says it is also 325kg lighter than the previous car. There's also more space between the first and second row seats (21mm), which means that the Q7 gets improved legroom. Headroom and shoulder room are better as well.

Audi is looking to position

the new Q7 as more upmarket, and in line with that, it gets a contemporary dashboard with minimal switchgear, a digital instrument cluster, and a more prominent centre console.

Expect the new Q7 to hit Indian showrooms sometime in the middle of 2015.

2015 Audi Q7 to be lighter, roomier

Toyota will launch the mid-cycle facelift of the Camry here in 2015. The current-generation Camry was launched here back in 2012.

The facelifted Camry gets styling changes both outside and in. On the outside, there's a new grille, a protruding chin, and a redesigned bumper. The headlamps get LED daytime-running lamps and the tail-lamps get new LED inserts.

On the inside, the instrument cluster has been updated. It now gets a larger 4.2-inch screen and a blue backlight. The multimedia screen on the centre console is also bigger at 6.1 inches. Under the skin, the updated Camry is expected to be powered by the same petrol and petrol-hybrid set ups that are currently on offer in India. Toyota will continue to assemble the Camry here via completely knocked down kits to keep costs low.

Toyota Camry facelift here soon

New Q7 has started testing here.

Whats new?News


A number of carmakers have been practising the voluntary recall programme globally. If you own any of these cars

from the manufacturing period mentioned (see table), then contact an authorised dealership immediately.

Car recalls to look out for

Car (number of units) Period Reason Ford EcoSport (20,752) Manufactured between January Fuel and vapour line 2013 and September 2014 at the corrosion. Chennai plant.

Maruti Ciaz (3,796) Cars made till November 2014 Suspected fault with a part of the clutch.

Toyota Corolla Altis (5,834) Manufactured between June 15, Engine oil entering 2010 and May 23, 2011. into air-intake system.

Chevrolet Beat petrol Manufactured before July 2010. Issue with the fuel pipe.

Mercedes has inaugurated a pre-owned car brand called Mercedes-Benz Certified by opening 12 outlets of the used car brand across the country all at once. At the pre-owned car outlet, you can either buy a pre-owned Mercedes or exchange your car, regardless of the make.

All the cars that will be up for sale here will be put through stringent checks, and fit certain criteria. To state a few: the car should not

be over five years old, not have run over 1 lakh kilometres, shouldn't have an accident history and shouldn't have had more than two owners. On purchase, the cars will also be covered by Mercedes' warranty for one year or for 20,000km.

Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MMRDI) has also recently opened its second facility in Bangalore the Embassy Crest.

Hyundai India has clocked 56,000 bookings for its new i20 hatchback within four months of launch.

Hyundai says that the demand for the hatchback is quite high, and because of this, there's also a long waiting period for all variants. The petrol versions will have you waiting for 2.5 months, while the diesel variants has an even higher waiting period of 3-3.5 months.

Hyundai dealers have

confirmed that the top-end variants are in high demand, while in terms of colour options, red and blue are the most sought after.

Rakesh Srivastava, senior vice president, sales and marketing, elaborated, The demand of (the) Elite i20 has doubled, and in November (2014), we sold 10,500 units. We are working towards increasing its production for faster deliveries.

Mercedes inaugurates new pre-owned car brand

New Hyundai i20 racks up 56,000 bookings

Ford recently revealed its next-generation infotainment system. 'Sync 3' is faster, has improved voice recognition, comes with a smartphone-like touchscreen and features, and an easier-to-understand user interface. For easy access, there are dedicated touch buttons for audio, phone, navigation, climate, apps and settings. The touchscreen is receptive to pinch and swipe gestures. It also has high-contrast fonts to enable clarity in sunlight, while at night, the system automatically changes to a dark background to reduce reflection and avoid eye fatigue.

Hyundai has also developed a new system called Display Audio. It gets a seven-inch touchscreen display optimised for enhanced smartphone

integration. It is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It gets USB connectivity as well.

When connected, users will be able to access their phone features such as contacts, music, navigation, text messaging and other apps through the system.

This new system will be introduced in models from 2016 onwards, and Hyundai says even entry-level models in some markets will get the new setup.

New infotainment systems from Ford and Hyundai


AUDI A3 CABRIOLETPRICE: Rs 44.75 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)The soft-top version of the A3 sedan has been launched in India. The fabric roof of this two-door, four-seater can be withdrawn in less than 18 seconds, at speeds of up to 50kph. It retains elements like the bi-xenon headlamps with daytime-running LEDs and the LED tail-lamps. The cabin is similar to the hard-top's. Power comes solely from the 177bhp 1.8-litre TFSI petrol engine mated to a seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

PORSCHE CAYENNE FACELIFTPRICE: Rs 1.04 crore (ex-showroom, Delhi)The facelifted version of Porsches second-gen Cayenne gets cosmetic changes, a wider array of standard equipment and some mechanical tweaks. Design changes include revised bumpers, redesigned head- and tail-lights and new tailpipes. On the inside, steering wheel is new and there's more room at the back. Standard features now include bi-xenon

headlamps, automatic bootlid, four-zone automatic climate control, panoramic sunroof, paddleshifters on the steering and Porsches air suspension. The Cayenne S sees the biggest mechanical change the naturally-aspirated 4.8-litre V8 petrol engine has been dropped in favour of the 414bhp 3.6-litre V6 petrol from the Macan SUV.

BMW M3 AND M4PRICE: Rs 1.19 crore, Rs 1.21 crore (ex-showroom, India)These are the performance- bred coupe and sedan versions of the BMW 3-series. Except for the bodystyle, both the M cars are pretty much the same, in terms of the design, inside and out, and also mechanically. The highlight on both models is the engine that comes from the M division an extremely powerful 3.0-litre six-cylinder twin-turbocharged petrol motor that makes 425bhp and 56.1kgm of torque, mated to a seven-speed dual clutch automatic 'box. Both cars are rear-wheel drive, and can go from 0-100kph in a little over four seconds (claimed).

BMW M5 FACELIFTPRICE: Rs 1.35 crore (ex-showroom, all India)The facelifted version of the M5, the elder sibling of the M3 and the M4, was also launched alongside them. It retains the same 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine that makes 552bhp and 69.3kgm of torque, as well as the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. The changes amount to a few cosmetic tweaks and the addition of more standard equipment. There are slimmer, fully adaptive LED headlamps now, alongside a more aggressive grille. You also get a new set of alloy wheels, and the tail-lights have been reprofiled too. Finally, the new kit includes a sportier steering

wheel, new leather upholstery, and many more options to tick.

JAGUAR XF EXECUTIVE EDITIONPRICE: Rs 45.12 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai)It is a relatively affordable version of the Jaguar XF 2.2-litre diesel. Essentially a trim, it misses out on some features that the higher Luxury trim gets. Things like memory function for the driver seat and wing mirrors, rearview camera, sunroof, TV tuner and leather seats, are all missing. However, mechanically and cosmetically, everything is retained. Power comes from a 2.2-litre diesel engine, mated to an eight-speed automatic 'box.

AUDI A3 CABRIOLET

BMW M3 AND M4

Launches

A list of all the best deals you can avail on your new car. Hot deals

BUYING AND OWNING

MARUTI ALTO 800Save upto Rs 52,000This compact hatchback can be purchased from Maruti dealerships with a cash benefit of upto Rs 32,000. Theres a Rs 20,000 exchange bonus too, which will bring the total savings to Rs 52,000.

BMW 1-SERIESSave upto Rs 3 lakhIf the sporty looks of the 1-series tempted your

senses then you might want to know that this hatch has discounts of upto Rs 3 lakh for a limited period.

NISSAN MICRASave upto Rs 70,000The Nissan Micra and Micra Active can be bought at a flat cash discount of upto Rs 70,000. However, this offer is only valid on the 2013 make. If you are interested in the 2014-spec car, then

you can get upto Rs 20,000 in savings.

HYUNDAI GRAND i10Save upto Rs 45,000Theres a flat cash discount of Rs 20,000 on the Hyundai Grand i10, and an exchange bonus of Rs 20,000 if you are trading your existing car. And if you work for a listed corporate company, you can also avail a corporate discount of Rs 5,000.

CHEVROLET SPARK Save upto Rs 68,000You can avail a cash benefit of upto Rs 25,000 on a new Chevrolet Spark, and theres a loyalty bonus of Rs 20,000 if you already own a Chevy. Theres an additional exchange bonus of Rs 15,000 too, if you are trading your old car for a new Spark. And if you work for a listed company, do ask for a corporate discount of Rs 3,000.

MARUTI WAGON R STINGRAYSave upto Rs 80,000Maruti dealerships across the country are offering the Wagon R Stingray with a cash discount of Rs 45,000 on all the variants. You can also trade your existing car at the showroom and earn an exchange bonus of upto Rs 35,000. This brings the total savings upto Rs 80,000, which is definitely worth it.

Deal of the month

Hatchbacks


BMW 1-seriesSave Rs 3 lakh

Wagon R StingraySave Rs 80,000

Nissan MicraSave Rs 70,000

NEW CAR BARGAINS

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AUDI Q5Save upto Rs 3 lakhYou can save Rs 3 lakh if you are looking to buy the Audi Q5.

BMW X3Save upto Rs 3 lakhPurchase a BMW X3 for a discount of upto Rs 3 lakh.

AUDI Q3Save upto Rs 2 lakhYou can buy the Audi Q3 with a discount of upto Rs 2 lakh.

BMW X1Save upto Rs 5 lakhBMW dealers are offering a discount of upto Rs 5 lakh on the X1.

CHEVROLET ENJOYSave upto Rs 85,000A cash benefit of Rs 37,000, an exchange bonus of 25,000, a loyalty bonus of Rs 20,000 and a corporate discount of Rs 3,000 can be availed on the Enjoy.

RENAULT DUSTERSave upto Rs 75,000You can save upto Rs 75,000 on the Duster.

NISSAN TERRANO Save upto Rs 50,000Get upto Rs 50,000 off on any

Nissan Terrano variants.

CHEVROLET CAPTIVASave upto Rs 30,000If you are looking to buy the Chevrolet Captiva, you can get upto Rs 30,000 off.

AUDI A6Save upto Rs 6 lakhThis sedan boasts of attractive interiors, has a choice of engines and is available with upto Rs 6 lakh off.

BMW 7-SERIESSave upto Rs 7 lakhThe BMW 7-series offers good space, equipment and capable engines. Get upto Rs 7 lakh off on this sedan.

AUDI A4Save upto Rs 5 lakhThe Audi A4 is a good package with a wide range of engines. It gets a discount of upto Rs 5 lakh.

BMW 3-SERIESSave upto Rs 3 lakhThe 3-series is still the best car in its segment, and is now on offer with upto Rs 3 lakh off the price tag.

BMW 5-SERIESSave upto Rs 4 lakhYou can save Rs 4 lakh if you are looking to buy the 5-series.

MERCEDES E-CLASSSave upto Rs 3 lakhAll versions of the E-class, except the E350 CDI can be bought with upto Rs 3 lakh off.

HYUNDAI SONATASave upto Rs 1.6 lakhHyundai dealerships will offer you the slow-selling Sonata with a good discount. You can get upto Rs 1.6 lakh off on this sedan.

MARUTI SWIFT DZIRESave upto Rs 45,000Prospective buyers can purchase any variant of the Swift Dzire with a cash saving of upto Rs 10,000. Sell your old car to the showroom and save another Rs 30,000. If you work for a listed company, then you can get a corporate discount of Rs 5,000.

NISSAN SUNNYSave upto Rs 1.5 lakhIf youre okay with buying the pre-facelift 2014 version of the

Nissan Sunny, then you will get upto Rs 1.5 lakh off. However, if you go in for the facelift, you will get upto Rs 30,000 off on the sedan.

VOLKSWAGEN JETTASave upto Rs 80,000Avail a consolidated discount of upto Rs 80,000 on the VW Jetta, which also includes exchange benefits.

HYUNDAI VERNASave upto Rs 63,000The diesel versions have a cash discount of upto Rs 30,000 along with an exchange bonus of Rs 30,000 too, and a corporate discount of Rs 3,000, depending on the company you work for. Petrol variants get a cash benefit of Rs 20,000 plus an exchange bonus of Rs 20,000 and a corporate discount of Rs 3,000.

SUVs


Audi Q5Save Rs 3 lakh

Audi A4Save Rs 5 lakh

BMW 3-seriesSave Rs 3 lakh

BUYING AND OWNING


WINNING AT THE SHOWROOMTo secure the best deal, you will need to haggle with the salesperson. Heres how you should negotiate to successfully lower the sticker price.

Arrey boss; I like this car a lot and want to buy it. Any discounts on it?

If I give you a good discount,

how will I earn a big commission?

Sirjee, this is a top selling model and in high demand. Its the only one in this trim colour and costs just Rs 6 lakh.

Bhai, its more than my budget. It will be great if you lower the price by

some amount.

Trust me, I would if I could.

But tell you what, book it today and

Ill throw in goodies worth Rs 10,000

for free.

I could buy this car by next week if you offer me a particular price.

Hmm. He seems to have done his homework. But does he know the best tricks of this

business?

I can give you a cash discount of Rs 5,000

along with free accessories worth Rs

10,000.

Sorry, you can get me to sign a cheque only by

knocking off at least Rs 50,000 off on the asking price.

Yeah right! I know these tricks.

Story Pradeb Biswas

WINNING IN THE SHOWROOM


BUYING A NEW car appears to be a fairly simple process. However, things start getting difficult when you begin dealing with the salesman at the showroom. To buy the car you want within your budget, you will need to negotiate for a good deal. A common folly that potential car buyers make is that they assume the salesperson has their best interests at heart.

They get taken in by the sweet talk and disclose details like the model they are interested in and the budget. Salesmen are professionals who have been trained to make as much of a margin as possible from buyers it is their job. So you shouldnt expect them to give priority to your best interests. Here are a few simple steps that can help you get the best deal from the salesman.

MARKET RESEARCH Never visit a car showroom without researching all the options available within your budget. Read up on the different makes and models that you have shortlisted

and get to know their strengths and weakness. Visit the manufacturers website, check the product brochure and evaluate the car, in terms of standard features across trims, and then compare it with what the competitors offer. Also, check the current promotion deals being offered by the manufacturers.

Call the dealership and find out the benefits (cash discounts, exchange and loyalty bonus, free insurance) being offered across the different trims of the make and model that you are considering. Knowing these details before visiting the showroom makes it easy to counter the salespersons claim of this deal is the best in the market and no one can offer a better one. Similarly, you will be able to steer clear of their attempts of making you buy a more expensive trim by suggesting it to be a better value-for-money proposition.

FIRST-MOVER ADVANTAGEAlways remember that the first price quoted by the salesperson is not the final

price. It is an inflated amount which includes a fat margin for the dealer. A salesperson is caught between making a potential buyer believe they are getting the best deal and achieving their own sales target. So, they may even offer you a price list by saying it has been decided by the manufacturer. Never agree to the price quoted by the salesperson and be prepared to haggle hard. Discounts are usually available on all cars unless it is a recently launched model like the Maruti Ciaz or one which is in high demand like the Ford EcoSport.

The easiest way to find out the benefits offered on different car models is by referring to the Hot Deals section in the previous issues of WhatCar? magazine. You could also call a few car brokers to unearth the cheapest deal being offered. Showrooms try to lure prospective buyers with schemes like exchange bonuses and easy finance. You can avail of an exchange bonus by trading in your current car. But before you agree to trade

Yaar, he seems to be a helpful guy who is offering

me the best deal he can.

That seems reasonable. Chalo, you have a deal.

I only need a few signatures.

Brilliant! A full Rs 60,000 profit

without even trying to push for a deal.

Oh no. He seems to be aware of the sales

tricks.

I am offering you the best deal I can for a

model that is selling well and in

high demand.

I dont think thats true. Im sure another dealer will be more eager to offer a good deal to a

genuine buyer.

You seem to have decided to buy this car. Okay, I will give you a discount. Lets finalise

the deal.

Looks like this guy is smart. I am going to

lose a big margin.

BUYING AND OWNING WINNING IN THE SHOWROOM

To get a good deal you will need to negotiate with the salesperson. At times, people feel shy to haggle or get intimidated by the aggressive nature of salespeople. Prospective buyers also get sweet talked into believing that there are no discounts available on the model and trim that they are considering or that these deals are available only for 24 hours. These ploys are used by the dealers to earn a big margin on each car they sell. By following the simple steps mentioned above, you will be able to negotiate properly with the salesperson and secure an attractive deal on the car you want to buy.

says

in your car, get it valued by a few used car dealers. This will not only give you a fair idea of the actual worth of your used car but also prevent you getting misled by the lower valuation of the showroom.

Dealers earn big bucks by selling finance and insurance, and at times, the margin is as high as 15 percent. Unless you are ready to pay the full cost of the car by cheque, you will need to arrange for finance. Instead of solely relying on the salesperson at the showroom, get quotes from reputed banks and finance companies. It is not necessary that you purchase the vehicle insurance from the showroom, getting a quote from an agent works well too. The quotes offered by financial institutions and insurance companies will be far less than what the dealer offers you.

VISITING THE SHOWROOM Once you have done your homework, you are ready to visit the showroom and deal with the salesman. However, dont show up at the showroom unannounced. Get a prior appointment for a test drive first. This shows that you are genuinely considering buying a car and not just making a casual enquiry.

Never tell the dealer that you are going to buy a car without taking a test drive. Insist that the dealership arranges a test drive vehicle with the exact engine, gearbox and trim level that you are planning to purchase. While dealing with the salesperson, be polite but firm.

NEGOTIATE LIKE A PROAfter the test drive, dont act like you have been impressed by the car. When

Its war, so go well

armed with the best

information.

the salesperson asks your feedback about the car just say, I could go for it if I get a particular price. Let the dealer quote a price first and then ask for a good cash discount.

Dont expect the salesperson to tow your line straightaway. You will mostly hear explanations like: This is a slow-selling model so not much can be done or there is hardly any margin on this car or at best, I can give you free accessories worth Rs 5,000. However, these arent always true. For example, on premium brands like Audi and BMW, among others, by haggling hard, one can knock off around Rs 2-10 lakh on the sticker price, depending on the vehicle segment and the popularity of the model.

Be persistent with your demand for a discount. Dont give up negotiating on the price unless you are convinced that it cant get lower. After taking the final quote, tell the salesperson to give you a few days to

think about the offer. To confirm whether the offer is really the best,

visit a few other dealers of the same car manufacturer, get a quote and compare the benefits being offered. Never rush things while buying a car and take time out to scout the market for the best deal.

Dont be shy or afraid to walk away if the particular dealership

is unable to offer you a good deal. There will be an attractive deal floating around elsewhere.

ACCESSORIES TRICKSUnless pushed, dealerships refrain from giving cash discounts and instead, offer free accessories. Dont fall for this trick as showrooms purchase accessories in bulk from distributors at wholesale rates which are far lower than the market price. So, if a dealership claims to offer you free accessories worth say around Rs 10,000, then it is likely that they would have purchased it for less than half that rate.

Apart from negotiating with the dealer for a cash discount, additionally bargain on the prices of accessories. Yes, dealerships overcharge on optional extras like Teflon coating and underbody painting. If you act like you know their tricks, they offer you a discounted rate on these too.

FINAL CALL If you have found a good deal, dont agree to it immediately. The dealer will try to coax you into paying a deposit and booking the car by saying things like this is a special offer valid only for today or this week. Examine all aspects of the deal and read the fine print before signing on the dotted line.

It is not uncommon to hear stories of salespeople promising a particular deal pertaining to rate of interest and insurance price and later failing to deliver them.

Your used car is in average condition

and is worth around Rs 3 lakh.

Along with a cash discount, I need free

accessories and lower insurance and finance rates to make me buy

this car.

He wants a fat margin even in the exchange

deal.

Truly a bad day! If I get well-informed

buyers like him everyday, my margins

will become wafer thin.

I know a few used car dealers

who are offering me Rs 3.75 lakh. I know

the market value of my car.



BUYING AND OWNING

DRIVING SAFELY IN WINTER

Driving in winter, especially over snow and ice, can be hazardous. Following these simple steps will make winter driving safer.

FULL TANK Always tank up before going on a drive. If your vehicle breaks down or gets caught in heavy

snowfall, there will be sufficient fuel to keep the engine running and the cabin warm.

WINTER TYRES If you drive regularly on snow-covered roads

then upgrade to winter tyres. Dont overinflate the tyres as it increases chances of a skid.

ENGINE OILLow temperatures can cause the engines

lubricants to freeze. Add an antifreeze solution in the correct proportion to prevent this.


WINTER SAFETY

IN OUR COUNTRY, the northern and north-eastern regions usually experience a harsh winter with some areas even experiencing heavy snowfall. Just as low temperatures and chilly winds can batter the human body, a harsh climate will put tremendous stress on your cars mechanical components. In regions where temperatures drop below zero deg C, the usual result is ice forming on the road possibly the biggest natural hazard to driving of all. By taking certain precautions and following the correct driving techniques, you can stay safe on the road.

SET UP YOUR CARThe first step is to get your car ready for the winter. Get it serviced and replace parts that show above average levels of wear and tear. Do not skimp on this as it will reduce the chances of your vehicle breaking down in cold, icy conditions. Perform these simple checks before driving your car in the winter. First, clean all windows, wing mirrors, headlamps and tail-lamps with lukewarm water. Do not use hot water as the sudden temperature difference will likely cause the glass to crack. Then check if all the cars lights, including the indicators, and the rear windscreen demister are working fine. Ensure that your cars heater is functioning properly, as it could turn out to be a life saver if you get stranded.

Top up the windscreen washer fluid with a mix of water and concentrated screenwash in the right proportion to ensure it doesnt freeze. Replace the wiper blades if they are over six months old and get the wiper motors serviced too. Also, the car batterys performance decreases with a drop in temperature, so if its old, replace it and get the charging system and cables checked. Finally, use engine oil and coolant that can withstand lower temperatures.

On wet, icy or snow-filled roads, your car will take longer to stop. Check with your service advisor if the brake calliper cleaning and greasing has been done to ensure their smooth operation. Upgrade to winter tyres if you drive on roads that get covered in snow. If you stay in or are going to drive through a region which experiences moderate to heavy snowfall, keep a set of snow chains in the boot. Practice fitting these so that you arent left guessing when the need to use them arises.

BEHIND THE WHEELDriving on ice turns out to be a lot trickier than what you initially expect. The cold and icy conditions make the roads slippery and the tyres struggle to find grip. Hence, it is important to be very gentle with your steering, throttle and braking inputs. Sudden directional changes or rapid acceleration are likely to result in a loss of control.

Driving in serious winter conditions is a lot more challenging than in other seasons. It is easy to lose traction on snow or ice-covered roads as the tyres struggle to find grip. Black ice is particularly dangerous. Using the correct driving techniques will keep you and other road users safe. Keep track of weather reports, and if the conditions are too harsh, avoid taking the car out, especially if you are new to these conditions.

saysDIESEL FUEL

At very low temperatures, tiny wax crystals begin to form, which hampers diesels ability to flow

freely, causing starting troubles. Start the engine every few hours and let it idle for a few minutes.

When moving from a standstill, always increase the vehicle speed slowly. Reduce your speed before you start turning the steering wheel and accelerate after you have exited the corner. If youre driving in snowy regions, then look out for black ice. It is a thin layer of ice than forms over the road due to the melting and re-freezing of icy water. It is difficult to detect, as it forms without air bubbles and cant easily be distinguished from the road surface underneath. Black ice is common around bridges, where water can collect, and happens most often early in the morning.

Avoid over-using the brakes and use engine braking as far as possible to help slow the vehicle down. Braking excessively or constantly feathering the brake pedal can cause the braking mechanism to overheat and fail.

PREPARE FOR THE WORSTIt is impossible to precisely predict when Mother Nature is going to unleash a blizzard. Similarly, it is impossible to predict when your vehicle could break down. Hence, keep your vehicle stocked with essentials which could come handy in case of an emergency.

Always top up the fuel tank before going on a drive. If your vehicle breaks down or gets caught in a cold spell, you will have sufficient fuel to keep the engine running and the cabin warm. Take a few blankets, eatables and water bottles along as they will be useful if you get stuck in a desolate area and help is far away.

If your vehicle breaks down and your mobile phone battery happens to run out of juice simultaneously, being out of contact just worsens the situation. Keep a spare mobile phone battery pack in the glove box.

When stuck for an extended period of time, you can stay warm by idling the engine and keeping the heater on. At times, due to a leaky exhaust, carbon monoxide could enter the cabin. It is a colourless, odourless and poisonous gas which can cause death. Hence, roll down the windows slightly and let fresh air enter the cabin after every couple of minutes.

Theyre coming, in various shapes and sizes, at various price points, and for various kinds of buyers. There are many new car launches to

be excited about in 2015, and weve picked 20 of the best. Be sure you read this carefully before buying your next car.

BUYING AND OWNING NEW CARS FOR 2015

201520 CARSWORTH WAITING

FOR IN


DATSUN REDI GODATSUNS FIRST LAUNCH in India the Go has not been the resounding success it could have been. Youll see its second offering, the Go+ MPV elsewhere in this issue, but its Datsun Number Three thats arguably even more exciting. The Redi-Go, shown at the 2014 Auto Expo and pictured here in concept form, is a super-budget car that will sit below the Go. The best part is that Datsun insiders tell us the showroom-ready version will not look too different from the

concept, so you can expect the same tall, but compact shape with some rugged, SUV-like details to liven it up. It will also use the companys brand new, 800cc petrol engine. This should put it right in the crosshairs of the Maruti Alto 800, and given Datsuns budget pricing strategy, the Redi-Go promises to be really good value. Just hope they make it tougher and nicer on the inside.

NEW AUDI Q7THE SECOND GENERATION of Audis ever-popular large SUV, the Q7, will be on sale in India by mid-2015. Styling on the new Q7 is in line with the latest Audis which means it looks sharp but perhaps lacks the visual bulk of the earlier Q7. While the design in general may not have immediate appeal, the big Audi will wow passengers with greater space across its three rows and an even more upmarket cabin. Expect the latest infotainment system and a whole host of modern luxury features to be part of standard

equipment. The new Q7 also promises to be better to drive, quicker and more efficient, made possible by its near-350kg lower kerb weight vis--vis the original Q7. Engine options for India are likely to include diesels only with the 3.0-litre, six-cylinder diesel being the mainstay of the range. As for pricing, this one is likely to cost more than its predecessor with a price tag in the region of Rs 70 lakh.

Promises to better the original Q7 on space, luxury and driving pleasure.

The Datsun Redi-Go is a super-budget car that will sit below the Go.

BUYING AND OWNING


THE TOYOTA FORTUNER may be the default choice among large SUV buyers but things could change with this, the latest Ford Endeavour. Headed to India in mid-2015, the new Endeavour looks modern, bold and butch and, thanks to its increased height, also has greater presence than its predecessor. As for the cabin, the very attractive dashboard that comes centered by a large infotainment screen is the talking point. As before, the Endeavour will come with three rows of seats but theres the promise of slightly more space here. Ford has also revised the suspension so, hopefully, the bumpy ride of the outgoing Endeavour is a thing of the past. Engine options

are likely to include a 148bhp 2.2-litre diesel (with a six-speed manual gearbox) and a 197bhp 3.2-litre diesel (with a six-speed automatic gearbox). Four-wheel drive is also expected. What will undoubtedly make the new Endeavour all the more attractive is its price that is likely to start at the Rs 18-lakh mark. This SUV is certainly worth the wait.

YOUR DECISION OF which compact sedan to go for is going to get a lot harder come 2015. Because thats when Ford will launch its Figo+. Neatly proportioned and complete with Fords latest styling cues, the Figo+ is a very attractive car. Going by the pictures weve seen so far, it seems quite nice on the inside too. The dashboard is very similar to the one youll see in the Fiesta and thats because the two cars actually share a lot under their skin. What that also means is the Figo+ could be one of the more fun-to-drive compact sedans

on sale. Fords tech-loaded 1.0-litre turbo-petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines also promise much in terms of enjoyment and efficiency, respectively. Whats also nice to know is that Ford is aggressively targeting a competitive price tag for the Figo+. If priced well, the Figo+ could have the makings of a very desirable compact sedan.

FORD FIGO+ COMPACT SEDAN

NEW FORD ENDEAVOUR

Its striking design and large size are bound to be a hit in India.

Stylish compact sedan that should be great fun to drive.


NEW CARS FOR 2015

NEW HONDA JAZZTHOUGH FANTASTICALLY VERSATILE and incredibly practical, the last Honda Jazz had limited appeal due to the high price. Thankfully, Honda hasnt given up on the Jazz for India. In fact, it is all set to bring the new model here by mid-2015. The good news is that, thanks to more local content, the Jazz will be a whole lot more affordable this time around. Whats more, there will also be the option to power the Jazz with the Amazes 99bhp 1.5-litre diesel engine. This would be in addition to the 89bhp 1.2-litre petrol

engine that was also offered on the last Jazz. As before, the Jazz scores greatly for practicality with brilliant packaging that makes it more spacious than some mid-size sedans. It retains the flexible rear seats too that allow a whole range of load-carrying options. Honda will also equip the Jazz at par with the competition so compromises, so to speak, would be minimal. If anything, the Jazzs quasi-MPV looks could be a point of contention for some buyers.

The new Jazz is quite simply the most practical hatchback you will be able to buy.

BUYING AND OWNING

NEW HONDA ACCORDHONDAS BIG SEDAN is expected to re-enter our markets end of the year. Unlike earlier, where the Accord kept getting larger through the generations, Honda has put this latest Accord on a diet. Its now slightly smaller and looks a lot leaner. However, despite this, it will be as spacious as the older car. Also, the new interiors are more luxurious and theres going to be plenty of equipment as well. It will be powered by a new 2.4-litre petrol engine, part of Hondas new line of efficient Earth Dreams engines, which now produces around 170bhp and is mated to a five-speed automatic. Honda has also focussed on making the car more agile and nicer to drive. Expect it to start at Rs 26 lakh when it gets here.


FIAT PUNTO ABARTHUNDER ITS PERFORMANCE brand Abarth, Fiat is expected to launch a much faster, performance-oriented version of the Punto this year. The Punto Abarth is likely to use a more powerful version of the Lineas 1.4-litre T-jet petrol motor that is expected to produce around 137bhp. To make it even more performance-focussed, Fiat is expected to improve the handling of the car by revising the suspension, fitting grippier tyres and better brakes. The cars will most likely be sold at existing Fiat dealers, but the carmaker hasnt ruled out the possibility of having exclusive Abarth dealers either. By launching Abarth, Fiat plans to use car enthusiasts to help pump the brand up. Expect it to cost around Rs 10-12 lakh.

HYUNDAI iX25HYUNDAI IS SET to jump onto the compact SUV bandwagon with the ix25. Expected in mid-2015, the ix25 is roughly the same size as the Renault Duster and like most Hyundais, is quite stylish. Interestingly, the carmaker may not call it the ix25 when they launch it here and may opt for a conventional name instead. This is because Hyundai doesnt want Indian customers to mix it up with the i20 hatchback, which is seen as a class lower in India. The ix25 is also unlikely to be under four metres.

Under the hood, the compact SUV is expected to use the Vernas 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engines but may be tuned slightly differently. Gearboxes are likely to be lifted from the Verna as well, which include five-speed and six-speed manuals and a five-speed automatic as well. With an estimated price of Rs 10 lakh and Hyundais custom to handsomely equip its cars, its a small SUV definitely worth waiting for.

Its roughly Duster-sized and will use engines from the Verna.

Its likely to be more spacious and more efficient than the current car.

NEW CHEVROLET-CRUZETHE NEW CRUZE will be based on GMs all-new platform and will look sharper and more tightly-skinned than the current car. The new platform also means the Cruze is likely to shed around 10 percent of its current weight. Chevrolet is expected to give the Cruze an all-new, efficient 136bhp 1.6-litre diesel engine as well. The new car is likely to be more space-efficient and Chevrolet is likely to focus on making the rear bench more roomy. We expect the all-new Cruze to hit showrooms by the end of the year and it is likely to be priced at around Rs 14-16 lakh.

HYUNDAI VERNA FACELIFTTHE HYUNDAI VERNA has been given a big facelift globally, and these changes are headed to our market as well. The last facelift we got here was limited to few minor upgrades, but this one will include comprehensive styling changes. The headlamps will be more angular, the grille will feature two slats instead of one, the chin will be larger and even the fog lamps will be quite different. At the rear, the changes will be limited to minor tweaks to the lights and boot lid. On the mechanical front, the engines and suspension will remain unchanged, but the four-speed auto gearbox on the petrol car will be replaced with a six-speed unit, which should help improve the fuel economy. Additionally, the suspension and handling may be improved as well.


NEW CARS FOR 2015

MARUTI YRAWITH THE CIAZ receiving positive feedback, Maruti is looking to expand its range with other upmarket models. One of these will be a new large hatchback thatll go head on against the Hyundai i20. Codenamed YRA, its a whole lot larger than the Swift. As you might be able to tell from our computer generated image, its also got some radical styling details a sloping rear windscreen, a big, V-shaped grille and LED daytime-running lamps in the front bumper. It will likely use the 1.2 from the Swift and the same

engines as the Ciaz and Ertiga a 94bhp 1.4-litre petrol and 89bhp 1.3-litre diesel, and though a manual gearbox is standard, the Ciazs auto could be offered as an option. It will also address two of Marutis other big criticisms space and equipment both of which will be in healthy supply. What remains to be seen is if Maruti can also deliver its famous value for money with this new hatchback when it goes on sale in the second half of this year.

It will address two of Marutis big criticisms - space and equipment.


This Maruti compact SUV will go head to head with the Ford EcoSport.

The S-Cross could be the ideal blend of hatchback and SUV.

MARUTI YBAARGUABLY EVEN MORE exciting than either the S-Cross or the YRA hatchback, however, is Marutis upcoming compact SUV, codenamed YBA. It will be less than four metres in length, wear a spare wheel on its tailgate and feature rugged styling, and if that sounds very similar to the Ford EcoSports formula, thats because it is this cars main competition. The Maruti SUV will use the Swifts 1.2 and Ertigas 1.4-litre petrol engines, but the big news is that it could get an all-new 1.5-litre diesel engine with about 100bhp of power. Maruti could also pull out a trump card over the Ford with the inclusion of all-wheel drive on the top trims of this car.

MARUTI S-CROSSMARUTI WILL SOON be launching a new crossover that will sit above the Ciaz at the top of the companys model range. Called the S-Cross and shown at the 2014 Auto Expo, this cars shape is more like a large hatchback on stilts than a proper SUV. Still, it has plenty of off-road ability thanks to Suzukis capable AllGrip four-wheel-drive system. Power will come from a 1.6-litre diesel engine good for 118bhp of power. The S-Cross offers up a lot of space and equipment, which it will need to take on the Renault Duster, which will be its main competition in India. However, as the car will be fully imported, dont expect a knockout price tag; its expected to cost around Rs 14 lakh.


THE CLA 45 AMG, launched in 2014, was a high-performance compact luxury sedan, and later this month, Mercedes will launch a more conventional luxury version of the same car. It will use the same 2.2-litre diesel and 2.0-litre petrol engines as the GLA-class SUV, which produce 135bhp and 181bhp, respectively, and both will be mated to a seven-speed automatic gearbox. The attractive styling is the swoopy CLAs real talking point, and it promises to be a more

practical alternative to the A-class hatchback. It will sit below the C-class in the Mercedes range and will go head to head with the Audi A3, at a price of around Rs 30 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

The CLA-class will be the most affordable Mercedes-Benz sedan in the range.



RENAULT LODGYRENAULT WILL BRING its full-sized seven-seater, the Lodgy, in March this year. The Lodgys strong point is that there is plenty of useable space in all three rows and comfort level is expected to be good too. Additionally, even with all the seats in place, boot space is useable.

The cabin will get bits like the instrument cluster, control stalks and infotainment system borrowed from the Duster. However, the colour scheme is expected to differ from the Dusters. The Lodgy will use the same 1.5-litre diesel engine as the Duster, in both its 85bhp and 108bhp guises.

We expect this MPV to cost between Rs 8 lakh and Rs 12 lakh which means, it will compete across segments with the Maruti Ertiga, Honda Mobilio, and the Toyota Innova.

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY SPORTTHE DISCOVERY SPORT is the latest in the ever-growing Land Rover family of SUVs. Slightly larger than the Freelander that it will replace (internationally), the Discovery Sport looks rugged, neat and chunky. Theres a very Land Rover-like solidity and simplicity to the cabin design. But, what distinguishes the Discovery Sport is its optional third row that could give it a serious advantage over its five-seat competition. It remains to be seen if Land Rover will offer the SUV for India in seven-seat or five-seat configuration. Either way, the Sport will come with Land Rovers brilliant Terrain Response off-road system that will give it serious mud-plugging abilities. Engine options will include a 188bhp 2.2-litre diesel though a 150bhp diesel is also expected in the future. The practical and capable Discovery Sport goes on sale in India in late 2015.

MERCEDES-BENZ CLA-CLASS

NEW VW PASSATVOLKSWAGEN PULLED THE Passat out of the Indian market in 2013, as it was just a little too expensive compared to its traditional rivals from Honda, Skoda and Toyota. Now, however, VW is moving away from those rivals and going after proper luxury carmakers like BMW, Audi and Mercedes with its next-generation Passat, which will be even more expensive than the last car. But then, it will offer more as well. Not only is it more spacious and luxurious on the inside, but it also offers up more technology and gadgets. The dials have been replaced by a screen, VWs latest touchscreen system is in place, and theres a whole raft of safety equipment to help prevent an accident. As before, it will be powe

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