Next Auto Car: March 2014

IAB Report – Skoda Rapid Ultima special edition launched at 8.3 lakhs

The Skoda Rapid Ultima special edition has been launched at Rs. 8.3 lakhs (Ex-Showroom New Delhi). It will be available across six trims in Ambition and Elegance variants, in petrol and diesel.

The stark visual difference is the new exterior decal that runs along the bonnet, roof, boot and door. However there is more to the car -

Skoda Rapid Ultima features

Roof and side foil

Garmin and Tom-Tom navigation

Projector lens headlamps

Bluetooth telephone connectivity

On-board computer

Steering wheel with audio controls

Parking sensors

Leather package

Seven-spoke alloy wheels

Ultima branded side plaque

Additional airbags in middle variant

Leatherate seat covers

Ultima branded floor mats

Ultima branded Door sill moldings

The mechanicals are exactly similar to the other variants. The Rapid Ultima petrol produces 105 PS @ 5,250 rpm with maximum torque of 220 Nm @ 1,530-3,800 rpm. The Rapid Ultima diesel variant makes 105 PS @ 4,400 rpm and a maximum torque of 250 Nm @ 1,500-2,500 rpm.

Without specifying the planned production volume, Skoda says that the Ultima Edition launches today and would be available for a limited period.

Skoda Rapid Ultima price (Ex-showroom New Delhi)

1.6 MPI MT Ambition Plus Rs. 8,33,156

1.6 MPI AT Ambition Plus Rs. 9,30,915

1.6 MPI MT Elegance Rs. 8,95,355

1.6 MPI AT Elegance Rs. 9,91,920

1.6 TDI Ambition Plus Rs. 9,40,788

1.6 TDI Elegance Rs. 9,97,661

IAB Report – BMW X4 teased, reveal confirmed for March 6

BMW’s Instagram page has announced the official unveil of the BMW X4 for the 6th of March. March 6 concurs with the first public day of the Geneva Motor Show but as it is an important event, it is unlikely to be staged in passing in Switzerland.

BMW’s second ‘Sports Activity Coupe’ as its name implies, sits under the BMW X6 as a crossover alternative to 3- and 4-Series customers. The design trends seen on the BMW X3 facelift and the new BMW X5 such as the 3D kidney grille can be seen on the first teaser video of the X4 issued by BMW.

A screen capture from BMW’s Instagram teaser video provides our first look at the production-spec BMW X4.

BMW had previewed the X4 with a concept car at Auto Shanghai 2013. It is based on the BMW X3′s platform with body measurements of 4,648 mm length, 1,915 mm width and 1,622 mm height.

With guess work, we surmise that rear-wheel drive would come standard on the X4, and xDrive would be an optional extra. Powertrains would be lifted from the X3′s inventory with a 2.0-liter 181 hp diesel engine to begin range, and a more powerful 3.0-liter six-cylinder 330 hp on higher variants.

BMW X4 teaser screen captures

Report – Multi-link suspension and 4WD possible optional features on Hyundai’s EcoSport rival

German automotive website Auto Zeitung today presents a few details on the Hyundai ix25 SUV plotted to challenge the Ford EcoSport, Renault Duster and the Honda Vezel.

The sporty crossover is characterized by wide wheel arches and a distinctive grille following the style of its elder brothers brand Santa Fe and the ix35. Tipped to measure under 4.25 m long, the ix25 would have a 1.1L three-cylinder engine with 75 hp in the base variant, while a 1.6L diesel engine outputting 75 PS and 90 PS will be strapped to the higher variants, believe Auto Zeitung.

IAB’s Shoeb Kalania rendered the Hyundai ix25 SUV earlier this year.

The German journalists expect the ix25 to be introduced in markets outside Korea next year.

Meanwhile Chinese automotive website Sohu has spied Kia’s version of the Hyundai ix25 on local soil revealing some interesting possibilities.

Earlier test mules of the ix25 revealed a torsion beam rear suspension, while the Kia has a more expensive multi-link suspension. The website is claiming that 4WD would be offered at the launch, and projector headlamps, LED daytime running lamps and rear disc brake are in the equipment package of the top-end Kia model.

Kia’s version of the Hyundai ix25 gets an upgraded suspension, new wheels and chrome garnish on the side profile.

The chassis, dimensional parameters, handling and price would be identical, Sohu notes. Most features would be shared between the two vehicles to shrink cost and time-to-market.

The Chinese-made ix25 and its cousin from Kia would get more powerful engines than those discussed by the Germans. Sources are yet to send the publication a clear message, but they expect 1.6L and 2.0L engines on backbone variants, with a 1.6-liter GDI engine on the top-spec variant.

To be made by the Beijing-Hyundai joint venture, the ix25 would world premiere at the Auto China 2014 which opens on the 20th of April, followed by the launch of the Kia version in 2015.

[Source - Sohu and AutoZeitung]