2022 Range Rover Unveiled

Land Rover took the wraps off its newest, 5th-generation Range Rover SUV. It could be mistaken for being the same, but upon closer inspection, almost everything – from ground-up – is new. There is even a fully electric version of the SUV in the pipeline, scheduled for a 2024 launch. The Range Rover is available in standard and long-wheelbase options. When launched globally next year, it will have petrol, diesel and plug-in petrol hybrid engines.

The Range Rover looks stunning from the outside, and its rear tail lamps are said to have the most powerful LEDs ever. The cabin is all-new too and is more in sync with all the recent launches from Land Rover. Features include a floating 13.1-inch infotainment screen, Amazon Alexa speech recognition, a 13.7-inch HD digital instrument cluster and wireless smartphone mirroring. Expect the Plug-in Hybrid models to be offered, with a 38.2kWh battery pack sending power to a 141-bhp engine.

Porsche Taycan Launched in India

After all the anticipation, Porsche has finally launched its blisteringly-fast, all-electric Taycan in India, with prices starting from `1.50 crore (ex-showroom, India). The Taycan is being sold in two body styles: the Taycan sedan and Taycan Cross Turismo estate. The sedan is available in four variants: Taycan, 4S, Turbo and Turbo S, while the Turismo comes in 4S, Turbo and Turbo S variants.

Globally, the Taycan is the German brand’s first all-electric production car and shares its underpinnings with Audi’s e-tron GT. The Taycan, is by far, Porsche’s nicest looking food-door coupe; up-front, it gets headlights with a quad LED DRL setup and a light bar spanning the width of its tail. The Cross Turismo, on the hand, has better ground clearance and sports subtle body cladding. Inside the Taycan, it features four screens up-ahead and a floor-mounted battery pack under the seats. The best part is, you get luggage space in the trunk and the frunk. Some feature highlights include a 10.9-inch infotainment screen and a 16.8-inch digital instrument cluster.

The base model Taycan comes with rear-wheel-drive, while the other variants get all-wheel-drive. The 740bhp Turbo S – the Taycan’s most powerful variant – can sprint from 0-100kph in just 2.8 seconds.

Ferrari Daytona SP3 Revealed

The latest to the Icona model series in Ferrari’s model line-up is the new Daytona SP3 – a production V12 roadster to be limited to just 599 units. The model costs close to `20 crore. Ferrari also made mention of the fact that the SP3 is street legal, unlike the other Icona models: the SP1 and SP2 Monza, due to a lack of a proper windscreen. Some of the SP3’s design cues have been inspired by the P3 and P5 Le Mans race cars. There are plenty of modern details that will leave you in awe.

In the SP3, you sit lower than you do in any other Ferrari. After the LaFerrari, the SP3 is the second roadcar to feature a mid-mounted, 6.5-V12 naturally aspirated engine, producing 828bhp and 697Nm of torque, making it the most powerful Ferrari to have come out of Maranello. It can go from 0-100kph in just 2.85 seconds and hits a top speed of 340kph.

New Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Unveiled

Porsche Cayman enthusiasts have yet another reason to be saving up, because the all-new GT4 RS is the German brand’s new mid-engined flagship model in the 718 range. This baby is lighter, and hence, quicker too.

The bonnet and front wings are made of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic; it gets lightweight carpets, there are pull straps in place of the door handles and the rear windscreen is lighter too. The aerodynamics have been enhanced, thanks to the swan-necked rear wing, an adjustable front diffuser and new air vents. The rear windows have been replaced by air intakes, making way for airflow to the engine. There is an optional Weissach package that includes a titanium roll-cage, 20-inch forged aluminium or magnesium wheels and aluminium exhaust tips.

The GT4 RS makes 493bhp and 450Nm of torque from a 4.0-litre flat-six engine, with power being sent to the rear wheels through a 7-speed PDK automatic ‘box.

Skoda Slavia Unveiled

While manufacturers are busy bringing in new SUVs in different sizes, Skoda is confidently bringing in their all-new Slavia sedan. The Slavia doesn’t even look like a Rapid replacement – and the introduction of the Slavia marks the start of Skoda’s next stage in the India 2.0 project. The Slavia is based on the MQB-A0-IN platform and it looks elegant from all angles. Being 1752mm in width, the Slavia is the widest car in the segment, giving room for more space. The Slavia gets 521 litres of boot space as well. The headlights and taillights feature advanced LED technology and the front fascia is similar to that of the Octavia.

The cabin’s design is in sync with the new Skodas. The two-spoke steering wheel and the digital instrument cluster are the biggest highlights here. The Slavia gets active and passive safety features. Occupants are protected by up to six airbags.

The Slavia comes with two petrol engines. The 1.0 TSI engine makes 114bhp, mated to a 6-speed manual or an optional 6 speed automatic transmission, while the 1.5 TSI engine makes 148bhp, mated to a 7-speed DSG gearbox. Expected to be launched in early 2022, the Slavia will compete against Honda’s City and Maruti Suzuki’s Ciaz.

Mercedes-AMG A45 S Launched in India

Mercedes-Benz launched what is easily the most powerful and expensive hatchback on sale in the country – the AMG A45 S hot hatch, priced at `79.50 lakh (ex-showroom, India). While the A35 sedan is being assembled in India, the A45 S comes in as a CBU import, sold in limited numbers. Under the bonnet lies the most powerful turbocharged 4-cylinder production engine ever, making 416bhp and 500Nm of torque.

The A45 S is aggressively styled and comes with the huge Panamericana grille up-front. It is even slightly wider than the AMG A35 sedan and gets a quad exhaust setup at the rear. The dashboard of the car is the same as the one on the regular A-Class, barring some sporty AMG touches, like the bucket seats, steering and contrast stitching. It comes equipped with a 12-speaker Burmester sound system and twin 10.25-inch displays atop the dashboard. The 2.0-litre engine sends power to all four wheels via an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The A45 S hatchback is also lighter than its A35 sedan sibling.