Weekly Auto Shots - Tata Safari, Maruti Suzuki Swift Facelift and BMW R18 Classic Launched

• Published On: 27 February 2021
• 100 Views

In this weekly wrap-up, the major events were the launches of Tata Safari, Maruti Swift Facelift and BMW R18 Classic in India

We are back with the weekly-wrap up of the major automobile news from India and the world. This week witnessed the high-profile launch of Tata Safari on February 22, 2021. The SUV was earlier unveiled on January 26, 2021, and comes in a completely new avatar. The other big launch was that of Maruti Swift Facelift at a starting price of Rs 5.73 lakh (ex-showroom), India. Plus BMW launched the R18 Classic at a price of Rs 24 lakhs (ex-showroom), India. Kawasaki Ninja 300 was also unveiled ahead of its launch in the coming days. Read all about the major automobile news in our crisp weekly-wrap up.

All-New Tata Safari Launched at Rs 14.69 Lakhs

Tata Motors launched Safari at a starting price of Rs 14.69 in the Indian market. The iconic SUV comes back in a completely new avatar after being discontinued in the country back in 2019. Its price goes up to Rs 21.45 lakhs (ex-showroom), Delhi for the top-end Adventure Persona Edition. Tata Safari is based on the OMEGARC platform. The iconic SUV follows Tata Motors 2.0 design philosophy while becoming the brand’s flagship model in the country. 2021 Safari will compete against Mahindra XUV500, 7-seater MG Hector Plus and the New Jeep Compass Facelift in India. The SUV is quite similar to the Tata Harrier currently selling in the domestic market. New design elements incorporated in the Safari are steeped up roof, an upright tail and a new set of alloy wheels. The SUV comes equipped with safety features like ABS with BA, ESP, hill hold control & descent, rear camera, 6 airbags, traction control among others. It borrows the same engine as the Harrier which is a 2.0-litre Kryotec Diesel unit  that delivers a power output of 170 bhp and 350Nm of peak torque. The engine comes equipped with transmission options of a 6-speed manual as well as a 6-speed automatic gearbox. Further, there are 3 driving modes -Eco, Drive and Sports. Read More

2021 Maruti Swift Facelift Launched at Rs 5.73 Lakh

Maruti Suzuki launched the new Swift Facelift at a starting price of Rs 5.73 lakh (ex-showroom), India The biggest selling car of 2020 gets design updates, new features and engine option. It is being sold in 5 variants namely LXi, VXi, ZXi, ZXi+ and ZXi+ Dual Tone. Mechanically, the hatchback is powered by a new 1.2-litre K-Series Dual Jet Dual VVT engine with Idle Start Stop (ISS) technology. This engine belts out 88.5 bhp of maximum power output. It is available with both manual and Automatic Gear Shift (AGS) transmission options. The automaker claims the new engine will deliver the best-in-segment mileage of 23.20kmpl with the manual variants and 23.76kmpl for the automatic trims. Read More

BMW R18 Classic

BMW Motorrad India launched the much-awaited R18 Classic in India this week. The touring motorcycle retails at Rs 24 lakhs (ex-showroom). The bike is approximately Rs 1.5 lakh more expensive than the BMW R18 First Edition. The new motorcycle is available at BMW Motorrad showrooms across the country. The new R18 Classic is based on the R18 First Edition but it gets subtle changes considering it is touring focussed one. The bike features an LED headlamp, dual auxiliary lights, and a large windscreen. It rides on a 16-inch front wheel instead of a 19-inch along with wider tyres. Other notable changes are revamped rider’s perch, a pillion seat, and saddlebags. BMW R18 Classic is powered by a 1802cc air/oil-cooled two-cylinder boxer engine. This unit belts out 89 bhp of maximum power output and a peak torque of 158 Nm. It comes with three riding modes namely Roll, Rock, and Rain. The two-wheeler also comes with an unlimited kilometres warranty of three years as standard along with an option to extend the warranty to the 4th and 5th year. Read More

Hyundai Alcazar: Top 5 Things to Know

This week, Hyundai India confirmed it will be introducing a new 7-seater SUV. It will be named Alcazar and will be based on the existing Hyundai Creta. The SUV will also offer ADAS technology, known as Hyundai SmartSense, internationally. Furthermore, the vehicle is expected to come with Creta’s 7-inch all-digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch infotainment system compatible with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto. Other notable features coming to the SUV are automatic climate control, rear AC vents, smart cruise control, highway driving assist among many others. The upcoming Alcazar will be offered with the same powertrain options found in the Hyundai Creta. Indian buyers can look forward to a 1.5-litre turbocharged CRDi diesel engine and a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol unit. Transmission options will include a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic gearbox. Read More

2021 Kawasaki Ninja 300 Unveiled

Kawasaki India has unveiled the BS6-compliant Ninja 300 in the country. The bike is expected to be launched next month. It’s bookings have already commenced with deliveries slated to begin post-launch. The new Kawasaki motorcycle comes loaded with new graphics and an updated engine. The official images of the BS6 Ninja 300 have been released online by the manufacturer. 2021 Kawasaki Ninja 300 will be powered by the updated 296cc parallel twin-cylinder engine in order to meet the new BS6 stringent norms. The engine will deliver a maximum output of 39 bhp @11,000 rpm and a peak torque of 27 Nm @10,000 rpm. The engine is mated to a 6-speed gearbox. The bike retains the mechanical equipment and cycle parts from its BS4 counterpart. Read More

Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan Launch in India on March 25, 2021

Mercedes-Benz India is all set to launch the A-Class sedan in the domestic market on March 25, 2021. Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedan will be sold in 3 variants namely A 200, A 220 d and A 35 AMG. The price is expected to start from 35 lakh (ex-showroom), Delhi. The manufacturer has opened the bookings for the car with deliveries scheduled to commence post the launch. It will compete directly with BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe in the Indian market. The sedan will come with 3 engine options namely a 1.3-litre petrol, 2.0-litre turbo diesel and an AMG version. The petrol-powered A 200 variant will churn out 161 bhp of maximum power output and 250 Nm of peak torque. The engine will be mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). On the other hand, A 220 D variant would house a turbo diesel motor under the hood. The engine would deliver 148 bhp of maximum power output and 250Nm of peak torque. The engine comes mated to an 8-speed DCT automatic gearbox. While the AMG trim will belt out 302 bhp of power and 400Nm of peak torque. The high-performance engine will be paired to an all-wheel-drive system and a 7-speed DCT. Read More