Autoesque

Toyota has unveiled the Etios Liva, its first ever hatchback for the Indian market. Aimed at younger buyers, the new arrival will be offered in four trim levels with prices ranging from Rs 3,99,000 to Rs 5,99,000 (ex-showroom in Delhi). Although based on the existing Etios Saloon , the hatchback’s 1,197 cc four-cylinder engine is smaller and marginally less powerful, producing 78 bhp (59 kW / 80 PS) and 104 Nm (76 lb/ft) of torque. Average fuel economy is better though, at 51.7 mpg (18.3 km/l / 5.5 l/100km). Visually the two cars are very similar, apart from their unique rear ends. Its body style means that the Etios Liva is less practical for luggage carrying, and boot space is down from the saloon’s 595 litres to 251 litres for the hatchback. Ground clearance is 170 mm, and there’s chip resistant paint on vulnerable underside areas. To appeal more to its target audience, the range-topping VX version gets a subtle aero kit made up of a roof spoiler, side skirts and bumper s...

Electric motorcycle manufacturer Brammo has commenced production in Hungary. The facility, located in Sàrvàr, is operated by Flextronics, a Singapore-based electronics manufacturing services company. Production capacity is 660 bikes per month, and will focus on the Enertia and Enertia Plus models for distribution in European, Asian and North American markets. Brian Wismann, Director of Product Development at Brammo, said: “This partnership [with Flextronics] gives Brammo the ability to scale production and access global markets and the benefit of strengthening its reputation as the builder of the world’s finest electric motorcycles.” With currently only a handful of dealers in the United States, the next big objective for the company will have to be the establishment of networks in other territories to sell its motorcycles. Otherwise it could be sitting on a lot of unsold stock after the Hungarian factory starts running at full volume... The Brammo Enertia has a range of just...

The Vauxhall Astra is already one of the neatest looking cars in its class, and now it’s among the most economical and environmentally friendly, too. With a revised 1.7 CDTi diesel engine, the latest Astra ecoFLEX joins a growing list of C-segment models that produce under 100 g/km of CO2. But while competitors from Volvo and the Volkswagen Group match the Astra on emissions, the Vauxhall boasts lower fuel consumption and a higher power output. On those last two measures, it even eclipses the Toyota Prius and Auris hybrids: Manufacturer Model Fuel Type CO2 Emissions Fuel Consumption Power Vauxhall Astra 1.7 CDTi ecoFLEX Diesel 99 g/km 76.3 mpg (3.7 l/100km) 128 bhp (95 kW / 130 PS) Audi A3 1.6 TDIe Diesel 99 g/km 74.3 mpg (3.8 l/100km) 103 bhp (77 kW / 105 PS) Seat Leon 1.6 CR TDI Ecomotive Diesel 99 g/km 74.3 mpg (3.8 l/100km) 103 bhp (77 kW / 105 PS) Skoda Octavia 1.6 TDI Greenline Diesel 99 g/km 74.3 mpg (3.8 l/100km) 103 bhp (77 k...

Casting a Camaro as the Autobot ‘Bumblebee’ in the Transformers movies has undoubtedly helped to raise the car’s profile. And now it’s back in ‘Transformers: Dark of the Moon’, the third film from the franchise. To mark the reappearance (or to cash in on it, maybe?), Chevrolet has announced the 2012 Transformers Special Edition Camaro Coupe. Essentially a $3,000 package for the Camaro Coupe 2LT and 2SS, content comprises the RS appearance pack (includes 20” alloy wheels, HID headlights and unique taillights), Autobot Shield logos, black stripes and a high-wing rear spoiler. Naturally, the only body colour available is Rally Yellow, while the wheels are painted black. On the inside, there’s black leather upholstery with contrast yellow stitching, as well as more Autobot logos. If all of that isn’t enough, buyers can upgrade to 21” wheels and the dealer-fit Ground Effects Package with its front splitter, side skirts and rear diffuser. In the US and Canada, orders for the Tran...

Undoubtedly aware that some aftermarket firms are doing fairly hideous things to its products, Bentley has taken an ‘if you can’t beat them, join them’ approach by launching Mulliner Styling Specification upgrades for the current Continental GT. Although the end result manages to be quite understated, it doesn’t come cheap… For instance, buyers will have to part with £7,540 for the Classic Pack. This comprises a front bumper splitter, lower intake grille strakes, side skirts and a rear diffuser, all of which are made from carbon fibre. But to get the full effect, Bentley is also offering a range of individual Mulliner options. There are yet more carbon fibre trinkets, in the shape of door mirror caps (at a shocking £2,241) and a rear spoiler that costs the same again. The curved wing vents, which sit just behind the front wheels, are constructed from dark chrome mesh with carbon fibre bezels. Priced at £4,762, they’re claimed to help heat diffusion, presumably from the brake...

BMW subsidiary Husqvarna has revealed its 2012 range of enduro bikes. All get black frames, silver Excel wheel rims and updated, more durable ‘in-mould’ graphics. Beyond that, the extent of any technical changes varies by model. The revised bikes will be available from this July, although prices have yet to be confirmed. WR125 Although the WR125 was comprehensively revamped for 2011, the 2012 version has received a few extra tweaks. These include a stronger, more rigid steering head and protection for the single-cylinder engine’s filter box. WR250 Apart from the cosmetic changes common across the range, Husqvarna hasn’t done anything else to the WR250 for 2012. WR300 It’s a similar story with the WR300, which still shares its chassis and suspension with the WR250. The carburettor-fed 293.1 cc engine - the largest capacity two-stroke in the Husqvarna line-up - also continues unchanged. TE250 The four-stroke TE250 gets heavily revised suspension, including a Kaya...

BMW has revealed the M3 CRT Saloon, which is essentially a four-door version of last year’s M3 GTS . The ‘CRT’ part of its name stands for Carbon Racing Technology, reflecting that carbon fibre reinforced plastic has been used for the bonnet, roof, front seats and rear spoiler. As a result, weight is down by about 45 kg (99 lbs) compared to the standard version, and the M3 CRT tips the scales at 1,580 kg (3,483 lbs). Power comes from the same 4.4 V8 that saw service in the GTS, coupled to the seven-speed M DCT double-clutch transmission. Thanks to 444 bhp (331 kW / 450 PS), 440 Nm (324 lb/ft) of torque and less mass to haul about, the M3 CRT will accelerate to 62 mph (100 km/h) from rest in 4.4 seconds, 0.3 seconds quicker than a normal M3 Saloon equipped with the same gearbox. Top speed is 180 mph (290 km/h). Other distinguishing features include a titanium exhaust, two individual rear seats and 19” alloy wheels that come shod in 245/35 tyres up front and 265/30 section rubber ...

Aprilia has launched a pair of new SR Max scooters, which it says have styling inspired by its RSV4 superbike. The SR Max 125 comes with a fuel-injected, four-stroke 124 cc engine that produces 14 bhp (11 kW / 15 PS) and 12 Nm (8 lb/ft) of torque. For those wanting slightly more performance, there’s the SR Max 300. It’s powered by a 278 cc single-cylinder engine with outputs of 21 bhp (16 kW / 22 PS) and 23 Nm (16 lb/ft). Both have large diameter wheels - 15” at the front, 14” at the rear - and 35 mm hydraulic front forks. Braking is taken care of by a 260 mm disc brake with two-piston caliper up front, while at the back there’s a 240 mm disc brake. Other features include a large under-seat storage compartment, and heater vents that direct air from the radiator onto the rider’s legs. Seat height is 815 mm. Available in Nero Aprilia (which is actually a black and red colour scheme) or Bianco Glam, UK on the road prices have been set at £3,599 for the SR Max 125 and £3,899 fo...

Well that didn’t take long. Aston Martin has just announced the first special edition model based on its Cygnet city car which, in turn, is of course based on the Toyota iQ. Called the ‘Cygnet and Colette’, the name recognises that Aston Martin has teamed up with Parisian fashion emporium Colette to create this exclusive version. Just fourteen examples are going to be built, which may seem a rather random quantity, but that’s the number of years Colette has been in business. The work has been entrusted to Aston Martin Works Tailored, which is usually responsible for personalising customer cars. Judging by the specification though, its talents have hardly been stretched. Externally, the only things that differentiate the ‘Cygnet and Colette’ from the standard version are the Lightening Silver paintwork with contrasting blue elements and some special badges. On the inside, there are Bitter Chocolate quilted leather door and seat inserts, plus quilted Alcantara sun visors. The ...

Audi has reduced the CO2 emissions from its A1 1.6 TDI to 99 g/km, thanks to the fitment of stop-start and energy regeneration systems. That’s an improvement of 6 g/km, which might not sound a lot but it’s significant for UK buyers. It means the A1 will now qualify for zero-rated Band A Vehicle Excise Duty, and makes it eligible for a 100% discount on the London Congestion Charge . Economy has been similarly improved too, with the combined cycle figure rising from 70.6 mpg (4.0 l/100km) to 74.3 mpg (3.8 l/100km). So, probably quite deliberately, the Audi now exactly matches the Mini Cooper D for fuel consumption and emissions. It remains slightly slower though, with a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) acceleration time of 10.5 seconds and a top speed of 118 mph (189 km/h). By comparison, the Mini gets from rest to 62 mph in 9.7 seconds and can reach 122 mph (196 km/h). UK on the road prices for the A1 1.6 TDI have been confirmed at £14,480 for the SE, £16,320 for the Sport and £17,865 for t...

Images of the 2012 Suzuki V-Strom 650 ABS have ‘accidentally’ been leaked ahead of its official unveiling. Or perhaps it was done deliberately, as part of Suzuki’s prolonged teaser campaign for its new bike? Visually, the changes compared to the current model aren’t startling, although the fairing has been restyled and now gets prominent side grilles. The engine is still a 645 cc v-twin unit, albeit with a slightly reduced compression ratio of 11.2:1, but no power or torque figures have been released. Drive is via a six-speed transmission. Interestingly, fuel tank capacity is down from 22 litres (4.8 UK gallons / 5.8 US gallons) to 20 litres (4.4 UK gallons / 5.2 US gallons), which would suggest better economy if range is not to suffer. Bad news for shorter riders is that the seat height has risen from 820 mm (32.3 inches) to 835 mm (32.9 inches). The V-Strom appears to have been on a diet though, as its kerb weight has been trimmed from 220 kg (485 lbs) to 214 kg (472 lbs). ...

Technical specs for the forthcoming Mini Coupé were released earlier this month, along with some images of a still-camouflaged car. But now the disguise has been lifted, plus a launch date and prices have been set. Mini John Cooper Works Coupé. Scroll down for more images. Sales are due to start on 1st October 2011 and, as expected, the less practical Coupé models are going to be more expensive than their Hatch equivalents: UK Prices - Mini Coupé vs. Hatch Version Hatch Coupé Difference Cooper £14,780 £16,640 £1,860 Cooper S £18,105 £19,775 £1,670 Cooper SD £18,750 £20,510 £1,760 John Cooper Works £22,330 £23,795 £1,465 All variants will come as standard with park distance control, DAB digital radio and air conditioning, as well as a rear spoiler that rises automatically at 50 mph (80 km/h) and then retracts at 37 mph (60 km/h). Related posts: Mini Coupé revealed Top hairdressers’ cars Superchips Mini Cooper S Min...