2015 Mercedes V-Class unveiled, launch later this year

Mercedes has unveiled the new V-Class in Munich, Germany. This model will replace the ageing Viano. It is expected to go on sale later this year with Mercedes declining to mention the prices as of now. This is an MPV which focuses on luxury and maximum comfort.

The look is beefed up by protruding wheel arches and sculpted look continues with a sweeping shoulder line

The design takes cues from a variety of Merc models including the S, C and E Class. The front is dominated by a large chrome grille with the three pointed star featuring prominently.  LED infused headlights flank both sides of the grille.  The look is beefed up by protruding wheel arches and sculpted look continues with a sweeping shoulder line and an elongated taut lines along the side profile which begins from the wheel arches and rises slightly until it reaches the rear adding a touch of elegance.

Models can be equipped with Nappa leather for the seats, steering wheel and gear shift lever as well

The interiors are luxurious and highly customizable. Models can be equipped with Nappa leather for the seats, steering wheel  and gear shift lever as well. An optional Burmester surround system with a bass reflex speaker and 16 loudspeakers can also be ordered. Tempmatic climate control is the standard fitment while Thermotronic is the optional extra coming with focus, medium and diffused modes.

Active Park Assist which is an option is a useful feature considering the size of the vehicle, that makes parking easier

V-Class has been designed with practicality in mind and this is evident when you are loading or unloading your luggage. The large rear windscreen can be opened independently of the tailgate frame making it easier to load in tight parking spaces where the larger tailgate can pose a problem.

“Mercedes Benz intelligent drive” is available in the V-Class, which is a driver assistance system consisting of radar, camera and ultrasound sensors. The standard features are Crosswind Assist and Attention Assist. Crosswind Assist works to stabilize the car in strong crosswinds and Attention Assist warns the driver of inattention and fatigue. Active Park Assist which is an option is a useful feature considering the size of the vehicle, that makes parking easier.

The large rear windscreen can be opened independently of the tailgate frame making it easier to load in tight parking spaces

There are three engine choices all of which displace 2.1 litres in their four cylinder turbo-diesel forms. The base V 200 makes 138PS and 330Nm of torque. The midrange V 220 generates 165PS and 380Nm and the top of the line V 250 offers 193PS and 440Nm. Mercedes claims that the V 250 gives the same amount of torque as the previous V6 turbo-diesel engine while consuming 28 per cent less fuel.

Customization doesn’t  end with the interiors. The V-Class can be ordered in a short wheelbase (3,200mm) and a long wheelbase (3,430mm) version. Three different lengths are also on offer ranging from 4,895mm to 5,370mm.

Vardenchi to launch Moto Morini Scrambler and Granpasso at 2014 Auto Expo

Vardenchi, the Mumbai-based motorcycle customisation house, has confirmed that two iconic Moto Morinis will be launched in Indian at the Auto Expo 2014.

Last year, the custom house tied-up with the iconic Italian motorcycle manufacturer to import and distribute its motorcycles in India. OVERDRIVE was the first to report the story.

It seems that Moto Morini’s initial focus in India will be limited to off-roading/adventure motorcycles with the Italian company choosing to leave its street bike Corsaro 1200 out of its Auto Expo lineup.  . The prices of both the motorcycles will be announced at the Auto Expo. By June-July 2014, the first lot of Morinis will be delivered to the customers.

Vardenchi Motorcycles founder Akshai Varde said, “I personally rode the Morini across Europe and instantly fell in love. These highly tuned beasts are genuinely the most fun motorcycles to have in your stable. I see this alliance as a initiator of a luxury segment in motorcycling that will prove to be a game changer.”

Bialbero Corscorta

All the three motorcycles will be powered by the same 1187cc V-twin that the company calls Bialbero Corscorta. This engine was designed by Franco Lambertini, a former engine designer for Ferrari, who was also responsible for the 1970s 31/2, perhaps Morini’s most famous model in history.

Moto Morini Scrambler

Moto Morini Scrambler is built for all-terrain crossover use, ably aided by the 19” front wheel and the tread-blocked tyres, be it asphalt, the cobblestones, or else the off-roads. The Scrambler is equipped with the Bialbero CorsaCorta 1187cc twin-cylinder that makes 120PS of power and and 102Nm of torque. The 21-liter tank is one of the most striking styling elements and has a sporty and ergonomic design which is not intrusive for the rider.

Moto Morini Granpasso

The Granpasso 1200 is Moto Morini’s answer to the BMW and KTM adventure series. It boasts a 1187cc V-twin oversquare engine which is good for 120PS of power and 103Nm of torque. The clutch is a multi-disc wet slipper one while the brakes are dual-Brembos. Typical to these class of motorcycles, the Granpasso has an oversize windshield and comfortable seats. Suspension duties are taken care by Marzocchi upside down units in the front and an Ohlins side-mounted monoshock with a piggy bank reservoir.

Indian cars fail crash test: Maruti Suzuki Alto, Tata Nano, Ford Figo, Hyundai i10 not safe for you

Some of the most popular small cars in India have failed the crash tests conducted by Global NCAP, an independent UK-based charity that carries out consumer orientated vehicle safety initiatives.

In the first-ever independent crash tests conducted on Indian vehicles, most small cars showed high risk of life threatening injuries in road crashes. “All the cars selected by Global NCAP for testing in a frontal impact at 64kmph received zero-star adult protection ratings,” the report said.

The models tested included the Suzuki-Maruti Alto 800, which is India’s best-selling car, Tata Nano, Ford Figo, Hyundai i10 and Volkswagen Polo. The NCAP first chose the entry-level versions of each model, none of which were fitted with airbags as standard. These cars form a fifth of the total passenger vehicle sales in India.

After the tests, Volkswagen Polo has made twin front airbags standard across its entire range. When it was tested again with twin-front airbags it passsed with a four-star rating.

VW Polo’s base model initially failed the test. But during the cours of the tests, VW made airbags standard across its Polo range, and subsequent tests earned it 4-star safety

The report added that in the Suzuki-Maruti Alto 800, the Tata Nano and the Hyundai i10, the extent of the structural weaknesses were such that even fitting airbags would not be effective in reducing the risk of serious injury.

The Ford Figo and Volkswagen Polo had structures that remained stable, and, therefore, with airbags fitted, protection for the driver and front passenger would be much improved.

Most models fail UN’s basic crash test

Global NCAP also assessed the same models against the UN’s basic crash test. This 40% offset frontal impact test at 56kmph is now widely applied by major manufacturing countries and regions, including Australia, China, European Union, Japan and Malaysia. However, India is yet to implement it. All but one of the cars tested failed to pass even this minimum UN safety standard.

While the Ford Figo cleared the test based on the dummy crash reading, it is marked failed here because of the absence of airbags

In a separate child safety rating, the child seats recommended by manufacturers were often found to be incompatible with their vehicle’s belt system. Here again, Polo’s base model initially failed the test, but when it was tested again with the newly introduced  twin airbags, it cleared the test.

Global NCAP’s comments on individual vehicles’ adult protection

Suzuki-Maruti Alto 800

Zero-star

64kmph test: The vehicle structure was rated as unstable, increasing the risk of life-threatening injuries and making the car unsuitable for the fitment of airbags.

Child safety: Using the child seats recommended by Suzuki-Maruti, the Alto 800 achieved a two-star rating for child protection.

UN minimum safety standard: The Alto 800 fails to meet the UN’s minimum safety requirements in the 56kmph crash test.

Tata Nano

Zero-star

64kmph test: The vehicle structure was rated as unstable, increasing the risk of life-threatening injuries and making the car unsuitable for the fitment of airbags.

Child safety: The car achieved a zero-star rating for its child protection as it was not possible to install child seats in the car.

UN minimum safety standard: The Nano was not able to meet the UN’s minimum safety requirements in the 56km/h crash test.

Hyundai i10

Zero star

64kmph test: The vehicle structure unstable, increasing the risk of life-threatening injuries.

Child safety: Using the child seats recommended by Hyundai, the i10 achieved a one-star rating for child protection. The three year-old dummy indicated a high risk of serious injury.

UN minimum safety standard: The i10 was not able to meet the UN’s minimum safety requirements in the 56kmph crash test.

Ford Figo

Zero-star

64kmph test: The vehicle structure was rated as stable, but without safety equipment such as airbags, too much of the crash energy was absorbed directly by the occupants.

Child safety: Using the child seats recommended by Ford, the car achieved a two-star rating for its child protection.

UN minimum safety standard: The Figo was able to meet the UN’s minimum safety requirements in the 56kmph crash test. But only because the dummy’s head narrowly avoided hitting the steering wheel directly and survived despite not having a driver airbag.

Volkswagen Polo

Zero-star

64kmph test: The vehicle structure was stable, but without safety equipment such as airbags, dummy readings indicated a high risk of life-threatening injuries.

Child safety: Using the child seats recommended by Volkswagen, the Polo achieved a three-star rating for child protection.

UN minimum safety standard: Without airbags, the Polo was not able to meet the UN’s minimum safety requirements in the 56km/h crash test.

New VM Polo with airbags

4-star

With two airbags (driver and front passenger), the Volkswagen Polo achieved a four-star rating for adult occupant protection in the 64kmph NCAP test. Thanks to the airbags, the protection offered to the driver and passenger head and neck was good.