Tag Archives: rebadged

Motorsport

Funky Renault 4WD Truck With Electric RWD Would Make A Neat Nissan

A small truck called the Renault Niagara has caught attention with its unique drivetrain. Unlike the ill-fated Mercedes X-Class, which was just a rebadged Nissan Navara, the Niagara offers something different. This conceptual truck features a hybrid setup. It has a mild-hybrid gasoline engine that powers the front wheels, while an electric motor takes care of the rear axle. By combining these two power sources, the Niagara becomes a four-wheel-drive vehicle that can go anywhere.

Renault emphasizes that the Niagara can handle half of your everyday drives in full-electric mode. This means that, after shutting off the internal combustion engine (ICE), the truck can still operate as a rear-wheel-drive electric vehicle. While the specific details about the battery pack are not mentioned, it is likely to be small since the Niagara is a compact pickup and the electric range only lasts for half a day.


Featured

Is It Worth Driving Without AC For More Fuel Efficiency? Find Out Here


We conducted 3 tests with the Toyota Glanza, the rebadged Maruti Baleno: AC on windows up, AC off windows down, and AC off windows up

Toyota Glanza

Fuel efficiency is a top priority for Indian car buyers, especially when cruising on highways at normal speeds. However, some people believe that turning off the AC and rolling down the windows can further improve their car’s mileage. To test this, we conducted our own experiments.

Parameters

We used the Toyota Glanza, the cross-badged version of the popular Maruti Baleno hatchback, for these tests. It is equipped with a 1.2-litre petrol engine (90PS/113Nm) and a 5-speed manual transmission. We fueled the Glanza to the brim before conducting 3 tests, each covering a distance of 81km at an average speed of 100kmph. We refueled the car after each test.

Distance

81km (highway)

Average Speed

100kmph

AC temperature (Test 1)

24 Degrees

Fan/ Blower Speed

2

Here are the results:

AC ON & Windows Up

Toyota Glanza

AC

ON

Distance Covered

81km

Fuel used

3.74 litres

Calculated fuel efficiency

21.66kmpl

In the first test, with the AC set at 24 degrees Celsius and the fan speed at two, the Toyota Glanza consumed 3.74 litres of petrol while covering 81km on the expressway. This resulted in a calculated fuel efficiency of 21.66kmpl. Next, we repeated the process with the AC turned off.

AC OFF & Windows Down

Toyota Glanza Rear

AC

OFF

Distance Covered

81km

Fuel used

3.8 litres

Calculated fuel efficiency

21.31kmpl

In the second test, we turned off the AC and rolled down both front windows, assuming that this would increase the car’s mileage. However, with the AC off and windows down, the Toyota Glanza actually achieved lower efficiency compared to the AC-on test.

Also Read: Upcoming Cars In October 2023: Nissan Magnite AMT, Lexus LM MPV, Force Gurkha 5-door And Others

Why did turning off the AC reduce the mileage? The answer lies in aerodynamic drag. When driving on the highway at high speeds, the car has to counter the air resistance. Opening the windows allows air to enter the cabin, creating drag and affecting the car’s performance. To maintain speed, the engine has to work harder and consume more fuel. Therefore, driving with the AC off and windows down actually reduces fuel efficiency.

On the other hand, at lower speeds within the city, the impact of aerodynamic drag is minimal, so turning off the AC and keeping the windows down can improve fuel efficiency. However, this is not the case during highway cruising. But what if we turn off the AC and keep the windows up?

AC OFF & Windows Up

Toyota Glanza

AC

OFF

Distance Covered

81km

Fuel used

3.45 litres

Calculated fuel efficiency

23.47kmpl

In our third test, we turned off the AC, kept the windows up, and set the blower speed to two for occupant comfort. By eliminating the aerodynamic drag caused by open windows, the engine had to work less, resulting in the best fuel efficiency of 23.47kmpl.

Verdict

Toyota Glanza

Based on our results, it is clear that driving with the AC off and windows down does not significantly save fuel during highway drives. In fact, it can even result in higher fuel consumption. Therefore, it is better to keep the AC on and windows up for a comfortable driving experience. However, in the city with lower speeds and less aerodynamic drag, turning off the AC and keeping the windows down can improve fuel efficiency. Keep in mind that this technique is most effective in cooler weather conditions and should not be used in high temperatures, as it may affect driver attentiveness during the journey.

Read More on : Glanza AMT

Featured

You Can Now Check Out The Toyota Rumion MPV At Dealerships


It is a rebadged counterpart of the Maruti Ertiga but gets subtle styling tweaks inside and out

Toyota Rumion

  • The Rumion has arrived at several dealerships across the country.

  • It features slight exterior and interior modifications compared to the Ertiga.

  • Key features include a 7-inch touchscreen system, automatic air conditioning, up to four airbags, and a rear camera.

  • The car is equipped with a 1.5-liter petrol engine with options for manual and automatic transmissions, and it also offers a CNG variant.

  • Prices range from Rs 10.29 lakh to Rs 13.68 lakh (ex-showroom).

The Toyota Rumion has recently been launched and is now available at select dealerships. The model shown here is the top-spec V variant, identifiable by the alloy wheels and automatic projector headlights. Bookings are already being accepted, and deliveries are scheduled to begin on September 8.

Toyota Rumion

The Rumion is essentially a rebadged version of the Ertiga and is the fourth product resulting from the partnership between Toyota and Suzuki. However, it features a different front look and alloy wheels to distinguish itself from the Maruti MPV. The interior layout remains the same, with the exception of new dual-tone seat fabric and slightly different wooden trim on the dashboard.

Toyota Rumion Cabin

The Rumion comes with several features including auto-projector headlights, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, automatic air conditioning, engine start-stop button, and cruise control. In terms of safety, it is equipped with up to four airbags, ESP with hill hold assist, a rear parking camera, and ISOFIX child seat mounts.

Also Read: Here Are The 7 Changes Made To Turn The Toyota Innova Hycross Strong Hybrid Into A Flex Fuel Model

The Rumion is powered by a 1.5-liter petrol engine (103PS/137Nm), which is also used in the Ertiga. Transmission options include a 5-speed manual and a 6-speed torque converter automatic. Additionally, a CNG powertrain is available (88PS/121.5Nm) with an efficiency of up to 26.11 km/kg.

Toyota Rumion Seats

The prices of the Rumion range from Rs 10.29 lakh to Rs 13.68 lakh (ex-showroom). Other alternatives to this Toyota MPV include the Kia Carens, Mahindra Marazzo, and Maruti Ertiga.

Read More on : Rumion on road price

Featured

Toyota Rumion Vs Maruti XL6 Vs Kia Carens: Price Comparison

The Toyota Rumion is a rebadged version of the Maruti Ertiga and is seen as a more affordable alternative to these three-row offerings

Toyota Rumion Vs Maruti XL6 Vs Kia Carens

The Toyota Rumion has been launched in India as a rebadged version of the Maruti Ertiga. It’s the same MPV underneath but with styling tweaks inside and out. Just like its Maruti counterpart, there’s no direct rival to the Rumion, but it is considered as an alternative to the Maruti XL6 and Kia Carens. 

Let’s see how the prices of the new Toyota MPV compare to those other three-row cars.But first, here’s a glance at their specifications: 

Specs

Rumion

XL6

Carens

Engine

1.5-litre petrol

1.5-litre petrol

1.5-litre petrol

1.5-litre turbo-petrol

1.5-litre diesel

Power

103PS

103PS

115PS

160PS

115PS

Torque

137Nm

137Nm

144Nm

253Nm

250Nm

Manual Gearbox

5-speed MT

5-speed MT

6-speed MT

6-speed iMT*

6-speed iMT

Automatic Gearbox

6-speed AT

6-speed AT

–

7-speed DCT

6-speed AT

CNG

☑️

☑️

–

–

–

The Rumion and XL6 share the same 1.5-litre petrol engine and transmission options. The Carens gets the choice of three engines and also the iMT transmission (manual stick without clutch). 

Toyota Rumion cabin

Price Comparison

Petrol Manual Variants

Rumion

XL6

Carens

S – Rs 10.29 lakh

  

Premium – Rs 10.45 lakh

G – Rs 11.45 lakh

Zeta – Rs 11.56 lakh

Prestige – Rs 11.65 lakh

V – Rs 12.18 lakh

Alpha – Rs 12.56 lakh

Premium iMT – Rs 12 lakh
 

Alpha Plus – Rs 13.16 lakh

Prestige iMT – Rs 13.25 lakh
   

Prestige Plus iMT – Rs 14.75 lakh

CNG

    

S CNG – Rs 11.24 lakh

Zeta CNG – Rs 12.51 lakh

  

  • The Rumion is the most affordable one here, but the Carens’ base variant is just Rs 16,000 costlier while the XL6 has the highest entry price. 

  • The Carens offers a big suite of standard safety features, including six airbags, electronic stability control, tyre pressure monitoring system, hill hold assist, all-wheel disc brakes, and rear parking sensors. In comparison, the Rumion just gets dual front airbags, rear parking sensors, ESP, and hill hold assist. 

  • While the XL6 is strictly a 6-seater MPV, and the Rumion is a 7-seater only,  the Carens can be opted in six and seven-seater configurations. 

  • For a similar price of the Rumion’s top-end variant, you can opt for the Premium iMT (manual without clutch pedal), which gets the far more powerful turbo-petrol engine. 

  • The top-end variant of the XL6 is around a lakh costlier, additionally featuring ventilated front seats, a bigger 9-inch touchscreen system, a 360-degree camera, and tyre pressure monitoring system. 

  • The range of Carens stretches up to Rs 17.55 lakh, but it adds several more premium features. 

  • The Rumion and XL6 get a single CNG-equipped variant, which are priced Rs 1.27 lakh apart. 

Also Read: Toyota Rumion vs Maruti Ertiga: Price Comparison

Petrol Automatic Variants

Rumion

XL6

Carens

S AT – Rs 11.89 lakh

    
 

Zeta AT – Rs 13.06 lakh

  

V AT – Rs 13.68 lakh

    
 

Alpha AT – Rs 14.06 lakh

  
 

Alpha Plus AT – Rs 14.66 lakh

  
   

Prestige Plus DCT – Rs 15.75 lakh

  • Toyota doesn’t offer the convenience of an automatic on its mid-spec G variant. The top-end variant is around Rs 40,000 more affordable than the mid-spec Alpha variant of the XL6. Their features list is identical, the main additions being a 9-inch touchscreen system and a 360-degree camera. 

The Rumion can be seen as a more affordable alternative to the XL6 with one additional seat, but compromises on the premium features. In the case of the Carens, it’s a bigger car, more advanced in terms of technology on offer, and available with a choice of three powertrains. 

Read More on : Toyota Rumion on road price

Featured

Maruti Invicto Is Being Offered In 4 Colour Options


Maruti Invicto is the rebadged version of the Toyota Innova Hycross but gets fewer colour options

Maruti Invicto Colour Options

Maruti Invicto, the flagship offering from the Indian carmaker and a rebadged version of the Toyota Innova Hycross, has finally been launched. In case you’re planning to go and put your name on the order books, have a look at all the colour options available for the premium MPV.

Also Read: Maruti Invicto vs Toyota Innova Hycross vs Kia Carens: Price Comparison

The Invicto is only available in four monotone shades similar to the ones available with the Toyota MPV.

Maruti Invicto: Nexa Blue

Nexa Blue

Maruti Invicto: Stellar Bronze

Stellar Bronze

Maruti Invicto: Majestic Silver

Majestic Silver

Maruti Invicto: Mystic White

Mystic White

It is worth noting that the Invicto misses out on the black paint shades offered with the Innova Hycross.

Powertrain

Maruti Invicto Strong Hybrid Powertrain

The Maruti Invicto gets the same 2-litre strong-hybrid petrol engine powertrain as the Toyota Innova Hycross which produces 186PS and 206Nm of torque, paired with an eCVT gearbox. It is the only engine option for the Invicto unlike the Hycross which offers a choice of a 174PS 2-litre petrol engine as well. The Maruti MPV, like the Toyota one, comes with a front-wheel drivetrain.

Features & Safety

Maruti Invicto Cabin

Its features list is also similar to the Hycross. The Invicto comes with a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 7-inch digital driver’s display, dual-zone climate control, ventilated front seats, and a panoramic sunroof.

Also Read: Over 6,000 People Have Booked The Maruti Invicto Ahead Of Its Launch

When it comes to safety, it gets six airbags, ABS with EBD, all-wheel disc brakes, front and rear parking sensors, and a 360-degree camera.

Price & Rivals

Maruti Invicto

The Invicto is priced between Rs 24.79 lakh and Rs 28.42 lakh (ex-showroom) and is a direct rival to the Innova Hycross. It can also be considered a premium alternative to the Toyota Innova Crysta and the Kia Carens.

Read More on : Invicto Automatic

Motorsport

Opel Rocks E-Xtreme: A Unique Electric Buggy Designed by a Student

In August 2021, Opel released the Opel Rocks-e, a micro electric vehicle designed for city use. It was essentially a rebranded version of the Citroen Ami and was touted as the world’s first Sustainable Urban Mobility EV. In less than a year, Opel expanded the Rocks-e lineup by introducing a cargo version of the vehicle. Now, they have unveiled another addition to the lineup, but this time it’s not a regular production model.

The Rocks e-Xtreme is a one-off prototype that will not be mass-produced. This unique concept was created by Opel, based on the design of Lukas Wenzhöfer, a design student who won the #OpelDesignHack contest. Opel had promised to bring the winner’s project to life, and they have truly lived up to their promise by turning this radical electric buggy into a reality.


Featured

Maruti Invicto MPV Dealership Bookings Open Ahead Of July 5 Launch


The Maruti Invicto is the rebadged version of the Toyota Innova Hycross, just like the Maruti Grand Vitara and Toyota Hyryder

Toyota Innova Hycross

  • Maruti Invicto price will be announced on July 5.

  • The Maruti Invicto will come with the 2-liter petrol engine from the Hycross, with the option of strong-hybrid technology.

  • The Invicto will have features like a panoramic sunroof, a 10-inch touchscreen system, up to six airbags, and ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System).

  • Expected to be priced starting from around Rs 19 lakh (ex-showroom).

Offline pre-bookings for the Maruti Invicto MPV are now open at select dealerships. The MPV will be revealed on July 5 and will also be available for sale on the same day.

Toyota Innova Hycross

The Maruti Invicto is essentially a rebadged version of the Toyota Innova Hycross, similar to other combinations like Baleno/Glanza and Grand Vitara/Hyryder. However, there might be slight differences in the exterior styling as seen in the latest spy shots.

Also Read: Comparo: Kia Carens Luxury Plus vs Toyota Innova GX

The Invicto will be powered by the Innova Hycross’ 2-liter petrol engine, which produces up to 174PS of power and 205Nm of torque. There will also be an option for hybridization, which can generate up to 186PS of power in the Innova. The Hycross hybrid claims a fuel efficiency of up to 23.24kmpl, and similar figures can be expected from the Invicto.

Maruti Invicto teaser

The Invicto will come equipped with a panoramic sunroof, a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a digital driver’s display, ventilated front seats, a wireless phone charger, and dual-zone climate control. Safety features will include up to six airbags, a 360-degree camera, front parking sensors, and a tyre pressure monitoring system. It will also be the first Maruti car to feature the radar-based safety technology, ADAS.

Related: CD Speak: Get Ready To Pay Over Rs 30 Lakh For A Maruti MPV

The Maruti Invicto may be priced slightly higher than the Hycross, which ranges from Rs 18.55 lakh to Rs 29.99 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). It won’t have any direct competitor, but it will be positioned as a costlier and more premium alternative to the Kia Carens and Maruti XL6.