Mercedes-Benz will launch the facelift of its M-class SUV — the GLE-class — sometime this year. Rebadged as part of the company’s new nomenclature system, the GLE-class will take on the likes of BMW X5, Range Rover Sport and the new Volvo XC90.
On the outside, the GLE-class gets the company’s family front-end styling that was showcased on the GLE Coupe at the Los Angeles motor show last year. The SUV also gets new LED lights front and rear, large air-dams, silver skid-plate front and back and twin rectangular exhausts and roof rails.
Inside, the GLE gets a new seven-inch free-standing infotainment screen along with a wide choice of trim and upholstery colours including wood and carbon-fibre trim bits. The GLE also gets optional AMG add-ons such as Artico leather upholstery, new multifunction sports steering, restyled front and rear bumper and 20-inch alloy wheels.
In India, the GLE-class is expected to carry forward the existing engines from the M-class, i.e. the 2.1-litre 203bhp diesel unit in the GLE 250d and the 3.0-litre 255bhp V6 in the GLE 350d. An AMG version is also expected in the form of the GLE 63 AMG S.
The GLE 63 AMG S gets an AMG body-kit, larger AMG wheels, a new steering and new AMG embossed leather upholstery. Under the hood, it gets AMG’s hand-assembled 577bhp 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 which allows the car to sprint from 0-100 in a claimed 4.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 250kph.
TVS launches the Phoenix 125
TVS Motor Company has announced the launch of the new Phoenix 125. TVS has developed the motorcycle keeping customer feedback into consideration.
The new Phoenix comes in six colours, three shade of black, two shade of red and white, with stylish graphics on it. TVS also equips the bike with a fully digital white backlit instruments console that includes a tachometer, service schedule reminder and also a low battery indicator.
The Phoenix 125 is also equipped with petal type disc brake up front and comes with the added convenience of tubeless tyres too. The Phoenix 125 is available with a drum brake-only version also.
The TVS Phoenix 125 is powered by a 125cc, air-cooled and carbureted engine that makes 10.9bhp or power at 8,000rpm and 1.1kgm of torque made at 5,500rpm. The TVS Phoenix 125 is equipped with telescopic forks upfront and also comes with gas charged dual shocks at rear.
The TVS Phoenix 125 is priced at Rs 51,990 (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the version with only drum brakes and Rs 55,899 (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the version equipped with the front disc brake.
K. N. Radhakrishnan, President and CEO, TVS Motor Company said, “We have taken TVS Phoenix 125 to the next level, infusing an element of excitement into the product. The 2015 edition now comes with a whole range of class leading exciting features and added new styling elements give it even more flair. This launch underlines our commitment to customers in terms of bringing out products that are superior to others in their class and that are high in quality and customer appeal.”
Toyota Camry facelift launched at Rs 28.80 lakh
The Toyota Camry facelift has been launched at Rs 28.80 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the petrol model and at Rs 31.92 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the hybrid. The facelifted Toyota Camry gets revised exterior styling as well as changes to the interior.
On the outside, the car gets a new front end. The grille is smaller and merges neatly into all-new headlamps. The all-new headlamps get LED lights for low beams and halogen projectors for high beam. The front bumper is all new and gets a large hexagonal air dam with chrome surround. The fog lamps have been moved onto the air dam with the chrome surround for the air dams wrapping around the units. The bumper also gets vertical-inset air vents on the extremities which are replaced by lights in the hybrid.
At the rear, the car gets a more prominent bumper with minor styling tweaks to the boot-lid. The chrome strip on the boot is now thinner and now divides the tail-lamps in two. The petrol Camry rides on 16-inch alloy wheels while the hybrid gets 17-inch ones.
On the inside, the Camry gets a new instrument cluster with a blue-backlit twin-dial unit replacing the older one and chrome inserts. The instrument cluster now gets larger 4.2-inch centrally mounted information display as well. Other changes include a larger 6.1-inch media screen on the centre console as well as revised controls for the climate control system and a new wood-trim finish.
