Are you the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe?

It won't be long before we see the official reveal of the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe, but predictably, the Internet won't be kept waiting. Consider us unsurprised that a set of grainy photos showing what is claimed to be a badgeless redesigned Santa Fe crossover has appeared ahead of schedule.

That said, we're thinking the chrome-heavy maw depicted in these shots suggests that this is probably an overseas version (ix45) – not exactly what we'll see in the States. At least, that's what we're hoping, as the wall of frontal brightwork seems out of step not just with the market, but also Hyundai and its styling position here in North America. That said, our moles confirm that this is "some version of Santa Fe" and suggest that the image above was likely part of an illicit photo shoot taken inside the plant in Korea.

Next Land Rover Defender to be built in India?

When Tata's purchase of Jaguar and Land Rover began to appear inevitable, the question "Would you buy a Jaguar made in India?" was oft repeated. Yet it looks like Land Rover will be the first of the two brands to try to benefit from this kind of Anglo-Indian synergy: a report in Autocar states that the 2015 Land Rover Defender will be built at Tata's plant in Pune, India.

The Defender is a truly old school body-on-frame SUV that sells in small numbers compared to the rest of the Land Rover line. But it has benefitted from technology, some regulatory gymnastics and exemptions and, like the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen, a warm place in people's hearts. If it's going to be around, though, LR would like to move more of them. Building the next generation model in Pune – with final assembly of some examples in England, a reverse of what's done now with products like the knockdown Freelander 2 (read: LR2) – could give the Defender's bottom line the boost it needs, as well as close proximity to Middle Eastern and Asian markets.

It is expected that the next Tata Aria SUV will be close enough in dimensions and manufacturing to share the same facility with the the 2015 Defender. They will remain two distinct vehicles – the Defender will likely go on the T5 ladder chassis that underpins the Discovery/LR4 and Range Rover Sport, and is predicted to have the general features of the DC100 concept. The current Defender is slated to remain on sale until 2017, and will likely be built in Solihull, England until then.

2012 Auto Expo: Maruti Suzuki XA-Alpha concept analysed

Maruti Suzuki XA-Alpha concept was showcased on Day 1 of the 2012 Auto Expo in New Delhi; we bring you our thoughts about the same.

 Maruti Suzuki, as usual, was the show-opener for the Auto Expo – but contrary to everybody’s expectations of witnessing the launch of the Ertiga on day one – it was the unveiling of the XA-Alpha Concept that got the Expo underway.

 

In a nutshell, the Maruti Suzuki XA-Alpha is a compact-SUV concept. Its dimensions look very similar to that of the beloved Maruti Suzuki Gypsy, but this concept looks brawny with its muscular design, unlike the understated (and outdated) looks of the Gypsy. Maruti Suzuki implies that the XA-Alpha’s design is inspired from the moves and the body language of Indian wrestlers – and therefore you see the muscular lines and the butch stance on the XA-Alpha. The Lava-red colour in which the XA-Alpha was displayed, is said to add vigor to the overall design.

To us, the concept looks like it is inspired more from the Land Rover Evoque than Indian wrestlers – the receding and floating roofline, the flared wheel-arches, the shape of the air-dams on the front bumper, the gills on the side – they all look too much like the Land Rover Evoque (pictured below). But the XA-Alpha, even in its concept form, doesn’t look even half as polished as the Evoque. But frankly, it doesn’t even need to. Its production version will be look conventional and will be placed in the Rs 8 to 12-lakh bracket – which is at least four steps lower than the segment in which the Evoque dwells.

 We expect the XA-Alpha to go into production in the next couple of years, so probably the 2014 Auto Expo should see a ready-for-the-road version of this concept. When produced, it will compete with the likes of the upcoming Ford EcoSport and the Renault Duster. The model will, in all likelihood, replace the aged Maruti Suzuki Gypsy (and Jimny in the global market). In fact, the production version of the XA-Alpha will be co-developed by the Indian team at Maruti Suzuki, in collaboration with Suzuki’s team in Japan.

 

Such compact SUVs / Crossovers are soon to become popular in countries like India for their practicality in the congested conditions that our automobiles are subject to day in and day out. If the Gypsy’s cult following is anything to go by, we expect the production version of the XA-Alpha to be a big hit as well!

SPEED TV giving away customized Shelby GT500 as part of Hagerty Fantasy Bid at Barrett-Jackson

For the past several years, SPEED has invited classic car fans to participate in the Barrett-Jackson auction with the Hagerty Fantasy Bid contest. Viewers compete to correctly guess the sale prices for select vehicles, and those who accumulate the most points come away with prizes.

SPEED will be holding the contest once again for 2012, and today announced that it will be sweetening the deal for participants – a customized 2011 Shelby GT500 with 750 horsepower. The car has been upgraded with a Ford Racing supercharger system, adjustable suspension system, Wilwood brakes and a few unique visual enhancements.

Ford set to double the amount of SYNC-controlled apps at CES

For the fourth year in a row, Ford is going big at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, and that includes the North American debut of the Evos concept, a new production car and even more SYNC-controlled apps.

Next week at CES, Ford will reveal the 2013 Ford Fusion, which is also set to bow halfway across the country at the Detroit Auto Show. Joining the Fusion will be the normal smattering of Mustangs and Focus sedans, hatchbacks and the all-new Electric, along with the Evos concept that debuted earlier this year. The Evos' presence is particularly important, as it outlines Ford's plan for a cloud-connected vehicle, and there's a chance we'll see those concepts evolved even further at CES.

Finally, Ford reps say they'll be doubling the amount of apps available through the automaker's SYNC infotainment system, so expect more streaming, more social and more connected apps to be available later this year.