The CarWale Daily Fuel is your quick daily dose of automotive news from India and around the world. If you want to know whatever's in the news but want it short and sweet, here's your solution.

• Mahindra launched the Thar AC version at its Mumbai headquarters for Rs 6.75 lakh, ex-showroom Mumbai along with the highly customised Thar Expedition that would cost more as per the customisation.

• Mahindra and Mahindra also unveiled the Adventure calender for 2012 starting this July. With single day as well as multiple day events, motorsports participation and a Mahindra off-road championship, Mahindra is going from strength to strength in its off-road arena.

• SBI is the largest financer for passenger car segment in India on basis of its 11.25% car loan offer. With an average loan amount of Rs 3.5 lakh, the bank is working towards online sanctioning of loans,

• Mercedes M-class facelift was launched yesterday in Delhi with the AMG kit CBU at Rs 66 lakh ex-showroom. Only this model will be available for the first six months after which the India assembled CKD M-class will be available for Rs 56.9 lakh ex-showroom, Delhi.

• Honda Siel's Indian partner, Usha International, is unhappy with Honda's valuation of their share for buyout. Saying that the shares are being grossly undervalued, the Siddharth Shriram led company is planning to increase its shareholding using the next rights issue.

• Tata Motors' global sales figures were flat for April as the increasing demand for Jaguar and Land Rover was dampened by the falling commercial vehicle sales.

• Karnataka Inspector General of Police has served a 31^st May ultimatum for car owners to remove the window tints on their cars. Offenders are liable to be fined and their cars seized for removal of tints. Till 31^st, the police will campaign for educating car owners about the new ruling and will suggest them to remove tints without fine.

• Volvo is planning for the long wheel base (LWB) S60 for the Chinese market after global leaders like Audi, BMW, Volkswagen have opted for LWB models for China. Volvo already has the LWB S80 on sale in China.

• A leading global car manufacturer is developing a system where the driver is induced by the car to have a power nap by using aroma-therapy and music. Initially targeted for the trucker segment, the technology may trickle down to passenger cars. A 20 minute power-nap is said to enhance concentration and reduce stress while driving long hours.

• Porsche is showing off the 918 Spyder after the final finishing touches that include the 917 inspired black and white paint scheme. The 500bhp 4.0 litre V8 hybrid combines with two electric motors is expected to do a 0-100kmph in 3.1 seconds and a top speed of about 320 kmph. The approximately Rs 4.5 crore car, in spite of its performance is expected to return a whopping 33 kms per litre.

• General Motors USA has decided to stop advertising on Facebook after analysts saw a very little impact on consumers. This is contrary to what US car manufacturers in India are doing - for example, the Blue Oval is investing heavily in the web medium to reach out to a wider audience.

• Formula One plans of a French GP have become dicey after the supporting Sarkozy government lost elections. The new government is not keen on subsidising the event as proposed by its predecessors citing the need of funds to combat the economic crisis in the EU.

• Another setback to Bernie Ecclestone has come after the Singapore market, where F1 was to offer its Initial Public Offering (IPO), is not very enthusiastic after the depressed stock markets. If the IPO is not conducted by June, you have to wait to buy your stake in F1 till next year.

• Sea Lion, claimed to be the fastest amphibious car by its creator Marc Witt, is capable of clocking 200 kmph on road and around 100 kmph in water. You could own the water proof amphibian racer for about Rs 1.35 crore without taxes in US.

The CarWale Daily Fuel is your quick daily dose of automotive news from India and around the world. If you want to know whatever's in the news but want it short and sweet, here's your solution.

It's been nearly a decade since Volvo's full-size SUV went on sale, and it has only just received its first facelift. Among the changes are a new alloy wheel design, new paint schemes, LED daytime running lamps, LED taillamps, and new chrome bits. Some of the exterior trim that was silver has also become body-coloured. 

On the inside, it gets more silver accents, and all variants get Bluetooth audio streaming, automatic wipers and headlamp washers. Pick the top-spec variant and you'll get a 12-speaker, 650 watt audio system. The engine options remain the same, as does the suspension. The R-Design package can be specified, which offers quicker steering, firmer suspension and exclusive interior features.

The XC90 facelift will also make its way to India before an all-new model debuts worldwide in 2014.

"The all-new V40, a five-door, five-seater sibling to the Volvo C30, is the first new model that is fully developed according to our human-centric, Designed Around You strategy. Fully charged with a class-leading set of high-tech features it is ready to give our toughest competitors a real headache," says Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of Volvo Car Corporation.

"Thanks to input from customers all over the world, our most compact V-range model features an outstanding blend of design, safety and versatility. The car is loaded with features that buyers of modern luxury cars want," he added.

The 2.0 litre D3 engine has been designed to deliver 163bhp and 400 Nm of torque. The company claims that the D3 will deliver a mileage of 18.5 kmpl in the S60, 17.8 kmpl and 14.7 kmpl in the XC60. All three cars will also receive leather interior as standard apart from the city safety system which includes the Laser Assisted Automatic Braking. Traction Control and Active Bending Lights have also been included as standard in the baseline Kinetic models of all the above mentioned three.

The company has priced the S60 Kinetic at 23.99 lakh with an introductory offer of 23.2 lakh. The S80 Kinetic will be available for 31.99 lakh with an introductory price of 31.2 lakh. While the XC60 Kinetic will be priced at 33.99 lakh with an introductory price of 33.2 lakh. These introductory prices will be valid till the end of March. 

The company which sold a little more than 300 odd units last year, said that it had set itself a target of 800 units in 2012 and 20,000 units in 2020. Volvo though still does not have any plans of assembling cars in India, as according to them they are managing to import cars at very attractive and competitive prices. 

BMW X3 vs Audi Q5

The Audi is clearly the better looking of the two. It looks racier both inside and out. However, in terms of equipment and space picking one over the other is impossible as these are very close.

In terms of dynamics again, both the BMW and the Audi are pretty close. Both have quick steerings, sharp turn-ins and if pushed too hard into a corner, both are quite prone to understeering.

If it's comfort you seek, you'd be better of with the Audi. As we mentioned earlier, the comfort and convenience equipment is nearly the same on both, but the Q5 rides better and has more comfortable seats, particularly at the rear.

Overall then, buy the Audi if you want a energetic looking car and need to be transported in comfort. As for the BMW, it's the better of the two as a car to drive around everyday. It has better visibility, easier and more logical controls and better ergonomics.

BMW X3 vs Volvo XC60

The Volvo again is the more flamboyant looking of the two city SUVs here. Inside too with the play of light colours and metal inserts the cabin feels more cheery. It's also better equipped of the two here, mainly when it comes to safety features.

However, when you begin driving, the new X3 impresses more. It feels more agile be it around a set of quick corners or just managing your way through crowded streets. The 2-litre engine on the BMW feels more refined as well and there's also no denying that when it comes to automatic gearboxes (the conventional torque convertor kinds), no one does it better than BMW.

The X3 8-speed auto is no different. Compared to the Volvo's auto 'box, the X3's feel alive, quick and very predictable. And with it, great fun to use.

The BMW then remains the city SUV to buy, if it's a fun to drive vehicle you want, be it for everyday use or for a quick blast around the hills.

Volvo Auto India today announced the appointment of Mr. Tomas Ernberg as the Managing Director of the company. He will be responsible for the overall planning and operations in India. Mr. Ernberg has taken over from Mr. Paul de Voijs who completed a successful stint in India.  

Mr. Ernberg, 40, has been associated with Volvo for past 17 years. He was last posted in Dubai as the Regional Managing Director for Volvo, where he managed 13 markets in the Middle East and North Africa. Under the leadership of Mr. de Voijs, Volvo grew significantly in India, which included launches of two luxury SUVs XC90 & XC60 and two luxury sedans S80 & S60.

Mr. Tomas Ernberg, Managing Director, Volvo Auto India said, “India is one of the fastest growing markets for Volvo and holds great promise. I am extremely excited about my new role and I look forward to further strengthen Volvo’s presence here. We have invested considerable time and effort in understanding Indian customers and offering them world-class products. I personally hope to learn from every challenge that unfolds. Together with my team, we will strive to take Volvo Auto India a notch higher with every opportunity.”