Car.......Indian cars news updates

Fiat launches its premium small car Grande Punto in India news

noreply@blogger.com (Akki) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:40:00 +0000

NEW DELHI: Italian car major Fiat on Wednesday launched its much-awaited premium small car Grande Punto in both petrol and diesel variants in the Indian market, priced between Rs 3.99 lakh and Rs 6.11 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

"The launch of Grande Punto marks a new milestone for Fiat in India as we bring the quintessentially Italian designs to Indian shores," Fiat India Automobiles Ltd (FIAL) Chief Executive Officer Rajeev Kapoor told reporters here.

The company believes that the small-car segment is under-tapped and customers are increasingly looking forward to international brands on Indian roads, he added.

Grande Punto, which was first launched in the European market in 2005, would be rolled out from the company's plant at Ranjangaon in Maharashtra in four variants each in both petrol (1.2 litre an 1.4 litre) and diesel modes (1.3 litre).

The petrol variants would cost Rs 3.99-5.61 lakh, while the diesel cars would be offered at Rs 4.85-6.11 lakh.

BMW Minis in India by 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Akki) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:54:00 +0000

BMW Mini to be launched in India by 2008 at an estimated price of Rs 20 lakh.

BMW India plans to launch the BMW Mini in 2009. Reports say that BMW India has completed market analyses for the launch and handed over the results to its German headquarters. The company has said that the BMW Mini is not just a car, but a brand altogether and so a feasibility study is a must.

Most likely to carry a price tag of Rs 20 lakh, the BMW Mini would be a result of the investments BMW has made at its Chennai plant. BMW has pumped in $750,000, and plant capacity has been increased from 1700 units to 3000 units per year.

To add to its brand visibility, BMW also plans to open smaller showrooms in Tier-2 cities like Jodhpur, Surat and Coimbatore. BMW already has nine showrooms in India and will set up three more, in 2008, in Kochi, Ahmadabad and Kolkata.

BMW has sold a record 350,000 vehicles in the first quarter of 2008. BMW reported overall sales of 351,787 units, an increase of 5.7 percent from the first quarter of 2007.

In the overseas markets, the BMW Mini, in 2008, moved a total of 26,963 cars, an increase of 24.4 percent over the previous year.

India contributed the most in these numbers, by posting a jump of 800 per cent to 862 cars. Overall sales in March 2008 alone climbed by 8.2 percent on the year to 153,184 vehicles, BMW has said.

Tata Motors completes acquisition of Jaguar Land Rover

noreply@blogger.com (Akki) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:52:00 +0000

Tata Motors today acquired the Jaguar Land Rover businesses from Ford Motor Company for a net consideration of US $2.3 billion, as announced on March 26, in an all-cash transaction. Ford has contributed about US $600 million to the Jaguar Land Rover pension plans.

Mr. Ratan N. Tata, Chairman of Tata Sons and Tata Motors, was present at the handing over ceremony at the head quarters of Jaguar Land Rover at Gaydon in the UK along with Mr. Don Leclair, the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Ford Motor Company, and Mr. Lewis Booth, Executive Vice President of Ford Motor Company, who has responsibility for Ford of Europe, Volvo and Jaguar Land Rover.

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Tata said, “This is a momentous time for all of us at Tata Motors. Jaguar and Land Rover are two iconic British brands with worldwide growth prospects. We are looking forward to extending our full support to the Jaguar Land Rover team to realise their competitive potential. Jaguar Land Rover will retain their distinctive identities and continue to pursue their respective business plans as before. We recognise the significant improvement in the performance of the two brands and look forward to this trend continuing in the coming years. It is our intention to work closely to support the Jaguar Land Rover team in building the success and preeminence of the two brands.”

Tata Motors confirmed that Mr. David Smith, the acting Chief Executive Officer of Jaguar Land Rover, would be the new CEO of the business. Mr. Smith has 25 years of experience with Jaguar Land Rover and Ford. Before recently returning to Jaguar Land Rover as its Chief Financial Officer, he was Director Finance and Business Strategy for PAG and Ford of Europe.

Mr. Smith said, “We are very pleased with the association with Tata Motors. We look forward to a sustained bright future for the company and its stakeholders.”

Jaguar Land Rover has been acquired at a cost of US$ 2.3 billion on a cash free, debt-free basis. The purchase consideration includes the ownership by Jaguar and Land Rover or perpetual royalty-free licences of all necessary Intellectual Property Rights, manufacturing plants, two advanced design centres in the UK, and worldwide network of National Sales Companies.

Long term agreements have been entered into for supply of engines, stampings and other components to Jaguar Land Rover. Other areas of transition support from Ford include IT, accounting and access to test facilities. The two companies will continue to cooperate in areas such as design and development through sharing of platforms and joint development of hybrid technologies and powertrain engineering. The Ford Motor Credit Company will continue to provide financing for Jaguar Land Rover dealers and customers for a transition period. Tata Motors is in an advanced stage of negotiations with leading auto finance providers to support the Jaguar Land Rover business in the UK, Europe and the US, and is expected to select financial services partners shortly.

About Tata Motors
Tata Motors is India's largest automobile company, with revenues of US$ 8.8 billion in 2007-08. With over 4 million Tata vehicles plying in India, it is the leader in commercial vehicles and among the top three in passenger vehicles. It is also the world's fourth largest truck manufacturer and the second largest bus manufacturer. Tata cars, buses and trucks are being marketed in several countries in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, South East Asia and South America. Through subsidiaries and associate companies, Tata Motors has operations in South Korea, Thailand and Spain. It also has a strategic alliance with Fiat.

Hyundai launches new Kappa Engine

noreply@blogger.com (Akki) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:50:00 +0000

- Raises performance, fuel efficiency and emission benchmark
- I10 to have the Kappa engine
- Automatic version of i10
- New engine & Transmission plant commissioned

Chennai, July 15, 2008: Hyundai Motor India Ltd, India`s fastest growing auto manufacturer and largest passenger car exporter today rolled out the i10 powered by the all new 1.2 litre advanced Kappa engine at its plant in Chennai. The in-line, four-cylinder, 1.2 litre engine while adding to the power will also deliver greater operational efficiency in terms of both fuel consumption and emissions.

The launch of the new Kappa engine coincides with the inauguration of the Engine & Transmission plant at Sriperumbudur which will produce the brand new Kappa engine to be fitted first in the i10 meant both for the domestic and the export market. The new Engine & transmission plant which cost over US$250 million has a capacity of 250,000 units per annum.

Announcing the launch H S Lheem, Managing Director, HMIL, said, “Efficiencies in fuel consumption and environment are the prerogatives for any automobile manufacturer. And Hyundai, as a conscientious global corporate citizen, prioritises these with continuous innovation in technology and design. Our new Kappa engine is the best in class today, with more power, less fuel consumption and a lower CO2 and overall emissions. The current 1.1L engine has proved to be one of the very successful engines for Hyundai and it will continue to power both the Santro and the i10 but the new Kappa engine will significantly raise the bar in this segment and redefine the expectation from this class of cars”.

The aluminium block, first in its segment Double Overhead Cam Shaft (DOHC), 16 valve with 32 bit microprocessor Kappa engine delivers a class leading 80PS/5200rpm and 11.4Kgm/4000rpm torque which results in excellent driveability both in city as well as on the highway. The engine is Euro 5 ready and emits only 119g/km of CO2 which is the lowest for this class of cars.

The Kappa engine i10 will now be also with an automatic transmission. A four speed 4-speed, automatic gearbox is mated to this all new, powerful engine which will add to the convenience of city driving.

Developed over a period of 48 months at a cost of US$421 million, the Kappa project harnessed all of Hyundai`s engineering know-how and will raise the bar in terms of power, performance, fuel efficiency and environment and uses some cutting edge technology like offset crank and light weight engine material to enhance performance.

The Kappa i10 will be launched in three variants the Magna, Sportz and the Asta with all top end features like the sunroof, 2-Din audio system, a unique red pack for the Sportz interiors and some class leading safety features like anti-lock braking system (ABS) and dual airbags. The new kappa i10 will be sold along with the existing Epsilon 1.1 litre engine variant and will be available in a range of 10 colours.

About HMIL

Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company, South Korea and is the second largest and the fastest growing car manufacturer in India. HMIL presently markets 30 variants of passenger cars across segments. The Santro in the B segment, the Getz Prime and the i10 in the B+ segment, the Accent and the Verna in the C segment, the Sonata Embera in the E segment and the Tucson in the SUV segment.

Hyundai Motor India, continuing its tradition of being the fastest growing passenger car manufacturer, registering total sales of 327,160 vehicles in the calendar year (CY) 2007, an increase of 9.2 percent over CY 2006. In the domestic market it clocked a growth of 7.6 percent as compared to 2006 with 200,412 units, while overseas sales grew by 11.8 percent, with exports of 126,748 units.

HMIL’s fully integrated state-of-the-art manufacturing plant near Chennai boasts of the most advanced production, quality and testing capabilities in the country. In continuation of its commitment to provide the Indian customer with global technology, HMIL has set up its second plant, which produces an additional 300,000 units per annum, raising HMIL’s total production capacity to 600,000 units per annum.

HMIL is investing to expand capacity in line with its positioning as HMC’s global export hub for compact cars. Apart from expansion of production capacity, HMIL plans to expand its dealer network, which will be increased from 230 to 300 this year.

The year 2007 has been a significant year for Hyundai Motor India. It achieved a significant milestone by rolling out the fastest 400,000th export car. Hyundai exports to over 90 countries globally; even as it plans to continue its thrust in existing export markets, it is gearing up to step up its foray into new markets. The year just ended also saw Hyundai Motor India attaining other milestones with the launch of the i10 and yet another path-breaking record in its young journey by rolling out the fastest 1,500,000th car.

Hyundai’s new model i10 which made its global debut here in India in October, 2007 made a clean sweep of all the ‘Car of the Year 2008’ awards from the leading automotive magazines and TV channels like BS Motoring, CNBC-TV18 AutoCar, NDTV Profit Car & Bike India and Overdrive magazine. The i10 is also the choice of the discerning automotive media of the country as they conferred the prestigious ‘Indian Car of the Year’ (ICOTY) award to the i10 as well. The i10 bagged these awards on the basis of excellence in build quality, handling, driver comfort, safety and ride quality.

The Santro and the Accent also received the ‘TNS Voice of the Customer - 2008’ award for the Premium Compact Car (Santro) and the Entry Mid size Car (Accent). In March 2008 it achieved yet another milestone by rolling out the fastest 500,000th export car.

Last year, the Hyundai Verna bagged some of the most prestigious awards starting with the title of "Car of the Year 2007" by India`s leading automotive publication – Overdrive, the “Best Mid-size Car of the Year” award by the NDTV Profit Car & Bike India Awards 2007, the “Best Value for Money Car” by the CNBC Autocar Auto awards and ‘Performance Car of the Year 2007’ from Business Standard Motoring.

Hyundai cars have been a favorite at all awards ceremonies and have always been winning awards. Our models like Sonata Embera won the ‘Executive Car of The Year 2006’ award from Business Standard Motoring Magazine and NDTV Profit Car & Bike India declared the Tucson as the ‘SUV of The Year 2006’. Not only this, HMIL has also been awarded the benchmark ISO 14001 certification for its sustainable environment management practices.

Maruti brushes aside Nano competition

noreply@blogger.com (Akki) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:45:00 +0000

The Times of India

New Delhi: As Tata Motors gears up to roll out Nano by Durga Puja, country's largest car maker Maruti Suzuki is confident that the Rs 1 lakh wonder will be of no competition to it.

"It (Nano) increases the market size but it will not cut into the market of people who are buying cars that are in the Rs two-lakh price category. A person who buys a car for Rs two lakh, I believe that there will be very few people who will buy this (Nano) car. It is a new segment," Maruti Suzuki India Chairman R C Bhargava said in an interview.

He said people who could not buy Maruti 800 would buy Nano as the price difference was huge. Bhargava said more than the existing entry level cars, Nano will affect the two wheelers.

Casting doubts over maintaining the Rs one lakh tag in the wake of rising steel prices and other input costs, Bhargava said: "The one lakh price will be difficult to maintain."

Asked if MSI planned to come out with a competitor to Nano, he said: "Let me make it clear that there is no plan to develop a one-lakh car at Maruti."

Commenting on the changes in MSI after government exited the company with Suzuki becoming the majority shareholder, Bhargava said: "It has does affect the style of the management."

Tata Motors' total vehicle sales in June 2008 grow 7 per cent to 47,245 vehicles

noreply@blogger.com (Akki) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:27:00 +0000

Tata Motors reported a total sale of 47,245 vehicles (including exports) for the month of June 2008, a growth of 7 per cent compared to 44,317 vehicles sold in June last year. Cumulative sales for the company at 131,733 numbers, grew by 3 per cent.

Commercial vehicles
The company’s sales of commercial vehicles in June 2008 in the domestic market was 26,797 numbers, a growth of 25 per cent compared to 21,417 vehicles sold in June last year. M&HCV sales stood at 12,845 numbers, a growth of 9 per cent over June 2007, while LCV sales were 13,952 numbers, a growth of 45 per cent over June 2007.

Cumulative sales of commercial vehicles in the domestic market for the fiscal were 71,480 numbers, a growth of 16 per cent over last year. Cumulative M&HCV sales stood at 35,835 numbers, a growth of 10 per cent over last year, while LCV sales for the fiscal were 35,645 numbers, a growth of 23 per cent over last year.

Passenger vehicles
The passenger vehicles business achieved total sales of 17,017 vehicles in the domestic market in June 2008, a marginal decline of 2 per cent over 17,418 numbers sold in June 2007. The Indica reported sales of 8,560 numbers, a decline of 27 per cent over June 2007. The Indica, while being in its mature phase, continues to see a significant portion of its volumes migrate to the attractively priced Indigo CS sedan. The Indigo family recorded sales of 4,747 numbers, a strong 102 per cent growth over June 2007. The Sumo and Safari accounted for sales of 3,710 numbers, a growth of 11 per cent compared to June 2007. Growth could have been higher but for the adverse impact of the sudden and unexpected increase in excise duties in the latter half of the month. The Sumo recorded a 9 per cent growth over June 2007, with sales of 2,196 numbers Safari sales at 1,514 numbers, grew by 15 per cent.

Cumulative sales of passenger vehicles in the domestic market for the fiscal were 51,094 numbers, a minor decline of 1 per cent over the same period last year. Cumulative sales of the Indica at 25,676 numbers, reported a decline of 26 per cent with part of its sales moving to the Indigo range. Cumulative sales of the Indigo family were 13,052 numbers, a strong growth of 81 per cent. Cumulative sales of Sumo and Safari were 12,366 numbers, a growth of 23 per cent. The Sumo recorded a 34 per cent growth with sales of 7,771 numbers, while Safari sales at 4,595 numbers grew by 8 per cent.

Exports
The company's sales from exports at 3,431 vehicles in June 2008 declined by 37 per cent compared to 5,482 vehicles in June 2007. The cumulative sales from exports for the fiscal at 9,159 numbers declined by 34 per cent over 13,822 numbers in the same period last year.

Source: http://www.tata.com/

Nissan LCVs for India by 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Akki) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:04:00 +0000

Indian roads are set for some more of Japanese technology arrive in the form of LCVs sporting the Nissan brand name. It is expected that the car maker would introduce Light Commercial Vehicles in Indian markets in 2010.

Nissan's strategy is to push itself up the order to be the leading player in global LCV market. By year 2010, the LCVs are expected to debut in the markets around India and the United States. Nissan is also planning to start LCV sale in Russia from September 2008. And that is not all. The company has also drawn up a global strategy in a bid to roll out 13 LCV models by year 2012.

Nissan already has a joint venture with Ashok Leyland to build light commercial vehicles in India, expects to push up revenues as the new launches near. Nissan is planning to double its revenue generated by LCV sales by 2012. The Hinduja Group flagship Ashok Leyland and Nissan Motor Co., Ltd had earlier announced the legal formation of the three JV companies for the Light Commercial Vehicle business in India for vehicle manufacturing, powertrain manufacturing and technology development. Nissan’s small car project with Bajaj that will be priced at Rs 1 lakh is also on the top priority.

In India, Nissan aims to sell over two lakh vehicles in the next four years for which it would take leverage from local expertise. Along with alliance partner Renault, Nissan is setting up a plant for passenger cars in Chennai with a capacity of four lakh units per annum.

Its showtime for the Indian auto industry

noreply@blogger.com (Akki) — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 02:39:00 +0000

The forthcoming 9th Auto Expo is all set to become the largest auto show in Asia where products from international automobile companies will dazzle with Indian competitors for eyeballs and applauds, writes Aditya Raj Das.

In another two decades from now, by 2030, India is poised to become the third largest automotive market in the world, after the United States and China and Indias automotive industry is likely to reach $145 billion. It is in this backdrop, the automobile industry is organising the 9th Auto Expo in New Delhi, the largest auto show in Asia.

The auto lovers will have a glimpse of sparkle and glory of the Power of Wheel with the eight-day event starting from January 10 in the capital city of Delhi. The once-in-two-years event with the theme of Mobility for All will be attended by the Whos Who of global as well as the Indian auto industry, displaying their machine and technology.

They will feature many firsts of the global auto industry in terms of green and future technologies, concept vehicles, new launches and focus pavilions.

Auto analysts feel that the Auto Expo 2008 organised jointly by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA)?128;"is all poised to be one of the biggest platforms for the Asian auto markets and will be the largest in Asia in terms of space, with a floor area of over 140,000 square meters, up by around 60 per cent over the last Auto Expo held in 2006.

As CII National Trade Fair Committee Chairman Rajiv Kaul says, India has arrived in the big league of the international automobile markets and this will be evident in the 9th Auto Expo. This auto expo will witness more than 2,000 participants compared to 1,200 exhibitors in the Eighth Auto Expo in 2006 and expects over one million visitors, organisers claim.

Wide range

For the first time, this auto expo is providing focused sector pavilions such as accessories and car decor, diesel city, garage equipment, robotics and automation and electronics pavilion, says an ACMA official.

The response is so overwhelming that we have to plead with the International Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) to allow space within permanent state pavilions to accommodate excessive bookings.

Besides, this auto show also has 10 extra hangers to accommodate excessive bookings, a CII official said. Besides participation from 25 countries, it will also have largest ever overseas participation with country pavilions from Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Spain, Taiwan, UK and USA.

Major bike makers, three-wheeler players, auto parts manufacturers are also betting big on this event. Besides, big-ticket investment announcements from both domestic and global players, introduction of hybrid and alternative fuel technologies and battery-operated vehicles would be other attractions of the mega event.

Green concept

With the theme Mobility for All, this auto expo will also focus on advanced environmental and safety technologies, innovative designs, and new forms of fun and comfort for the automobile. Seminars covering the entire gamut of the automobile arena would also be its integral parts to create awareness for industry players in particular.

CII Deputy Director General Gurpal Singh says, Over the years, auto expo is increasingly proving to be a very effective event for facilitating the coming together of auto majors from around the world in a focused fashion, under one roof.This edition will be biggest in all ways, with global auto players eyeing India as the future market.

Significantly the auto expo has already achieved the status of one of the Top International Auto Shows by the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs dAutomobile (OICA).

OICA will include the Delhi show in its calendar of international shows and this will also draw in more international companies and overseas business delegations as the organisation will promote the show to its members.

New models

The organisers are also on overdrive because the auto expo is likely to see launch of 30 new vehicle models, including the much-hyped Rs 1 lakh car from Tata Motors, concept car A-Star and Splash of Maruti-Suzuki, sports utility vehicle Touareg of Volkswagen and compact car Jazz from Honda among others, which will be hit the Indian roads in times to come, industry sources say.

Tata Motors has already announced that keeping with the companys tradition of unveiling its new cars at the auto expo, the company will display its much-talked about Peoples Car at the forthcoming expo.

The commercial launch of the car is expected to take place in the middle of 2008. Tata Motors will jointly participate with the Fiat India with a pavilion spread over 5,200 square meters, largest in the expo.

Said a Tata Motors official, We will display a range of new passenger vehicles, while Fiat will display passenger cars from its international range. Fiat is expected to display Grande Punto at the stall.

From its commercial vehicles business, Tata Motors display will include buses from the joint venture with Marcopolo of Brazil, newly developed multi-axle heavy trucks, pickup vehicles, applications of panel vans, and new mini-trucks.

Not to be outdone, countrys largest car maker Maruti Suzuki India has chosen the Auto Expo 2008 to unveil its latest small car concept the A-star and Splash.

Suzuki Chief O Suzuki has already announced that A-star is a car that is designed for the global market and will be produced in India only.

Not to be left behind the other major car maker Hyundai will launch its much-awaited new MUV?128;"Santa Fe?128;"at the forthcoming auto expo. Hyundai is also expected to display its car i20, which will be launched in India after the successful entry of its latest hatch-back?128;"the i10.

Volkswagen is expected to showcase its latest luxury SUV?128;"Touareg?128;"at its pavilion. It will also exhibit its flagship small car model?128;"Passat?128;"which is already on sale in India. Industry sources say Volkswagen will also exhibit its future launch in small car segment Jetta.

The utility vehicle major Mahindra & Mahindra, which made its debut in cars last year with the launch of Logan, is expected to show case a new SUV in the expo.

But one important car company that is staying away from the Auto Expo is Bangalore-based Toyota Kirloskar. The reason, according to industry sources, is that the company has no plans for a new launch in the near future, so it has nothing to showcase. A major reason why Indias auto expo is gaining importance year after year is that this biennial event is offering an excellent platform to the Indian automobile and auto-component industry to display state-of-the-art and the latest developments in the automotive industry to the global audience.

Attractive platform

In fact, the auto expo is increasingly becoming popular among the auto component manufacturers. This is so because virtually worlds major auto makers are sourcing India for wide range of auto components. Exports of auto components from India in the year 2007 is estimated at $2 billion. The success is mainly because Indian auto component manufacturers are providing high-quality products at a reasonable cost.

It is being increasingly observed that most of the trade inquiries received during Indias Auto Expo are those relating to auto component. As per CII data during the last Auto Expo 2006, there were more than 1,30,000 trade enquiries and orders worth Rs 538 crore were booked.

The other primary reason why Indias auto expo will assume greater importance in coming years is that most auto majors at the global level are looking at India as their manufacturing hub.

For example Suzuki, Hyundai and Ford are already using plants in India to export to Europe. Besides, India because of its burgeoning upwardly moving middle class with fat wallet, is emerging as one of the most sought after markets for global car makers.

Source: indiacar.net

Mahindra Axe is a little hummer for the Army

noreply@blogger.com (Akki) — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 06:15:00 +0000

The Indian Army is all set to get its on desi Humvee! To be called the Mahindra Axe, the indigenous vehicle from Mahindra & Mahindra, has undergone the necessary tests recently.

Okay, calling the AXE a Hummer might be too much of a stretch - but it is a potent weapon for the army nevertheless.

The Mahindra Axe is being built as per Indian Army specifications. The vehicle is an IPR of the Mahindras and even the engine is being indigenously developed. Two prototypes have been developed for Army testing, a report said quoting an M&M official, and will have both open and hard-top versions, capable of mounting artillery. The Mahindra Axe has been developed by a team consisting of Indian and international designers. Some components of the Axe are being imported too.

The report also hinted that Mahindra and Mahindra would be looking at developing a softer variant for civilian purposes. The vehicle, which would very heavy, and a fuel guzzler, would be primarily suited for off-road operations. Apart from that, the vehicle looks more like an extra large ATV with roll bars and fat tyres than like a huge brick-like Hummer.

The Hummer army vehicles of the US, often called Humvee,was first built by American Motors. Aimed at deployment in defence areas, its civilian variant, the Hummer, debuted a decade later, added the report. General Motors had taken over the Hummer brand in 1998. During the Gulf War, the US Army had deployed the Humvees in large numbers as a light tactical vehicle for command and control, special purpose shelter carriers, and special purpose weapons platforms throughout all areas of the modern-day battlefield.

Mitsubishi Cedia Select LPG car launched

noreply@blogger.com (Akki) — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 06:12:00 +0000

Mitsubishi's Cedia never exactly set fire to the charts in India. Sure it is a popular car abroad, but with a more powerful engine. The detuned Cedia has been a rare sight on Indian roads, quite unlike its older sibling the Lancer. Mitsubishi know plans to change all that with the launch of the dual fuel Cedia Select.

In milieage-conscious India, diesels and dual-fuel cars have seen reasonable success, the diesel versions often cannibalising the original petrol variants. In the recent past, Maruti offered a dual-fuel Wagon R.

Mitsubishi cars are manufactured in India by Hindustan Motors.

The company said today that the duel-fuel kits in the Cedia Select will be factory fitted, utilise the sequent-type technology for effective performance on LPG fuel and will have a 32-bit microprocessor. The Cedia Select cars would be priced at rs 8.6 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi.

BMW to launch M3 and M5 sports sedans in India

noreply@blogger.com (Akki) — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 06:08:00 +0000

German carmaker Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW) on Tuesday said it plans to launch its sports car M series in India by 2008. The luxury carmaker’s announcement comes in the backdrop of an enthusiastic response to its products in the country.

BMW also announced the market launch of its luxury sedan 5 series. BMW said the prices of the 5 series will be in the range of Rs 37-45 lakh ex-showroom Delhi.

The German luxury carmaker has been apparently buoyed by the response it got from the country, selling 424 units of its 3 and 7 series. This has also acted as a trigger for BMW to revise its target upwards by 20% from 1,000 to 1,200 units this calendar year. BMW India President Peter Krnoschnabl was quoted as saying that July sales is expected to exceed the 100 unit mark. BMW, which is also launching the SUV X5 later this year, says it has already bagged good orders for the 5 series. BMW said its M series cars M3 and M5 will be rolled out as imports in the country, albeit as per orders from potential buyers. The 3 series would cost between Rs 26 lakh to Rs 33 lakh, the carmaker said. BMW also sees the 3 series to be the primarily power its growth in the country.

BMW also has set ambitious targets for its 7 Series, which is a super luxury sedan. The 7 Series will be priced in the Rs 74 lakh to Rs 1.25 crore range. BMW has set a sales target of 170 units for the 7 Series. With this BMW will have a 5 product portfolio in India, including the X3 and X5 SUVs, apart from the 3,5,7 Series vehicles. BMW, which has eight dealers in the country, is trying to expand its dealer base also as it raises its targets. By 2009, BMW plans to have 12 or more dealers in India.

The Munich headquartered BMW, founded by Karl Friedrich Rapp in 1917, had revenues of 49 billion euros in 2006 globally. Meanwhile, BMW is likely to report a fall in quarterly global profit as rising production costs and the surge of euro against the dollar slashes its revenues from the US. The surge in rubber and steel costs are also a cause of worry for BMW. Last year, 24% of BMW’s revenues came from North America and only 22% from Germany, while United Kingdom contributed 11% and Asia chipped in with 13% of sales. The remaining revenues came from Europe.

Ford small car by end of 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Akki) — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 07:10:00 +0000

The ‘small-is-beautiful-and-profitable’ mantra is catching in India. The latest to join the fray is Ford India.

The car maker is likely to unveil its new small car by the end of 2008. Codenamed B402, Ford’s small car might use its existing Ikon or Fiesta platforms for a hatchback, said industry reports. It is also likely that Ford may tweak the new car model KA which is being developed jointly with Fiat in Europe. However, company officials say that the company has no plans of getting the car that is being jointly produced by Fiat Europe and Ford Europe to India.

It is a known fact that the company has signed a memorandum of understanding with Fiat Europe to produce a new small car in Europe. Whether the company would bring the car to India is something only time would tell.

Reports quoting sources said it was not clear whether the joint platform car will be sold in markets outside Europe. The company had said earlier that the new generation of B-segment vehicles would be only for Europe. However, whether the agreement will be expanded to other markets or not will become clear when Fiat officially launches the vehicle on July 5. The new Ford KA will be officially launched in Europe in 2008.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that if Ford uses an existing model platform, the price of the hatchback could be similar to the Maruti Swift or the Hyundai Getz. If it goes for the new KA, the pricing is expected to be different. The company currently has both petrol and diesel engines that can be tweaked to enable the hatch to qualify for excise benefits, say experts.

Source: dancewithshadows

Hyundai launches CNG Santro

noreply@blogger.com (Akki) — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 07:08:00 +0000

Hyundai Motor India today a CNG version of its popular small car Hyundai Santro. The CNG Santro is pitted against the LPG version of Maruti's Wagon R LPG. While the Maruti Wagon R LPG comes at an ex-showroom price of Rs appox 3.25 lakh in Delhi, the CNG Santro is priced at Rs 3,25,361, ex-showroom Delhi.

Hyundai said that CNG has established itself as a reliable and eco-friendly fuel. The CNG kit will be sourced from Minda Auto Gas and the fitting will be done at the dealer end. All Santro CNG cars will run on petrol too. The CNG Santro comes with a switch, which the driver can use to shift between the CNG and gasoline fuel.

Apart from an AT (automatic transmission model), version the CNG Santro also comes in XK (non A/c), XL, and XO variants. All cars carry a two-year, unlimited mileage warranty. On the CNG kit and related fitment, there is an additional warranty of one more year.

A Hyundai Motor statement said that the car will have a CNG cylinder which carry 12 kg of CNG. The estimated running cost per kilometer on the CNG Santro is pegged at Re 1 a kilometer.

Hyundai said that the Santro's CNG kit is not only safe but has an advanced Lambda control system, which meets the Euro III emission norms. Hyundai has also tied up with Korean CNG specialist company NGVI for an exclusive CNG fitment arrangement.

Said Arvind Saxena VP – Marketing and Sales Hyundai Motor India: "CNG has established itself as an eco-friendly and economical fuel and HMI will now offer this choice of fuel to its Santro customers. We feel that this will increase the attractiveness of the Santro as it will considerably bring down the running cost. Also the fuel is eco-friendly which adds to its attractiveness"

Initially, the CNG car will be available only in Delhi. Later, the company plans to roll out the CNG Santro in other cities too.

Source: dancewithshadows

Bajaj to show off car at 2008 Auto Expo

noreply@blogger.com (Akki) — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 07:06:00 +0000

Talk of a Bajaj car has been around for a while. Now, the company has come out with a plan to showcase a concept car for the January 2008 Auto Expo. Managing Director Rajiv Bajaj has said that the company aims at bringing in a concept passenger vehicle by January 2008. And if the customers like it, Bajaj will opt for commercial production in three years. Better still, the first car from India’s trusted two wheeler maker will be priced between Rs 2 lakh and Rs 5 lakh.

The company has brushed off descriptions of the vehicle as a ‘cheap car’, saying that the new offering would be a four-wheel passenger vehicle. That has got everyone a little confused though. Okay, it is a concept vehicle, might go into production, and it will not be a cheap ? So it is a not-cheap, small but not too small car, possibly a hatch or even a competitor for the Indigo or Logan - so what's the big deal in coming out and saying it clearly? Probably, its just the reporters who got it all wrong - or maybe they all read a confusing press release.

Meanwhile, the company has also said that it was working on the commercial launch of a four-wheel goods carrier by 2009. The engine, transmission and platform that the company will build would be the basis for its passenger car. According to Bajaj, the reason why the company was opting for a goods carrier is that there is no competition on that front. Bajaj is learnt to be setting aside an amount of Rs 750 crore for a four-wheeler production plant, which will have an annual production figures of 40,000 to 50,000 vehicles.

The company will not be alone in the small car mart, as many a automaker has lined up many a model in the the 1.2 million passenger car market. According to statistics, small cars account for 60 per cent of domestic sales. While Tata Motors is set to unveil its model at the next Auto Expo, the Renault-Nissan combo is mulling over a sub-$3,000 passenger car. Adding themselves to the list are Honda, Toyota and General Motors who are busy readying their Rs 5 lakh cars.

Does the four wheel vehicles foray mean that Bajaj is moving away from its bread and butter two-wheelers? Not really. The company brass has made it clear that Bajaj knows that the two-wheeler market will continue to grow for 20-25 years and so there was no question of shifting focus from two-wheelers.

Source: dancewithshadows

New Cayenne Is Here!

noreply@blogger.com (Akki) — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 05:52:00 +0000

Porsche has launched all-new variants of the Cayenne in India. Speaking at the launch, Mohamed Rahman, managing director for Porsche’s India operations, said that before the end of this year the company would open three dealerships in southern India. “I am sure that we will sell over 100 cars this year alone,” he added.

According to Ashish Chordia, chief executive officer, Porsche Cars India, “in the next month-and-a-half, our Mumbai centre will be opened, and we are adding one each in Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai”.

The base version of the SUV now has a 40bhp power enhancement and comes with a 290bhp six-cylinder motor. The Cayenne range starts at Rs 49.30 lakh and goes up to Rs 1.1 crore (both ex-showroom, Delhi) for the ‘turbo’ variant which comes with a 4.8-litre V8 motor and a whopping 500bhp.

Source: autocarindia

Optra leads fresh diesel charge

noreply@blogger.com (Akki) — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 05:48:00 +0000

Optra Diesel expected in June 2007, 2-litre 120bhp CRDI engine, Rs 9-10 lakh, Ford readies Endeavour and Fusion diesels.

With diesel becoming the drink of preference, it’s no wonder diesel versions of popular cars are flooding the market. Now much more refined, almost as powerful, as fast as petrol cars and much more fuel efficient, common-rail technology has given diesels a new lease of life.

After the Swift Diesel, here’s another popular car that is getting the diesel treatment. The Optra Diesel is all set to join the now not-so-exclusive common-rail club. Powered by a 1991cc TDCi engine (Chevy speak for common-rail) churning out 120bhp and 28kgm of torque, it should be quite a scorcher. The diesel version also comes with a completely new front end. Everything up to the front doors is new. Headlamps from the SR-V, a huge grille, with a horizontal stripe running across it and an in-your-face Chevy bowtie freshen the nose. The chin is also new and goes well with the nose. The bonnet is new as is the windscreen. Viewed head-on, it looks more SR-V than Optra. An interesting touch is the mirror-mounted indicators a la Mercedes-Benz. What’s the point of new looks and new engine if the interiors don’t match up? The Optra D’s interiors have been given a makeover too and now resemble the SR-V’s dashboard. The three-tone dashboard looks far more upmarket than the SR-V and uses light colours and faux wood to embellish this effect.

What will be interesting is to see how this car will affect the undisputed champion of this segment. The diesel Octavia has had no competition until now and if Chevrolet India sticks with the Optra’s original formula of a big car for decent money, Skoda had better head back to the price sheet and come up with an answer. Fast.

source: autocarindia

Audi-licious :: Keep Dreaming

noreply@blogger.com (Akki) — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 05:45:00 +0000

Say Audi and most Indians will think of cricket, Ravi Shastri and winning the World Championship of Cricket in 1985. But to me Audi means Quattro, four-wheel-drive and World Rallying. The Quattro was the ultimate all-weather car of its time and the way it melded practicality and performance, it left the world’s auto industry stunned. It was a car Michele Mouton, the queen of rallying, used to make grown men cry. It was a car that looked great on tarmac, dirt stages, snow and even my bedroom wall.

Sadly, Indians never knew this iconic car. It was launched 27 years ago, at a time when all you could buy was an Amby or a Padmini. But now there’s a chance to understand what we missed. Audi has just launched the A5 coupé which Audi says is the spiritual successor to the original Quattro of 1980. The A5’s designers have cleverly taken elements of the R8 and TT sports cars and bolted them onto the next-generation A4 saloon’s platform. The result is a sleek and gorgeous-looking coupé with room for four people and their luggage. Like the Quattro, the A5 is highly desirable yet utterly practical but whether it has the same impact as its legendary predecessor remains to be seen. Walter de’Silva thinks it will. “The Audi A5 is the most beautiful car I have ever designed,” he says.

Strong words from a designer who has several stunning Alfa Romeos on his CV. However, as Audi’s design boss you would expect him to say that but, when you look at the A5 for the first time, you know it’s not just another well thought-out company sound byte. The A5 looks the part from any angle. It may not have the design drama of BMWs that have made them so controversial but then neither is it as dull-looking as some of the coupés from Mercedes. The A5’s styling is typically Audi – restrained and uncluttered. It may not excite everyone but what you get is a car that is exquisitely detailed and beautifully proportioned. The flat, broad and squat stance, accentuated in the range-topping S5, makes it look like it is hugging the road even when it’s parked. The A5 has lots of interesting design highlights, the most distinctive of which is the wavy beltline which runs along the flanks from the car’s headlights to the rear lamps. A superb touch is the strip of LED daytime running lights housed within the slim headlamps. The manner in which they gleam menacingly makes it impossible to mistake the A5 for anything else.

The talking point under the A5’s skin is an all-new Modular Longitudinal Platform (MLP) that promises to dramatically improve the car’s ride and handling. In fact, this new platform will be used for the next A4 saloon and the Q5 compact SUV that’s to be launched next year and its modular design will allow the next A6 and A8 to be built with the same architecture, so it had better be good.The key to this new platform is the way Audi’s engineers have moved the front axle far forward and the longitudinally- mounted engine and transmission as far back from the front axle line as possible. The five-link suspension design is all-new and the steering rack has moved from the bulkhead to just in front of the axle line. Audi says this improves feel and response.

Why all this fuss? It’s all part of the Ingolstadt-versus-Munich tussle that’s been going on for years. And it’s only now that Indian car buyers can relish this fight. The whole idea behind this new chassis, which the A5 is the first Audi to get, is to find the perfect weight distribution and balance (a fundamental reason why BMWs handle so well) and thereby improve the dynamic ability of all Audis to put them on the same plane as their Bavarian rivals and even beyond.I seriously doubt that the typical Audi owner in India will be able to appreciate the finer handling benefits the A5’s new-generation chassis offers, especially since most of them rarely venture out of the city.

What A5 owners will appreciate is the outstanding build quality of the interiors, which is a well-known Audi hallmark. The highlight must surely be a superb Bang & Olufsen system belting out 505 watts from 14 speakers! The front seats are superbly comfortable and come with the full range of power adjustments. The rear seats are cramped for adults — to be expected in a coupé —but a little bit more head and legroom would have made it a proper four-seater. I first jumped into the S5, the most potent variant in the A5 range.

Gone is the typical key which flicks out like a switchblade; what you get is a stubby fob which you plug into its slot on the dash. Better still is the optional advanced key system which is hard to beat for convenience. Merely keep the key in your pocket and within a range of 1.5 metres, sensors recognise it and unlock everything.

Press the silver start button on the transmission tunnel and the 354bhp 4.2-litre V8 bursts into life. The engine has a delightful growl to clearly signal its sporting intent but my enthusiasm is quickly dampened by a heavy clutch and a slightly notchy gearshift. To make matters worse, the clutch has little slip and is jerky and it takes me a while to smoothen out my gearshifts. The narrow roads from our hotel leading up to the even narrower mountain lanes meant that the S5 could only be enjoyed in a point-and-squirt sort of way. Acceleration is fantastic and the S5 simply rockets from corner to corner in a way that belies its porky 1.63-tonne weight. But it’s the way the S5 puts its power down that is truly amazing. Powering out of tight hairpins is a joy. The four-wheel-drive system delivers superb traction, the ESP light momentarily flashing when I floor the throttle pedal mid-corner. Stability under braking is also fantastic and braking hard upto a corner’s apex did little to unsettle the S5. The steering is nicely weighted and the handling pretty neutral, just what you need to thoroughly enjoy an afternoon of winding roads. With every passing corner my confidence rose, allowing me to dig deeper into corners. I was beginning to feel all the hard work of Audi engineers through my fingertips.

I can’t compare the S5 to equivalent BMWs nor can I compare it to the RS4, but what I can say is that handling was so neutral, the turn-in so enthusiastic that the line though the corners could be balanced delicately by using the throttle, even with the ESP switched on. On the autobahn, the S5 feels rock-steady, munching kilometres with such ease to make it a fantastic trans-continental car. If only there was more space in the rear for the family. The diesel A5, which I briefly drove as well, was a good reminder of Audi’s Le Mans victories. This diesel is incredibly quick and refined to boot. It’s not the lack of performance or the noise that gives the game away but the diesel’s characteristically narrow power band. Stay in the engine’s sweet spot and the 3.0-litre V6 delivers a slug of torque that hits you like a tidal wave to waft you, road willing, to 250 clicks. There’s a 3.2-litre petrol V6 as well which comes with an eight-speed automatic. Yes, eight-speed. Talk about auto transmission one-upmanship!

Now to the Rs 60-lakh question. When will the A5 come to India? Audi says there are no plans but it’s likely that this new coupé will follow the launch of the new TT. Our advice to would-be owners is to head for the hills on long weekends and enjoy the hard work the men of Ingolstadt have put into their new baby.

Source: autocarindia

New Honda Civic V

noreply@blogger.com (Akki) — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 05:43:00 +0000

The Honda Civic is a global best-seller, and has enjoyed success in India too, selling over 20,000 units since its launch in July last year. To celebrate this success, and on the basis of customer feedback, Honda has launched the V variant, which includes additional features like leather upholstery, fog lamps, door mirror-mounted turn indicators and chrome accents on the interior trim. These embellishments augment the car’s luxurious character and are in keeping with current customer demands. Honda has also introduced two new shades — Misty Violet, and Carbon Bronze Pearl — of which Misty Violet is exclusive to the V. These additional features have resulted in a considerable price jump. The 1.8V costs Rs 11.51 lakh for the manual, and Rs 12.21 lakh for the paddle-shift auto, (ex-showroom, Delhi). The extra Rs 60,000 for this new version is pretty good value considering that you would have to spend as much or possibly more to retro-fit these goodies.

Source: autocarindia

BMW’s future starts with the M7

noreply@blogger.com (Akki) — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 05:40:00 +0000

We were expecting a two-seat sports car, but instead BMW pulled off a major coup by unveiling its new design language in a saloon concept at the recent Shanghai Motor Show. And it could also be a pointer to a forthcoming M7.

The Concept CS is a large four-door, four-seat sports saloon in the mould of the Aston Martin Rapide and Porsche Panamera. But there’s more to it than that. It gives us a look at the beginning of a new design direction for BMW as it starts to move away from the look pioneered by design director Chris Bangle and first featured on the current 7-series.

The car’s heavily sculptured look will set the tone for the next generation of BMWs. “We wanted to do a big, sporty car without making it appear heavy,” said BMW design boss Adrian van Hooydonk. BMW puts a lot of emphasis on the car’s sporting potential, saying it “combines the qualities of a luxury saloon and a high-performance sports car”.

BMW has often said it wouldn’t do a straight M version of the 7-series because getting a large saloon to handle and perform to M division standards wouldn’t be possible. But last year then-chairman Helmut Panke raised the possibility of an M7 model, adding that it wouldn’t just be a 7-series with a big engine.

He also said the company was looking at a new flagship model for the BMW range as a replacement for the Z8 roadster. This car would seem to fulfil both of those criteria.

Concept CS is big; at 5.1 metres long and 1.98 metres wide it’s larger than a 7-series and has a longer wheelbase. It’s also bigger than a Bentley Continental GT and almost as low as an Aston DB9 (1.36m), pushing it into a new market for BMW. Underneath, it will be based on a modified version of the next-generation 7-series platform.

The most significant new features are the blunt front end, dominated by an oversized version of the BMW kidney grille, and the way the roofline runs into the rear wings, echoing the Jaguar C-XF concept. There is also an unusual depression that divides the rear of the roof, creating a channel above the rear window.

The CS rides on a set of complex 21-inch wheels, behind which sit drilled and grooved brake discs, more often associated with cars such as Porsche 911s. Other fast-car touches include large intakes in the lower front spoiler to channel air over the brakes.

Inside, the layout and detailing of the dashboard point towards a new format for BMW cabins. The centre of the dash is angled towards the driver, reviving BMW’s trademark interior feature from the 1980s, but it now sweeps down into a high centre console that wraps around the gear lever. It also creates a cockpit feel by separating the driver and passenger. That console runs the length of the interior into the rear, dividing the individual rear seats. BMW claims elbow room in the rear is as good as it is in the front.

Much of the car’s interior lighting is provided by light strips in the dash and the roof, running from the windscreen to the rear glass. BMW claims this creates an ambient lighting effect, currently one of the most fashionable trends in concept car interior design.

While touches like the ceramic switches for the iDrive system are pure concept, plenty of parts have production potential. The dash top mouldings and centre console are clearly more realistic than many concept car interiors.

There’s no guarantee that BMW would badge a production version of the CS as an M car. Such a large car would be at odds with the current philosophy of the M division, and that would also mean it wouldn’t use an M Power engine. Instead, a less highly strung V12 powerplant is more likely. It would be possible to add a pair of cylinders to the M5’s V10 to create a 6.0-litre V12, which could have up to 600bhp.

Source: autocarindia

Optra Diesel from Chevrolet in June

noreply@blogger.com (Akki) — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 03:52:00 +0000

The Chevrolet Optra has been reasonably popular - a car which does not excel in any one field but is overall a nice package. But it has been growing a bit long in the tooth, and the diesel Chevrolet Optra will hopefully extend the car's lifespan in the market by a bit.

Today, General Motors India announced that the company will launch a diesel variant of the Chevrolet Optra in June first week. "The common rail diesel variant would be powered by a 2.0 litre engine and would be competitively priced to take-on competition," GM India Vice President P Balendran told PTI.

There is no word at this moment about the possible price, features, specifications or power output of the upcoming diesel Optra.

It was said that the diesel Optra would position itself against the diesel Skoda Octavia - but we think that is not likely. The diesel Skoda Octavia costs above Rs 11.35 lakhs ex-showroom Delhi. The costliest Chevrolet Optra model currently in the market, the Chevrolet Optra Platinum, costs Rs 8.25 lakh ex-showroom Delhi. The diesel Optra is likely to cost, at most, Rs 1 lakh above this. We shall post more details about the Optra diesel the moment we get hold of some; keep this page bookmarked for updates and a possible photo gallery.

Update:

The company also has said that the Optra TCDi diesel extends the value promise of Chevrolet by providing exceptional performance that has never been experienced before. The company has come to a conclusion that diesel cars currently in the market do not perform as per expectations of luxury car customers.

GM plans to beat this by unveiling the Optra Diesel, promising maximum performance. According to a top official, the Optra Diesel will far exceed the expectations of the customers and will be an absolute delight.

The new Optra, which will come with a turbocharged common rail direct injection engine, will have diesel fuel injected at a very high pressure of 1,600 bar through a multi-step injection process, a report said. The company had earlier expanded its line-up of vehicles with the roll out of its mini car Chevrolet Spark. It had launched the Aveo sedan, SRV and Aveo U-VA hatchback as part of the Chevrolet India Revolution in 2006.

Rumours:

120 bhp, 2000cc, price between 10-11 lakh. To be confirmed

Captiva to captivate SUV market in India

noreply@blogger.com (Akki) — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 03:51:00 +0000

Following the launch of the Aveo U-VA and the Spark, General Motors India seems to be on a high.

General Motors India, which had been closely watching the success of SUVs in the Rs 15-20 lakh segment in the country, now plans to bring to India a model that is a rage in Europe. The Captiva, as it is called, is a beauty powered internationally by petrol as well as diesel engines. Captiva has also the potential to be the only SUV in its segment to offer two differently fuelled powertrains, said a report. In India, the SUV would bear the common brandname as the Chevrolet Captiva.

The Chevrolet Captiva offers seating for five or seven occupants and comes with 2,400cc petrol and 2,000cc diesel engines. The vehicle would boast of a high-end audio system, and 16-inch tyres. The Captiva, according to expert reviews, would be the vehicle that will entice the SUV market. The price tag would be around Rs 18 lakh, which in comparison would be well under the Honda CR-V's Rs 20 lakh.

Meanwhile, there is also talk that for the first time since the Opel Astra 1.7 turbodiesel, GM India will offer an oil-burner in a sedan. The Chevrolet Optra will come with a 2000 cc diesel CRDi engine. The Optra has seen declining sales over the past two years. It will receive another shot in the arm with a new headlamp and grille treatment, a new tail-lamp cluster and revised interiors. The facelift is expected to help Optra share a lot of parts with the Chevrolet SR-V hatchback.

It is also expected to allow GM to challenge the Skoda Octavia, which has been dominating the diesel sedan segment for years now. The Optra diesel is expected to be launched as early as the first week of June with a price tag of around Rs 9 to 10 lakh.

Mahindra Renault-Logan :: Road Test Report

noreply@blogger.com (Akki) — Wed, 30 May 2007 10:21:00 +0000

Renault and Dacia’s Logan was built to appeal to customers in emerging economies like ours, the basic appeal of the Logan has proved to be a big hit in other markets. And in India with the Indian stalwart Mahindra as a partner, Renault it seems is batting on a good wicket. :

Design, Engineering and Interiors
Walk around the Logan and you only see flat panels and straight lines, with not a curve or an arch in sight. The only obvious circular lines visible are around the wheel arches. The flat panels help Renault make low-tech production and easy repair possible, and this approach also has a positive effect on the cost.

For India, the nose of the car is all-new. The Logan now sports a more upmarket grille and chin, with other more minor touches added too. They help little.

The body structure is extremely stiff for good ride and handling and the use of a current platform also means crash survivability is of the highest order.

The front suspension uses MacPherson struts and wishbones for better wheel location as well as an anti-roll bar, the Logan also uses a hydraulic power steering system. Suspension at the rear is not independent; that would be expensive. An H-section torsion beam-type unit is used.

The Logan has been designed with additional suspension travel in mind from the very outset. Ground clearance is more than adequate and feels substantially more than the company-quoted figure of 155mm. None of the models for India get ABS as yet, not even as an option, and this is disappointing.

The interiors are quite basic too. The single-piece, square-shaped dashboard is functional at best. The glovebox isn’t as big as it looks but there’s a very useful cubbyhole above it in place of the front passenger airbag. The switchgear and circular air-con vents feel quite solid and operate well but the quality of plastics is questionable. However, Renault has made an attempt to freshen up things, and the light beige colour works wonders here. Renault’s nicely sculpted steering wheel with the chrome Renault logo, wide instrument panel and well designed and finished gear lever also go some way in livening up the interiors.

However, you can’t escape the cost-cutting on the insides. There are no proper door handles and the front seat rails don’t have plastic cladding and are exposed. It doesn’t end there. The absence of an internal boot release is extremely impractical and annoying too. The ergonomics too seem to have been compromised. The side mirrors are too small and the left-side one is partially obstructed by the A-pillar cladding. The low-placed switches on the centre console, which taper away from the driver, are not within easy line of sight. Reconfiguration to right-hand-drive is minimal with the column stalks, hood release and even the wiper pattern still set for left-hand drive. A number of the switches and controls work the wrong way around, which takes some getting used to. Power window switches for the rear passengers are inconveniently placed ahead of the rear middle passengers’ feet and are difficult to reach. We found the gap between the clutch pedal and the wide central tunnel too small and we wished there was a decent footrest.

What the Logan is unbeatable for is space and comfort. This car is easily the widest in its class. It’s wider than a Toyota Corolla and headroom is massive as well. The front seats are wide and seat travel is good, but the seats are a touch flat. This is true of the rear seats as well. The lack of contours here is presumably to help fit three abreast in comfort, which the Logan manages very well indeed. Seat comfort is brilliant even though the back is a touch too reclined. Legroom is superb and you never find yourself feeling cramped.

All three rear passengers also get headrests, to prove the point that three are comfortable at the back but it’s good from a standpoint of safety as well. For such a vast cabin, we wish there was a reading light for the rear section. The massive 510-litre boot can swallow huge amounts of luggage. The seats don’t flip down though and protection against luggage intrusion in case of a collision is taken care of only by a simple metal brace.

Performance, Fuel Economy and Handling
The Logan will be sold in India powered by three motors — two petrols and one common-rail diesel. The petrol motors are 1390cc and 1598cc and put out 75 and 85bhp respectively. Technology is robust but quite basic on the petrol. The motors use only two valves per cylinder, basic shoe-type rocker arms and a simple MPFi system. We tested the 1.6-litre petrol, and found it to be better than expected. It may not quite have the responsiveness or raw acceleration of the 1.6 Fiesta, with 100kph coming up in 13.45sec, but its area of expertise lies elsewhere. Where this motor excels is in everyday driving. Refinement at low speeds is decent, and the torque spread is particularly good. 1500rpm on the tachometer is all it takes to get you moving smartly offline and once you pass 2000rpm there is a step up in pace.

Gearchanges are required less frequently in city driving and as a result you are never left wanting for power. The strong midrange also gives it good passing power on the highway.

The 1.5 DCi is a more modern motor. A second-generation common rail system is used and this system utilises dedicated injector calibration which allows injector timing and flow to be controlled for each injector individually. It also features a pilot injection to help improve refinement levels. The Logan’s motor actually compares quite favorably with other diesels in its class for refinement with only a mild pitter-patter audible at idle. Rev it hard and it sounds a bit gruff but it’s never obtrusive and far quieter than the latest Indigo DiCOR. Again, the Ford diesel beats the Logan in responsiveness and the Indigo DiCOR is quicker in a sprint but once you are past 2000rpm the Logan diesel pulls with great resolve. Mid-range performance is extremely healthy and you have adequate passing power on tap. Driven briskly, the diesel Logan covers ground quite rapidly and feels much faster than its 17.15sec 0-100 time suggests.

The five-speed gearbox fitted contributes to driving pleasure a fair bit. The action is light, it slots into gear easily and it is almost impossible to miss a shift.

On its raised suspension and stiff chassis, the Logan rides over our roads like no other in this class. Low-speed ride is mildly stiff and a few low-speeds jiggles raise their head, but once you are at normal cruising speeds these disappear completely. You can also load up the car with five passengers and fill it up with luggage without fear of the belly scraping speed breakers.

Despite the good ride, the suspension isn’t wallowy. Straight line stability is most likely best in class and the Logan sticks to its line with impressive resolve. Bumps rarely put it off line, body roll around corners is not a worry and the steering is linear as well. It does not deliver anywhere as much feel as the Fiesta though, and the Ford is much more willing to change direction too, still the Logan rides better than cars like the Honda City, Hyundai Verna and Tata’s Indigo.

What you do get is a fair bit of road noise. Insulation is not as good as the competition and this means the threshold of noise is always higher. We also found that braking performance, though adequate, tended to fade when repeated stops were carried out.

We didn’t expect the 1.6-litre Logan to be efficient, but were pleasantly surprised. It traveled 9.9 kilometres a litre in the city and 13.4 kilometres on the highway. The diesel was even more impressive and it travelled an unreal 19.3kpl on the highway and 13.6 in the city.

CNBC-TV18 AUTOCAR AUTO AWARDS 2007

noreply@blogger.com (Akki) — Wed, 30 May 2007 10:14:00 +0000

Seven respected figures from the auto world came together this year to test, evaluate and pass judgement without fear or favour. They put the cars under the microscope. They looked at the macro picture. They drove the cars to their absolute limits. And then, when the smoke cleared, the winners emerged. The raison d’être of these awards is to tell you, the customer, in a simple uncomplicated manner, which are the best new cars on the road today as well as what they are good at. In the past few weeks, a fleet of Autocar India troops and their media partners CNBC-TV18 spent several hours scrutinising facts and figures, the result of which culminated in the Auto Awards 2007. In 2006, twelve all-new cars were launched in the market with big-budget PR and advertising campaigns, each boasting about the superiority of their brand. So what’s the truth? Which is the best of them all?

Picking the winners
Fifteen cars, including variants.
Seven eagle-eyed judges: Hormazd Sorabjee, editor, Autocar India; Shapur Kotwal, associate editor, Autocar India; Dilip Chhabria, design guru; six-time National Rally champion Naren Kumar; Rajiv Khanna, former rally star; CNBC’s Renuka Kripalani and Manvendra Singh, car restorer.
The jury had to judge each car on 10 exacting parameters: fitness for purpose; relevance to the Indian market; value for money; design and styling; engine, gearbox and performance; ride, handling and brakes; driving pleasure; fuel efficiency; safety; and ownership experience. Autocar India’s comprehensive road tests, which are conducted throughout the year, provided all the data the jury would need to evaluate the cars. The tabulated data was presented to all the judges, who then drove each car evaluating it against its peers. The score sheets were handed over to auditors Ernst & Young who ensured a water-tight methodology, both in terms of eligibility and judging criteria.
And the winners are …

VALUE FOR MONEY - Hyundai Verna
With BOOMING demand and the car industry looking at making up for lost profits, few new cars are great value. Manufacturers are launching new models in higher brackets and true value is hard to come by.
Amid this mist stands the Verna. Not cheap or inexpensive but for what it delivers, it’s a car that’s good value. Built on a long wheelbase that has liberated huge amounts of cabin space, the Verna is palatial on the inside. This means passengers get class-topping space and comfort. The pliant suspension allows only the more serious bumps to filter into the cabin. The seat fabrics have an upmarket feel and the plastic quality of the dashboard and door pads matches the more expensive Honda City. Plus, even the XI trim level has luxuries like height-adjustable seats, rear head restraints, power mirrors and remote locking. And the ABS option costs a reasonable Rs 20,000.
The petrol motor is reasonably peppy and smooth, the gearbox and steering refreshingly light to use and this is true for the pedals as well.
Then you have the diesel. Not as well equipped as the petrol sibling but a car that uses an expensive Variable Geometry Turbo (VGT), which gives better low and high-speed performance. A massive 110bhp of petrol car-gobbling performance. Throw in Hyundai’s reputation for good service and clearly, the Verna is a car that the head agrees with.

BEST DESIGN & STYLING - New Toyota Camry
Toyota’s design philosophy has traditionally been less than adventurous. Reliable performance and good quality are what these cars are built to deliver. They don’t want to turn off anybody with radical designs. So, you know the world is changing when Toyota launches and produces a car that’s as wild and deeply sculpted as a concept car. More akin to a bespoke car, this car’s surface is full of stylistic cuts, sharp edges and changes in visual mass. The profile is superb: the long wheelbase, high shoulder line and tight-fitting stretched-out roof. Then there are the crazy details like the scimitar-sharp headlights, slatted grille, bulging logo and deeply recessed fog lamps. The surface on the boot and that adjacent to the tail-light is radical too. The best part is it all works together well. Most Camrys were brought in that pale shade of blue the car was launched and tested in.

BEST DRIVER’S CAR - Honda CR-V 2.4
Aircrafts defy physics to some extent. They fly against the odds, taking on gravity and the pull of mother earth. They still manage to be safe and fast. Honda’s all-new CR-V is the same. Despite having four-square dimensions and weight in all the wrong places, the CR-V doesn’t shock you even once. Disbelief is a sustained reaction. Like a fat man winning the 110-metre hurdles. Ahh, but that’s part of the secret… The new CR-V isn’t that fat. Displacing a svelte 1.5 tonnes with a suspension that’s fine-tuned to keep the fat wheels in contact with the road at the right angle, the CR-V’s grip levels are exceptional, even by saloon car standards. It stays glued to the road around corners with almost no body roll, never dropping a shoulder or forcing you to look at the world at a slant. When that truly incredible grip wears or runs out, it does so in a progressive manner bracing you with huge amounts of feedback from the steering. The stiff chassis also allows you to throw the CR-V into a section of left/right corners with total abandon — a sure-fire recipe for landing most other SUVs on their roof. With the assurance that its high ground clearance will see the car sail over the worst of Indian roads, the Honda CR-V tempts you to take the long way home. It’s not just the best-handling new SUV, it’s the best handling car too. We understand this is difficult to believe, we’re still scratching our heads in wonder as well.

MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR - Honda Siel Cars
Honda could do no wrong in 2006. It crossed the 200,000-unit benchmark in December and posted a sales growth of 45.13 percent in the last six months.
All its models are best-sellers and Honda has doubled the capacity of its plant in Greater Noida and launched two of its latest international models in India – the Civic and the CR-V – both instant hits. Within six months of its launch in July ‘06, the Civic has crossed the 10,000-units mark and revolutionised the market. The new CR-V seems destined to replicate the success of its predecessor.
The secret of Honda’s success in India has been its commitment to provide its latest passenger car models and technologies to Indian customers. And, the bullet-proof reliability of its cars and low-hassle ownership experience has seen the company win many satisfaction awards.

TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED CAR - Mercedes S-Class
This car gives the NASA Space Shuttle a run for its money. It’s not possible to tell you all about the technical mastery of this car; that would require a telephone directory-sized book. But, we can tell you this — it rides on four columns of air, active suspension doesn’t allow the body to roll in corners and the seats can massage you and blow hot or cold air through their pores. But that’s old hat!
Here comes the Popular Science stuff. If specified, the S uses infra-red to give you a picture of the road ahead, the cruise control uses a radar for automatic warnings and if the car ‘senses’ an impending accident, it uses an army of sensors and super computers to prepare the car for an impact. Brakes are brought closer to the pads, the seats move to their safest positions and incredibly, if an impact is inevitable, it will even apply full brakes. Next from Merc — Stephan, the invisible robot chauffeur. And he’ll speak Hindi and Tamil too. Believe it!

VOICE OF THE CUSTOMER - TNS Automotive Voice of the Customer
The VOC Awards are based on the winners of the 2006 TNS Customer Satisfaction Study. This is the largest study of its kind with over 7000 car owners being interviewed about their ownership experience. The study gained insights on all facets of the experience including sales satisfaction, after-sales brand image and cost of ownership. Actual owners of the winning models presented the awards to the manufacturers. While Hero Honda bagged the most prizes, TVS, Enfield and Honda didn’t go home disappointed. In four-wheelers, Maruti took the lead followed by Honda cars. Tata, Ford, Skoda and Toyota were the other winners. Bharat Petroleum and MRF Tyres too joined the distinguished group.

VARIANT OF THE YEAR - Mercedes E280 CDI
Improving a dog of a car is easy, but making an already accomplished performer up the game substantially is a near-miracle.
The new face-lifted Merc is more than just a face-lift; it’s a massive step forward over the E270 CDI. An almost petrol-smooth V6 diesel replaced the five-cylinder E270 with the extra 25 horses and a seven-speed automatic, sweetening the package further. There’s the improved direct drive suspension and steering set-up designed to make the E better to drive, radical safety systems have been pulled down from the S-Class and there are even more creature controls as well.
New tech includes Adaptive Braking, Pre-Safe System, Neck Pro. There’s also new equipment like sunblinds on rear doors, cargo hooks in the boot and a steering wheel from the CLS.
To put it simply, the E280 CDI is the best diesel car made in India. It delivers an outstanding level of diesel technology and ability that makes buying the impressive petrol car not as smart a choice.

IMPORT OF THE YEAR - Audi Q7
Take a blank piece of paper and list the requirements for a perfect SUV or car for Indian conditions. Now note how similar they are to those of the beast before you. Possessing the presence of an elephant in Manhattan, the huge, sharply-styled SUV carries authority with ease; traffic almost parts in deference.
Built fantastically on the inside and comfortable for five with space for another two, the Q7 looks at home parked at hotel lobbies or descending rapids. Its massive wheels, adjustable air suspension and fantastic ground clearance allow you the luxury of driving without having to navigate around potholes in India.
The Q7 can be driven as hard as any large saloon and you can specify any and every feature you can think of. Audi, which makes 4WD cars, has broken into the super SUV domain. The diesel is refined and torquey and the V8 petrol has enough grunt to keep a Porsche Cayenne honest. If you’re going to splurge, you won’t go wrong by placing your pile here.

AUTO COMPONENT MANUFACTURER – Mico
Motor Industries Co (MICO), a member of the Bosch Group, is a pioneer and acknowledged leader in fuel injection equipment and spark plugs. It’s the country’s largest manufacturer of diesel fuel injection equipment and among the largest in the world. This is the company that indigenised common-rail technology to usher in a new generation of high-tech diesels in India.
Before this, common-rail diesels were restricted to expensive cars as the common-rail system had to be imported and hence attracted high customs duties. With local production, there’s a 10-15 percent saving. Lowering the manufacturing costs has already spawned a new range of diesel cars. Maruti and Hyundai too are preparing to join the diesel race. This company has single-handedly turned the tide for diesels in India.

CNBC-TV18 VIEWER’S CHOICE - Honda Civic
The car that gets the maximum number of votes from viewers of CNBC- TV18 gets this prestigious award. A special SMS-based contest was run on air as well as nationally through Barista outlets. The winner, not surprisingly, was the new offering from Honda – the Civic. Honda gave Indian customers the very latest from its stable and they rewarded the company by queuing up with cheque books and ballot paper in hand. The Civic’s unbeatable combination of design, value and high-technology makes this the favourite for jury and janta alike.

BEST CITY TO DRIVE IN - New Delhi
For the first time, a special nationwide poll was conducted by Synovate Research to find out India’s No. 1 city in terms of driving experience.
The survey covered every major city in the country. Respondents included both two-wheeler riders and four-wheeler drivers. It captured their experience in terms of various attributes such as driving safety, road infrastructure, air quality, driving environment, traffic situation and road etiquette among others.
The winning vote, not surprisingly, went to the nation’s capital – New Delhi. It’s time for other cities to catch up.

STORYBOARD BEST AUTO COMMERCIAL OF THE YEAR - Tata Xeta, fcb Ulka & Tata Safari, O&M
‘Storyboard Best Auto Commercial’ of the year, rewards the best advertising done in the year 2006 for automobiles. Creative directors of India’s leading advertising agencies came together to judge this coveted award.
In an adscape littered with hundreds of commercials vying to grab eyeballs, two campaigns stood out. Incidentally, they were both Tata brands – the Xeta and the Safari, created by their ad agencies FCB- Ulka and O&M. Both the commercials brought out the brands’ salient features in an interesting and entertaining manner and drove hundreds of consumers into Tata dealerships.

MOST PREFERRED CEOS’ CAR BRAND - Mercedes-Benz
In another poll conducted by Synovate Research to find the car preferred by most Indian CEOs, the winner came as no surprise.
The three-pointed star rules the roost when it comes to image, prestige and reputation. Mercedes’ cars have always enjoyed a premium reputation in India. But Merc hasn’t been sitting on its laurels; rather, it keeps raising the bar with constantly evolving models. Will BMW, Audi and Volkswagen, who have announced grand plans for India, be able to snatch the crown from Mercedes? Only time will tell.

BIKE OF THE YEAR - Bajaj Pulsar 220 dts-fi
Completely and indigenously developed by Bajaj Auto, the Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi is a tribute to the company’s engineering and design capabilities.
Striking styling, more features than you can imagine, a crisp and potent 220cc fuel- injected motor, as well as solid handling make the new Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi a bike that happens rarely in India. It ranks among India’s most powerful bikes with a healthy 20bhp peak power output made at 8500rpm.
Top whack is impressive with over 130kph on the speedo. Digital instrumentation, tubeless tyres, self-cancelling indicators, LED lighting, disc brakes on both front and rear — this bike offers it all, and more.
The Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi has just raised the bar for motorcycles in India.

CAR OF THE YEAR - Honda Civic
Every now and then, you get a car that defies convention. One that breaks the established mould, ducks the trend and forges a new path. It’s risky but once in a while, things just click. This leaves the competition scratching its head and sends them back to the drawing board. This car actually did that.
We could almost hear the fanfare when we saw this car for the first time. An instant shocker! The Civic ducked the ‘taller-for-space’ trend prevalent in the industry and went all swoopy and low. And it’s not just the sports-car profile that grabs your blinkers. The cab-forward stance actually complements the flowing lines that stream over bonnet, windscreen, roof and boot. Add the unique nose of the car, heavily sculpted lines, radical details like the headlights and short boot and you have a car you can’t take your eyes off. This is true for the inside as well given the materials used together in a new way, an aircraft cockpit-like ‘Heads Up Display’ just below the windscreen, a level of fit and finish that transcends the segment and it has comfortable and supportive seats.
Drive the car and the picture is complete. This isn’t just new design, new styling and new stance. This is new thinking, new direction and new driving dynamics. The new 1.8 Honda motor embraces the past and the future. It has 130 galloping, silk-lined Honda horses and a top-end performance that is strong enough to satiate the most demanding of power junkies. At the same time, it’s much more efficient in the bottom half of the powerband, using a seriously improved version of Honda’s pioneering variable valve timing and lift. This new motor is massively refined too, actually so quiet at cruising speeds, you begin to hear the car more than the motor.
However, the ride quality isn’t the best in the world. It damps out the road well enough but doesn’t insulate the cabin like some of its competition. The upside of the stiffer springs and dampers is the incredible agility of the car. Tweak the very fast-acting and well-weighted steering, point the Civic into a corner and change in direction is done in a snap, effortlessly. Fantastic body control and super grip mean it masks speed really well too. You’ll simply love the light and direct five-speed manual or the paddle shift five-speed automatic. The judges would have liked higher seats, a more absorbent ride and more boot space, but none of these are issues strong or serious enough to make an impact on the overall brilliance of the Civic. This car could have also won the award for the best value car, the best driver’s car and best designed car. It almost did! A clear winner.

Chevrolet Spark now in India

noreply@blogger.com (Akki) — Sat, 19 May 2007 05:51:00 +0000

The new Chevrolet Spark is priced between Rs 3-4 lakh in India.

We won't get into the entire history of the Chevrolet Spark, and how it evolved from the Daewoo Matiz. Basically now it is a General Motors product, and the twice-refined version of the Matiz is now in India as the Chevrolet Spark. We sort of think this was the car India needed some two years back - that's when we carried our first article on the 'future' Spark. No matter, it is here now, and many of you might be considering buying it. At one look, the Chevrolet Spark has a new engine, new design, and new price. And a new name and company to market it. So how does it all hold together?

Chevrolet Spark: Engine and specs:

The Chevrolet Spark has got rid of the three cylinder engine of the old Matiz - and in its place is a new 995 cc four cylinder engine that produces more power than the newly released Fiat Palio Stile 1.1. You get 62.13 bhp (48.5 KW) at 5400 rpm, and 9.02 kgm (90.3 NM) of torque at 4200 rpm which are very decent for a car in this class. The five speed manual gearbox is quite capable and well-sorted out, and most auto mags have said that the Spark drives well, and the car feels sure-footed for something this small.

Chevrolet Spark: Engine specifications
Engine Type/Model	1.0L 4-Cyl SOHC Petrol
Displacement	995 cc
Power	63 PS @ 5400 rpm
Torque	90 Nm @ 4200 rpm
Valve Mechanism	SOHC
Bore	68.5 mm
Stroke	67.5 mm
Compression Ratio	9.3:1
No of Cylinders	4 cylinder
Cylinder Configuration	Inline
Valves per Cylender	2 valve
Fuel Type	Petrol
Fuel System	Sequential Electronic Fuel Injection
Transmission
Transmission Type	Manual
Gears/Speeds	5 Gears
Final Reduction Gear Ratio	4.44

From very, very far, you may mistake the Chevrolet Spark for a Matiz but get close and it vanishes. This car looks more contemporary, while we would say the earlier Matiz design was timeless. That's just a personal opinion, and don't bother much with it. You are going to like the way it looks. The Spark sports are edgier-looking headlights, a slightly pronounced bonnet, a little air intake, coloured indicators, a different waistline. The rear lamps are rounded, and there are Spark LT version has roof rails on top. And according to General Motors, there is less than 10 % of the old Matiz left in the new Chevrolet Spark - so practically, whether we call it a new Matiz or not, the little Chevy is an entirely new spark!

Inside, the Spark is mostly grey and black. Once you plonk yourself down in the driver's seat, the first thing you will notice is the speedo console which is placed smack above the centrally located AC vents. Visibility is not compromised, so that's not a problem, really. The average driver would feel comfortable with the seat and legroom, and legroom in the rear too would not be a problem for the passengers. However, try to seat three at on the Spark's rear seat, and you are going to face some crowding issues. The rear seat in the Spark does that 6:40 folding bit unlike in the similar sized Zen Estilo, so that is a good thing for carting slightly big things around at the rear.

Fuel efficiency is critical in a car like this, and the claimed figures are around 17 kmpl. Real world mileage figures would be a bit less - there is not enough data at this moment to give you a clear answer on exactly what it would be. Expect The Chevrolet Spark to offer 12 kmpl in stop and start city driving - say in Mumbai - and 14-15 kmpl in a city like Delhi with more open roads.

The Chevrolet Spark offers 62 bhp, and can do 0-60 kph in less 6-7 seconds in the real world. If you are good, you can get quite close to the 6 second mark. Remember that the Hyundai Santro and Zen Estilo have 1100 cc engines, so they would be fractionally faster than the Chevrolet Spark. But there is sufficient power to keep going happily in city traffic conditions, and on the highway, the sweetly placed gear ratios and the linear power delivery will keep you happy. Anyway, with a car like the Spark, you are not going to be racing the Accents and Vernas - this is not meant for that.

So what should be your decision on buying the Spark? The Spark comes with a three-year or 100,000 kilometre service warranty, one of the best in the industry. There are four variants available - starting from the barebones version Spark 1.0 E at an ex showroom price of Rs 1.1 lakh in Delhi. Very good, but you don't even get an AC in that version. Then come the Spark 1.0, the 1.0 LS and the 1.0 LT - these are the ones you should consider. So you have an ex-showroom price of 3.32 lakh on the 1.0 Spark, going up to 3.9 on the Spark 1.0 LT version. Got a bit of extra cash lying around, and go for the LT with the optional pack, which will cost 4.25 lakh ex-showroom Delhi. If you were always a Matiz lover, you SHOULD buy the Spark. No questions asked. On the other hand, if you are stuck between the Estilo, Santro and similar, think about what matters more to you - power, space, economy, looks and try to come to a decision based on all the parameters.

Here is our most important feature - the Chevrolet Spark photo gallery! - below. Take a good at the photos, and let us know what you think in the comments section below.

Maruti Escudo, the new Grand Vitara, coming soon

noreply@blogger.com (Akki) — Wed, 16 May 2007 09:44:00 +0000

Maruti plans to launch the latest version of its SUV Grand Vitara - the Suzuki Escudo - in India very soon. No firm dates are available as of writing this.

Maruti officials talked about the launch of the Escudo in India at the unveiling of the company's A3 class sedan, the Maruti SX4 in India. Globally, the Escudo is marketed as an urban cross-country vehicle that offers the riding comfort as a passenger car. That puts it in much the same class as a Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson and Chevrolet Forester - out of which only the CR-V is selling in any considerable numbers. The Escudo in India will also be compared to the Ford Endeavour which recently had a fresh go at the market. The expected engine options are a 2000cc petrol as well as a 2.7 litre diesel.

We expect the latest moel of the Escudo, with its clean-cut lines, to make the debut in India. As an SUV goes, it is pretty much what customers would expect - reasonably large and sophisticated, and moderate off-road capabilities.
Pricing details of the Maruti Escudo too are unavailable officially, though sources indicate that the SUV would be priced at Rs 12-15 lakhs ex-showroom in India. They also tell us that the expected launch will be in July 2007. Maruti had showcased the Escudo in the last Auto Expo in New Delhi, where it evoked considerable interest. The price, if true, will position it pretty much in the same price range as the Endeavour while keeping comfortably below the CR-V.

What we know so far is that the Maruti Escudo will be imported - mostly like as a compeltely built unit. Maruti can be expected to crank up the PR machinery before the launch - it's last SUV, the Grand Vitara, had a cold reception in India, and they company can be expected to pull out all stops to make sure the Escudo would not meet the same fate.

We have a few photos of the Japanese Escudo for you. Take a look at the photo gallery below, and do use the comments section to let us, as well as Maruti, know what you think about its upcoming SUV and what you want from it. Bookmark this page and come back later for more pictures in a while!