Ford India plans a March 2010 launch for the Ford Figo
- Ford Figo, India
The Ford Figo will hit showrooms sometime in March 2010. Production of
early prototypes ave already begun in Ford’s Chennai plant and test
mules are doing the rigorous rounds of endurance testing. Coming to
the hatchback itself, it will feature a 1.2 liter petrol engine and
the 1.4 liter TDCI diesel powerplant. The petrol powerplant produces
77PS while the diesel pumps out 68. Though the power figures aren’t
too high, we expect Ford to continue in the vein of making great
handling, driver’s cars.The Figo looks very smart with a sporty front
that seems to be inspired by the Fiesta and the Ikon. The rear takes
inspiration from the Fusion hatchback.
- Ford Figo
Ford plans to price this hatchback between 5-6 lakhs which will
put it in direct competition with the Hyundai i20. The Figo will be
launched in three variants with the top of the line variant featuring
airbags and ABS along with other goodies. The ford figo is an extremely
important car for Ford as it is touted to be a version that will be exported.
The Ford Figo is also expected to spearhead ford’s global recovery
by driving sales inemerging markets. It is for this very reason why the
Ford Global CEO, Alan Mulally, himself came down to the Indian capital,
New Delhi, to launch the Ford Figo. Here’s hoping that the Ford Figo lives up to
the ever growing expectations.
Suzuki Kizashi: Maruti’s sexy D segment Sedan coming soon
Maruti Suzuki Kizashi
Maruti, for long the reigning king of small cars, has just not been to make great inroads into the upper segments of the Indian car market. The D segment has which has been a preserve of Honda, Toyota and Skoda might soon be under attack with Suzuki joining the bandwagon. The Suzuki Kizashi is a muscular looking car with plenty of aggression all around. The front has a large honeycomb grille with projector wraparound headlamps to give it a I-Mean-Business look. It is a major departure from the toothy, smiley faced grilles we’ve been used to on smaller Suzukis. The large imposing bonnet enshrouds a 2.4 liter petrol engine that delivers a tad under 200 horsepower to all the wheels. A six speed paddle operated transmission will lay all the power down. With all this grunt, the Kizashi will zip to 100 Ks in 8 seconds and max out at 200 Ks. Yes, the Kizashi comes with a AWD option that can be turned on and off depending on the ambient road conditions and the driver’s preferences.
Maruti Suzuki Kizashi
Though Suzuki’s designers have tried hard to mask the featureless, somewhat flattish sides with a crease here and a tuck there, the slabby proportions of the Kizashi are apparent when viewed side on. The high rear though is a very different story with aggression looming large. Two mufflers indicate sporty intent while the muscular haunches add some oomph. We love the large and wide 16 inchers above those oh-so-sexy alloys. Meanwhile, Maruti Suzuki will preview this car at the Auto Expo 2010 and will launch it shortly. Let us hope that Maruti manages to price this good looking beast at somewhere around the 13-14 lakh mark. If that happens, the Kizashi will certainly capture a large pie of the Indian D segment given Maruti’s extremely strong after sales service. Go Maruti, Go!
Maruti Suzuki Kizashi
Tata Ace Minivan to debut at the Auto Expo 2010
Tata Ace Minivan
Tata will launch a mini van based on it’s Ace platform in the upcoming Auto Expo 2010. The van will be powered by a diesel engine and will be priced at around the 4 lakh rupee mark. Positioned as a people mover that seats seven, the Tata Ace Minivan could be a runaway success in the taxi market as it is priced affordably keeping in mind the ultra price conscious taxi segment. Needless to say, the diesel engine would also be a major factor that will drive cabbies to Tata showrooms.
Initial impressions suggest that the Tata Ace minivan is directly targeting the Maruti Omni since it features sliding doors and windows. Now, with that design, it would be interesting to see how Tata manage to address the air conditioning on it’s Minivan. Also, we hope that the Minivan comes with an engine more refined than that of the Tata Ace as the van would be targeting a completely different segment altogether. Talking of which, the engine would meet BS4 emission norms. More than a few examples of the Tata Minivan have been spotted testing in and around Tata Motors at Pimpri. Keep an eye open for this people mover at the Auto Expo.
Skoda Fabia vRS: Possible launch at Auto Expo 2010
Skoda Fabia vRS
Just yesterday, we just brought you a scoop about Fiat Bravo making it to India shortly. Now we have a Skoda Fabia vRS that could drive into desi shores. Skoda Fabia is one upmarket hatchback that oozes plenty of class, but it just hasn’t been able to get the cash registers ringing for Skoda. Though the Fabia has been a contemporary drive so far, it’s engine options have left it wanting. So, now Skoda India is contemplating positioning it as a hot hatch and could pull off a surprise by launching a vRS version of the Skoda Fabia. And, this could happen as early as the Auto Expo 2010. So, let’s hope that Skoda India does pull off this very welcome surprise.
Under the bonnet, the Skoda Fabia vRS will probably feature the 1.9TDi powerplant from the Octavia. To be honest, this engine is pretty low tech to say the least. But once inside the light Fabia, it will be blisteringly quick, well relatively speaking of course. Expect a nought to hundred in less than ten seconds and a top speed close to 200 Ks. Fuel efficiency too shouldn’t be too bad considering the fact that it is a diesel. That said, Skoda needs to quickly pull up it’s socks in the after sales department if it is serious about gaining major ground in the Indian car market. Car enthusiasts in the market for a hot hatch are advised to hold on to their monies for the time being.
Chery International caught testing Chery QQ3, Chery Tiggo and Chery A1 in New Delhi
Chery QQ3
Chery International, the Chinese car company notorious for cloning cars from leading brands, appears to be all set to make inroads into India. This will leave the Indian car manufacturers wary as Chery International has been exporting it’s cars to diverse locations of the world ranging from Chile to Taiwan. Of course, their quality is suspect but their low prices could be a bother. Meanwhile, Chery international has been highly successful in China and is even planning to compete at the very prestigious 2010 Dakar Rally with it’s Rely X5 SUV. Three of their models spotted in New Delhi are Chery Tiggo, Chery QQ3, Chery A1. While these could be just exhibits to be displayed at the upcoming 10th Auto Expo, it could also be a full fledged testing program. So far, the Chinese haven’t really been able to produce cars that could pass muster in the quality department when compared with Indian cars. So, the Indian manufacturers can breathe easy for the time being while keeping a cautious eye out for the threat from across the border, pun very intended. More pics after the jump.
Chery Tiggo
Chery A1
Maruti Suzuki’s APV to replace the Versa very soon
Maruti Suzuki APV India
Maruti Suzuki never quite got the high end MPV segment right with the Versa, whose production has been finally halted permanently. Even after massive price cuts and the Bacchan father-son duo advertising for it, the Versa never really made it at the bean counters. Now, Maruti seeks to erase all the bad memories and make a stunning comeback in the MPV segment with the Suzuki APV by March 2010. The boxy, yet smart looking APV is an able people mover, in the likes of the Chevrolet Tavera and the Mahindra Xylo. The Suzuki APV was primarily designed as a versatile platform that can seat eight people in comfort as well as function occasionally as the luggage hauler. So, it comes with a capacious interior and a compact exterior that allows it to negotiate the cramped city streets.
Globally, the APV comes with 1.5 and 1.6 liter petrol engines. For India, these could be ditched in favor of the 1.2 K series petrol and the 1.3 liter Multi-Jet engine. The APV with the 1.3 Multi-Jet diesel engine and Maruti’s proven service would just be the perfect combo that could establish Maruti in the MPV market space. Now, let us hope that Maruti has learnt from the once overpriced Versa’s debacle and prices the APV sensibly. Already rumors are agog with the market watchers predicting a sub 4 Lakh price for the petrol APV. However, we estimate a 4.5-5.5 lakh price tag for the petrol APV and 5.5-6.5 lakh for the diesel variant. Watch out for the Maruti Suzuki APV.
FIAT BRAVO driving into India?
Even before the Fiat Grande Punto was launched earlier this year, rumors were rife that Fiat was all set to bring in it’s flagship hatchback, the Fiat Bravo. Fast forwarding a few months, a few Fiat Bravo mules were found testing in Pune yesterday, on Fergusson College Road. Though heavily disguised, our knowledgable source is pretty convinced that it is the sexy Fiat Bravo. Although we don’t have spy pictures to confirm the same, we’ve been hearing about Bravo spottings in and around Pune for quite some time now.
To add fuel to the fire, the Fiat MD, Rajeev Kapoor himself has replied to a few people’s emails saying that the Bravo would come in to India in 2010 in CBU guise. This, however, would automatically mean that the Bravo would be expensive since it won’t be manufactured locally. Also, Fiat has launched a 2.0 Multijet engine in Europe which replaces it’s highly successful 1.9 Multijet diesel power-plant. The new 2.0 liter engine produces 163Bhp@400orpm and doles out 266lb-ft of torque at 2000 rpm. If this engine makes it to India, expect a hot hatch with fiery performance that would put many mid size sedans to shame. Also, the petrol engine for the Bravo could be the new 1.6 liter T-Jet that will find it’s way into the Linea. W
With the 2010 Auto Expo just around the corner, expect the Fiat Bravo to be unveiled there Exciting times ahead for the Indian car enthusiast. Remember, you read about it first, right here. We say, bring it on Fiat.
Clutchless jiving with the new TVS Jive
Like the headline suggests, you can do your nice little jigging and jiving, albeit clutchless, with the new TVS Jive. The latest entrant to the Indian commuter motorcycle market has a unique feature which was last seen on the erstwhile Hero Honda Street 100 step-thru. The feature we are talking about is the absence of a manual clutch which TVS Motors has been harping about and for which it has even applied a patent. So, where exactly does this leave the man on the street? It simply means that you can shift gears without having to use a manual clutch, because there isn’t any. Thus, you can happily motor through the crazy Indian, urban traffic maelstrom without having to clutch the clutch, pun very intended. The best part about this design is that it allows almost anybody with a basic grasp of balance to ride the TVS Jive. the TVS Jive comes with a rotary gearbox which will allow a rider to shift directly to the 1st gear from the 4th gear. This will make the TVS Jive an extremely comfortable motorcycle, to ride in the crowded traffic conditions. Thus, TVS is looking at the not so insignificant market of people who abhor motorcycles simply because they can’t seem to get the hang of a manual clutch. While Hero Honda failed to tug at the Indian public’s purse with it’s rotary geared, auto clutch Street 100, TVS Motors will be hoping for better results with their Jive.
Coming to the TVS Jive, it isn’t very differently styled from it’s stablemate, the TVS Star City. Except for the headlight cowl, there is very little to distinguish between the two motorcycles. Of course, the clutch lever is a glaring omission(if you can call it that) on the TVS Jive. All in all, the TVS Jive is a smart looking motorcycle that is styled a wee bit conservatively keeping in mind the sensibilities of it’s buying demographies. Power to the rear wheel comes via a 110cc engine which delivers 8.1 BHP at 7500 rpm and a torque figure of 8.1Nm at 5500 rpm. Gearing is via a 4 speed rotary gearbox. Dry weight is a light 110 kilos. A feature on the TVS Jive which will prove very handy is the presence of a capacious underseat storage that can swallow a bottle, an umbrella and some documents. Meanwhile, Alloys wheels and electric start are options included in the fully loaded variant. We hope TVS plonks in a front disc brake, at least as an option. The TVS Jive is priced at a very competitive INR 41,000, Ex-showroom, Chennai. Given it’s sensible pricing, finding willing buyers shouldn’t be too much of a hassle for TVS Motors. That said, the Industry leaders Hero Honda and Bajaj will be keenly eyeing the TVS Jive’s response at the hustings. Here’s wishing them all the very best for their bold new attempt at upping the ante in the ultra-competitive, Indian commuter motorcycle segment.
TVS Wego: The newest automatic scooter in town!
TVS Motors has always been wanting some action in the burgeoning Indian automatic scooter market. So, the Hosur based manufacturer has gone ahead to finally launch the TVS Wego. Though we’ve been used to pretty ordinary styling from TVS Motors in the recent past, the scooter manages to look pretty contemporary. Powered by a four stroke, 110cc engine pushing out 8bhp @7500 rpm, the TVS Wego is squarely aiming to topple the current market leader, Honda Activa. More importantly, the maximum torque output is 8NM@5500 rpm and it is the torque figure which will be of more relevance to the average Ram, Shyam or Ghanshyam. The 8Nm should be able to propel the Wego to respectable performance numbers as it weighs in at a light 105 kilos. The telescopic front forks suspending the 12 inch wheels promise a decent ride across the Indian moonscape. The rear suspension uses the industry standard, unitary spring loaded design. That said, the Wego does look solidly engineered just as most of TVS’s other products. And, does the Wego have enough ammo to topple the mighty Honda Activa? That, only time will tell. Meanwhile, the blokes at Vicky.in have already managed to take a spin on the TVS Wego. You might want to check that out as well.
Harley Davidson revs up it’s Indian initiative with Boot Camps
After a glittering launch at the Indian capital, New Delhi, a few months ago, Harley Davidson chose to take it easy on the marketing front. All that changed, when HD thrilled the Delhi motorists with a typical HD Boot Camp. After Delhi, it was Mumbai’s turn to experience the HD magic. Harley Davidson also plans to conduct such Boot Camps across major Indian cities. At the Boot Camp, motorcyclists were given a briefing about the different HD motorcycles. They were also allowed to sample the array of Harley Davidson Motorcycles through a pre-planned course. Also, they were taken through the rich Harley Davidson heritage with a video presentation. The good news is that Harley will start retail sales of it’s motorcycles in 2010. The bad news, however, is the fact that the cheapest Harley, the Sportster too will cost no less than INR 7,00,000. Also, HD put paid to the wild rumors stating that there is absolutely no current plans to produce/assemble any Harley Davidson motorcycles in India. You too can be a part of the next Boot Camp. Ride Safe.
BMW guns for the Passat-Accord-Superb
How many of you wanting to own a Beemer have been forced to look at cars like the Honda Accord, Volkswagen Passat or even the Skoda Superb for the lack of that extra bit of finance? BMW knows that this number is a huge one and hence it is upping the price war to cream it’s competition left, right and center. Picture this, your parking lot can pay host to your very own BMW 320d for 24 big ones, ex-showroom of course. With the dramatically slashed price, BMW is sure to send shivers to the spines of the Passat-Accord-Superb trio. The big three in the segment might drop prices in sheer panic.
Watch out for that as well. How did BMW manage to do this? The boffins at BMW omitted electric seats, the sunroof and the cup holders to end up with this killer pricing. And, by doing so in their entry level diesel, they have surely made a compelling case for themselves. Add to this the perennial Indian obsession with high end diesels. Killer combo, we say. Meanwhile, this could be a strategy to clear existing inventory before the 2010 model comes in. Whatever may the case, a BMW at 24 lakhs is a terrific bargain. If you have the money, go buy one. The sheer driving pleasure will more than compensate for the frills. Watch BMW 320ds fly out of showrooms.
Bajaj Pulsar 135 DTS-i, anyone?
The buzz is all around Indian motorcycle forums. After the Ninja 250, Bajaj Auto Limited has something cooking. A little birdie tells us that it is a new variant of the Bajaj Pulsar. Yawn! Not tired of milking the Pulsar series of performance motorcycles, Bajaj wants to go a step further and add yet another Pulsar, now, bang in the middle of the commuter segment. After phasing out the XCD125 and the Platina 125, the Discover 135 was the lone ranger in the segment. To spice things up, Bajaj now is planning to unleash a new Pulsar 135 which will share showroom space with the Discover 135.
While the Pulsar 150 DTS-i and the 180 DTS-i got facelifts earlier this year, the Pulsar 200 DTS-i was phased out. Even as enthusiasts miss the creamy smoothness of the P200, which was one of the most refined Pulsars around, Bajaj isn’t too inclined to restart the production of the Pulsar 200 DTS-i. Although a lot of people are predicting a resurgence of the Pulsar 200 DTS-i, we believe that it just doesn’t make sense with the Pulsar 220 DTS-i priced very close to erstwhile P200 territory.
So there, in all likelihood the new Pulsar is the 135cc variant. Meanwhile, Bajaj bumbled as usual by naming the source file p135_teaser.swf which further reaffirms that it is the 135cc Pulsar. A juicy fact is that it has 14bhp and feels more powerful than the existing P150. We aren’t too surprised as 14bhp with the Discover 135′s weight would make it quite a rorty package, relatively speaking of course. Watch this space for more buzz on the new Pulsar 135. Meanwhile, you could take a dekko at Bajaj’s new website for the P135.
Fiat Linea T-Jet: The sex on wheels just got sexier
The Fiat Linea has always looked a million dollars, but hard core petrol-heads always wanted that little extra poke beneath the bonnet. Fiat India is listening and is hence all set to launch the Fiat Linea T-Jet come the Auto Expo 2010. Now , what is the T-Jet all about? the T-Jet is an acronym for turbo petrol 1.4. Essentially speaking, the 1368cc FIRE engine has got the turbo treatment making the Linea a very different beast altogether. This makes the Linea the second petrol car in India after the Skoda Octavia Turbo RS, to feature a factory fitted turbo. Fiat Linea Ad Needless to say, the performance figures will be stonking. Nought to hundred comes up in 9.2 seconds and the Linea T-Jet will max out at almost 200Kph. Power goes up to 120PS@5000rpm while the torque is a tyre shredding 205NM@2500 RPM. Plenty of poke, that. I’m a little worried about the highish compression ratio of 9.8:1. If Fiat India does decide to detune the T-Jet for India fuels, we’ll be looking at around 110PS, which is still plenty though. All new Honda City eater? You bet! From an enthusiast’s perspective, the T-Jet could really change the affordable performance sedan culture in India as it will be priced at around 10 lakh Indian rupees. Start saving up, ladies and gentlemen. The sex on wheels just got sexier.
Expensive Beetle and economical Polo to make their grand entry
The love bug is finally touching down on Indian soil. Volkswagen Beetle will hit showrooms on December 4 and what comes attached with loads of “cho-chweet” looks is a high import duty. The import duty of over 100% pushes the adorable small car’s price tag to a not-so-adorable territory. Grabbing a copy of the Beetle in India will set you back by a massive Rs. 20 lakhs which crowns it with the title of the most expensive small car in India. The Beetle will be imported as CBUs (completely built units) and that’s the key reason for the premium pricing.
To make up to the VW loyalists who can’t get their hands on a VW small car, the company will also be launching one of its best sellers, the Polo. The Rs. 4.5 lakh car will be joining the line-up in January. The Polo will be the least priced car in the VW stable in India and will compete with the likes of Maruti Swift, Maruti Ritz, Hyundai i10 and Aveo U-VA.
2010 Honda CR-V SUV Launched In India
New Delhi, November 3, 2009: Honda Siel Cars India Ltd (HSCI), leading manufacturer of premium cars in India, today launched a new version of its popular sports utility vehicle – Honda CR-V. The new Honda CR-V offers its customers a distinctive combination of refined styling and high quality.
The new CR-V comes with a refreshed look, sporting a new two-step front grille, a re-sculpted hood & front bumper design and oval shape fog lamps redefining the individuality of the vehicle. The new rear bumper further accentuates the stability of the car. The new CR-V is 45 mm longer than its predecessor and measures 4575 mm in length while maintaining the same width, height, ground clearance and head clearance. A new 10-spoke alloy wheel design replaces the previous 7-spoke alloy wheel design. The new wheel design gives the car a more aggressive stance and enhances its sporty looks. Read more
