REVA NXR To Be Launched In First Quarter Of 2012

With crude oil prices globally on the rise making driving a petrol\diesel car more and more difficult, the world is increasingly turning its attention towards electric vehicle technology. In India, however, there aren’t many options in the battery powered car market. The only car we know which uses batteries to run on is the REVA. The Beat EV which was showcased recently is not going on sale because of lack of infrastructure in the country.

The REVAi runs on lead acid batteries and is very economical to run and maintain. A few months back we showed you the spy picture of the next gen REVA which is the REVA NXR. However, the Revai doesn’t look too good and has a limited range of about 80km. REVA NXR however, overcomes those flaws. The new car is totally revamped and introduced as a new model which has a seating capacity of four and the maximum distance covered in a charge goes double which is 160 kms. The most exciting part about the REVA NXR is the top speed which is 104 km\hr.

To sum it up the REVA NXR is indeed a perfect city package with new age styling, convenience and comfort. If priced at 3.5 to 4.5 lakhs this car will attract a lot of city crowd who intend to have a small car with a very low cost of running. REVA NXR can totally change the equation in the hatchback segment and will be seen at next year’s Auto Show at Delhi which is due January.

Tell us will you buy the REVA NXR over your normal petrol city hatch ?

Indica Facelift Spied Ahead Of Its Launch

We have got you the images of the refreshed new Indica Vista which is due launch 22^nd August. The new refreshed model flaunts a new front fascia which is directly taken from its elder sedan sibling Manza. There is a new redone bumper and new headlamps too. At the rear end, you will now spot a new tail lamp design, new tailgate and a black plate with Tata emblem over it.



Tata is also starting new variants (and a new nomeclature) as the one on the spy image has VX badge on the rear. There will also be a top model which will be the ZX which will sport steering mounted audio controls, power mirrors and a few more premium features. The insides are expected to be similar to the Manza. The engines under the hood are expected to remain the same for the petrol and diesel which is the 1.2 lit petrol producing 64bhp and the 90hp petrol which is a 1.4 lit. The diesel engine will be the trusted 1.3 lit producing 74bhp of power.



With Tata gearing up for the face lift Vista on one side, Tata is giving away discounts on all cars except the Safari, Ventura, Winger & Aria. These benefits are not only limited to individual buyers but also for corporate and Taxi customers. The discounts go up to 50,000 which are on the petrol versions of the Indica Vista. Check the image for more details on the discounts.

Etios Diesel Spied Expected Launch Festive Season

Toyota is banking on the success of its mid size entry level sedan – Etios. The long waits for the sedan has forced many buyers to switch to other cars. Many buyers also complained the lack of diesel engine for the Etios. Finally after all listening to the market demand, Toyota is developing a diesel version of the well appreciated car.

Toyota has actually started testing the diesel version of the Etios Liva. The car was spotted by an ACI reader. Looking at the image it is clear that Diesel Etios is slated for the festive season launch where the demand is high. Talking about what engine will the Etios use, it will be the same engine which does duty on the Corolla diesel but to keep the costs low this diesel Etios will be given a Fixed Geometry Turbo(FGT) rather than the expensive Variable Geometry Turbo(VGT) which the Corolla has. The absence of a VGT will translate in lesser power than the engine in Corolla. Well that sounds okay because an entry level sedan is also expected to give good mileage figures.

With its light weight and a diesel engine the Etios Diesel is expected to return amazing fuel efficiency and the performance will also be well rounded. Expect the prices to be a lakh more than the petrol version which is currently pegged at Rs. 6 – 8 lakhs. With the diesel Etios, Toyota seem to have another winner at hand. Looking at its portfolio apart from the Camry the company is doing real good business in India. Expect the Liva too to come in diesel sooner or later.

Will you be interested in the diesel Etios for a price of 6 – 8 lakh?

Toyota teases with another 2012 Camry image

After teasing us with two teaser images of the headlamps, and managing to let leak some clear pictures of the Hybrid Camry, Toyota have now released a third teaser images. This time Toyota have released the images of the tail lamps. The image which was released via Twitter reveals the sharp, boomerang shaped tail-lamp unit of the car.

The Camry is the top selling sedan in the USA, and with the new version of the car, Toyota plans to consolidate this position as well as give some spurt to its sales which have dwindled after the tsunami and earthquake in Japan.

While no official word is out yet, the 2012 Toyota Camry is expected to use a 2.5 liter petrol engine with power output in the region of 180bhp. Then there will be a more powerful 3.5-liter V6 with an output of about 270bhp. Both engines will come mated with 6 speed manual and auto transmissions. Yopu can click here and here to have a look at the earlier teaser pic and the totally undisguised spy pictures of the car

Toyota Launches ‘Crysta’ Innova Limited Edition

Toyota Innova is so well established in the market that there is no competitor who can stop its advances. Innova has consistently been performing amazingly in terms of sales figures for Toyota. Though Toyota will launch the facelifted Innova sometime soon, for now, the Japanese carmaker is offering the Innova in a limited edition avatar called ‘Crysta’.



The Innova Crysta is nothing too radical but the stock Innova introduced in a special white colour named as ‘Super White’ which is the major visual change you will spot. Also there are new graphics on the car, there are new smoked alloy wheels, a roof spoiler at the rear & muffler with chrome tip which comprises of external changes.



On the inside of the Innova Crysta gets dual tone leather seat covers, new panels on the dash board and new Toyota branded floor mats. Under the hood remains the same engine which is the 2.5lit diesel engine with intercooler producing 102bhp. Toyota is offering only 1000 such Innova Crysta’s and only till October.

Recently even the M&M Xylo came up with a limited edition. Maybe if Toyota could introduce some more relevant changes. The upcoming Maruti R III might be a right answer to the Innova’s monopoly in the market.

Government Not To Introduce Differential Diesel Pricing for Passenger Cars

In current times the ownership of diesel cars has grown by leaps and bounds which is justified as the petrol rates do not wish to see the south direction. Even car manufacturers are introducing diesel engines in cars as small as the Beat and the upcoming diesel Nano which means that now diesel is being used by the mass market and the share of consumption of diesel by car owners has considerably gone high.

Recently Pranab Mukherjee, the Union Finance Minister hinted at introducing a differential pricing for passenger cars and commercial vehicles for diesel. The rates for diesel would have gone up by 6 – 7 rupees if this came into force.

Today all these speculations have come to an end as the minister of state for petroleum & natural gas RPN Singh has told the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday that there was “no proposal under consideration before the government regarding dual pricing of diesel, at present”. If ever this dual pricing is introduced it will pave path for more corruption and black money which is one side, on the other side it will generate anger among diesel car owners as the Government is making it more and more difficult to drive a car.

VW Jetta Offering 75k Discount & VW UP! On Its Way

VW in India is doing well with its small car Polo and entry level sedan Vento. Recently the company announced the mother of all discounts on their most expensive offering the VW Phaeton. With the launch date of the new Jetta coming closer the company is now offering discounts to clear the stock of the current Jetta.

VW dealers are offering discounts of upto 75,000 ruppees and in some cases even suggesting potential buyers not to wait for the new Jetta. Looking at the competition the Jetta goes head to head with the Chevy Cruze, Skoda Laura and Toyota Corolla Altis. Among these cars the most out dated car on looks is the Jetta so even if the discount is of a healthy sum it does not sound as a great deal. Toyota Corolla Altis facelift which was introduced recently among the four is the most underpowered but is the most fuel efficient plus it carries the Toyota badge, and is thus doing reasonably well.

The new Jetta which is slated to be launched on 17th August is a much more promising car and can change the whole equation as it is a totally revamped product. The Jetta will be powered by a 2.0 liter TDI diesel with 140 hp, 30 more horses than the current diesel unit.

VW is also planning to unveil its highly anticipated small car ‘UP!’ in the next 11 days. The new VW car which will be the smallest model in company’s international lineup is expected to hit the Indian shores as well. The VW UP! will be positioned below the Polo and will be a smaller in size too. The VW UP! is expected to be launched in India in the price bracket of Rs. 3.5 – 4 lakhs and will be giving a tough time to the well established Wagon R, i 10 and Beat.

2012 Mercedes SLK-Class launch on 10th August

Mercedes-Benz India will be launching its new SLK-Class in India tomorrow. The 2012 version of the hardtop convertible will be powered by a 3.6-liter V6 with 306bhp at 6500 rpm and 370Nm of torque available between 3500 to 5250 rpm.



Internationally the car rides of 18 inch wheels with 224 section front tyres 245 rears. Apart from the engine, the style and the usual Mercedes- tech gadgetry, the highlight of the SLK internationally is its folding glass roof which is christened Vario-Roof in Merceds Benz lingo. Internationally, Mercedes-Benz is offering a choice of three variants of the lightweight-construction vario-roof for the new SLK

• The base version is a roof painted in the vehicle colour

• Alternatively there is the option of a panoramic vario-roof with dark-tinted windows

• The third variant is a world premiere – the panoramic vario-roof with MAGIC SKY CONTROL. This glass roof switches to light or dark as you wish at the press of a button. When light it is virtually transparent, offering an open-air experience even in cold weather. In its dark state the roof provides welcome shade and prevents the interior from heating up when the sun’s rays are very intense. In other words: a feel-good atmosphere at the touch of a button

Like all other M-B cars this one comes with its own wonders. Expected to be price upwards of Rs. 60 lakh, the new car is going to be launched tomorrow. We’ll bring you all the action from the launch, so stay tuned.

Hindustan Motors launches Veer pick-up

Remember the spy pictures of the Ambassador based pick-up truck we showed you a few months back? The pick-up with Ambassador’s face is now a reality. Hindustan Motors for some reason have used the Ambassador’s classical front end as the face of their new pick-up Veer. While the company had a similar product long back, in today’s times, the classic fascia for a commercial product just doesn’t look right.

Talking of the technical aspects, Veer is a 0.8-tonne (800 kg) small commercial vehicle (SCV). The VEER is built on the Ambassador platform, incorporating changes in transmission and suspension systems required for a sturdy load carrier. The vehicle is available in both diesel (BS III) and CNG (BS IV) versions and in two models – VEER and VEER LX. While VEER has a separate load tray, VEER LX’s load tray is seamlessly integrated with the front cabin. The Veer is powered by a 1.5 liter 35 bhp diesel engine and a 1.8-liter CNG engine with 55bhp.

With space for three in the front cabin, the Veer claims to be more comfortable than other such products in the segment. The vehicle is also available as a drive-away chassis (DAC) with front cabin. Hindustan Motors is launching VEER initially in East India with plans to go pan-India over the current financial year.

Initially available in marshall cream and stack brown colours, Veer diesel’s inaugural price for the month of August 2011 is pegged at Rs. 3.30 lakh ex-showroom Kolkata.

Apart from launching the Veer, HM also announced that more products will follow the Veer. We expect a refurbished Ambassador, as well a short boot version of the sedan to make their debut in the coming months. HM Chairman CK Birlo announced the imminent launch of a slew of new vehicles at HM’s annual general meeting on August 4.

“We have honoured our commitment by launching VEER. More new vehicles will follow suit. These will come both from our Uttarpara plant in West Bengal, where we manufacture the iconic Ambassador and other vehicles, and our Chennai facility where we build the Mitsubishi range of vehicles. Our bouquet of offerings is set to expand at a fast pace due to our reinforced emphasis on new product development,” stated Mr. Manoj Jha, HM’s Managing Director, after unveiling the new vehicle.

So what you think guys? Would Veer be able to pull HM out of troubled waters? Or would the outcome be similar to that of a Salman Khan starrer bearing the same name.

New Fiesta launched at Rs. 8.23 (petrol) and Rs. 9.27 lakh (diesel), all the details!

Ford India today officially launched their Fiesta Ti-VCT and TDCi sedans in India. The company has priced the car at Rs.8.23 lakh for the base petrol variant and Rs. 9.27 lakh for the base diesel variant

The car is available in four variants for both fuel types: Style, Trend, Titanium and Titanium Plus

The prices for the diesel variants ex-Delhi are as follows

Style 9.27 lakh

Trend 9.77 lakh

Titanium 10.17 lakh

Titanium Plus 10.42lakh

The prices for the petrol variants ex-Delhi are as follows

Style 8.23 lakh

Trend 8.77 lakh

Titanium 9.17 lakh

Titanium Plus 9.42lakh

*All prices are ex-showroom Delhi

Here is the detailed press release with all the information you need about the new Fiesta

Ford Launches All-New Global Fiesta in India

· Ford’s global All-New Fiesta premium sedan arrives here as first of the eight new global vehicles slated for launch in India by mid-decade

· The All-New Ford Fiesta is all set to engage and elevate customers with its eye-catching kinetic design, first-in-segment features and intuitive in-cabin technology for communication on the move

· Available in Style, Trend, Titanium and Titanium Plus trims with all new 1.5 L Ti-VCT (petrol) and 1.5 L Duratorq TDCi (diesel) engine options, with a choice of seven trendy colours

· All-New Fiesta premium trims start with the 1.5 L Ti-VCT Style at Rs. 823,500 (ex-showroom, Delhi) going up to the top-of-the-line 1.5 L TDCi ‘Titanium Plus’ at Rs. 10,42,200 (ex-showroom, Delhi)

· Ford India’s world class manufacturing facility near Chennai is the sixth plant to build the award-winning All-New Fiesta which has sold over a million units across five continents worldwide

DELHI, India, 14 July, 2011 – Ford India launched its global sedan, the All-New Fiesta, in the city today. The premium sedan, since its reveal earlier this year, has grabbed the attention of car buyers in India with its engaging and intuitive passenger communication technology. The globally evolved product brings to its segment a new meaning to passenger safety, delivers class-leading fuel efficiency and comes with first-in-segment smart features such as cruise control, electric power assisted steering (EPAS) and Advanced Bluetooth Voice Control.

Ford India today also introduced its first-ever 1.5-litre powertrains – 1.5 L Ti-VCT and 1.5 L Duratorq TDCi engines that will drive the premium sedan. The engines are designed and tuned to deliver an uncompromising razor-sharp performance, addictive drivability and best-in-class fuel efficiency. Both powertrains will be manufactured in Ford India’s state-of-the-art engine plant at Maraimalai Nagar.

The All-New Fiesta is available in four premium trims, across eight variants – Style, Trend, Titanium and Titanium Plus, with both petrol and diesel powertrain options in manual transmission. The 1.5 L Ti-VCT Style is priced at Rs. 823,500 (ex-showroom, Delhi) and the 1.5 L Duratorq TDCi Titanium Plus at Rs. 10,42,200 (ex-showroom, Delhi). Ford India is offering Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), airbags and steering wheel audio controls as standard features among others, across all eight variants in both petrol and diesel options.

“We are excited to launch the All-New Fiesta to India and reiterate our One Ford vision by bringing you the first of the eight new global vehicles to be launched here by 2015. This premium sedan, with its many first-in-segment and innovative features, brings to its segment class-leading passenger safety, precision engineering and in-cabin technology and elevates the customer experience to a new level of engagement and connectivity while on the move,” said Michael Boneham, president and managing director of Ford India.

“Ford India is proud to be the sixth manufacturing location in the world to produce the All-New Fiesta,” he added.

Bold new exterior and interiors

At first sight, the kinetic design and bold and sexy exteriors of Fiesta appear international and flamboyant, aerodynamic and sporty – and make a style statement.

The All-New Fiesta’s seductive and aesthetic interiors reveal an advanced technological cockpit which is intuitive and impressively modern. The car comes equipped with exciting new features like an intuitive human-machine interface, first-in-segment Advanced Bluetooth Voice Control that allow for hands-free control over six functions such as phone, radio, CD, USB, iPod and electronic climate control.

The first-in-segment EPAS with Pull Drift Compensation technology adapts to changing road conditions leading to increased safety and control. Dual front air bags with ABS and EBD (standard across all variants) as well as an ultra-high strength body reinforced with aluminized boron steel in the All-New Fiesta make for an engaging and safe drive.

The All-New Fiesta is being launched in seven exciting colours – Diamond White, Moondust Silver, Sea Grey, Chill, Panther Black, Squeeze and Kinetic Blue.

An engaging drive, unmatched safety

Powered by all-new fuel-efficient 1.5 L Ti-VCT and 1.5 L Duratorq TDCi powertrains developed for India and built in Chennai, the new sedan delivers excellent handling in city as well as highway conditions, without sacrificing its essentially sporty character.

Both engines offer best-in-class fuel economy: 1.5 L Ti-VCT delivers 17 km/L and the 1.5 L Duratorq TDCi, 23.5 km/L1.

“Our extensive research revealed customers’ inclination and aspiration towards technology and we have the right product in the All-New Fiesta which addresses that requirement giving serious consideration to safety on the move. While adding dynamism and diversity to our showrooms across the country, this premium and engaging sedan brings in Ford’s global essence to the Indian market,” said Nigel Wark, executive director of Marketing, Sales and Service at Ford India.

Specially tuned front struts, bushings, damper stabiliser bars and a rear twist-beam axle provide sure-footed performance and comfort. The reinforced construction provides the necessary safety on the roads.

Fiesta’s ability to hug the road and cruise quietly is made possible by its rigid body structure, which Ford engineers have strengthened in many critical areas. More than 55 percent of the structure uses high-strength steel with ultra-strong boron steel reinforcing several key points.

The result is best-in-class occupant safety: passengers are better protected in the event of a side impact. Safety is also enhanced by standard front driver and passenger airbags on all models.

Lower cost of ownership and reliability

Ford India is offering a 2-year warranty/ 100,000 km to ensure the peace of mind that comes with owning the latest Ford. The years of research, superior materials and the best of engineering also bring to the customer a lower cost of ownership.

“With a comprehensive mix of technology, safety and comfort features, the dynamic new Fiesta packs in a peaceful and enduring ownership experience,” Wark added.

Ford India offers a hassle-free service and ownership experience with the All-New Fiesta through its 189 3S grade sales and service outlets in 107 Indian cities.

The all-new Fiesta at a glance

• Best-in-class fuel efficiency and low-emissions: 17 km/L (petrol) and 23.5 km/L (diesel) as per ARAI; BS-IV compliant engines1
• First-in-segment Advanced Bluetooth Voice Control: Hands-free control over mobile phone, radio, CD, USB, iPod and electronic climate control
• First-in-segment electronic power assisted steering (EPAS) with Pull Drift Compensation technology adapts to changing road conditions
• First-in-segment cruise control: Fiesta’s cruise control allows the driver to set and maintain speeds while driving on highways
• Best-in-class Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH): A super quiet cabin and rattle-free ride
• Class-leading climate control: Superior air-conditioning with faster cooling and electronic climate control
• Class-leading safety: Front dual airbags, construction with high strength and boron steel provide better protection, Anti-Lock Brake system (ABS) and electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD)
• Rear Parking Sensors: Better control while reversing
• Eye-catching Kinetic Design: Sweeping bold lines, sculpted, clamshell bonnet and prominent wheel arches drive its attractiveness

Mahindra launches Genio DC, a double cabin version of its pick-up

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd have launched the Genio DC, a double cabin version of the Genio pick up. The Genio DC is targeted at those who require a vehicle which could deliver both cargo movement and luxurious cabin comforts for self travel. The company has priced the new vehicle at Rs. 5.46 lakh (ex-showroom Karnataka, BS3) for the base version and Rs.5.95 lakh for the high end version

Genio DC is the fourth product to roll out of Mahindra’s Chakan plant. The Genio DC powered by an mDI CRDe 4 Cylinder engine with 75 HP power and 220 Nm torque. Features include adjustable power steering, 2 din Music System and Power Windows. The vehicle comes with ELR seat belts for the safety of driver & passengers. There is also a vehicle immobiliser which ensures that the car cannot be started without the original key. In addition, the Genio DC has a door open warning lamp, child lock and high mounting stop lamp. The vehicle also features radial tubeless tyres.

The Genio / DC duo looks quite nice for a commercial vehicle, and stands apart from the Spartan and bare basic pick-ups in the segment. The interiors of the dual cabin pick up can accommodate five, albeit with slightly cramped leg space for the back benchers. The front end features bucket seats with head rests.

Genio DC VX offers several utility features enabling people to work on their business needs on the move. It comes with an integrated floor console which has a mobile changing point, bottle holder, cup holder and a coin holder among other features. The stylish door trim gives a feeling of a high end MPV or SUV with a designated place for magazines and a cold drink. There are scuff plates provided at the floor edge to give a neat look to the vehicle. Power windows, central locking, key less entry, ‘follow me home light’ instrument cluster with RPM meter are some of the other features. The Genio DC also has the shortest turning radius among pickups of 6.15 meters.

Speaking at the launch, Mr. Vivek Nayer, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., said, “Packed with several utility, technology and comfort features, the Genio DC creates a new benchmark. Going forward we shall continue to raise the bar in the industry with our superior product offerings.”

UPDATE: Shock! Honda cuts Jazz prices by more than Rs. 1.7 lakh: Facelift expected?

UPDATE:

Got the following comment. We don’t whether this is some one from Honda, but this is what it says:

Honda Car India
There is no change in the ex-show-showroom prices of Honda Jazz. The offers available in the market are part of sales promotion on some limited variants in limited volumes available with some dealers for limited time.

——

After the City, it’s the turn of the Jazz. The effect of the City price cut was evident on the sales of the sedan last month, where it managed to overtake the Vento once again after having been toppled over by its German rival in the previous two months. The new Hyundai Verna beat both the models to sit pretty as the leader of the pack in its very debut month.

But regaining some sales volumes back with a Rs. 60,000 price cut seems to have put some sense into the think tank at Honda. The company has now reduced the price of its Jazz hatchback by upto a whopping Rs. 1.75 lakh rupees. Now that price cut may come across as a game change of sorts for the big and pricey hatchbacks such as the VW Polo, Fiat Punto and Hyundai i20. The new pricing may bring the Jazz back into the game as no one ever doubted the credentials of this car. It was just that it was way too expensive for its shape in the Indian market. These discounts may just be offered as a facelifted version of the hatch is slated to be launched very soon. We showed you the spy pictures of the facelifted version a few weeks back, Click Here to read the story about the Jazz face lift.

Honda dealers have unofficially been giving discounts to the tune of upto Rs. 50,000. In addition to the discounts they have also been throwing in freebies to lure customers, and failing at that, as even after those discounts the price of the hatchback is quite high when compared with its rivals. But with the corrected prices, the Honda showrooms should see a lot of customers stepping into their showrooms, as the Jazz is clearly the best hatchback in its segment if we don’t talk price. Its got the most amount of space, it’s got the class leading petrol engine, its got a fabulous interior quality and flexibility and most of all, it’s got the much desired Honda badge on its grille.

While we are yet to get an official notification from Honda about the development, a rough estimate suggests that with the new prices in place, the Jazz could sell at a price as low as Rs. 5.5 lakh ex-Delhi. Now, who in his sane mind with a budget of Rs. 6 lakh for a petrol hatch would look at anything else?

ICB is reporting the revised prices of Jazz in Pune at Rs. 5.8 lakh for the old version that cost Rs. 7.37 lakh earlier. Similarly corresponding new prices for variants earlier costing Rs. 7.8 lakh and Rs. 7.48 lakh are Rs. 5.91lakh and Rs. 6.25 lakh.

Now, there are three things that we want to say after having a look at those figures:
a. To those who want to buy a hatch: Rush to the nearest Honda dealership now!
b. To those who have already bought a Jazz: Our condolences

Mercedes teases the 2012 B-class, releases details

The upcoming Mercedes B-class along with the A-class and the BMW 1-series is one of the most in-your-face exponents of premium carmakers going Size Zero to push sales volumes. We have been updating you regularly about the development buzz surrounding the upcoming Mercedes 2012 B-Class, which is slated for an Indian debut sometime late 2012 or early 2013, and give prospective customers an option against the smaller 1 series, which would be launched much earlier in India.

Mercedes-Benz have now released the first teaser image and some other details about the new car, which will make its show debut at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show. The new B-class will be powered by a variety of engines. There will be a 1.6-liter turbo petrol with 122 PS / 200 Nm and 156 PS / 250 Nm in two different states of tune. Then there will be a 1.8-liter diesel engine with 109 PS / 250 Nm and 136 PS / 300 Nm, again in two different states of tune. Then there will be a top of the line 2.0-liter turbo petrol, but the power and torque figures have not been released yet.

The company will also introduce to the world, its shining new 7G-DCT dual clutch transmission in the B-Class. This transmission is extremely compact, extremely variable with regard to adaptation of the engine speed thanks to seven gears, incorporates an electric oil pump for start/stop capability, shifts gear without any interruptions in tractive power and combines the comfort of an automatic with the efficiency of a manual transmission. There would also be a 6-speed manual tranny to go with the dual-clutch Auto.

We are excited about the B-class, as according to the official company statement ‘No model change in the history of Mercedes-Benz has ever seen so many new developments introduced in one fell swoop’. The company is claiming that the 2012 B-class is a ‘quantum leap’ over the previous model. That’s quite a statement for a car from a company like Mercedes-Benz which is known for its innovation and the firsts that it has given to the world through its cars.

As a world first in the compact segment, the B-Class features a radar-based collision warning system with adaptive Brake Assist as standard, which lowers the risk of rear-end collisions. Safety measures, both active and passive included in the B-Class include:

• Adaptive Headlamp Assist
• Blind Spot Assist and Lane Keeping Assist
• ATTENTION ASSIST (standard)
• Speed Limit Assist (speed limit sign recognition)
• Active Parking Assist
• Brake HOLD function (standard with 7G-DCT)
• Hill Hold function
• Linguatronic
• Reversing camera
• DISTRONIC PLUS with BAS
• PRE-SAFE® (featuring for the first time in this class of vehicle).

The B-Class is optionally available with the so-called EASY-VARIO-PLUS system. This enables simple reorganisation of the interior so as to enable the transportation of bulky items. Features of the EASY-VARIO-PLUS system include fore/aft adjustment of the rear seats by up to 140 millimetres and a front passenger seat whose backrest can be folded forward onto the seat cushion.

Skoda Laura facelift around the corner, may get the R S badge

The Skoda Laura is clearly the king of its segment when it comes to power, looks, engine options, handling and of course the option of an Auto transmission in the form of DSG. While the petrol 1.8 TSI variant is available at a good price, the golden liquid isn’t very affordable even for the well heeled, especially on such bigger cars. The 2.0TDI variant is a phenomenal car for cross country touring, and it’s an absolute breeze to drive through the city traffic with the DSG variant. We recently took the diesel variant out for an 800km long drive and man, did the car impress us with its engine, poise and quick shifts! But more on that later.

The latest buzz surrounding the Laura is that the sub D segment car is about to get a facelift. The changes are expected to be purely cosmetic. Skoda Auto India is expected to embellish the Laura with visual changes at the front and the rear. The car will, if some reports are to be believed, get a generous dash of aggressive-looking cosmetic bits such as side skirts, rear spoiler and sharper styling. The engines will remain the same but a go-faster look will help the Laura justify an R S badge on its bonnet.Changes may be made to the interiors of the car as well, to make them look and feel more up to date. Not that the Laura looks under-equipped, but a few changes here and there would increase the desirability quotient.

Stay tuned for more updates on the subject.

Tata Aria 4×2 Pleasure variant spied

Only a few days back, we told you that Tata Motors are planning to introduce a 4×2 version of the Aria pretty soon. Now the spy pictures of the new 4×2 version in ‘Pleasure’ variant are doing the rounds on the internet.

The new 4×2 version of the car is expected to hit the streets very soon. Although many are expecting Tata Motors to strip the Aria of its generous list of safety and comfort equipment for the 4×2 variant, the news is that the company doesn’t have any plans to degrade the Aria into a bare basic MUV. Even in the 4×2 guise, the entry-level Pleasure variant will not be robbed of features such as air bags and ABS. The car sports 16 inch steel wheels without the AWD badge at the rear.

The price difference between the 4×2 and the 4×4 variants may be upto Rs. 1 lakh. Would you buy the Aria 4×2 at Rs. 1 lakh less than the 4×4 variant?

2012 Audi A4 Facelift Spied

Well Audi has really had an amazing year ahead of its competition when it comes to launching new cars and offering better options to the buyer. It started with the Audi introducing the flagship Audi A8 L which is considered as the epitome of luxury in the rear seat. Then Audi introduced the A7 Sportback along with the power monger RS5. The A6 is on its way and very soon will ply on Indian roads.

Other plans that Audi has for India are introducing the A1 hatchback, Q3 mini SUV and we exclusively spied the Audi A5 which was doing test rounds in and around Mumbai. The latest scoop says that Audi will give a facelift to the Audi A4. The A4 is one model which is not particularly doing well in India compared to the BMW 3 series and the Mercedes C Class. The 3 series facelift has already been spied, and the new C Class is already on its way to India, Audi will not rest on its laurels and will launch a facelifted A4 soon.

Even though the spy shots are of the A4 Wagon, the sedan will be no different except for the boot. The new model will take cues from the elder siblings A6 and A8 also it will be updated on the gadgetry department. The design will be more sharp with perfectly arched grille and wrap around tail lights.

We can expect this one to debut in the Auto Expo 2012 along with its rival 2012 Bmw 3 series.

New Swift (K12) to boast 90 bhp power, better fuel efficiency

The ARAI rated fuel efficiency figures for the new Maruti Suzuki Swift are out. While we initially thought that the engines for the new car will remain entirely unaltered, such is not the case. Maruti Suzuki have worked quite a bit on the 1.2-liter K seriespetrol engine to boost both fuel efficiency and power. In its newest iteration, the engine will deliver 90PS of peak power. The figure will take it in the same league as the Honda Jazz’s i-VTEC which is currently the segment leader in specific output. The feat is attained by introducing the dual VTT tech to the K12 engine.

Not just has the power output increased, there is a substantial spike in the fuel efficiency as well. From an earlier ARAI certified figure of 17.9 kmpl, the fuel efficiency for the petrol Swift has jumped up to 20kmpl. Thanks to the new weight reduction techniques adopted by Maruti Suzuki, which also includes incorporation of advanced plastic fuel tanks, the fuel efficiency of the diesel engine too has gone up. The ARAI figures for Swift 1.3 DDiS diesel is 23.8kmpl, and increment of 2.8kmpl over the efficiency of the earlier version.

The engines for the new Swift will come mated with a five speed manual transmission. A much needed 4 speed auto variant will also be introduced a year down the line.

Beat Diesel expected launch on 15th July: All the details

We were the first to bring out the official specifications of the Chevrolet Beat diesel to you. Now there is some more unofficial info that we are taking credit to be the first to bring to you. After having a chat with people closely associated with Chevrolet, we have come to know that the fuel efficiency of the car may actually surpass the ARAI figure of 24kmpl.

Sources close to Chevrolet tell us that the test drivers who drove the cars for thousands of kilometers managed fuel efficiency figure of 30kmpl + on certain stretches on the highways. According to them the car’s engine is capable of consistently delivering 20+ kmpl in the city if driven sensibly. Now that’s some claim, as if those figure turn out to be true in the real world, the Beat Diesel may become a rage overnight. Especially so because Chevrolet is planning to price the car very aggressively, making it the cheapest, and the most fuel efficient diesel hatch among its contemporaries.

Unlike most other diesel-petrol duos, where the price difference between the two versions is about a lakh of rupees, the diesel variant of the Beat will sell only for about Rs. 60,000 more over the respective petrol variant. Going by this logic the Beat LS petrol variant which retails for around 3.85 lakh ex showroom, should have its diesel counterpart priced at Rs. 4.45 lakh, making the Beat diesel LS variant a sub-5 lakh car OTR. The top end variant with ABS, twin airbags, climate control, and an interior to die for (yes, the Beat has the best interiors in its class) for less than Rs. 6 lakh rupees. Now that’s one heck of a deal for a modern car, with frugal diesel engine.

Here is a list of a few other things about the Beat diesel if you are looking to buy a car in that segment:

• Powered by a 936 cc, three cylinder turbocharged Smartech SDE diesel engine
• Peak power 57.3PS @ 4000 rom
• Peak torque 150Nm @ 1750 rpm
• New Electric Power Steering replaces the hydraulic unit, to be introduced on petrol Beat later
• ARAI certified fuel efficiency of 24 kmpl
• Excellent NVH deadening, silent operation
• Very less turbo lag, linear acceleration
• Zippy engine, doesn’t feel lethargic
• New 5 speed manual gearbox
• No changes made to the interior
• Prices not announced, but expect Rs. 50-60K premium over every petrol variant
• India first market in the world where a diesel variant of the Beat is being launched
• Car to be officially launched in the first week of July

Expect us to bring you a detailed road test review very soon. In the meantime, do let us know if you would seriously consider this car as your first car? What according to you are the negatives of this car?

Maruti discontinues current Swift, new one to arrive in August

This time there seems to be some certainty about it! The launch time for the replacement of India’s most loved big hatch has almost been decided. Although the buzz about the launch of the new 2011 version of the Swift hatch in India has been on for months together now, with speculations suggesting launch dates from as early as March. This time, however, there is some substance to the buzz, as there has been an official activity. Maruti Suzuki seems to have decided to draw curtains on the current version of the Swift. The dealers are not taking the bookings anymore, which means that the new version is waiting somewhere around the corner to be introduced.

When asked, one of our friends who owns a huge Maruti Suzuki dealership in Pune confirmed that the company has, indeed, decided to discontinue the current model. The news would come as a dampener for those who have got the delivery of their Swift recently, but should sound like music for those who have been waiting for the new version.

The ne Swift is expected to hit the roads sometime in August. Sources indicate that the car was slated for a launch slightly earlier than that, but the recent strike at Maruti’s plant in Gurgaon derailed production, and thus the launch schedule.

The new Swift is a substantial improvement over the current version. It’s bigger, better engineered, and is said to handle better. The engines, however, remain the same, with the 1.2 K series engine reported to have been tweaked a little for better efficiency.

We are expecting a slight increase in price for the new Swift, amounting to upto 5 %, though nothing official has come out in this regard.

New Ford Fiesta launch on 14th July: Read our road test

Ford has been playing hide and seek with the journos about the launch dates of the new Ford Fiesta. The company gave us a preview of the car months ago, via the Fiesta cafe, but didn’t breathe a word about the launch dates. Then Ford India called us to Bangalore for a day long drive to Mysore and back, no word on the launch yet! Finally, after having seen and studied the response to the new Fluidic Verna to form a proper marketing strategy, the company seems to have decided to reveal the launch dates. The Fiesta is hitting the streets on the 14th of July.

Since the car has not been launched, Ford India have not revealed the price. The Fiesta has some good features which no other cars in its segment have, such as Cruise Control. The voice activated controls too are a rare feature, with the Linea being the only other car in the segment to have a similar system. Our logic says that Ford India will launch the car at a price which is slightly lower than the Verna and the Vento. Nothing official, but that’s what we think, as Ford, with the Figo’s success now know how a right price tag can do wonders to the sales of a good product.

As stated earlier, we have driven the car, and put up a very detailed road test review of the website as well. You can follow this link to read the road test review of both 1.5 TiVCT and TDCi engines.

As always, bank on us to bring you a live launch coverage of the car.

What should be the correct pricing for the top end diesel variant of the car? Do let us know your views.

Fiat confirms a new small car and CBU for India

An Artist’s impression of the new Palio (copyrights reserved by designer)

We have been telling you about the ‘new small car’ Fiat have been developing since quite some time now. The new car will be positioned below the Punto and will sell at a price which could make look competitive with the i10s and the Swifts of the world. The Punto, even after being a terrific product, retails for a premium over the regulation hatchbacks reducing its appeal significantly.

To overcome the problem, Fiat is developing a band new small car, tailor made for India. Some Italian designers and engineers are burning the midnight oil designing and developing the new car for India, based on the inputs from the company’s operations here in India. The new car is expected to be highly localized (upto 85%) and will be produced at the company’s Ranjangaon plant near Pune. The new car may just be the new Palio, which we have been following up for months together now.

“The small car is under development. We had announced earlier that our intention is to launch it in 2012. The exact timing and details will be shared when we will be ready with the product,” Rajeev Kapoor, Fiat India’s president said. He didn’t divulge any further details on the car though.

The Fiat Sedici Crossover

Apart from the small car, the company has also hinted at bringing a new CBU unit to India. “There are different routes and opportunity to launch a model in India and the completely built unit route is one of them. Every route is open to us and we are still evaluating” said Mr. Kapoor.

While we cannot be sure about this new CBU import, the Sedici crossover, which shares its platform with the SX4 may be one of the options. Do let us know if you have any clue about which CBU import Mr Kapoor is talking about