Indian Autos blog

But the real news is we’ll be there on ground zero to bring you some live action.

The Chevrolet Cruze, according to our sources, will come in two variants – manual and automatic – but only with the diesel engine, lifted from the Captiva.

I can say this out loud – We’ve covered the Chevrolet Cruze better than any other blog, newspaper or magazine out there. We’ve brought you international launch details, engine additions, exclusive spy shots and brochure scans.

Now, what better way can there be than topping it up with some exclusive, high quality shots and details from the launch floor?

Maruti Suzuki has launches a special edition Alto named ‘Xcite’ which is for the budget buyer looking for something unique (which was also the name given to a special edition 800 a while back)

The new Alto is certainly a winner if you count the differences it has to the regular version. So here goes -

Front power windows, manual central locking, body colored bumpers, internally adjustable ORVM, two tone interior color scheme, interior color coordinated seat fabric, rear demister, rear parcel tray, body side mouldings, fabric inserts on door panel, remote boot opener, half wheel covers (silver colored), body side graphics, new gear knob, grill with garnish (chrome plated), rear quarter trim, and a new decal.

The Alto Xcite comes at just 13,500 rupees above the regular car. Apart from the remote boot lid opener and beige dashboard, I guess the rest can always be picked up from an accessories shop. What I don’t know is if it would cost 13,500 rupees.

Update – I just discovered Maruti launched an Alto Xcite last year. Guess that one wasn’t as ‘exciting’ without the beige interiors.

Three action packed videos featuring the newly launched Land Rover Freelander2. The engine, safety and terrain response are showcased in a crystal clear manner.

click through for 2 other videos.

The underdog of its pack just got a little meaner. Will it be enough to overtake the others to become the king of its race?

The new Mercedes Benz E-Class has attracted constant attention from us since the pre-launch stages. We’re referring to the international launch that happened earlier in the year.

Briefing the media on Mercedes Benz’ health in India, Dr.Wilfried Albur Managing Director and CEO MBIL said his company would gain momentum with this new E-Class and recapture the lost ground from Audi and BMW. At present, MB holds 36% of this market’s share.

He added the C-Class and S-Class were numero uno in their respective segments and the facelifted models of those cars will be launched after their international debuts which will make it a ‘strong’ 2010.

On the sales slump of the M-Class, Dr.Albur said the he was seeing the global trend of customers moving from SUVs to smaller cars, which India is also a part of. Such an economic state had left the M-Class in this position, he said.

Debashis Mitra, Director Sales and Marketing told me the company deliberately chose to offer the top-end E350 Avantgarde model (46.98 lakh ex-showroom Delhi) with a 3.5-liter V6 engine as the debut car in the new E lineup. He said the others worked the other way around and with a smile he said “Our customers deserve the best.”

Mr.Mitra also said Mercedes Benz considered the possibility of the A-Class in India but their study showed no positive signs and the volumes won’t justify. He said the demand is not quite enough for both the A and B-Class to arrive in India yet.

When quizzed about the SLS AMG’s prospects here in India considering the rising level of demand, Dr Albur asked me when I would want to buy it.

He went on to say the SLS showed at Frankfurt represents what a modern Mercedes as a company is. He did not speculate on launch dates but did not rule out the possibility.

Mercedes Benz will launch diesels and cheaper variants with smaller engines shortly. The time frame was not divulged but our sources indicate the flow will begin in two month’s time.

click through to read the 18 page press release and view 144 exclusive images

We saw this one coming. Today, the press gathered in the country’s capital to witness a one of kind partnership between two very different auto companies.

It was to convey that GM India and REVA have joined hands to bring out electric vehicles.

The companies will also work with the government to setup the required infrastructure for these vehicles. GM’s platform’s will be handed to REVA who will fit it with their technology. The end product could also be shipped to European countries, which are better prepared to handle electric vehicles.

No word on the vehicles that will enjoy the result of the partnership. The earlier report stated it will be the Spark. We think the new Spark would also be a good idea.

Our sources add within twelve months from this notice, GM India will roll out its first EV.

Let us see.

click through to read the press release

unable to view the slideshow above? Visit the Ford Figo Image Gallery directly

On the Ford Figo -

It will be Ford’s game changer, the first car to put them in the heart of the Indian car buying market. It will also be a chance for Ford to offer a world class product at that price band.

On the name -

Figo in Italian means fun. I feel it comes from the famous “Go Fida” tagline given to the Fiesta.

On the price -

No one commented on the price. They said it would be priced competitively. After speaking to the other journalists at the event, I expect the entry level variant at around 3.50 lakh rupees.

On the variants -

They did not say a word. They blacked out the windows and windshields of the display vehicles and it was tough to get a good look at the interiors to know the equipment.

On the countries it will go to -

It will travel to a host of markets around the world. Although the top brass did not share information regarding this, I suspect Europe, Australia and Latin America are on the list.

On the engine options -

A 1.2-liter petrol and 1.5-liter diesel engines are expected. Nigel E Wark, Executive Director of Marketing, Sales and Service of Ford India said more engine options will be announced in the future.

On the future of this model -

This will be Ford’s Global B platform that will give rise to a series of vehicles. Nothing specific was discussed but common sense dictates there will be a sedan, MPV and commercial vehicles for local and international customers.

click through to read the press release

Apologies!

We’ve always brought you instant updates and information from launches happening in India. At least that’s been the case in the last few months here on Indian Autos Blog.

Today, all three of us – Shakti Budhiraja, Ritesh Madhok and I (Shrawan Raja) for a change attended together, not one, but two launches – namely the new E-Class and Ford Figo.

Believe it or not, this is the first time all three of us are meeting each other!

We got carried away and among the other reasons for not coming live was the non-availability of a proper internet connection when we most needed it.

We’re not giving excuses any more. I apologize if we have starved you (our readers) of constant updates from these two crucial launches.

Take this as a promise – We’re in full throttle mode from tomorrow morning. We’ll start with posting exclusive images of the Figo and the new E-Class. Then I’ll discuss what was spoken at both the launches by the respective company heads.

If you can’t view the slideshow above, visit the New Hero Honda Karizma ZMR Brochure directly