A few moments back, Maruti Suzuki had sent in this press release to us. Image Added.
New Delhi, October 26, 2009: Maruti Suzuki, the largest car manufacturer in the country, today launched the new SX4 sedan with an engine powered by advanced VVT technology. The company has also introduced a 4-speed automatic transmission variant of the new SX4.
The environment friendly new SX4 is amongst the first A-3 segment sedans to be BSIV compliant in the country. BSIV regulations are scheduled to be introduced in the country in April 2010. The new SX4 comes with a brand-new sporty honeycomb grille and 10-spoke 16 inch alloy wheels and dual tones interiors and plush upholstery.
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The 500C is punctuated with EFI and its vintage styling will floor all Bullet buffs
There has been a lot of activity in the biking world in India this year, big launches like Hero Honda Karizma ZMR and Bajaj-Kawasaki Ninja 250R to name a few. Its almost two months left for this calendar year to end but the good things are still coming. The next in pipe is the most powerful and largest displacement bike produced locally hitting the Indian markets – The Royal Enfield Classic 500.
The 500C debuted at the Cologne International bike show earlier. It is already made available to several overseas markets. Its 500cc engine punctuated with fuel injection, will take the title as the most powerful Royal Enfield and locally-manufactured motorcycle.
Pricing is expected to be around 1.3-1.5 lakh rupees. This motorcycle is surely for the people who are madly in love with Bullets and need some of that vintage styling to go along with latest technology.
The bike will be launched on the 4th of November. We’ll keep you posted on the progress and more info coming up in the next few days.
click through for Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Classic Image Slideshow
The tiny Reva is attempting to make a big impact with its eco-friendly nature
Our good friend Reva has been shipped to Dubai to take part in the ‘Green Car Programme’. The car has been gifted to the Dubai Municipality for three days by SS Lootah Company, which is associated to Reva. The idea is to give the municipality officials a peek into electric vehicles which don’t affect the environment as much as conventional fuel vehicles.
The car, parked at the entrance of the main building of the Municipality, is pitching to the officials. It is trying to make a case for itself and help the body spread the message of eco friendly automobiles.
‘The Green Car Programme’ initiative was taken to achieve a Dubai with a much cleaner environment. An EV can be used by any strata of the Dubai population, and that’s the message the Reva is out to convey.
A refurbished Avanza suiting Indian conditions could be a likely option
Talking to reporters at the Tokyo Motor Show, the company’s higher officials said TKM (Toyota Kirloskar Motors) is working on a smaller MPV that will fit under the Innova. This vehicle will cost 6-8 lakh rupees.
Toyota is looking at introducing a five- or six-seater with a sub 2.0-litre diesel engine. This product will be marketed as a people mover. It is not known if Toyota would use an existing car, such as the low cost Avanza MPV, which it sells in other parts of Asia, as the backbone of this new project.
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Chetan Maini with REVA NXR at Frankfurt 2009; the NXR will soon be sold in US
Bangalore-based Reva Electric Car Company could follow the footsteps of Mahindra and become the next Indian company to assemble cars in the US. Reva has been charting out plans to assemble the next generation NXR in New York by next year.
Reva is planing to assemble its plug-in 3-door hatchback through a joint venture with New York-based electric car maker Bannon Automotive.
This project is expected to be built on an investment of over $38 million with $11.6 million funding arriving from the local New York State as incentives for the eco-friendly projects. If this project comes through, it will be the first dedicated production line in America for electric vehicles.
Senior Reva executive -
We are exploring all options and would be working in many international markets to export and manufacture our cars. Talks are on to license the technology that can open new revenue stream for the company
The Reva NXR will be powered by Lithium-Ion batteries that will enable it to reach a top speed of 104kmph. It will be able to cover 160kms in a single charge. Reva will ship CKDs to New York where it will be assembled and distributed.
Reva is increasing its annual production capacity to 30,000 units at its Bangalore plant. It plans to export CKDs to Europe and other nations in South East Asia.
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At the moment, we only know the Polo sedan will feature a longer wheelbase along with petrol and diesel variants. There’s a high probability it will be displayed at the Auto Expo 2010 and will use a wind’s name (typhoon, hurricane etc).
Spyshots.nl claims the Polo sedan will be available in both 3 and 5-door forms. We have just reported that the car will be introduced in India in the second half of 2010.
We’ll follow this car closely and bring you more details as and when we learn them.
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The VW Polo sedan will follow the hatchback in India next year
VW is gearing up to launch some exciting cars in India. On the sidelines of a new dealership inauguration in Mumbai, Volkswagen India has confirmed the introduction of the Polo hatchback in the first half of 2010, followed by the sedan version in the second half. The German car company has already started trial runs at its production plant in Pune, and many Polo test mules have been spotted testing in India.
The Polo hatchback will be available in both petrol and diesel models. It could be priced around 4.25 lakh rupees which could be brought down if the starting point localization of fifty percent is bumped up.
Member of the board and director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Neeraj Garg -
The Volkswagen Polo will be rolled-out early next year. The hatchback version of Polo will be launched in H1 2010 while the sedan version will be introduced in the second- half. The Volkswagen Polo, which is undergoing testing at the moment, would have both petrol and diesel versions.
Side by side, VW is also expanding its dealer base. Listen to what the company had to say about that.
Gearing up to the launch of our high volume model Polo, we are expanding our distribution network. By the end of this year the company will have 40 dealers, which will include cities like Nagpur, Nashik and Vijayawada.
Has the Tata Nano started showing signs of its dark side this early?
I’m having second thoughts on writing this article.. This isn’t the first time Tata’s initial batch of cars have shown signs of trouble.
I have witnessed a brand new Indigo XL, from the first batch of cars, arriving from production line, making a noise that scared the day lights out of me. The timing belt had cut itself loose. The same was the case with the DICOR versions of the Indica when launched, which too had its share of engine faults. Everyone knows the story of burned clutches on the Safari Dicor 3.0s. The initial lot back in 2005 had so many premature clutch failures, which, I’m told, forced Tata to order a retro-fitment.
The list isn’t ending there, as the Tata Nano has also joined the much-talked about roster. Why are there so many issues in the initial batch of Tata cars? Don’t they test vehicles properly before sanctioning them to the production line? There’s no point in making different kinds of vehicles from the production lines governed by shortfalls and failed procedures. Tata, I guess, isn’t willing to change this aspect in its cars.
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