Archive for December, 2009

Rumormill – All-new Suzuki Jimny concept heading to the Auto Expo?

Jimny_concept

A 2-door Suzuki concept car shown earlier this decade

We hope this really happens

Back in 2005, a representative from Suzuki speaking to media in UK revealed the all-new Jimny would be brought out in 2009. Suzuki, tight lipped about the Jimny, lead many to believe there were no future plans for the vehicle.

Suzuki might plan to make Indian as an export base for the Jimny. The Jimny SJ series sold in India as the Gypsy. Despite its uniqueness, it was packed up a few years ago. With a 1.3-liter petrol engine, the Gypsy was India’s first mini SUV in every sense of the word.

Autoten reports the concept version of the Jimny could make an appearance at the Auto Expo or the Geneva Motor Show in March 2010. The vehicle could move into production sometime in 2012.

While we can’t vouch for claims from autoten, what this report does is reminds us of the forgotten Gypsy which could make a perfect case for a recreational vehicle in this era.

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Entry posted on December 31st, 2009 and filed under Auto Expo 2010, Suzuki

Mahindra to unveil Maxximo at Auto Expo

The Maxximo will sit above the Gio in the CV lineup of Mahindra

Mahindra will launch the Maxximo cargo truck at the Auto Expo next week. According to our friends at vicky.in who have knowledge on this vehicle’s specifications, the Maxximo will use a 2 cylinder, 900cc CRDe m_Hawk engine.

The payload of the truck will be 800kg and the styling will be closely based on the Mahindra Gio, the half-tonne truck unveiled recently.

The mHawk engine on the Maxximo will develop 25bhp of power and 55Nm of torque. This is several times greater than the Gio’s capabilities. The Maxximo should give tough competition to the Tata Ace, which is the market leader in this segment.

The Maxximo will roll out of Mahindra’s new plant in Chakan and have interiors matching to a car. The brand name Maxximo was christened using words MORE and MAXIMUM.

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Entry posted on December 31st, 2009 and filed under Commercial Vehicles, Mahindra

Just In – Tata Motors to launch three new vehicles at the Auto Expo

tata_indicruz_crossover_rear_1The Tata Indicruz crossover will be the star attraction at the Auto Expo

According to the media invite which has just come in, Tata Motors will launch three new products at the Auto Expo next week.

We’re guessing it should be the Indica Vista Ignis, Penguin truck and the new Indicruz crossover. The Indica EV will be the second electric vehicle after Chevrolet’s Spark EV to make a debut at the show.

Tata will also launch a new Jaguar luxury saloon at the event. No points for guessing what car that is. It has to be the XJ which was launched in London in June this year and ever since, it has attracted a lot of interest from Indians. Engine choices are not plenty. You get a 5.0-liter petrol (385 PS, supercharged 510 PS) and 3.0-liter good for 275 PS.

We hope Tata would comment on the future plans for the Nano at the press conference.

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Entry posted on December 31st, 2009 and filed under Auto Expo 2010, Tata

2010 Delhi Auto Expo to be world’s largest with 2 million visitors

Auto_expo_2010_Exhibition_LayoutLayout of Auto Expo 2010 – 2 million visitors expected in this edition

The previous edition of the Auto Expo in January 2008 in New Delhi drew 1.8 million visitors. The 2010 edition scheduled at the same venue Pragati Maidan, from January 5-11 will see almost 2 million visitors and that makes it the largest auto show on the planet.

Pawan Goenka, president of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam) and president, Mahindra & Mahindra

The 2010 Auto Expo will be bigger, brighter and better than the previous shows. The growing number of visitors indicates the rising importance of India [ Images ] as a key automobile destination.

An Industry Executive -

The New Delhi Auto Expo is held only for seven days, while the New York Auto Show is open for 10 days and the Shanghai Auto Show is spread over nine days. The New York Auto Expo attracts a large crowd because the show venue is located in the heart of New York City’s 34th and 39th Street intersections, which are busy locations. Besides, the show is also promoted as a significant tourist attraction, while Delhi Auto Expo’s Pragati Maidan does not enjoy this benefit

Why is there so much of crowd in India?

- India is the fastest growing market for cars and bikes

- Products and concepts for global markets will be unveiled

- Manufacturers who skipped major shows this year participate in the Auto Expo

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Entry posted on December 30th, 2009 and filed under Auto Expo 2010

DC’s Toyota Innova pips RR Phantom, Business Class of Jet Liner!

toyota-innov8The Innov8 wins, credit to “Vanity Roof Mirror” and “Accent Lighting”

The terms Toyota Innova, Rolls Royce Phantom and 1st class jet liner can come together to form a sentence only if our local international designer DC wants them to.

DC’s Toyota Innov8 using a Toyota Innova as donor car, has attracted wide interest thanks to much needed support and publicity from Khattar’s Carnation Auto where it is sold. The pimped out version of the Innova serves you with a little more coziness than a Rolls Royce Phantom, a seat on the first class deck of an international airline combined together. You get to travel either to another country for business or the next street for a smoke (every time) in your uber-luxurious mobile for a one-time investment of about 8 lakh rupees (excluding donor car).

Hey they missed out the unbeatable “manual roll down window” feature from the list. Not fair.

Click through for Innov8 Image

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Entry posted on December 29th, 2009 and filed under Funny, Toyota

Hyundai i10, i20 and i30 special edition lined up for new year

Hyundai_i20_TurkeyHyundai should consider such specials for the Indian market as well

A series of special-edition Hyundais are lined up for the UK market this new year. The company wants to start the year with a bang. By offering additional equipment for i10, i20 and i30 buyers the deal is sweeter.

The new models are all called Edition.

The Hyundai i20 edition comes with a choice of two optional exterior colours, half leather seat trim, AC and remote central locking feature.

The Hyundai i10 edition comes with alloy wheels, side mouldings, front fog lights, AC and electric windows.

There have been no indications of Edition from Hyundai for Indian buyers.

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Entry posted on December 29th, 2009 and filed under Hyundai

REVA trucks and buses to follow shortly

Reva_NXRREVA wants to license EV technology to global CV manufacturers

After trying numerous experiments with passenger cars and electric equipments, REVA is now trying its hand in electrifying the commercial vehicle business.

Similar to the GM-REVA deal, the company is in talks with global commercial vehicle manufacturers for licensing its technology and tie-ups.

REVA is said to have a fully functioning prototype of an electric bus in its facility. It is trying to transplant versions of its technology into three wheelers, buses and commercial vehicles.

Chetan Kumar Maini, deputy chairman and chief technology officer, Reva -

We are in talks with global commercial vehicle makers, including domestic CV players, for technology licensing tie-ups and expect at least five such partnerships to shape up by 2013

REVA is eying satellite plans through a franchisee model in US, Europe, Australia and South East Asia. Instead of concentrating on production in one location, REVA looks to attack key areas on globe with regional plants which will have an annual capacity of about 5,000 vehicles.

click through for Image Gallery

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Entry posted on December 29th, 2009 and filed under Electric vehicles, Reva

Dacia Logan facelift launched in Russia

Dacia_Logan_facelift_RussiaCan we expect the launch of the facelifted Logan during the Auto Expo?

The Dacia Logan has been launched in Russia after going under the surgeon’s knife. The outcome is new colors, new headlamps, grille, bumpers and refreshed interiors. Some of the new additions are actually lifted from the Sandero hatchback.

The refreshed Logan is expected in India next year and for all you know it could debut at the Auto Expo. Engine and transmission settings would remain the same. Renault has tried every trick in the book with the Logan in India. A facelift is one of the few remaining options.

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Entry posted on December 29th, 2009 and filed under Renault

Chevrolet Tavera production to be outsourced?

The facelifted Tavera could come from Argentum’s production line

Contract manufacturing firm Argentum Motors is back in the news. DNA reports Argentum could manufacture the Chevrolet Tavera and supply components in certain GM models from the ex-Daewoo manufacturing facility in Uttar Pradesh.

GM is looking to source skin panels and gear box of Chevrolet Spark from Argentum. The company is also considering the possibility of allowing Argentum to manufacture the Tavera, which isn’t seeing major volumes. This will give GM the flexibility of altering production as per demand.

General Motors India source -

Last year, in March, we had done a detailed costing and given quotations to GM for components manufacturing, but due to recession the deal did not materialise. Now, with the sector coming out of downturn, we have revived discussions with them. Looking at the dismal performance of Tavera” the car company wants to contract manufacture it rather than build it at its own plant.

An official announcement is expected from the company only after February 2010.

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Entry posted on December 29th, 2009 and filed under Chevrolet

Confirmed – Audi A7 in India in 2011

Audi A7 SportbackAudi A7 (above: Sportback concept) is for the stylish man looking for a Mercedes CLS

Audi has confirmed that the A7, scheduled for release in late 2010, will be launched in India immediately after the international debut. As Autocar India rightly puts it, the A7 is more of style and statement than practicality, features or comfort.

Introduced in concept form at the 2009 North American International Auto Show, the A7 is expected with a 3.0-liter V6 engine coupled to a 9-speed tiptronic transmission. Many rumors circulating on the internet, the strongest of them all is that they are gunning for a Geneva 2010 premiere, which takes place in the first week of March.

The Audi A7 is meant for the rich bloke who prefers to drive. His mates own cars like the Mercedes CLS, Volkswagen CC and dress stylishly.

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Entry posted on December 28th, 2009 and filed under Audi

Hyundai i10 EV visits Delhi Auto Expo

Hyundai-i10-EVHyundai i10 EV has a 100km range and 130kph top speed

Korean auto company Hyundai announced today that it will showcase the i10 EV (Electric Vehicle) at the Auto Expo next month.

The 5-door i10 EV hatchback is run by 49kW / 65HP electric motor and a 16kWh lithium-ion polymer battery that has been co-developed with Korea’s LG.

Driving range is expected to be in the range of 100 miles or 160 kilometers and a top speed of over 80 mph or 130 km/h makes it a nippy city hatch.

Apart from the i10 EV, we expect the company to showcase the concept version of its small car. Media reports recently adds i30, i40, Tucson and Santa Fe to the speculative list.

Hyundai will also display the existing range and concept vehicles with futuristic technology at the event next month.

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Entry posted on December 28th, 2009 and filed under Auto Expo 2010, Hyundai

Maruti Suzuki R3 concept shown at Auto Expo; Xylo, Innova, Indicruz on alert

Maruti-suzuki-R3-conceptCould the R3 be a stylish Versa ready for powerful diesel engines?

Maruti Suzuki India is all set to unveil ‘Concept R3? a compact multi-purpose vehicle at the forthcoming Auto Expo 2010.

The 6-seater MPV concept has totally been the work of Indian engineers who have slogged nine months to see the project through.

The vehicle generated out of this concept could be the right candidate for the diesel engines. Suzuki could use the R3 to curb the rising popularity of vehicles like Toyota Innova, Mahindra Xylo, and the Tata Indicruz which also makes its debut at the show.

The Suzuki Eeco could replace the aging Omni which will give more clearance for the R3’s price band. Suzuki’s product line-up in India is cluttered and we should avoid making any guesses beyond this level. The Auto Expo holds answers to these type of question so we expect clarity once the Eeco is on air.

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Entry posted on December 28th, 2009 and filed under Auto Expo 2010, Maruti Suzuki

800cc Chevrolet Spark will be the Maruti Alto slayer

GM_SparkWe expect the 800cc Spark to come with no power steering or power windows

We touched upon the 800cc Spark earlier and more media reports on the same indicate the launch is not far away. GM told us the Spark EV will be on display during the Auto Expo but was not willing to share anything on the 800cc Spark. They denied any plans of the low cost Spark.

A 800cc Spark is not new to India. Daewoo’s Matiz used a three cylinder 796cc engine through its lifetime in our country. The vehicle back then was the best alternative to the Santro with good cabin space and cheeky looks.

The second time in 2010, the smaller Spark’s direct rival would be the Suzuki Alto which has sold 20,000+ units on an average every month this year.

We don’t have more information on this model except that it will be stripped of expensive equipment and accessories.

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Entry posted on December 28th, 2009 and filed under Chevrolet
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