Indian Autos blog

Tata could display Nano hybrid, diesel and electric at the Auto Expo next month

DNA India reports Tata could bring off-beat variants of Nano to the Auto Expo. The exhibits could be powered by a diesel engine and possibly hybrid and electric powertrain as well.

Tata Motors has confirmed it is working on the hybrid Nano and on its official website hinted it will offer Nano diesel in future. The electric Nano or E-Nano has also been doing media rounds since the unveiling of the car in the previous edition of the Auto Expo.

Tata Motors is believed to be working on several variants of the Nano including a half-tonne pick-up truck for short distance load hauling.

As we near the opening of the show, we’re definite that more information will be published.

Obstacles are now coming the form of deadly technical issues which should not have occurred

The Made in India Suzuki A-Star, which sells under the name Alto in Nederlands, is making news for the wrong reason. Suzuki has requested its Dutch customers to bring their cars to the service station to fix a very lethal problem.

When the fuel tank is filled to the brim, a leak has been identified which in the worst case can lead to fire. Fire in the fuel tank area which is filled to the brim can result in fatal consequences.

To rectify this fault, dealers will modify the seal between the fuel tank and the pump free of charge.

Could this problem haunt all Altos rolling out of the production line? The sure shot way to avoid problems is by driving with less fuel in the tank.

The new Toyota LC Prado debuts tomorrow in India. 3.0-liter diesel option likely

Toyota will launch the refreshed Land Cruiser Prado tomorrow in India. While we can’t confirm if Toyota will include the 3.0-liter D-4D diesel engine to the Prado, we certainly can’t rule out the possibility since the company has spoken about it before. The engine will be listed, but will it happen tomorrow?

We’re heading to the launch to find this out. We’ll also ask Toyota about their small car and plans they have for the Auto Expo. So come back tomorrow to learn about it.

The new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado was unveiled at Frankfurt in the second half of 2009.

The Toyota Prado comes with a 3.0-litre D-4D turbo common rail diesel engine coupled to a 5-speed automatic transmission. It produces 171bhp at 3,400rpm and maximum torque of 410Nm between 1,600 and 2,800rpm.

A ground breaking feature on the Prado is the Multi-terrain Select, which automatically controls power and braking according to the off-road surface, while providing you live video feeds through the four cameras placed around the car.

The Prado is expected to be priced around 40-50 lakh rupees. Be sure to check Indian Autos Blog tomorrow for more information.

This is our interpretation of Honda’s small car which will be exhibited at the show next month

Honda in a press release issued today said it will display the small car concept at the Auto Expo in Delhi next month. The small car, termed by many as “mini Jazz” will be manufactured in India and positioned under the Jazz. There are also rumors floating around that the hatchback (code: 2CV) will use a 1.1-liter petrol engine and roll out by 2011, though we have no confirmations on the displacement.

Apart from the aforementioned exhibits, the Japanese company will display the famous ASIMO humanoid robot and the CR-Z hybrid concept car to the show.

Honda will also display the existing line-up of cars at the show.

hit the jump to read the press release

Ducati isn’t planning to assemble or design smaller bikes for Indian market

Ducati inaugurated its second showroom in Gurgaon yesterday and Associate Editor Shakti was at hand to bring you this report. Shakti interacted with Ducati’s management, and brand ambassador and motorcycle racer Nicky Hayden who was specially flown to entertain guests at the event to bring you all the following details.

Following are some key points from yesterday’s meet:

Dealership

* This is Ducati’s 2nd Indian showroom in just 45 days
* The new dealership is built in accordance to global standard and parameters
* Dealership handles sales, service & spares
* It also sells accessories and branded life style gear
* By June 2010, Ducati will be present in all metros across India
* The management claims lots of inquiries and interest amongst enthusiasts has shown the way to the company

Nicky Hayden & MotoGP

* New and significant changes to the engine for the new season to make it more friendly, platform remains the same
* Favorite tracks is home track in California

Plans for future

* No plans for local assembly line
* No plans for JV or tie-ups
* No plans to build smaller bikes for India
* The company wants to maintain itself as a niche brand and sell niche products
* It target to sell 150 bikes in India

Bikes and Variants

* Complete line up is offered in India
* All 7 models & their 15 variants can be bought at the Ducati store
* Exactly same bikes + Exactly same bikes variants + Exactly same specifications on the bikes sold here

We will be keeping a close track on Ducati’s activities in India and observe how they tackle the Japanese competition.

click through to read the press release and view images

The 2010 Suzuki Swift will have CVT option and hybrid powertrain for US market

The 2010 Suzuki Swift has been a constant source of interest for us since the first set of spy shots emerged. Caught testing here again, we can confirm one thing – the pull back headlamps extend till the top of the wheel arches quite like the design procedure Tata adopted on the new generation Indica Vista.

The body structure of the 2010 Suzuki Swift is said to have been modified to open up extra interior room. There could also be battery pack accommodation behind the move given the Swift’s moderate boot volume. The outline of the car from the side and rear view don’t reveal anything suspicious. Suzuki is staying with the current body style.

The new 1.2-liter K-Series engine is expected to do perform duty under the 2010 Swift’s bonnet while the diesel lover enjoys the services of Fiat’s 1,300cc Multi-jet engine. Overseas, a host of engines including a new 1.5-liter CRDI engine from Fiat is rumored. There’s also the hybrid powertrain and the CVT option for the American and Japanese customer.

click through for spyshots

The Indicruz crossover debuts at the Auto Expo next month

Talking to the Financial Chronicle, Utility Vehicles head of Tata Motors confirmed expensive features on the upcoming Tata Indicruz like airbags, cruise control and automatic climate control.

Some of the mentioned features are absent in the current Tata line-up indirectly indicating this could be Tata’s most expensive vehicle manufactured till date.

The Indicruz MPV has been spotted during cold weather testing earlier in 2009. It has also been snapped when running its routine tests in the UK, where some of the car’s development took place. The vehicle will be launched during the Auto Expo next month.

He added that the Tata Indicruz will be positioned to compete with the Chevrolet Captiva and Honda CR-V. Priced much lower, we think the Indicruz will compete with these expensive SUVs in terms of looks and features.

The vehicle will be at least 20% more expensive than the Sumo Grande Mk2 launched last week adds the report.

On the left – world’s first hybrid two-wheeler from a company we’ve never heard of

Many of you might have thought hybrid two-wheelers are a joke. For those of you, here’s some serious proof that will make you eat your words.

Bangalore based Eko vehicles recently launched the ET-120 which is India’s first hybrid two-wheeler.

The ET-120 uses a 70cc petrol engine and an electric motor to propel the wheels, which helps it return 120kmpl!

That is more than any Hero Honda, Bajaj or TVS.

The dual-power bike was possible thanks to a tie up between Eko and US based Emerging Vehicle Technologies. The vehicle can reach a top speed of 65kmph which is more than sufficient for crowded metros. The power and torque figures according to the company is that of a 120cc petrol engine.

Alan Rubeinsten, a U.S collaborator -

We developed a hybrid technology which will allow the electric motor together with the gasoline motor or petrol motor to be in combination. So, they should get unlimited range. So, when you drive in gasoline, you are charging the motor

This wonder bike of 120cc capacity will halve carbon emission.

Anil Ananthkrishnan, Chairman and CEO, Eko Vehicles -

Their calculation is that half a tonne of carbon emission is reduced as compared to a gasoline power vehicle when you use a electric vehicle

The ET-120 is priced at 40,000 rupees and that makes it the best electric vehicle you can buy in India today. Not exactly today since the bike goes on sale next year in the month of May.

Rumors of Mahindra’s hybrid two-wheeler is starting to make sense after this development.

click through for press release and high resolution image