Bayer’s Nanos have all sorts of paint schemes highlighting the company’s range
German company Bayer recently bought three Tata Nanos in Mumbai. Rather than taking it to the temple or visit relatives, they scooted the Nanos into a paint shop and covered the cars with all sorts of colors. This gives a distinguished feel to the vehicles and by all odds will grab everyone’s attention on the road.
Bayer will use the Nanos to ferry employees flying to India. On weekends the car is given to local employees for them to have fun with it. They allow them to drive their families to their favorite spots in Mumbai.
These Nano’s have been repainted to cool aqua blue and bright green, fiery red and multi coloured striped colours. It is not to everyone’s taste, but it serves the purpose of brand building.
Mr Gerlich Country Speaker, Bayer Group of Companies -
The Nano has been read about all over the world, and people are curious about it. When our colleagues and their families have an opportunity to use the Bayer Nano, it really makes them feel special. Besides, the car also uses some material from Bayer, so it is a win – win situation for both the companies.
Bayer is sure to magnet interest from wide and far for this move. Quick thinking and lady luck were at the same spot given the 2+ lakh bookings and up to one year waiting period for the little car.
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The all-new Hyundai Accent is yet another Hyundai product after new Sonata and Tucson that carries the company’s new design language which is gaining rapid acceptance.
The forth-coming Hyundai Accent/Verna (Code: RB) incorporates Hyundai’s “Fluidic Sculpture” design format and blends design languages of the new Sonata and the upcoming Elantra.
According to reports on other blogs, the new Hyundai Accent will go on sale in 2010, so the Indian debut should not be very far away. What is certain is the range of engines on the all-new Accent, which is going to be wide. The regular CRDi engines and larger displacement 4 pot petrols will give company to the new Verna but the most talked about engine is the 1.6 GDi which reportedly sends out 140hp to the front wheels.
There are also talks of a hybrid-electric version but that is irrelevant to the Indian customer. We’ll keep an eye out on the RB. Stay tuned to IAB.
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The new Skoda will use parts from the Laura and Fabia and sit inbetween
Skoda, the Czech unit of Volkswagen AG, will soon introduce a low-cost family saloon that will take on the Renault/Dacia Logan. Given the demand for low cost cars and the absence of an affordable sedan in the Skoda India line-up, it doesn’t take a lot of thinking to guess whether or not India will be on its list of markets.
CEO Reinhard Jung announced that inside the next three years, Skoda will bring in the low-budget sedan. Speculations are plenty about the target price but sources say the estimate is around 10,000-12,000 Euros (6.83 lakh to 8.20 lakh as per today’s exchange rate). Intense localization could bring costs further down in India but it too early to predict anything.
Whats more, the new car will be laid between the Laura and Fabia and would borrow components from both the models.
Sales of low-cost cars have reached new heights around the world and Skoda wants to capitalize on this opportunity. Skoda’s product line-up also has several empty seats and its about time those are filled up.
Skoda will launch the new Octavia, which according to reports uses the Polo platform, and enters India within the next one year. The Polo’s platform is also used to make the Fabia, and both roll out of the same factory.
So is the new Skoda Octavia and the Skoda’s Logan slayer one and the same? Guess we have to wait and see.
The new Ford Endeavour adds another feather to its hat
At the 2009 Car of the Year Awards show in Philippines, the judging panel recognized the capabilities of the new Ford Endeavour (named Ford Everest in select markets) by picking it as the best Mid-size 4×4 SUV.
The new 2009 Ford Endeavour 4×4 LTD, which received the award boasts of a 3.0L DuraTorq TDCi common-rail turbodiesel engine accompanied by a 5-Speed 4×4 automatic with electronic shift-on-the-fly.
Ford Group Philippines President Rick Baker -
We are honored to receive these titles for the Ford Everest and Ford Expedition. Once again, these are affirming testimonies of the best-in-class performance of our world-class vehicles. The recognition echoes the robust performance for both vehicles, being two of our most popular nameplates launched this year
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The Fiat Linea Mk II (unconfirmed) will get improved paint finish, NVH and drivability
The revamped version of the Fiat Linea was caught testing by chaps at Motoroids. The improved Linea will address complaints customers have registered since the time the car went on sale in January this year.
The new Linea will produce lesser vibrations, thanks to new engine mounts. The ECU has also been tweaked to return better gas mileage. The gear ratios have also been altered to generate better torque (better low speed drivability?)
Inside the Linea, front seat frame has been tweaked, and durability issues in the dashboard plastics, seat lever and the boot release lever are now sorted. Sound insulation, it seems, has also been improved especially on the diesel variant.
The bonnet for the new variant (1.4 T-jet) and the existing one will use a new mechanism. The Air conditioning unit has also been fine tuned to operate producing less noise. The paint quality also seems to have been looked into and Fiat could give the Linea a glossy finish by applying lacquer coats.
We expect this Linea to be present at the Auto Expo next year in blue color.
Tata Sumo Grande Mk II tries to emulate what the Indica V2 did for the Tata brand
Tata Motors have launched Sumo Grande Mk2 with a heap of new features and improvements. The new model, albeit using the same engine and gearbox, has numerous differences compared to the outgoing model.
We’ve already discussed the changes on Sumo Grande Mk2 in a previous post, so we’ll skip to what hasn’t been stressed on. The new Sumo Grande gets modified suspension setup to keep the second and third row passengers more comfortable. The anti-roll bar on the new vehicle has been tuned to aid better stability. The altered drive ratio helps in better low speed drivability of the new Sumo.
Three new colors are added on the new Grande – Walnut Gold, Beige and Castle Grey.
Prices (Ex-showroom Delhi)
LX – 6.43 lakh rupees
EX – 6.83 lakh rupees
GX – 7.50 lakh rupees
click through for 84 high resolution images from the Tata Sumo Grande Mk II launch
Toyota could display FT-86 along with 13 others cars at Auto Expo next month
Sources tell us Toyota might display the FT-86 along with 13 others cars at the Auto Expo next month. The FT-86 is inspired by the Corolla-based AE86 sports coupe of the ’80s. The concept was designed by Toyota’s ED2 styling studio in France and bears a close resemblance to the FT-HS concept exhibited at the Detroit Auto Show few years back.
The FT-86 could be powered by a Subaru-derived 2.0-liter engine sending 200+hp power to the rear wheels. Toyota could price it around USD 25-30k, so don’t expect the FT-86 CBU to come at less that 25 lakh rupees in India, if Toyota sanctions it.
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Chevrolet Cruze Irmscher gets stiffer suspension and new wheels
Tuning house Irmscher is teaming up with Chevrolet to bring out a special Chevrolet Cruze Irmscher, which will be made available in 2010 in Germany. The kit has no mechanical upgrades. All you get is 18-inch alloy wheels, chrome exhaust and sport suspension, which should let you take corners at higher speeds on your new Chevrolet Cruze.
The Irmscher package will be offered at the price tag of 1,990 euro.
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