Indian Autos blog

We’ve not been able to update the blog frequently as the schedule at the show has been very hectic. We’ve had one-to-one chats with industry bosses and asked them questions you’ve always needed answers for.

While other websites were uploading images and information, we were talking to the company representatives asking them all kinds of questions. Some of them loved it. Some of them didn’t.

We will be updating the blog with the information and images as and when it is possible.

The R3 concept was created by Indian engineers and its future depends on feedback

Created by Indian engineers in nine months, the R3 concept was displayed at the Delhi Auto Expo today. The company has no rigid plans of manufacturing a MPV, which was clear when they declared the future of the model was based on feedback they receive.

You can get the full details of the model by referring to the press release attached after the jump. Here is an extract of what was discussed by the Suzuki’s Indian wing during the unveil.

* Suzuki hopes to sell 1 million vehicle in the future
* Main focus will be on the small car portfolio
* In future they will try to explore new segments other than small cars
* Creation of R&D in India for their contributions in future products is their goal
* Company is working closely with the Indian Govt on the alternate fuel technologies
* Suzuki will try to make future fuel technologies more affordable and usable with masses
* Latest CNG technology will be in India within few months, will be all together advanced & different from what country has as of today. New CNG tech will see improvement in efficiency and power delivery
* Maruti is and will promote safe driving
* R3′s production will depend on the market feedback
* Kizashi will be in India by the end of the year
* Current capacity, Gurgaon – 6 Lac – Manesar – 3 Lac per annum
* Manesar capacity will be increased, as per future demands
* To check the production costs and make products VFM – efficiency & productivity will be increased, sharing of components between models will be done
* To sustain 50% growth – New markets & new segments will be explored
* No plans as of now for the Hybrids in India

click through to view Image Slideshow and read press release

The BMW line-up in India just got wider with addition of the X6 M, 5er GT and 760 Li

BMW launched the Gran Tourismo and the X6 M in India. The BMW Gran Turismo is priced at Rs. 63,00,000 (only 100 will be sold)

The BMW X6 M is priced at Rs. 1,30,00,000 and the BMW 760Li is priced at Rs. 1,29,00,000.

We spoke to Peter Kronschnabl, President BMW India about the vehicles and their plans. For more info on the vehicle’s launch, click through for the press release.

On the BMW Megacity cars -

They will be different compared to the Mini brand. The two brands (Mini, Megacity) won’t conflict each other. The Megacity won’t come to India and BMW has no plans of assembling it here locally.

On the Mini Brand -

As of 2010, there are no plans to bring the Mini brand of cars to India.

On Launching the BMW 3 Series Corporate Edition -

The Corporate Edition might be aggressively priced but it is a profitable model. If it wasn’t profitable, they would not have launched it.

On the target customers of the Gran Tourismo and USP -

It seems like BMW already know who they are going to sell the allotted vehicles to. Mr. Kronschnabl with a smile said “I’m not answering this question” which naturally meant he knew the customers beforehand. He added rear seat comfort of a 7 Series is the standout feature of GT.

On the success of the Rolls Royce models -

Mr.Kronschnabl isn’t the spokesperson for RR, neither is he related to it directly. He said RR did better than its rivals since RR had worked very hard recently to revive the brand. RR also had the reputation of making the best luxury cars in the world and have an unmistakable identity.

On the sales of the M model line-up in India -

Kronschnabl agreed the M cars were never expected to add volumes to the BMW sales. The M cars are primarily for the fans of driving, those who want to get behind the wheel and experience power. The BMW Motorsport division satisfies the horsepower hungry beings in India, where ever they may be and how many ever there are.

On the target group of the new X1 -

BMW says it will sell the X1 to entrepreneurs, young and old as well as to people who are looking for a vehicle in this segment. This means the X1 will be the first BMW to many of its buyers when it goes on sale later this year.

click through for Image Slideshow and Press Release

The new GL Class is for the M-Class lover looking for 7 seats.

Mercedes Benz today launched the S500 L and GL Class in India. Here are some of the key points discussed during the course of the launch.

Mercedes Benz S 500L

Built in India and the country’s first powerful luxury sedan.
Aimed at the honcho who wants a mobile office
The S500 L is also your entertainment lounge when coming from office after tiring day
The S500 L is a sign of your success statement

Mercedes GL 350CDI

The vehicle is introduced in India for the customer who needs M-Class, but seven seats
Already 27000 GL Class vehicles sold worldwide
Target Customer – Young Person who wants 7 seats for family and the occasional friend who needs to be dropped in the airport with heavy luggage.

click through to read the press release and view images

The Chevrolet Beat looks 3-door, styled futuristic and priced aggressively

The Chevrolet Beat was launched here in Delhi today. The gathering at the launch were eagerly awaiting the prices and when they were announced, eyeballs literally popped, hands automatically came together and some even stood up in disbelief!

While many of us were expecting the price to be between 4-5 lakh rupees, GM has gone in for the kill with pricing under 4 lakh rupees for all variants.

Chevrolet Beat Price (ex-showroom Delhi)

Chevrolet Beat PS Price – 3.34 lakh rupees

Chevrolet Beat LS Price – 3.54 lakh rupees

Chevrolet Beat LT Price – 3.94 lakh rupees

click through to read more

Indian Autos Blog was in Delhi today to cover the launch of the new Mercedes Benz GL, S500L and the Chevrolet Beat.

At the launch of the Chevrolet Beat, we had an exclusive chat with GM’s global design chief Mr.Ed Welburn who is credited with designing cars like the Beat, Cruze and Camaro. Mr Welburn spoke to us on where GM’s design is heading and how the Beat came about.

We’ll hopefully publish all the information and images live from the show so you don’t have to go anywhere. Check IAB every hour for updates.

The Wagon R from Suzuki is the best selling Maruti after the Alto. Through these years, the drive for such high volumes has not been due to its power or pickup. Forget diesel, we have not seen powerful petrol engines on this hatchback and what we’re about to get this Auto Expo is exactly that.

Thanks to Overdrive magazine, we’re able to understand how the facelifted Wagon R will look like. We’re not sure if Maruti began work on this model before the Estilo facelift was launched. If so then Maruti placed all the eggs in one basket.

Lucky for them the Estilo facelift clicked.

One need not be a car enthusiast to spot Wagon R’s resemblance to the new Estilo. With the same 1.0-liter 3-cylinder K-Series engine, the Wagon R is expected to be quicker and quirky. Swept back headlamps, circular indicator housing and chrome finishing spruce up looks.

We don’t expect the interiors to be entirely different. The ride and handling should stay the same just like they did on the revamped Estilo. We’re happy with the outcome of the new Wagon R, but we sincerely wished to see the JDM Wagon R which looks modern.

The 2011 Audi A7 which debuts in India next year resembles the Audi Sportback concept from every angle.

Spied while on the move, the new A7 has bits and pieces resembling the current Audis and it comes at the cost of the concept car’s features.

The A7 is expected with a 3.0-liter V6 engine coupled to a 9-speed tiptronic transmission. Audi could position this car close to the A8. Prices are not going to be cheap. This is a CBU for us, so what can you expect?

We will publish more on this car as we learn.