Indian Autos blog

The Cruze AT is a very powerful diesel automatic car with handful of useful features

Three days ago, General Motors launched the Automatic transmission variant of the diesel Cruze in Bangalore. Priced at 13.45 lakh rupees (ex-showroom Delhi) the Cruze diesel becomes easier to operate.

Features on the automatic transmission variant include PEPS, Push Button Start, Cruise Control, Smart Screen and Electric Sunroof. The Automatic variant comes in a special 3 coat paint called White Diamond in addition to the six colors already on offer.

click past the break to read the press release and view live shots

BMW 330i takes the 3 Series range to higher levels while the 320d corp is the new entry-level car

At their dealership here in Chennai, BMW today launched two new 3 Series variants to the ever expanding portfolio. The 3 Series now becomes slightly more affordable with the entry of the 320d Corporate edition while the 330i is the most expensive 3 Series in India.

BMW 320d’s four-cylinder diesel engine displaces 1995 cc with the maximum output reaching 130kW at 4000 RPM and maximum torque of 350 Nm at 1750-3000 RPM.

The BMW 330i on other hand features a 2996cc six-cylinder engine with the maximum output of 190kW at 6600 RPM and maximum torque of 300Nm at 2500-4000 RPM.

For images and more information click through to read more

*Ford testing next generation Endeavour in the form of the Ranger pickup truck

You might have come across the Ford Ranger while watching the Australian Domestic cricket league on Star Cricket. In truth, the Ranger is the pickup truck formed on the Endeavour’s platform sold in Australia.

The Ford Endeavour (Endy) just received a complete facelift last year. Ford’s also planning automatic and manual transmission variants for the Endy and has not hinted about a model change.

Car Advice Australia says the new Ranger enters their market in 2011 and will be a “global model.” No details have emerged on the powertrain front but it is safe to expect a CRDI engine with a turbocharger.

They claim the next Ranger will be slightly wider and longer than the current model. Does this mean the Endy will grow in size? Wouldn’t that make it longer than a goods train?

The spyshots were captured in Sweden and the new Endeavour could come to India in 2012. Or 2013.

YF Sonata – recalled in US and Korea

If there is one word, we are getting used to lately, it is “Recall”. Hyundai is the latest.

Yesterday, Hyundai have recalled 47300 Sonata’s in Korea and US. No problems in India as the model recalled is not sold here. Rather, the model “YF Sonata” has not been introduced in India yet. Just for the record, the YF Sonata also bagged the IIHS Top Safety Award for 2011 in US. The award is presented to the car that scores a good rating in front, side, rear and roll over crashes.

I must admit, this comes at a time, when Hyundai is actually doing well in the US. Considering Toyota’s problems, one of the biggest beneficiary in terms of sales in US is Hyundai. Of the 47300 vehicles recalled, only 1300 vehicles are from the US. That is a negligible number, but certainly one that the US market would not discount in the wake of recent trends.

Suzuki A-Star – fuel system forces recall

Joining the recall wagon is our own Maruti Suzuki and the problem is with the A-Star manufactured in India. IAB earlier carried a post in December 09 of the same problem in Netherlands (Suzuki A-Star facing lethal fuel systems).

The company has recalled about 100,000 cars manufactured between November 2008 and August 2009. It has identified a fault in the fuel pump gasket and O lining. These faults potentially cause a fuel leakage in case the fuel tank is filled to the brim beyond the auto cut off position. Yes, the sure shot way to avoid this problem is to never fill up your fuel tank to the brim, but now with the recall issued, we suggest you get the fault corrected should you get a notice from Maruti Suzuki.

The company has already sent out letters to customers who might face this problem and about 50,000 cars have been corrected since November 2009. This includes cars from India and overseas markets. That’s being very proactive and customer oriented. Kudos to Maruti Suzuki and team.

Many of GM’s future engines and gearboxes are developed at the Bangalore powertrain center

Today in Bangalore, GM India launched the automatic transmission of the Cruze diesel sedan at 13.45 lakh rupees (ex-showroom Delhi). Before the commencement of the event, GM sent us on a tour of their powertrain facility where it developed engines and gearboxes for some of the world’s popular Chevrolets like Malibu, Escalade hybrid, Volt and Captiva.

The technology centre is currently working on engines of 0.8-6.6 liter engine size range, both in petrol and diesel forms. The engineers are also at work on hybrids (mild, full and plug-in) and fuel cells. GM’s ultimate destination, it claims, is fuel cell technology which offers the perfect deal, both in performance and emissions.

In their presentation, one of the slides suggested GM was working on a 1.3-liter diesel engine. This locally manufactured engine could be transplanted into the T300 (Aveo replacement overseas) which arrives in India in 2011.

Automatic transmissions have gained rapid acceptance in US and in China, it is in high demand. India could be the next to follow says GM which explains how automatic transmissions have the ability to deliver a consistent mileage figure over time compared to the manual transmission which needs more driver effort and delivers inconsistent mileage. The latter is cheaper, but the former is the future, it believes.

For obvious reasons, GM did not take us on a complete tour of the building and did not permit photography or entry at certain points. We spent just about the correct time to learn what they wanted us to, while not being able to extract anything extra from the employees explaining to us about the technologies and hardware. The powertrain facility employs about 700 engineers and has a million display monitors!

We could not get any idea on what currently GM is developing for future vehicles, except for the fact that next generation powertrains were being worked on in that building. The powerpoint presentation, in the beginning of the visit and the manner in which the engineers spoke to us pointed to EVs and hybrids. The facility looks capable of designing new and advanced powertrains, and that is what they were secretly doing on minimized windows while we twisted, turned, ducked and peeked into the work stations of the fully-aware CAD engineers, who giggled amongst themselves at our failed attempts!

images to follow in the next few hours

Polo’s pricing is no pigeon out of the hat. Still will it find many buyers in India?

Volkswagen has launched the locally manufactured New Polo hatchback in Mumbai, in both petrol and diesel forms. The entry point is the 1.2L petrol variant which is priced at Rs 4.34 lakhs, ex showroom New Delhi while the base 1.2L diesel variant comes at Rs. 5.32 lakhs ex showroom New Delhi.

Engine/ Trimline – Price (INR in Lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi)

1.2L 75 HP Petrol Trendline – 4,34,000

1.2L 75 HP Petrol Comfortline – 4,83,800

1.2L 75 HP Petrol Highline – 5,72,000

1.2 L 75 HP TDI Trendline – 5,32,000

1.2L 75 HP TDI Comfortline – 5,81,800

1.2L 75 HP TDI Highline – 6,70,000

click through for press release

Over the last few days, our updates have not been all that frequent. What you should know is we have some awesome stuff lined up over the next few days. This post will give you a sneak peek.

1) We ask Karl Slym, President and Managing Director of GM India all kinds of questions including his EV plans and an all-new SUV on the T300 platform

2) We drive the new VW Polo and publish all we can about it

3) We post never before seen spyshots of the new Mitsubishi Lancer testing in India and a Tata 207. Except that this one has a DICOR engine on-board!

4) We take the Tata Nano out for a spin and see if it can handle the expressways

5) SRK’s renderings of the Mahindra Maxximo passenger version, Skoda’s small car that sits under Fabia and the 2012 Fiat small car will be aired.

Let me tell you – the next few days are going to be very explosive. Stay tuned to IAB using RSS Feeds or Email updates