Indian Autos blog

The new Aveo U-VA is an evolution of the current model and comes with a long wheelbase

The side shot of the next generation Chevrolet Aveo U-VA which will co-exist with the existing model when it hits the market next year with diesel engine, reveals the car’s extended wheelbase. The rear passengers aren’t going to complain, that’s for sure.

The next gen Aveo hatchback was previewed at last month’s Detroit Auto show as the Aveo RS concept. Regular reader’s of IAB would have got bored of this car as we have been featuring it right from last year using batches of spyshots. The interior spyshot of the the Aveo helped in understanding its connection with the recently launched Chevrolet Beat.

The yet to be named (if you’re in India) Aveo hatch will be launched with at least one diesel engine manufactured here in India. It belongs to the new breed of Chevys – the Beat and Cruze are its siblings.

More updates on this vehicle as soon as we learn about the displacement, power and other options.

Tata Nano could teach school students driving manners and safety as it is easily accessible

True, the dream has become a reality. Kudos, to Mr. Ratan Tata and team, it is a great achievement to see the Nano. Honestly, before I saw the car, I was one of those people who was against the idea of seeing it on the roads. I was completely selfish in thinking – what a Rs. 1 lakh car? that’s more traffic on the roads.

I even agreed with the idea that this car would add to air pollution and other environmental problems (as its target customers are at the bottom of the pyramid – the masses). I do not turn my engine off at the signals, my aircon is constantly on and I have two cars. How can I agree to the idea that the Nano adds to the pollution? And what can I do about the traffic?, It is for the government to manage. I can only contribute by staying off the roads or using public transport.

After seeing the Nano, I felt like a complete idiot. First, how did Tata pull it off? The Nano appealed to me as one of the best designed and engineered cars from the Tata stables. Then the question? Why should I buy this car? for that matter why should any one buy this car?

*Let us stick to basics. I would not like to get in to the specifics of the Nano, there is much info available on that.

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The series of recalls recently will divert Toyota’s attention towards earlier cars

If you list out some of the reasons for an auto company to grow and sustain growth – Quality, new car development and brand reputation would be there on that list. At least one of these would be right on the top of that list. At a very high level, I was thinking of the implications of recent recalls by Toyota on the company’s immediate future.

Let’s see, Quality is definitely under scrutiny after the recall. In fact, Toyota is being cautious and self scrutinizing its other car models. After the Prius recall, Toyota have notified the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) in US that some of the 2010 Camry models could be prone to a leakage in the brake fluid. The NHTSA have also received complaints about the steering system on the 2009 and 2010 Corollas, which complicates the current situation.

New car development might also be questionable. With efforts (time, money, dealers, people etc etc) being invested in managing these recalls, it may be a case that new car development is on the back burner. Let us hope this is not the case. As of today, the company is spending much effort on managing the recalls of cars like the Camry or the Prius that are already generations old.

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While the spy shooters have been taking a lot of images of the new Hyundai Verna, the new photographs on a Korean auto forum provide a clearer idea of the boot and the roofline.

The next generation Verna and Elantra (spied on another occasion) have clearly borrowed a lot from the Sonata YF. They are also moving closer to being 4 door coupes. Hyundai’s design language is heading in the right direction.

The new Hyundai Accent will go on sale in 2010, so the Indian debut should not be very far away. We expect the car to reach India by the end of 2011. The regular CRDi engines and larger displacement 4 pot petrols will rest under the new Verna’s hood. There are also chances for the 1.6 GDi that produces 140bhp to make it on to the RB, but the Indian RB is likely to feature traditional CRDI engines and to the maximum extent, a petrol engine with variable valve timing – which again is our best guess.

We’ll keep an eye out for more news as well as test mules.

Autocar India is reporting Renault has chalked out plans to introduce the Twizy Z.E in India in the coming years. The Twizy is a zero emissions car and seats just two, one behind another. It has four wheels, is less than two and half metres in length and can be mistaken for a golf cart.

The Twizy is an electric vehicle which was brought to the Auto Expo last month. Renault is considering a partnership to produce this car in India. Is REVA reading this?

Powered by a 20bhp electric motor the Twizy Z.E makes 7.14kgm of max torque and can attain a top speed of 75kph. The size of the vehicle allows it to be parked and driven into narrow or congested lanes.

Is the era of personal transportation in India about to take another turn?

The Tata Aria is loaded with features and likely the most expensive vehicle in their range

Rediff is reporting that Tata Motors will launch the recently unveiled Tata Aria in the Indian market by the end of April 2010. The Tata Aria is only crossover to come with four wheel drive.

Its 2.2 Litre Direct Injection Common Rail (DICOR) diesel engine, delivering 140 PS power and 320 Nm torque, is mated, in the 4×4 option, with an all-wheel drive with torque on demand.

The Aria is a step forward for Tata Motors. It is expected to come loaded with features like climate control, a bouquet of airbags and many such items which haven’t been fitted before in Tata vehicles. Prices are expected to be between 12 and 14 lakh rupees.

Would you choose the Tata Aria over choices like Ford Endeavour, Maruti Grand Vitara, Toyota Innova, Honda CR-V, Chevrolet Captiva, Toyota Fortuner and yet to be launched Skoda Yeti?

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Thanks to our regular reader Sundar, we are able to show you a Ford Endeavour test mule caught in Chennai city traffic. Visually the test mule had no differences to a showroom model except for the “On Test” badge pasted on the rear windshield.

When we started digging for a connection, we unearthed what we were looking for.

Michael Boneham, President and Managing Director, Ford India to Zigwheels at the Endy launch last year -

As far as offering a manual transmission on the 3.0 litre goes (3.0 comes only with automatic transmission), I can’t say anything right now. In the future we might introduce an automatic on the 2.5 litre TDCi (2.5 comes only with manual box) as well and a manual on the 3.0 litre. It depends on demand and right now we feel that there is a need for an automatic box.

Although Mr.Boneham doesn’t confirm any plans, he hints about a 3.0-liter manual and the 2.5-liter automatic transmission variants. What Sundar has caught here could well be one of the two.

have you spotted a test mule recently? get in touch with me at editor(at)indianautosblog.com

competition-tilting specifications preserves excitement in the Fiat 500

The Fiat 500 is now offered with a more fuel efficient, less polluting and segment topping 1.3-liter Multijet 2 engine in the UK. The new engine produced 95 bhp, 20bhp more than the outgoing engine and 200Nm of torque. This almost transforms the Fiat 500 into a Fiat 500 Abarth!

Imagine – 95 bhp in a car that’s the size of a beer mug.

The new engine comes fitted with Start&Stop system that hibernates the engine at the traffic lights. The result of the extra power is understood when you step on the pedal. 100kmph comes in just 10.7 seconds, almost two seconds quicker than the outgoing model.

The new 500 is capable of a top speed of 112mph.

Andrew Humberstone, managing director, Fiat Group Automobiles UK -

This remarkable new diesel engine will add even greater excitement to the fantastic 500 range, but without adding to the cost of ownership. In fact, with greater fuel economy and lower emissions, everyone will benefit from this new variant.

It is not only power and torque that’s improved. The defining factor, if you’re the Indian customer – the mileage, has also inched upwards.

On a combined cycle, the new 500 moved from 67.3 mpg to 72.4 mpg. CO2 emission levels have also been reduced from 110 g/km to 104 g/km, credit to the Start&Stop system and the DPF particulate filter, which is usually found on high end cars.