Indian Autos blog

The new small car from Fiat could have Multiair technology and beautiful look

Rajeev Kapoor, CEO of Fiat India during the launch of new Punto variants today has revealed that the company is not developing a new platform for its small car scheduled for 2012.

Speaking to reporters here in Mumbai, Kapoor said the company is relying on existing platforms (for eg – new Uno, 500) to bring out the small car which is at least two years away.

Another bit of information that’s come out today is that the new car could have Fiat’s Multiair technology fitted to its engine which leads to fewer emissions and higher fuel economy.

During the Auto Expo earlier in the year, Kapoor said the new small car will have nothing to do with the Topolino brand of compacts developed for Europe.

The Euro Fiesta hatch has been caught yet again in Chennai, this one’s red color

There have been many reports on the Euro Ford Fiesta coming to India next year with a boot, but none of them have been approved by Ford. Ford maintains that it constantly tests vehicles in Chennai and the Euro Fiesta could be part of that.

Spied testing in Chennai city, this red Ford Fiesta was quite easily the best looking car on that stretch road. It is huge, it has a great design and the red color was smashing!

Can Ford price the new Fiesta hatch competitively? Ford should have learned from Honda’s mistake of introducing a premium hatchback in India. If Ford is going to take a chance, then better give the customer with maximum value at that price point.

Perhaps Ford can take a chance by pricing the base Fiesta petrol at around 6.5 lakh rupees. They could give it features like climate control, electrically operated seats, cruise control, good sound system, etc at the entry point itself. The Fiesta is offered in Europe with a 1.4 liter petrol and diesel engine.

As the length is beyond four metres (4067mm), Ford could take two routes

1) A cosmetic change to shorten the length and plonk a re-tuned Figo petrol engine (probably turbocharge it, (read Ecoboost)) under the bonnet to qualify for small car benefits.

2) Keep the length, preserve the beauty, put in the powerful 1.4 petrol that Europe gets and sell it as a hot hatch with alloy wheels, music system, steering mounted controls, climate control etc.

Ford knows better. We’re expecting the Fiesta sedan to arrive before the hatch and its success will determine the future of the hatchback.

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No pickup trucks from Ford’s Chennai plant at present

Contrary to what was published on Live Mint during the launch of the Ford Figo, Ford is not considering rolling out pickup trucks from its Chennai plant. The company has issued a clarification where it states that its focus is currently only on the passenger car space.

Spokesperson of Ford India -

The senior representatives of Ford India were misquoted by reporters in Mumbai (on the sidelines of Figo launch.) Right now, the company is just concentrating to enhance its marketshare in the passenger car segment. For that we are rolling out various initiatives, which include new and refreshed models. So, commercial vehicles do not come to our drawing board.

The newspaper was reporting that sub-5 tonne pickup trucks from Ford were marked for production at the Chennai plant.

The Chevrolet Beat’s face is inspired from a Cheetah’s. Not sure if the designer was viewing Wild Discovery while drafting this car, but the entire design from bumper to bumper is packed with cuts, curves and bends. The design is inspired from a moving cheetah, I’d say. A cheetah moving in for the kill.

Though the Cheetah face isn’t very evident, what is is its close resemblance to the concept car. GM’s design team did not go beyond the first draft while freezing the production model’s design. They stuck to the pull back headlamps, rising window line and muscular wheel arches.

For once I can say loudly that not all car manufacturers bring imaginary cars to auto shows. The real world now has a foreigner arriving from that location.

How does it stand apart in the most crowded segment in the country, where almost 70% of cars sold are hatchbacks?

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The 3 crore rupee Bentley Mulsanne is synonymous with exclusivity and richness

Thanks to autoholiks, we’re able to bring you a report on the Bentley Mulsanne’s Indian launch.

The expensive vehicle was unveiled by Sir Richard Stag, Britain’s high commissioner to India and Chris Buxtonm, Bentley’s regional director in an event hosted at British High Commissioner’s residence in New Delhi.

The Bentley Mulsanne is the first Bentley after a long gap to have been built from scratch.

Chris Buxtonm, Britain’s high commissioner to India -

I think our expectations with Mulsanne has always been very strong. We don’t see the sales of the car but wait for its demand in the market. The moment I think would be strong we would probably be sold out, by the end of 2011. I think we have taken some interested parties, I showed some Indian customers the car last year. This market is a very strong market for our cars and it goes back to 1911 when we came into the market. So as I said there are about 700 big car drivers in India today.

Production of the Bentley Mulsanne will begin at the company’s facility in England during the second quarter of this year. Production here needs to be looked at from a exclusive car builder’s perspective.

Each Bentley Mulsanne takes two months at least to be completed. Customers can choose from a choice of 114 paint colors, 21 carpet colors, nine wood veneers and 24 interior leather hide!

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The exterior theme of the Fiesta Sport + could look good on the Ford Figo

Ford’s newest addition to the Fiesta range in the UK is the Sport + model which aims to give the car a sportier appearance.

While the racing stripes and dark blue color is reminiscent of racing cars, don’t be fooled. The Ford Fiesta Sport + is just a sticker job, in plain english.

You can buy the car with either the 118bhp 1.6-litre Duratec petrol engine or the 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel engine, now with a better 94bhp.

The Sport + gets a full bodykit, featuring redesigned front bumper, side skirts and rear spoiler. The car comes in a choice of two colours: Frozen White with Performance Blue stripes or in Performance Blue with Performance White stripes.

Sporting cues don’t end there. You also get special 17-inch (16-inch if you opt in for the diesel) alloy wheels.

The car will be sold only in European markets, and is based on the three-door Fiesta only. Prices and the launch date have yet to be announced.

The Chinese Suzuki WagonR E+ is planned for April 2010 release

We unfortunately don’t have any further information on the facelifted Suzuki Wagon R for India. Hence we chose to write about the Wagon R meant for the Chinese market.

The Chinese Wagon R gets a 1.4 liter petrol engine that makes 90hp and 112Nm of torque. The Wagon R E+ will be the replacement for the aging model which is facing severe competition that threatens its existence.

Though competition in India isn’t threatening the existence of the current model, Maruti wants to be on the safer side by giving the Wagon R both a cosmetic and under-hood change.

The Chevrolet Beat LT is in our garage this week

Launches, media drives and interviews, lately these were very frequent on IAB. We are back now to full test drive reports of the latest offerings from auto manufacturers in the country. In the next few days, we will be performing an extensive drive of the small offering from big American automaker which has to turn voluminous to veer towards the top three in the country. Yes we will be testing the top-end Chevrolet Beat to give u a full detailed review.

Before starting up with the drive let’s list out points which we expect Beat to prove itself:

1. How does it stand apart in the most crowded segment in the country, where almost 70% of cars sold are hatchbacks?
2. Now almost every new Hatchback sold in the country runs on 1.2 Ltr powerhouse, how does this drive?
3. Does it have a big car feel inside?
4. How thirsty is it, no review in India is complete without this question.
5. Is it VFM (Value For Money)?
6. Will it cut a hole in my pocket to maintain this?
7. Can it be an answer to the most desirable Maruti or the well liked Hyundai?
8. And the most important one, does it set my heart beating rapidly?

Well to see the answers of all the above be glued to IAB for the updates.

IAB would also be keen in answering any more points that you might want to add. Feel free to use the comments box below.

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