Indian Autos blog

The Mahindra Maxximo is based on the Scorpio platform and with a 2-cylinder CRDI engine, a derivative of the mHawk engine it can be twisted in a number of ways. Like for example the passenger carrier which will take the Tata Ace Magic head on.

Photoshop illustration in-charge SRK kept it basic. Fully aware that he was designing a passenger carrier that’s supposed to be low cost. he added a tinge of sportiness to the vehicle by just giving it a black decal along the wheelbase.

Suzuki Every – Air con problems could cause fire

Barely few days after IAB remarked that more recalls are expected (Read – Now Hyundai recall the Sonata in US and Korea), the industry appears to be proving us right.

If you look at the faults that we have seen over these recalls, a majority of them are to do with systems or designs that have become complex with technology advancement or generations.

This raises three questions -

A/ Are testing methods for new technologies and mechanical designs insufficient? Is it a case of car makers compromising on passenger safety in a race to introduce new technology and designs in the market?

B/ Are existing safety/ testing regulations inadequate? We know of the stringent crash tests (like Euro NCAP, incidentally this rewards cars that employ electronic stability control and speed control) but what about technologies like the air con and steering systems? Is it time to create a regulation on these designs?

C/ Can mechanical designs and technologies such as Airbags, ABS, ESP etc be standardized? Take F1 for example. The McLaren ECU is standardized for all teams. This helps F1 and FIA regulate all cars. In my opinion standardization is the way to the future. It reduces development and testing costs. All manufacturers can then compete on the actual competitive factors of automobiles (i.e Product design, engine performance and value proposition).Just a thought to car makers.

While Theophilus Chin’s rendering of the Ford Figo SUV should not be taken seriously, it also shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Chin calls this a facelifted Ford Fusion, but because the looks are similar, we’d like to refer to it as the Figo SUV. The Ford Figo rides on the automaker’s Global B-Platform which underpins a whole bunch of vehicles. Reports in the past have indicated mini SUVs from Mahindra and Maruti so one finds no reason for Ford not joining this race. Perhaps the Indian engineers are looking into this option with a sparkle in their eyes.

The Figo SUV gets its front fascia from the recently unveiled Ford Edge. Jacked up ground clearance, larger wheels, bigger mirrors and probably bigger engine with 4×4 should help it conquer harsh terrain.

Tata Indica V3 – Punto platform, Pininfarina design

In the March 2010 edition of Autocar India, there is an interesting snippet regarding the next generation Tata Indica. The magazine says Tata is most likely to use the Fiat Punto platform to manufacture the third generation Indica.

The car’s styling will be taken care by Pininfarina (Ferrari designer and Tata Prima fame) and the car will also be sold in the UK.

We shall keep a close watch on the developments and try posting a artist generated drawing of the same in the near future.