Indian Autos blog

The 4.2-liter TDI makes the Q7 the most powerful SUV in India

Audi has finally introduced the 4.2 TDI engine on the Q7 in India. The Audi Q7 4.2 TDI can sprint from 0-100 km/h in 6.4 seconds and achieve a top speed of 240 km/hr while still having a fuel efficient engine which consumes 9.9 liters/100km.

The Audi Q7 4.2 TDI will be available at a price of Rs. 58,68,000 (ex-showroom Mumbai) from April 2010.

click through for press release

The Mercedes E-Class Coupe lacks mass appeal but appeals to us!

Mercedes-Benz has launched the stunning new E-class coupe in India. Showcased at the Auto Expo in January, the car is powered by the same 3.5-litre V6 petrol as the saloon version.

The Mercedes E-class Coupe is priced at Rs 54.83 56.38 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai).

Update – Press release added after the break

Update – Press release added after the break

The new Hyundai i20 variants provide the customer with more options and features

Hyundai Motor India Ltd, today introduced two new variants on its i20 – the Era and the Sportz. The Era hcome in both petrol and diesel variants, and will form the entry-level range, while the Sportz variant slots between the Magna and Asta.

H W Park, managing director & CEO, HMIL -

We are pleased to announce the launch of the i20 with new features and two new additional variants. The new features will help improve the i20 and make it even more desirable for our customers. We are confident that with the new features and additional variants the i20 will become even more attractive and set new benchmark for this class of cars with improved styling, unique features and conformity with global safety standards.

The new i20 in the diesel variant comes with a six-speed manual transmission. The sixth gear will assist engine do its work at a low rpm making it more fuel-efficient and bringing down its NVH (Noise, Vibration & Harshness). Also, the wear and tear of the engine will be lesser.

The diesel variant, which comes in manual transmission will have shift indicators which prompts the driver to change gears at the right time. Apart from this feature, blue LED interior illumination, silver centre fascia and chrome finish on inside door locks are the in-cabin additions. On the outside, new chrome radiator grille and outside rear view mirrors with integrated turn indicators are the new additions.

Fully Automatic Temperature Control (FATC) system and in-built USB port (in Magna), burglar alarm, steering wheel with audio remote and passenger vanity mirror (in Sportz and Asta) are the features added to the new i20 variants which are BS4 compliant.

Prices (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the Era variant starts at Rs 4,51,816 while as the Sportz will be priced at Rs 5,31,817.

The Polo’s interiors and great looks have struck the right chord with Indians

Less than 45 days after its launch, the VW Polo has attracted over 5000 confirmed bookings. The amazing response for this vehicle, we think, is due to its sharp looks and great interiors.

Initially announced at Rs 4.34 for the base 1.2L petrol, VW revised the prices after the budget, and now prices start at Rs 4.42 lakhs Ex-Showroom Delhi for the base petrol. With just 42 dealers in India and signs of more demand, VW should ramp up their dealer network quickly.

Neeraj Garg, member of the board and director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Volkswagen Group Sales India -

Polo is having a waiting period of about three-four months currently and we are ramping up the production of to meet the demand accordingly. We have confirmed bookings of 5,000 units of the Polo, with 500 units already delivered. The response towards our car has really reiterated the trust and confidence that our brand and importantly our products have been able to build up in a short span of time.

The Polo is offered in both petrol and the diesel variants. Both the engines displace 1.2L and both produce 75bhp and both are offered in 3 variants – Trendline, Comfortline and Highline. Is the Polo the hottest hatch after the Figo in recent times?

We don’t know if the E-Class coupe is going to add volumes to Mercedes in India

Mercedes Benz will launch its E-Class Coupe in India today morning. The function will take place in Mumbai. The E-Class Coupe was showcased at the Auto Expo in January.

The new E-Class Coupe will use the current E350‘s engine. The E Coupe is expected to cost around Rs. 10 lakh more than the sedan.

It costs 10 lakh more but has only two doors. Is that unfair?

Not really. You get to enjoy an open-air theater like experience with that 3.5-liter V6 growl. That makes this car an orchestra on wheels.

Fully retractable side windows, sports radiator grille, bigger wheels, 3-spoke steering wheel, sports seats are on the options list. We’ll get you more details as soon as the launch happens. Stay tuned.

The V6 and 4-cylinder turbochrged engine for Kizashi would come from VW

Japanese carmaker Suzuki could use VW’s powertrains for its latest model Kizashi. This announcement comes after Suzuki signed a partnership with VW last year giving rise to speculations of VW powertrains being adopted on some of its other offerings like SX4 and Grand Vitara.

Rumor has it that Suzuki will introduce the Kizashi in India by the end of 2010.

A team of Suzuki engineers were sent to Germany to study the possibility of VW powertrains in the Suzuki vehicle.

Steve Younan, director of product planning at American Suzuki Motor Corp -

We are looking at VW’s cost structure and their offerings. We want to keep our cars reachable to mere mortals. We would be happy with a small V-6 or a turbo-four. The Kizashi suspension is not at its limit. We are trying to be an affordable performance brand.

Is this the tip of the iceberg? We think so. Suzuki could use smaller VW diesels on its SX4 and Grand Vitara. Presently, it sources diesel engines from Fiat, but very soon this could change.

Every automobile market across the globe seems to be flooded with Electric vehicles.We have seen electric small cars-which seem to be the most popular,electric sedans & even electric high performance cars.Now Europe is about to witness its 1st electric 4 x 4!

French company Volteis Electric Car has unveiled an electric off-roader called X4, entering into a largely untapped market. This vehicle incorporates all the technologies necessary to enable it to offer the same performance on all types of terrain. The X4 has 4 Wheel Drive with a frame made entirely of Stainless Steel in bodywork and aluminum, which gives it a certain ruggedness and durability.It can achieve a speed of up to 70 kmph.

Sure this vehicle is not coming to India ever but don’t you see the Indian connection? The X4 has striking similarity with our very own Mahindra Jeep.The jeep had a cult status in India & it was considered the ultimate off-road machine,the Indian Hummer if you will.Even toady it enjoys a lot of fan following.

So why can’t Mahindra bring in an electric version of the Jeep? The company sure has the technology & capability to do this.The Scorpio micro hybrid is in the market,they are also working on a hydrogen-CNG fuel for the Scorpio & not to forget that it will be launching an Electric version of its small truck-the Maxximo in 2010 itself. This truck would be the 1st electric LCV in India. So why can’t the jeep be?

We’re no technical experts, but we know that torque is simply the keyword on an off-roader, which is why many of them come with diesel engines. An electric motor usually weighs less but can produce more torque than a diesel engine.

The Electric Jeep could work very well for people who go off-roading & do care about the environment. Especially for those who have farms, tea estates & orchards in remote areas & require such a car. Mahindra could sure set an example for the other manufacturers & even encourage the government to provide the infrastructure for charging such cars in rocky terrains.

Are you listening M&M?

The 2012 Renault Clio uses the Nissan V-Platform

Here’s another artist representation of the upcoming Renault Clio, which according to reports, will be manufactured at the company’s recently inaugurated facility in Chennai starting 2012.

The Renault Clio (see leaked images of clay model) will make use of the Nissan V-Platform and probably the same 1.2-liter 3-cylinder petrol engine. The car could be smaller than the Nissan Micra and Renault will follow Nissan’s strategy with its small car – made in India, but for the world.

It is not new for car makers to use the same platform for multiple brands. The VW Polo and the Skoda Fabia are based on a similar platform, the next generation Indica and Fiat Punto would use the same platform. Platform sharing has occurred between two car manufacturers who otherwise aren’t in a partnership. Like the Fiat 500 which shares its underpinnings with the new Ford Ka.