With Skoda, Hyundai, General Motors taking the diesel route with Toyota soon to follow, only Honda remains behind in offering diesel engine sedans in India. Even the fully imported CR-V model doesn’t come with a diesel engine, and that was one of the main reason for it losing its class-leader post in the fiercely contested battle of the mid-size SUVs, especially after the entry of the Toyota Fortuner.
Sales of Civic, Accord and CR-V are tumbling and the company’s easiest way to climb upwards depends on diesel technology. The faster they bring it, more the chances of them moving up the order.
While speaking to Wheelsunplugged, Honda’s top official echoed our view
Jnaneswar Sen, vice president (marketing), Honda Siel Cars India -
If we have to enhance our marketshare, having diesel-powered models is imperative. We are actively working on fuel-efficient and eco-friendly diesel engines. However, it will take its time.
Spyshots of Honda testing a diesel engine on the CR-V have been posted on the internet more than a year back. Rumor has it that Honda is testing a high capacity diesel engine in a European Accord mule around Delhi. It is no secret that diesel technology is expensive, and Honda’s products in India are already on the expensive side. But why hasn’t Honda localized most of their components to keep a check on costs?
Will Honda offer a diesel engine on the 2CV when it comes out next year? Toyota has said it will most likely launch a diesel engine on the Etios and each and every competitor in that space offer diesel engines. If Honda doesn’t act fast, it will lose out on serious numbers in the compact car segment as well.
Skoda India is bracing up to launch the Yeti in the Indian market. If sources are to be believed the company will be launching the car in June-July.
The Skoda Yeti would be powered by a 2.0 CRDI diesel engine, the same one that powers the Superb. It would come with a 6-speed manual gearbox.
Bookings for the car have already apparently started at some Skoda dealerships in the country with a booking amount of anywhere between 50,000 to 1 lakh rupees. As of now prices are unclear but we expect it to start from about 15 lakh for the base variant & go all the way upto 18 lakh for the top-end variant.
The car will come in 3 variants & the top end L&K will come loaded to the brim with all the gadgets & luxury features. Here are some features (Officially released by Skoda)
1.Corner function for fog lamps
2.Varioflex seating
3.Intelligent four wheel drive
4.4th Generation Haldex Clutch to maintain excellent traction
General Motors India recently launched the Chevrolet Aveo CNG at Ahmedabad in a ceremony presided over by Mr Karl Slym (President & MD GMI) & Mr P. Balendran (VP Corporate Affairs GMI).
The Official Press Release.
The Aveo CNG is a bi-fuel vehicle with a full-size petrol tank that is one of the most environmentally friendly cars available in India.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Slym said, “The launch of the Aveo CNG is a testament to the importance that GM India attaches to green technology and environmentally friendly mobility solutions. Its running cost is approximately 54 percent lower than a similar vehicle powered by petrol and 25 percent lower than a similar vehicle powered by diesel. Because of the lower operating economics and the growing number of CNG stations being built across India, this new offering is expected to appeal to both individual and fleet customers. Under normal driving conditions, the Aveo CNG has a range of 180 to 200 kilometres on a full tank of CNG and is BS IV compliant.”
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According to latest reports, Nissan will be launching the Micra at a competitive price tag worldwide. Reports suggest that in Australia the car will be priced around AU$ 13500 which translates to about 5.6 lakh rupees which is very competitive in Australian standards as prices are high there due to import taxes, logistics charges & standard safety features.
So will this be replicated in the Indian market? In the recent times the Indian auto market has witnessed a price war in the hatchback segment with GM, Ford & VW launching products at killer price tags. At the Geneva Motor Show where the Micra was unveiled, Nissan spokesperson stated that they would not like to get involved in this ongoing price war. He also mentioned the fact that they would not position the Micra as a ‘cheap’ product.
But now we believe that Nissan will price the car aggressively. We recently reported that the company could launch the car in the price range of 4.1-5 lakh rupees.This seems realistic considering the fact that Nissan has invested big money on its Chennai Plant & also want the Micra to be a success in a crucial market like India.
The car will launch sometime in May & deliveries begin in July. Nissan has already started marketing the car in shopping malls & in restaurants like ‘Cafe Coffee Day’. The Micra website is also up –www.nissanmicra.in. This little one sure promises a lot. Stay tuned to IAB, we’ll get you more on the Micra!
The Fiat Grande Punto’s sales for the month of April where at an all time low of about 900 odd units, selling less than even its elder sibling- the Linea. Sure the Punto does not deserve this. It is one gorgeous looking car, loaded to the brim & has a beautiful chassis that gives it excellent driving dynamics.
Many factors are responsible for the low sales but one of them is the engine. The Punto is a premium hatch so doesn’t it deserve a premium engine? Well Fiat have realized that and according to Autoholiks, exactly a year after the launch of the Punto i.e on 17th June 2010, the company is expected to roll out a more powerful version of the car.
Christened as the ‘Punto Sports’ this variant will get a more powerful version of the 1.3 Multijet i.e with the VGT technology-the same one that powers the Linea. Power output is expected to be around 90 BHP & the car has a juicy 205 NM of torque.
The car will have more changes , it will get larger tires that will adorn some hot looking alloy wheels, smoked out headlamps, a rear spoiler, some body graphics (which we dislike!), & also sporty looking black & red leather interiors. Fiat might also offer a massive sunroof to add to ‘oomph’ factor.The car will be priced at a premium over the standard Fiat Punto.
The car was displayed at the 10th Auto Expo & ever since enthusiasts have been waiting with a bated breath to see this hot hatch on the roads. Well the wait will soon come to an end & we can’t wait to take this one out on the road!
The VW group is going all out at the GTI tuning event at the Austrian lake Wörthersee. Apart from showcasing 2 special Golf GTI’S & 7 Audi A1’s the German giant is also showcasing the New Skoda Fabia RS+ & the Octavia (Laura) RS.
The Fabia looks super sexy with smoked out headlamps, massive wheels with green alloy wheels, bonnet with an air scoop, side skirts, front spoiler, rear diffusers, & more sportier interiors with bucket seats. But what what the talking point is the 1.4 litre TSI turbocharged engine that pumps out 180 rampageous horses! The transmission is a 7 speed dual clutch DSG with paddle shifts.
The Octavia(Laura) RS also gets sporty looking exteriors & interiors which make the car look hotter than usual & a 2.0 litre TSI 200 Bhp engine.
Now this got us thinking-when will we see these models in India? We don’t expect the VW GTI’s to make it to Indian shores as the company is currently focusing on the Polo & building the VW brand. But what about Skoda?
The Octavia RS was a super hit with enthusiasts falling in love with the car & tuning companies dropping more power into it. Skoda promised us the Laura RS 3 years back. They showcased it at the 9th Auto Expo & the facelifted version at the 10th Auto Expo but there has been absolutely no confirmation from the company about these models.
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Hyundai surprised everyone with the unveiling of the all new Verna at the Beijing Motor Show a short while back. The car is built on a brand new platform and looks like a mini Sonata YF. It has sweptback headlamps, a large grille, a sloping roofline that gives it a coupe like silhouette and rather sharp looking tail lamps.
On the inside too, the car gets a fresh look, with the steering wheel borrowed from the i20 and a beige dashboard. The car displayed at the show was not very well equipped as it was a China specific model but markets like India would get more goodies.
Engine options include a 1.4 litre gamma petrol that punches out 106BHP of power, a 1.6-litre gamma petrol that pumps a 121 horses & also the same 1.5 litre 110BHP diesel that we currently have on the Indian Verna. The car is expected to have good driving dynamics & comfortable interiors too. The car has a wheelbase of 2570mm.
Earlier Hyundai India was expected to bring the Verna ‘Transform,’ and going by instincts, the company should launch the facelifted model during the festive season this year.
The new Verna goes on sale in China in July & is expected to hit the Indian market sometime in the middle of 2011, the same time we expect the Hyundai small car also to roll out. With the new Vento from VW & the next-gen Aveo from GM also expected to come next year the fight in the midsize sedans segment is sure to get intense!
General Motors India seems to be satisfied with the sales of their premium SUV Chevrolet Captiva. The car has a waiting period of anywhere between 30-60 days & GMI has no intentions of reducing that waiting period.
The Captiva is imported as a CBU from Korea & GMI does not import large numbers of this SUV & are pretty happy with what they are selling.This SUV is all set to get a makeover globally. The disguised test mule of this car has been spotted at numerous locations across the globe.
Thanks to Automedia Belgium, we’re able to bring you some more information on the 2011 Chevrolet Captiva. Spy pictures suggest that the car will get a new set of headlamps & some more changes to the exterior with some design cues borrowed from the Aveo RS concept. The interiors will also be upgraded & the car will get a brand new 2.2 litre diesel engine with more power & torque plus an added gear ratio.
The car is expected to make a global debut at the end of this year but do not expect it to hit Indian shores before Diwali 2011.
