The title can sound disturbing, but according to overseas media reports, there could be a sedan variant of the 2011 Suzuki Swift and it could go on sale in China first.
It is referred to as the “Global B-Sedan” measuring 4.2 meters in length.
The current Dzire was Maruti’s best idea to replace the aging and rapidly tiring Maruti Esteem. Maruti had studied various options for its successor. In the end, it made up its mind to go for a booted Swift. The Esteem was also a Swift sedan, mind you. It was a boot attached to the third generation Swift.
Suzuki didn’t take the risk of selling the Dzire in Europe or Japan. It was an India-specific model. Everyone in India had something bitter to say about its looks. Some said it was pregnancy. Others termed it a tumorous growth.
Despite all that, the Swift Dzire clocked impressive numbers and soon became the market leader in its segment. Atleast 4-5k Dzires are sold every month in India.
Which is why we think the next gen Swift Dzire is a great idea for India. We don’t expect this model to be brought into India until its 2012. We don’t know what to expect. There will certainly be more space, leg room, gadgets, safety features and power. Fuel efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions will portray a better picture. Could there be a VW TSI or DSG on the next generation Dzire? Or will Suzuki save it for the bigger SX4?
After reading reports online on Corolla Altis diesel launching in July, we called up Toyota to understand the situation better. When Indian Autos Blog contacted Mr.Sandeep Singh, Deputy Managing Director, Marketing of Toyota Kirloskar Motor on the 27th of last month, he told us that the Altis diesel will be brought to India in August.
Due to unknown reasons, Toyota has pulled back the launch date of the Altis diesel. When we contacted him again, just minutes ago, this is what he had to share -
Mr.Sandeep Singh, Deputy Managing Director, Marketing of Toyota Kirloskar Motor -
We will launch the Corolla Altis diesel anytime between 20th and 23rd of July. We haven’t finalized the date, but it will be on one of these three days.
The Corolla diesel will come with a 1.4-liter 90hp CRDI engine coupled to a 6-speed transmission. We expect the diesel variant to cost more than a lakh compared to the petrol model. The vehicle will be brought in through the CKD route.
HM – Mitsubishi is planning to launch their RVR compact crossover into the Indian market during Q3 of 2011. The RVR compact crossover is based on the Mitsubishi Outlander Crossover’s platform. The RVR draws inspiration for its design from the Mitsubishi Concept-cX, which was showcased at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show.
The RVR is also known as the Mitsubishi ASX, which stands for Active Sports Crossover, in Europe and Australia and as the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport in the North American market.
The RVR’s sold in Asian markets are powered by Mitsubishi’s 4B10 1.8-litre petrol engine, mated to an INVECS-III Continously Variable Transmission (CVT). The Mitsubishi ASX (European RVR) has engine options of a 1.6-litre petrol engine and Mitsubishi’s 4N13 1.8-litre, Turbocharged, Direct-injection diesel engine. The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport (North American RVR) is only offered with Mitsubishi’s 4B11 2.0-litre petrol engine.
The RVR is only available as a 5-seater, unlike the Outlander, which will soon be launched in a 7-seater variant. It is not yet clear as to what engine and transmission options the Indian RVR will be offered with, but the vehicle will be assembled at HM – Mitsubishi’s Chennai plant and is therefore expected to be priced competitively in the 14-16 lakh price bracket, undercutting rivals such as the Honda CR-V and Nissan X-Trail by close to a whopping 10-lakh rupees. But, such pricing would also mean that it will go head-on with Skoda’s soon-to-be launched Yeti mini-SUV.
The all new sixth generation BMW 5-series has been launched in India and the bookings are open. BMW India would begin assembling the 523i, 525d and the 530d at its Chennai plant soon by the end of this month. The top of the line 535i would come as a CBU.
Recently i had a brief yet exciting encounter with the all new BMW 535i. The car came in a beautiful mild metallic chocolate color, which BMW calls the ‘Havanna’.
click through to read more
No! This is not another case of a small hatchback catching fire! This is just a ‘fiery’ paint job on the Chevrolet Beat created by a Portuguese school kid, Jose Rocha, a participant in the 2010 Young Creative Chevrolet (YCC) Contest. This contest was organized to recognize young talents in school.
Participants had to redesign the exterior of Chevrolet Beat in the best way possible to exhibit the cheeky, sporty nature of the Chevrolet Beat. This ‘Sparkling’ Beat was chosen by the jury as the best representation of the Chevrolet Beat.
To honor the young boy, Chevrolet would release its World Tour Car Championship (WTCC) version of the Beat in this paint job. The WTCC Beat/Spark comes with a 1.4 liter turbocharged engine that produces a mammoth 140 bhp.
Would GM India at least bring limited editions of this ‘Sparkling’ Chevrolet Beat like it did with the Denim Chevrolet Levi’s Beat?
The Hyundai Verna Transform has just been launched in Delhi, hours ago. While we can’t wait to post the press release, we’ll while away time by posting more information on the car.
14 images of the India-spec Hyundai Verna Transform after the break. Click through to read more.
Economic Times reports the refreshed Hyundai Verna has been launched in Delhi today morning between Rs 6.56 lakh and Rs 9.22 lakh.
The new Verna comes with refreshed head lamps, grille, front bumper, new music system, new seat fabric, fake wood finish around the gear lever, blue backlit clock display etc.
We will bring you the press release as and when we receive it. More information and photographs will reach us when the car is launched in Mumbai today evening.
click through for new Verna brochure
Citroen’s Belingo Van/Leisure activity vehicle has been spotted testing near Pune by our friends at Velociti. The Berlingo is a very huge front wheel drive van capable of seating 8 passengers comfortably and was quite successful in Europe owing to its low price and practicality. The Citroen Berlingo is also sold as the Peugeot Partner in certain markets.
Only a few days back we brought you news about Peugeot-Citroen planning an entry into India and setting up a plant near Chennai. Peugeot-Citroen also announced that they are developing small cars and compact sedans for India and other developing markets. Now with the Citroen Berlingo we can expect Peugeot-Citroen readying for a full blown assault on the Indian car market with a wide range of models. We can’t rule out the possibility of Citroen testing these vehicles and studying its feasibility for India.
However, the Citroen Berlingo is not the latest gen 2008 model but the 2002 facelift of the 1997 Berlingo. This is not surprising at all, as we are used to older European models. The prices of the vehicles are also competitive.
Peugeot-Citroen could use the 1.4l diesel engine found on Indian Fords for the Berlingo MPV as they have partnered Ford in developing these engines. And with Ford expanding its engine plant in Chennai, this could be a win-win situation for both the companies.
The title can sound disturbing, but according to overseas media reports, there could be a sedan variant of the 2011 Suzuki Swift and it could go on sale in China first.
