South Africa (SA) has always been a hot bed for all carjacking and related crimes. The rate of crime in SA is 18 times more than the world average.
Toyota witnessed a rise in carjacking of their cars in the recent past. In fact, the insurance broker Roxsure was planning to not insure the Fortuner because they were very easy to steal.
The criminals get access to the ECU using some home-made equipment and hot wire it to drive it off. As a result, Toyota responded with a new safely device especially for this market.
Recognizing the need to protect the engine bay and the ECU, the automaker has created a stainless steel bracket the will prevent any forced access to the ECU.
Toyota spokesperson Leo Kok -
This device will be offered as an added security device for owners who feel that they would like to further secure their vehicle, in much the same way as one would fit a gear lock or tracking device
It will be available at all major dealers in SA for a very nominal cost. There have been no reported cases in India of Fortuner thefts, but I’m sure Toyota India has taken stock of it’s South African’s friend’s measures to prevent any potentially disastrous situations.
The facelifted Chevrolet Captiva is coming to the Paris Motor Show this month and will soon debut in India. We’re expecting the new Captiva to reach Indian shores in the next few months with a 2.2-liter diesel engine and a new 6-speed manual transmission.
The 2011 Captiva has a remodeled bonnet, headlamps, new split grille, LED turn signals on the mirrors and 17-19 inch alloy wheels.
Inside, you get theater-style seating in three rows ice- blue back light and a cockpit that flows through the cabin.
You’d be able to buy the Captiva (171 hp 2.4 litre) and two turbo- diesel options (163 or 184 hp, 2.2- litre).
ESC, TCS, BAS, the electronic handling aids are all present. Hills start assist, electric handbrakes, USB ports, Bluetooth, touch-screen nav, parking cameras are also present on the new Captiva.
More details will be published as we receive them.
Thanks to our reader Kailash, we’re able to bring you visuals of the single cab Mahindra Xylo pickup up-close. Take a look at the new spyshots, and you’ll observe a lot has changed on the Xylo, especially at the front with a pair of new headlamps, bumper and grille. The Xylo pickup’s nose will differ heavily, whether this has got to do with image preservation of the Xylo is anybody’s guess.
The Mahindra emblem has migrated to the hood and there are two giant lamp housings on the bonnet. The radiator grille is different, there is no chrome or saw tooth here.
Spotted on the highway, the Xylo pickup was stripped of almost all but the essential features. This is a test mule, but it won’t take a rocket scientist to derive that the production pickup will retain the Xylo’s dashboard and seats.
We expect to see Mahindra’s 2.5-liter CRDi engine on the pickup making slightly lesser power and torque than the Xylo. We hope the loading bay will be more stylish. We hope Mahindra positions this vehicle as a lifestyle pickup, which might not necessarily make good business sense.
Click here to see Mahindra’ teaser video featuring its first bike
Click here to see Mahindra’ teaser video featuring its first bike
Click here to see Mahindra’ teaser video featuring its first bike
Click here to see Mahindra’ teaser video featuring its first bike
Moments ago, Volkswagen sent us a press release containing details of the much awaited Polo 1.6, which was launched today in Mumbai. The vehicle has been listed on VW India’s website for a long time now and recently it was spied at VW’s Chakan facility.
The Polo’s 1.6 litre 4 cylinder petrol engine generates 105PS @ 5250 rpm and a Torque of 153NM @ 3750 rpm. It is paired to a 5-speed manual gearbox and has a fuel efficiency of 15.96 kpl.
The Hyundai Avante could come to India by the end of next year. Recently launched in Korea and it seems very likely that this will be the company’s Aladdin’s lamp in the Cruze-Corolla-Civic segment confrontation.
So, we’ve learnt from media reports about Renault’s next generation Clio using the V-Platform (from the Nissan Micra) and Renault’s V-Platform hatchback is also expected to look stylish and different compared to Micra.
We’ve also seen spyshots of the clay model of the 2012 Clio and thought it was indeed stylish, before we looked at auto journal’s rendering of this car. We think it’s extremely good, in fact splendid. The only thing bothering us is will the actual car turns out to look this way?
The 2012 Clio is expected with the same 1.2-liter petrol engine that’s moving the Micra. Motive force will also come from more powerful petrol engines, which might not make it to cars on showroom floors here in India. The 1.5 dCi diesel engine should be present and so would electric powertrains (knowing Renault’s friendly attitude towards electric cars) in the future.
After making a grand entry into the Indian market last month, the Alto K10 is all set to hit the Algerian market.
Suzuki, just like in India sells both the Alto & A-Star (called Celerio) in Algeria. And just like India, the K10 will be sold alongside the current Alto. The car will sit between the current Alto and the Celerio.
The 1.0 liter 3 cylinder K series engine produces a meaty 68bhp @ 6200 RPM & 90Nm torque @ 3500 RPM. The car is expected to remain very much the same as the one launched in India with redesigned headlamps & taillights, new fog-lamps and some minor changes to the interior.
Suzuki is enjoying quite a bit of success in Algeria where just like India, economy hatchbacks are in great demand.
