Right from the British Raj, India has always loved Rolls Royce, even more than Mercedes. Most of our Maharajas used to have one (or more than one in some cases) parked in their garages for special visits of their empire. Some even pimped them up with ivory, peacock feathers and diamonds (Yea! 50 Cents move over, we started it way back)
Well, the golden age has returned with India being the 3rd largest market for RR in the Asia Pacific region, after China and Japan. The company is projecting sales of up to 70 units in the coming year. That’s 7 times of what it sold last time!
The company has currently two dealerships in Delhi and Mumbai with a total 5 variants of the Ghost and Phantom on sale priced between 2 to 5 crore rupees. The company is banking on the 7 Series-based Ghost model to drive in majority of the sales.
Globally, the company has had a very successful year and has managed to double its sales with over 2000 units!
Even internationally, majority of the sales have been brought by the Ghost by contributing over three-quarters of Rolls total sales. The company has also plans to introduce long-wheelbase, Drophead coupe and coupe versions of the Ghost very soon.
The Ghost is an entry level Rolls Royce which is built on the BMW 7 series platform and is targeted towards the young buyers who are new to the marque.
A blue Nissan Micra XV Diesel will help us go around Chennai city for the next couple of days. Having a 1.5-liter diesel engine with a 5-speed manual transmission, the Micra is curvy and reminds me of cartoon characters. Unlike the path-breaking Chevrolet Beat, crisp and formal Volkswagen Polo, the sporty and poised Ford Figo or the simple and straight forward Toyota Etios, the Micra isn’t very serious on first glance.
The variant we’re driving for the next couple of days won’t have the 15 inch wheels, climate control or rear spoiler that feature on the top-end XV Premium.We’ll have to stop complaining and enjoy the manual AC and operate the plastic door handles, which don’t have chrome covering.
The Micra is not a back seat car. In fact hatchbacks were never meant to be back seat cars. They are designed for city commuters on a budget. They help drop kids at school, negotiate congestion, and haul a few shopping bags.
I’ve driven the Micra for less than a couple of kilometers now. Its compact dimensions and light steering will impress women at first contact.
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Back in October we showed you the two green cars from Maruti Suzuki – the SX4 Hybrid and EECO charge. Both cars were not meant for commercial purposes and were being used for the display and demonstration during the Common Wealth Games. But it is not impossible to believe that MSIL is not considering both these cars for a commercial launch.
The SX4 Hybrid is something that generated a lot of interest, even when it was displayed at the 2010 Auto Expo. This car is powered by the 1.2 liter K Series engine (from the Maruti Ritz) as compared to the 1.6 liter engine on the normal SX4. It also gets a 50 KW electric motor that gets its juice from a 2.35 Kwh Lithium-Ion battery.
This car has a parallel hybrid system (like the Honda Civic Hybrid), though a plug-in version will be an attractive feature for India. The car features regenerative braking system in which braking power of the car is converted to electricity (kinetic energy into electric energy) and stored in the Lithium-Ion batteries which the electric motors can then use to propel the car over longer distances.
The car has a 5 speed Automated transmission. It also has a dual clutch system that features one clutch between the engine and the electric motor, and one between the electric motor and transmission.
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If you thought 2010 is dead for auto fanatics, think again. Two major launches will unfold this month, the first one is the BMW X1 which we reported on this afternoon, and the second one is an equally interesting and important vehicle – the Mahindra Thar.
On its Official Facebook page about an hour ago, it was revealed that Mahindra will launch the Thar by the end of 2010. Though no specific details were shared, we assume the Thar will come out during Christmas.
The Thar has captured the imagination of off-roading enthusiasts in India. Its looks and features have gone down well with the general public. Testimony to that is the 39k+ fans on its Facebook page which is seeing heavy activity from audience.
Mahindra showcased the Thar at the Auto Expo 2010. It has already commenced exports, and it is now India’s turn to gain access to a rugged and modern off-roader.
The Mahindra Thar comes with a 5 speed manual transmission with a 2 speed gear reduction of ratios – High 1.0:1 and Low 2.48:1.
Up front, the Thar is fitted with a 2498cc diesel engine that produces 105 HP@3800 RPM and 247NM@1800-2000RPM.
High traction 16 inch tires with the help of leaf springs at the rear and independent suspension with torsion and stabilizer bars ensure unlimited off-roading.
Seconds ago, BMW India sent us an invitation to participate in the launch of the BMW X1 crossover. The X1 is perhaps the most important product for BMW India as it will help it boost volumes and make the BMW brand accessible to more buyers. By doing so, BMW will maintain market leadership for the third consecutive year.
The launch function will be held in the afternoon hours of December 23 at Deutsche Motoren in New Delhi.
BMW is expected to launch the 2.0-liter diesel engine sending drive to the rear wheels. Since this will be the most affordable model in its portfolio, many features found on the common BMWs is not expected to feature on the entry-level variant.
Tata Motors, Economic Times reports, is working on an upmarket version of the Tata Nano. The Nano reached monthly sales of 9,000 units earlier this year, but numbers tapered off to 509 last month.
To drive up sales and increase consumer interest, Tata Motors is working on an upgraded Nano. While the upgraded Nanos are not all-new cars, it remains to be seen if they will sell as higher variants alongside the current three offerings, or will replace them.
Tata will make the Nano’s basic interior stylish. It also intends to provide a 5-speed transmission that will be capable of taking the Nano to higher speeds while marginally improving fuel economy. Power steering will be supplemented to make it easier to drive inside the city.
There is still no clarity on larger displacement variants, though a 2-cylinder CRDI diesel is certainly coming out in the future. These upgrades are a welcome sign, bit it leaves a lot to be desired -
IAB’s wish list to make the Tata Nano a better car
1) Suspension needs to be softer
2) Fatter tires will greatly improve ride
3) Driver seat can be made thicker to increase comfort over long distances
4) Sound deadening needs to be better
5) Disc brakes will increase driver confidence and helps in wet conditions
6) Gear ratios need to be altered so that down-shifting isn’t necessary every time brakes are applied inside the city
7) The RPM limiter needs to be set a little higher
Music system on the top-end model will appeal to a lot of buyers and cuts off road noise
9) Tail gate needs to lift up for easy access to luggage compartment
10) Rear view mirror on the left is an important safety feature, and needs to be present on the top-end model
One of China’s favorite auto news site China Car Times is reporting General Motors will showcase the Sail EV at the Guangzhou Motor Show that kicks off on the 21st of this month. Guangzhou is important to India as the Nissan Sunny (V-Platform sedan) will also premiere there.
Earlier this year, General Motors confirmed the development of an electric variant of the Sail in China. In India, GM was working with REVA on a battery-operated Chevrolet Spark and hoped to commercialize it by the end of 2010. It unveiled a working model at the Auto Expo with new interiors and a front-end.
But after the Mahindra-REVA deal was made official, GM said it will pursue its electric vehicle program internally.
Last month, Indian Express reported GM India will showcase an electric car in April 2011. Given the Electric Spark project has been nixed, and there weren’t other low-cost electric vehicle projects under works, GM India must be referring to the Sail EV as its electric car. There is also wide spread speculation of the Sail twins preceding the Aveo twins in India next year.
These developments point to the Chevrolet Sail EV’s arrival in India with three powertrains – petrol, diesel and electric – in 2011.
Exports are a major part of plan for the Ford Figo manufactured at the Chennai facility. At a recent event held in Chennai to celebrate the car’s runaway success, the company said the Figo will sail to 48 countries next year. Ford has started exporting Figos to South Africa this year, where it featured in the shortlisted candidates for the Car of the Year title.
Another interesting development is the emergence of the Ford Figo 1.6 petrol. At the media unveil back in September last year and during the drive program in January, Ford, being its usual self, was tight-lipped about any additional variants.
Ford will sell the Figo with a 1.6-liter petrol engine (101PS) paired to a 5-speed automatic transmission in the Middle Eastern markets next year. The basic car will come with a 1.2-liter petrol engine (80PS) married to a 5-speed manual transmission.
Will India get a Ford Figo 1.6 with racing stripes, low profile tires, stiffer suspension, sporty interiors and a louder exhaust note?
