Indian Autos blog

Here’s another IAB speculation – A compact sedan version of the VW Vento.

Volkswagen registered good numbers with the Polo and Vento. According to a press release issued today, VW had sold 27,946 units of the Polo and Vento in 2010. The company is on the verge of launching more models including those from the international line-up like the new Jetta, Passat and Touareg in 2011.

But the holy grail of the car market lies in the compact car segment. The new trend in the auto industry is to make cars or variants that are under four meters long. The next generation Suzuki Swift is pipped to stay under 4 meters, Tata Motors is rumored to be working on a compact sedan on the Manza platform. There’s the Mahindra Xylo 5 seater and the Logan boot-cut models in the pipeline.

The latest development is the shortened HM Ambassador variant eligible for the 12% excise duty instead of the regular 22% for longer models.

Could Volkswagen join the bandwagon by shortening the VW Vento?

They have powertrains ready for lower excise eligibility. The 1.2-liter petrol and diesel engines on the Polo can be used to complete the formalities. The boot could be smaller, and by retaining the Polo’s wheelbase, a car ready to take on the likes of the Swift Dzire and Indigo Manza is prepared.

Volkswagen has a terribly congested production line. The relatively new factory in Chakan, Pune is struggling to cope with the demand for the Polo, Fabia and Polo sedan. VW will ramp up production step by step and its immediate priority will be to produce enough Polos and Ventos. Perhaps in 2012, could one see a VW Vento compact?

IAB speculates that the Euro Fiesta twins landing in India in due course of time could be christened Verve and Falcon.

The hatchback (spied in Chennai last year) is based on the Verve concept debuting the company’s trademark Kinetic design language. The Verve concept car’s inverted trapezoidal grille, rearward-stretching headlamps and the athletic hood was designed by Ford’s design team in Germany and England previewing the latest Fiesta hatchback. Like the Chevrolet Beat, the production model didn’t differ largely from the concept car.

There were three different Verve concepts showcased including sedan body style.

The Euro Fiesta sedan spied in Chennai recently, could be called Falcon in India. Ford might not use the Fiesta brand, reserving it for the currently running model.

The Fiesta sedan can be powered by a petrol 1.6 producing 118bhp and a 1.6-liter diesel engine generating 90bhp and 207Nm of torque. We are not sure about the hatchback’s powertrain options, the 1.4-liter diesel engine from the Figo is a good choice.

Ford as usual is tight lipped showing no interest in divulging information on future products.

A member of the popular auto enthusiast forum The Automotive India managed to snap the Hyundai Verna RB test mule in Chennai city. The pictures are not clear due to poor light.

The most valuable learning is the test car had an automatic transmission.

The Verna RB is expected in India by the end of 2011 with the same petrol and diesel engines tweaked to perform better. The future of the current Verna is hanging in the balance because the RB sedan will be positioned in the same price band. Since the Verna’s facelift last year, its numbers have been better so the saving grace might just be that. Hyundai can continue selling the current Verna in fewer trims.

The Verna RB will be manufactured at Hyundai’s Chennai facility this year. We think it will be here before Diwali. After the RB, Hyundai will bring the HA small car, Elantra MD and the Sonata YF.

By Shoeb R Kalania and Shrawan Raja

The current (or the last generation) Palio was discontinued from 13 major Indian cities from April 2010 due to the application of BS4 emission norms.

But that is not going to change plans to bring in a new small car in two years time, which we believe is the next gen Palio.

Fiat has not been having a great time in the market after they joined hands with Tata. Sure the perception is changing and Punto customers have easy access to service stations. But the numbers sadly aren’t there.

There seems to be a need to place a model in the lower segment to increase the customer base and improve the visibility of the Fiat brand and that’s where the new Palio will fit in. At the end of the day nothing brings more publicity to a company than a product. If Fiat can sell an affordable small car, more people will get to experience the pleasure of traveling in a modern Fiat.

The next generation Palio will be bigger and spacious. The exterior design will borrow cues and curves from bigger sister Punto. One look and you’ll know its a modern Fiat.

There are currently no specific details on the technical side, though engine options could range from 1L to 1.4L found in the other Fiat cars today. There is a very high possibility of the 900cc twin air petrol engine making it on to the new Palio. Perhaps the entry level model will use this low-cost powertrain.

So what does Fiat need to improve on the Palio?

1) The turning radius has to improve. Moving the Himalayas is easier than parking a Palio in tight gaps.
2) The new Multi-jet diesel Palio rattles quite a bit. The dashboard gives out all sorts of noises and it feels like there is a family of insects nesting in there somewhere.
3) The sound deadening can be a lot better. The engine makes a lot of noise even during idle, it should be asked to go about its job silently.
4) The pedal placement and seat position can be adjusted to make ingress easy. The clutch travel is long, it can be brought down a little.
5) The switches and controls on the new model will obviously be in tune with the current time. They need to operate softly and be finished well.
6) The Palio name needs to go. I think even calling it the “Fiat Project 326″ is a better idea in India.

What does Fiat need to leave untouched?

1) I love the suspension. It soaks up bumps which cars costing double the money struggle to do.
2) Don’t meddle with the brakes. They are extremely good.
3) Rear seat configuration is apt for even tall people, so that needs to stay on.
4) The gear shifting is not very precise, but I love the feel. It makes the car feel very alive as I put it through its paces.

If Fiat can provide the same feel that the older Palio had and an improved after sales service network, it will surely bring changes to the sales charts of this company.

By Shakti Budhiraja

Note – Regular readers of IAB already know about the next generation Dzire through Shoeb’s rendering and leaked information published here last year.

Witnessing the smartness of Indigo CS, Maruti Suzuki is mulling the option of reducing the next generation Dzire’s length to under 4 meters. Not only will the car be compact, it will also shed a considerable 10% excise duties, instead of 22% for the current model.

The next generation Dzire, based on the new Swift platform will follow to India soon after the launch of the new Swift. The 84 bhp K Series petrol could come with VVT (Variable Valve Timing) for more low end grunt and the 75 bhp DDIS (Multi-jet from Fiat) diesel could be fitted with VGT (Variable Geometry Turbine) for extra 15 horses alongside already existing FGT (Fixed Geometry Turbo). The former can be reserved for the more expensive sedan body style, while the hatch can do with the FGT.

Queuing customers attribute their fancy to its frugal yet powerful engines, inspiring driving characteristics and Maruti badge. What remains to be seen is how Maruti Engineers would maintain comfort with decrease in length, as the new Swift platform is lengthier and the Dzire is often criticized for its cramped interiors.

Improvements in build quality, a sore point in recent Marutis, will be appreciated.

If Maruti achieves this with reduced price and better interiors, Dzire will turn desirous. Already a benchmark product, the Dzire can take the game further away from the competition.

As for international markets, the Dzire could be a bigger sedan, perhaps 4.2 meters in length with VW powertrains.

The Tata Winger CNG model was recently caught testing in Pune. Wearing the production model’s badges and stickers, the vehicle spotted gives us the complete picture.

There will be no surprises inside the cabin. We can expect the same level of comfort offered by the diesel variant. The gas tank might occupy some of the passenger or luggage space, but the fuel savings notably will be high.

The Winger range in the market today comes in both short and long wheelbase forms. It is powered by the naturally aspirated 1.4-liter diesel engine from the Indica, while the long wheelbase model, equipped with features such as dual air-conditioning, has a turbocharged 1.4-liter engine from the Indigo.

The Winger is essentially the previous generation Renault Trafic van sold in Britain and Europe. Tata produces the vehicle locally with its in-house powertrains.

We’re not very sure about the changes under the Winger CNG’s hood. We will continue tracking this model till its launch.

Tata Motors shot us a press release informing the availability of the Nano across all dealerships in India. At this point, the Nano comes in three variants and a 4-year / 60,000-km (whichever is earlier) manufacturer’s warranty, at no additional cost.

Customers can also avail a maintenance contract at 99 rupees/month to take care of running costs. The Nano comes fitted with safety tools that protects it from short circuits and fire.

Now that the Nano is available from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, sales should pickup and reach 5 figures in no time.

Have you test driven the Nano yet?

click through for more details

By Kaustubh Shinde

Amidst the falling sales and loosing consumer interest during in the domestic markets, Tata Motors believes that it can open additional revenue streams by making Nano a ‘Global Car’.

Recently we brought you a story about Teco Group’s interests in launching the Nano in Taiwanese markets. Now, many delegates from South American, South East Asian, West Asia and African countries have evinced interested to launch the car in their respective domestic markets. These interests are even coming from companies that are not related to the auto industry at all.

Based on this overwhelming response, Tata Motors is conducting market research surveys in various countries to fuel its international ambitions.

Tata Motors spokesman -

As for exports of the Tata Nano, our focus is right now on India. However, Tata Motors has all along been conscious that the Nano will be appropriate for other countries as well. Hence, even at the time of the unveiling in January 2008, the company had said the Tata Nano will be, over time, marketed in other relevant countries. At present, we have started customer clinics in several countries

This comes as no surprise for us because when unveiling the car at the Delhi Auto Expo, Mr Ratan Tata had clearly mentioned that he had keen interest in making the Nano a global product. Exporting it to markets like Thailand, Taiwan, Turkey, Brazil and Romania is a logical step forward for this city car.

These market research surveys will help Tata Motors customize the Nano to better suit overseas conditions. The car will also have to be modified to meet the pollution and safety norms of the respective countries.

As for the Indian market, the company officials are running from pillar to post to bring the sales figures to respectable standards. Their efforts include easy loans for the car, TV commercials, extended warranty and service and the Nano’s sales figure improved quite dramatically in December 2010, clocking 5,000+ units.