Indian Autos blog

VW is all set to launch the new edition of Passat in India on the 29th of March. The new Passat will have VW’s trademark Blue Motion technology which includes a host of features that makes the car very fuel efficient. These features are: • Fuel efficient engine • Start-Stop technology • Gear shift indicator • Particulate filter • DSG dual clutch gear box • Rolling resistance tyres • Extra  [ Read More ]

After completing the acquisition of Ssangyong Motors, Mahindra&Mahindra is all set to make its next big move. If ICB is to be believed, the Global SUV (codenamed W201) is will make its debut in May 2011. Sources confirm that employees from various M&M dealerships are being sent to Mahindra factory to be trained for the Global SUV. Hence, we can safely assume that the launch is very close. Adding to  [ Read More ]

Looks like GM’s top brass is reading IAB with keen interest. In November last year we brought you a speculative story on the Baojun 630. In the story, we questioned whether it is a wise strategy for GM to just have one sedan in the entry level segment. If Autobild India is to be believed, the Baojun 630 is indeed coming to the Indian shores. Firstly about the car itself  [ Read More ]

Its been less than a month since the Maruti Suzuki diesel was announced and prior to the launch questions were raised on how the SX4 could compete with powerful offerings that will occupy this segment in the next few months. But things have turned out to be profitable for Maruti Suzuki who has registered over 5,000 bookings for the diesel model. Shashank Srivastava, Chief General Manager, Marketing, Maruti Suzuki India  [ Read More ]

IAB reader Sagar Parikh from Vadodara caught this Beat diesel on test inside the city limits. There’s nothing secretive about this Beat diesel that arrives before June in India.

The 936cc, 3-cylinder Fiat Multijet-derived diesel engine powers the Beat, married to a 5-speed manual transmission. The engine produces 57 bhp power and 140-150 Nm of torque. The ARAI certificate would be a pretty sight for GM as the fuel efficiency will slip past 23kpl.

Sagar, who came very close to the test mule, says the inaudible engine indicates a highly refined diesel motor lurks beneath the bonnet.

Tata Motors may begin exports of the Nano as early as December and will likely export 1,000 units initially.These markets are quite similar to India and have similar requirements as in India, and Tata Motors wouldn’t need to make major changes to the existing Nano.

An executive working at a supplier to Tata Motors, in the condition of anonymity told Wall Street Journal recently. Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia and Romania could get the Nano soon.

Hindustan Motors has updated the Ambassador for 2011 and our reader Siddharth Shankar sent us images he clicked a couple of days ago at a dealership in Delhi. 2011 Ambassador Grand Exterior Features * Side Indicator with Escutcheon * Rear view mirror * Headlamp with Clear glass * Body color bumper * Full wheel hub cover * Soft touch door handle * Diamond cut tail lamp 2011 Ambassador Grand other  [ Read More ]

Images of the Mahindra Xylo celebration edition have found their way online and as the name prompts, it is a limited-edition model with production restricted to 1,000 units.

The special brown paint and roof rail are the first additions that catch the eye. Blacked out B- and C-Pillars break up the bulk, while the newer graphics shift attention away from the controversial front-end.

Blue Vision halogen bulbs improve night time visibility. Interiors get a generous dose of Italian leather while the captain seats all around improve passenger comfort. The Xylo special edition is loaded with a conventional three pin electric socket, USB port, steering wheel and gear knob wrapped in leather and new door trim. As expected this will assume the role of the range-topper in the Xylo line-up.