In a press release General Motors has spoken about the 1.0-liter 3-cylinder diesel engine that will debut on the Beat during the second half of 2011. The diesel heart was designed by GM’s Torino Engineering Center supported by engineers at the Bangalore Powertrain facility.
Producing 140 Nm @ 1,750 rpm, the engine will be fitted with a Dual Overhead Camshaft and a turbocharger. There is no mention of power output, but we were told by an inside source that it will make 57bhp.
The new diesel engine could be marketed as XSDE (Xtra Smart Diesel Engine) and the same engine could be used on the Spark mini car.
Read the press release after the break to gain more knowledge on this important engine that promises to boost sales volume of the Beat.
A IndianAutosBlog.com reader calling himself “Sid” has sent us an email listing out the variants of the new Verna expected to arrive on May 11.
This is what it said -
Dear Indian Autos Blog,
I’m confident that these are the variants of the new Hyundai Verna expected in India next month.
1.4 petrol base/ 1.4 diesel base
1.6 petrol base/ 1.6 diesel base
1.6 petrol SX/ 1.6 diesel SX (with standard ABS and dual airbags for both engine options)
1.6 petrol SX option/ 1.6 diesel SX option (with standard ABS, 6 airbags, reverse camera and keyless go)
1.6 petrol SX option AT/ 1.6 diesel SX option AT (with standard ABS, 6 airbags, reverse camera and keyless go)
In all, Hyundai will offer 5 petrol variants and 5 diesel variants.
Warm Regards,
Sid.
We ask the readers to take it in with a pinch of salt because we’re terming the contents of Sid’ email as a speculative piece of text. With 10 variants, Hyundai could offer something for absolutely everyone wanting a sedan.
Speaking to Indian Autos Blog, a 
higher official at Renault India’ corporate communications division, without getting into details, said the company will launch the Fluence in the month of June. He refused to give the exact time frame, but said the vehicle will be out in mid-2011.
We have already brought you two sets of exclusive spyshots of the Fluence spotted Pune by Snatak and more recently in Chennai by Bairesh. The Fluence will be launched in India with two very interesting engine options – a 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine producing 140bhp and the 1.5-liter diesel engine producing 105bhp, featured under the Micra’/Logan’ bonnet.
The Fluence is expected to compete with the likes of the Chevrolet Cruze, Toyota Corolla and Skoda Laura. The vehicle will be made at the Renault-Nissan JV car plant in Oragadam, near Chennai. Next year we’re expecting this segment to open up with two more players – Hyundai’ Avante and Ford’ Focus saloon.
Sources have told Indian Autos Blog that General Motors is planning a new Tavera for India this year. Last year we reported that the new Tavera will utilize Sonalika’ CRDI engine on the BS4 Tavera. This could be launched by the end of 2011.
Above is a speculative impression of the new Tavera by Shoeb R Kalania.
GM will fit the Tavera with a 2-liter Sonalika turbocharged CRDI engine producing 100bhp.
Changes on the refreshed Tavera include new alloys, body graphics, new grille, clear lens lamps and minor changes to the interior. The facelifted model might debut the Sonalika CRDI engine as well as host the existing 2.5 L Direct Injection Turbo Diesel for rural markets. It is not clear what the company’ plan is with dual engines, but we’ll soon find out. Stay tuned to IAB.
Speaking to IndianAutosBlog.com over the telephone, Fiat India’ spokesman said there was no truth to reports of the company planning a 1.6-liter diesel engine or Automatic Transmission variant for Linea for 2011.
Fiat India spokesman from Mumbai -
It (1.6-liter diesel variant) is not in the business plan for this year. There is no truth to it. It is just a person’ or a site’s report.
On the Automatic transmission variant -
We displayed it at the Auto Expo but there are no plans to introduce it in the near future. When we are ready, we will do an announcement.
The company is also not considering the Punto CNG variant for this year. It had showcased the model at the Auto Expo last year.
Autocar India editor Hormazd Sorabjee, who almost always gets it right, has tweeted that Hyundai will launch the new Verna on the 11th of next month.
As we reported earlier, production of the new Verna should’ve commenced on the 15th on this month. Hyundai could offer as many as four engine options (2 diesel + 2 petrol) along with a 4-speed automatic transmission on select variants.
The new Verna has been spied almost everyday by IAB readers, we even carried a set earlier today.
IndianCarsBikes is reporting that Mahindra could launch the W201 (Global SUV) during mid-August. The W201 has been tested in almost every part of India. It is a common sight for Indian citizens today as the camouflaged mule, often driven to its limit, has been snapped a thousand times in all kinds of terrain, weather and altitude.
The W201 will come with the 2.2-liter CRDI engine from the Scorpio and a manual transmission option. Mahindra could introduce the AT variant, but this will have limited takers. Fueling its American ambitions could be a much bigger petrol engine. It will be interesting to see if Mahindra leverages on Ssangyong’ global dealer network to retail the W201.
This image was sent in by our reader Sameer Bachhav.
If you are a regular reader of IndianAutosBlog you’d know everything about the new Verna (Codename – RB). Our first post on the new Verna came in late 2009 with spyshots of the car from South Korea. Since then we’ve kept a close watch on the Indian wing’ progress on the car.
IAB aficionado Sameer Bachhav was quick to pop out his camera and capture these images of the RB undergoing final tests on the outskirts of Chennai.
Hyundai has commenced bookings for the car that’s expected to be launched by the end of May. The Verna’ segment is about to be set ablaze with Ford arriving with the new Fiesta and Nissan busy readying the Sunny (wearing the Almera nameplate) for this festive season.
Hyundai has also opened up a teaser site for the new Verna. It wants to go all out and why shouldn’t it? The Santro, i10 and i20 have been titanic hits and the next immediate segment it needs to focus on is the saloon segment. That’s why Hyundai might offer up to four engine options strapped to manual and automatic transmission options right from the start.
