Indian Autos blog

Indian Autos Blog reader Hari Krishnan, who resides in Delhi caught this new taped Swift testing in Delhi while driving to office last week. The new Swift is expected in India in the coming months with the same 1.3-liter Multi-jet diesel engine and a 1.2-liter K-Series petrol engine (K12) with variable valve timing.

The new Swift is marginally longer and its rounded appearance was a sensible way to take forward the Swift’ well-accepted design. We expect the new Swift in the first half of 2011 as some dealers are accepting bookings.

Ford unveils the New Ford Fiesta in Delhi.

The most awaited sedan was officially unveiled today in the nation’s capital. IAB is at Select City Walk, Central Atrium in Saket, Delhi bringing you these updates. After being spied countlessly on the Indian streets, Ford has finally taken the wraps of the new Fiesta and boy is it gorgeous to look at!

Ford is going all guns blazing with the new Fiesta Model. The new Fiesta is available in 2 engine options:

* TiVCT Petrol
* TDCi Diesel

The Fiesta is also loaded with features such as:

* USB / Aux-in connectivity
* Steering mounted controls
* Voice activated control system
* Electronic Cruise Control system
* Mobile inspired center console
Because the Sedan holds a higher aspirational value in the mindset of the consumer, Ford is unveiling the sedan first in India.

Ford is targeting “Ajai” who is a young, tech-savvy individual who would frequent malls and entertainment centers much like where the new Fiesta has been unveiled.

Sadly, this is not a launch so no prices are disclosed yet. Another odd thing to notice is that this car will be on display in Delhi for the next 3 months, So is it that Ford will officially launch the car after 3 months?

Ford has called the display area as “Fiesta Cafe” where mall goers can experience the new Fiesta in flesh and learn more about the features by flipping through them on a TV screen that responds to the movement of the person’ hand in front.

But if you are from Delhi, then we suggest you head to Select City Walk mall to have a detailed look at the car because the car will be left behind for masses to see.

If you are not from Delhi, why don’t you flip through the brochure that our good friends at The AutomotiveIndia have given us

We are awaiting your thoughts as always

Are you interested in becoming the next Formula1 superstar from India? Want to follow the footsteps of Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok? If yes, the Force India F1 team is searching for you.

Yesterday, Force India Formula 1 team has announced Force India F1 Team Academy – a racing program to identify young racing talent from India.

The racing program plans to provide expert academic and vocational training that is required for a career in motorsport. This includes expertise in race engineering, driving and other and other motorsport personnel.

It is common sense to assume Honda will come out with a sedan on the Brio platform. Honda’ not new to the concept of utilizing a platform to bring out different body styles. The Jazz and City share the same platform. The Honda CR-V is loosely based on the Civic. Honda built an estate on the Jazz platform and a similar operation was executed using Accord components. From the international portfolio, we could pull up plenty of examples, but the point is clear.

We feel the Brio platform is a good base to build a compact sedan that can sit between Brio and City. Brio sedan will be Honda’s entry into the land of the Dzire, Manza, Etios and Fiesta Classic. Though a high potential segment, customers don’t mind the cohesive looks (Dzire, Manza, Logan) average interiors (Etios, Fiesta Classic) or the ordinary sound deadening. They lay emphasis on a comfortable rear seat, a sizable boot and respectable fuel economy.

Can Honda choose to build a car under the four meter length barrier? They have a 1.2-liter engine that will complete all requirements for it to qualify for lower excise duty. The absence of a diesel engine will prevent Honda from clocking extremely good volumes, but we suspect until one is ready, the petrol engine can hold the fort. Honda will hope that a compact diesel engine is ready before the competition extends its lead even further.

Update – We messed up the spelling. It’s Infiniti and not Infinity.

Infiniti is to Nissan what Lexus is to Toyota – a posh badge of the same manufacturer. Looking at the spurt in the Indian luxury car market, Infiniti is planning to invade the Indian streets as well. The good news is that they are bringing their entire lineup to rival against the German trio – Mercedes, BMW and Audi.

The shocking news is that they have not partnered with Hover, which distributes Nissan products in India. Instead they have tied up with the Shreyans group – the official importer of Ferrari, Maserati, Ducati and Porsche. I guess posh badges require posh tie ups as well

Their line up consists of:

• G Series Saloon – To take on the C class, 3 series and A4
• M-series Saloon – To take on E class, 5 series, soon to be launched A6 and Jag XF
• EX series mini SUV – To rival Audi Q5 and BMW X3
• FX series SUV – To rival the BMW X5 and Mercedes M-Class
• QX series SUV – To take on Mercedes GL-class and Lexus LX 570

With the entry of Infiniti, speculations are rife that Toyota will also consider officially introducing the Lexus brand. Toyota’s management told Indian Autos Blog back during the launch of the Toyota Prado in December 2009 that the company is considering the introduction of sister brands in India in the future.

Audi’s photocopier is certainly the hardest working machine on the planet. After reducing the Q7 to its 75% to bring the Q5, it has now reduced the Q7 again to 25% to bring out the Q3 – one of the most anticipated SUVs for the Indian market.

Audi has released official images of the Q3 mini SUV that will be the first rival to the BMW X1. Based on the VW Tiguan platform, the Q3 will debut at the Shanghai motor show and will be officially on sale by year end.

It’s around 4.4m long, 1.8m wide and 1.6m high. It will have three petrol engines
• 1.4L engine with 140bhp
• 1.8L engine with 180bhp
• 2.0L engine with 210bhp

It will also have two diesels with 140bhp and 170bhp and twin-turbodiesel engine with 204bhp. Most engines will be mated to Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system via a seven-speed dual clutch transmission.

Detailed specs will follow as it is revealed at the Shanghai Motor show on April 21, 2011.

click through to view photographs and read all the details

JLR is planning to get extremely aggressive in India and wants dethrone the Germans. The luxury market in India has been consistently showing high growth potential but most of this growth is ruled by Mercedes, BMW and Audi.

Because the company is owned by Tatas, the management believes that it has a responsibility to overtake traditional rivals like BMW and Audi in India. JLR now views India as a second ‘home market’ after the UK where it is regarded as the top luxury brand.

The company is testing the feasibility producing the Freelander 2 at the Tata plant in Pune via the CKD route. It also plans to make India a hub for all its production requirements for the Asia region

The company plans to introduce all its range of products including the new Range Rover Evoque and the soon to be launched facelifted XF. As many as 40 new products will be introduced over the next five years, the company stated recently.

The first 25 Tata Vista EV have been handed over to the owners as part of the final car evaluation before the UK launch. These specific owners will provide feedback to Tata Motors on a regular basis for a year. These cars are part-funded by the Coventry and Birmingham Low Emissions Demonstrators (CABLED).

The government has also established a public charging point network across the region. This trial will reveal the adaptability of the electric cars in UK.

The Vista EV will be made available to the general public by this summer. The vehicle will be assembled at the new factory in Coventry using kits imported from India.