Indian Autos blog

The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze debuts tomorrow in India with black interiors, slightly better plastic quality, iPod docking facility, Bluetooth with music pairing capability, vanity mirror with light and a single CD changer (replacing the 6 CD changer).

The teaser campaign is live on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/guesswhoisbackinblack

One has to cough up around 16k rupees extra for the improved Cruze. Watch out for the ads on Times Of India tomorrow morning.

If there are 2 SUVs that just love to flaunt themselves when they are being tested, then they have to be Mahindra’s World SUV and Force Motors’s SUV. This time it is the Force’s baby that is caught flaunting itself on the streets of Pune.

We have closely followed the development of this vehicle since the past one year. But current pics reveal that the SUV may be completing its testing cycle and getting ready for D-Day. The SUV was scheduled for February launch which was then postponed to May.

Force Motors have high expectation from this product as they have invested heavily in developing in it. The company is also revamping its sales and distribution network to make sure everything is pitch perfect before the launch. The product will be priced between 10-12 lakh rupees.

Sources have told Indian Autos Blog that there is no massive price slash on the existing Fiesta. The price cut will be to the tune of 40k rupees and the Classic model will come with no serious equipment (which even means no stereo and low cost seats).

The price difference is a result of a combination of less equipment and marginally higher levels of localization. Since the Figo and Fiesta share the same platform, more local vendors could be involved with the Fiesta Classic program. The Fiesta Classic will be a good bet for taxicab operators.

As for the new Fiesta, sources tell IAB that the company’ ready with the 1.6-liter petrol engine from the existing Fiesta fitted with variable valve timing. The turbocharged diesel engine is however a brand new motor producing 90bhp. The petrol engine will produce roughly 118bhp and is a blast to drive. Unlike initial reports, there could be no automatic transmission offered at least initially on the new Fiesta.

Note – If you need additional photographs or another point of view, you can read Kaustubh Shinde’s first look at the VW Passat BlueMotion.

It’s been silent for the last couple of days here on IAB. I flew to Goa to take part in the VW Passat BlueMotion media drive while my team members still aren’t able to let go of the excitement after India broke the 28 year old jinx of not having won a World Cup.

Did I miss out on the fun of India winning the World Cup?

No, the Passat, through the twisty roads in Goa more than made up for it.

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Indian Autos Blog reader Sundar Prasad snapped these pics of the new Ford Fiesta while it was testing between Tambaram and Chromepet near Chennai. The new Fiesta is going to be another segment-changing product as Ford has reportedly planned a shock pricing strategy for the C-Segment sizzler.

Ensuring maximum volumes meant the in-house product currently plying this segment also had to move aside. The existing Fiesta is likely to be taken a segment down to avoid confusion, while the new Fiesta will take on the Honda City, VW Vento, Nissan Sunny and Hyundai Verna RB.

Ford communicated to us that a press conference will be held in Delhi on the 14th of this month. Could the unveiling of the new Fiesta happen then?

A day after Maserati’s arrival, Exclusive Motors will launch the New Bentley Continental GT in India with the powerful W12 engine. Mr. Satya Bagla, MD Exclusive Motors and Mr. Chris Buxton Regional Director, Bentley Motors (Middle East, Africa and India) will be present at the occasion.

The Continental GT is equipped with a 5,998cc twin-turbocharged W12 engine, which produces 552 bhp at 6,100 rpm, and torque of 650 newton metres at 1,600-6,100 rpm. Torsen-based permanent four-wheel drive is standard.

The Continental GT accelerates from 0 to 100 kilometres per hour in under 5 seconds, and reaches a top speed of 318 kilometres per hour. It will cost approximately 2 crore rupees but the final price tag is determined by the level of customization the buyer desires.

Indian Autos Blog will be on ground zero, bringing you updates as the launch unfolds.

It’s raining supercars in India. After Bugatti, Ferrari and Koenigsegg, it is the turn of Maserati to turn heads in India. Maserati will announce its range of cars in India in a press conference on the 6th of April in Delhi. These three cars in Maserati lineup will be eagerly anticipated in India – the four-door Quattroporte, GranTurismo coupé (pictured) and the GranCabrio convertible model (pictured). Starting price will be upward of one crore rupees, with the range topping variant costing not more than 1.5 crores.

IAB will be present at the launch to bring you live updates with all the exact details, so stay tuned!

After announcing the launch of the Fiesta Classic on the 7th of April, Ford India now says it has more information to share on the 14th of April in Delhi. We can’t think of anything else other than the revealing of the new Fiesta sedan.

Ford hosted a similar event for the Figo where they invited select members of the media six months before the market launch to witness the unveiling by Alan Mullaly, CEO of Ford Motor Company. We’re expecting a special guest at the Fiesta’s launch as well.

If it isn’t the new Fiesta sedan launch, it has to be the 1.6-liter, 101bhp Figo.