Bajaj will bring out a load carrier on the ULC platform next year, Financial Chronicle has reported. Quoting the chairman of Bajaj Auto Limited, it adds Bajaj will sell the load carrier variant while Renault’s car will be off the same platform. IAB is told that Renault hasn’t seen or tested the ULC prototypes that have neared completion. They will give the go-ahead only if they are satisfied with every aspect of the product. Bajaj Auto MD Rajiv Bajaj has repeatedly said that the ULC is a “four wheeler” and not a “car”.
Renault officials could inspect the ULC by year-end and take a call. If they feel the need for further improvements, the launch date could be pushed forward.
Based on the inputs from company officials, our in-house image envisioner Shoeb R Kalania presented a rendering of the Bajaj ULC passenger model. He used design idioms and the thought process behind the Chetak scooter, the Renault Twizy and the Bajaj RE 3-wheeler.
Fast fact – Shoeb’ rendering has raised a few eyebrows in Renault India’ camp.
After Hindu Business Line reported that Piaggio’s working on a passenger model on the Ape Mini, SRK got down to working on it. There’s no confusion on the powetrain – A 441cc single-cylinder 9hp diesel engine paired to a 5-speed manual transmission.
The Ape Mini civilian application competes for marketshare with the Mahindra Gio compact cab and Tata Magic Iris. These vehicles will be deployed in cities and towns with crowded bus stops. They are wonderful creations as they share the burden of public transport in a safe and economical manner.
Indian Autos Blog is told that the new BMW X3 (F25) will be launched on June 23. We’re not entirely sure of this information, but a couple of months ago, Siddharth Vinayak Patankar of the Car and Bike Show wrote on his Facebook page wall about BMW planning a June launch for the Q5 competitor.
A source tells Indian Autos Blog that a 2.0-liter diesel engine is planned for the Indian market. The vehicle might not come with a petrol engine in the initial stages. If a petrol engine is offered, it would also be a turbocharged 2.0-liter (codename – N20) that manages a fuel economy of 12kmpl in our conditions.
The source tells us that a slightly under-equipped 2.0-liter diesel variant will be priced well under the Audi Q5 2.0 TDI, its prime target. All X3 variants in India will be fitted with xDrive and the BMW X1, as we’ve said before, will remain the sole 2WD crossover in the BMW lineup. Pilot production of the new X3 began just days ago and series production will start in the next few days.
Sources have told IAB that Mahindra is planning a Bolero facelift early next year to keep the old workhorse fresh and armored for any attack from the competition. The Bolero is India’ best selling SUV and has assumed the role of breadwinner for Mahindra. There is no need for a revival as it is doing wonders already. Minor tweaks to the headlamps, bumper and grille could prove to be enough.
Mahindra can add features like USB slot, Bluetooth connectivity and steering-mounted controls. The steering wheel is from a 1980′s goods carrier, so that needs an element of modernness. The interiors, leaving out the Storm variant, can grow up to look more civilian from the utilitarian self. Mahindra has to rework the refinement and noise levels of the powertrain. Plonking the Scorpio’ CRDI engine across the range might not be possible, a low displacement engine based on it could be a suitable alternative? Mahindra is working on a 3-cylinder variant of the mHawk engine for the compact Xylo and it should study if this engine fits the bill.
Even before its introduction, there are whispers in the market about the Chevrolet Beat diesel sending the i10 and Wagon R packing. The Beat diesel is here in the next 4-6 weeks at a premium of 10-15% over the petrol car. Could the diesel variant start under 4 lakh rupees, perhaps at an attractive 3.99 lakh rupees starting price?
There is good reason for the diesel Beat taking over the market as there isn’t a stylish urban runabout for about 4.5 lakh rupees. The Indica eV2 rides on a thirteen year old diesel. Compared to the Beat’s design and Multi-jet derived 1.0-liter diesel engine, it feels like a typewriter.
We are told the Beat’ diesel engine could match the eV2′s 25kmpl fuel economy figure. If Chevrolet could do a 25.1 kmpl, Tata Motors would have to rework its ad strategy and people mention or think about as a result when the Beat diesel ad is played on TV.
Add the 3-year free maintenance package for its mini cars which make the cars more value for the buck. If General Motors can tell the people what the benefits of buying a Chevrolet Beat diesel are, there is no reason why it can’t draw customers from Hyundai and Maruti showrooms.
Our friends at Motorbeam caught the improved Volkswagen Polo testing near Pune. The car sports two essential features for the top-end model which it lacks now – steering-mounted controls and a nice stereo system.
Motorbeam claims the new top-end Polo will come with Bluetooth connectivity with steering-mounted answer button. The top-end Highline Polo is equipped well, but improving the equipment list is a good idea given Etios Liva, Honda Brio, new Suzuki Swift and Renault’ small car will be joining the pack later in the next eight months. We would like to see Volkswagen offer customers free initial service in the future.
This morning we discussed VW’ plans for the Polo facelift and platform off-springs.
Variant after variant, Suzuki has been proactive in appealing to different target groups with the new Swift. This elevated level of interest leaves us wondering why Maruti Suzuki is still running with the older model almost a year into the new generation model’ international launch. India is one of the largest markets for the Swift. If Maruti is playing the waiting game as the hatchback market is seeing additions on a monthly basis, we won’t comment further.
Toyota, Honda and Renault hatchbacks will join the bandwagon in the next eight months and the crowded space can be tackled better if the market response is gauged to new offerings. This could be Maruti’s thought process. Then there’s the earthquake and Tsunami, a double-header that brought automotive developments to a halt in Japan. Sourcing components is a difficult task and any Maruti product, post launch, attracts five-digit booking numbers.
Coming back to the Suzuki Swift Bi-Tone, it can be ordered on a new Swift by paying 800 Euros over the donor car. The roof and side mirrors are in a different color. Offered on both the 3- and 5-door models, this attempt to capture the youngster’s imagination will work. Back in India, we’re expecting the Swift to play the role of a family hatchback so expect as much style and sportiness as in a nanny.
IAB broke the news of GM India intending to showcase the Chevrolet Beat EV to India earlier this year. In fact back in May 28, 2010, we discussed how the Beat EV will be a highly suitable replacement for the defunct Spark EV project. We also were the first to confirm that the Opel Insignia wouldn’t be launched in India.
Now Financial Chronicle has more information to add. They are quoting a top official discussing plans with the EV.
General Motors India President and MD Karl Slym -
We will be showcasing a electric mini-car in June. This car has been developed in the US and is meant for a global audience. (Launching the car) will depend on feedback from our customers here when we will unveil it. If we decide to produce and launch it in India, we can use the Talegaon facility for that purpose.
The Bangalore engineering facility has played a major role in the development of the Beat EV. On our visit to the center last year, we were told that engineers in that building had helped their American counterparts in developing components for the Volt, a car often referred to as the next generation automobile.
Financial Chronicle adds that the Beat EV is likely to be unveiled on June 5, which coincides with World Environment Day. This is the best day for showcasing any tree-hugging tool. This project has no connection with the Spark EV project it embarked with REVA last year. The Beat EV will sport a laptop-type Li-Ion battery pack.
Bajaj will bring out a load carrier on the ULC platform next year, Financial Chronicle has reported. Quoting the chairman of Bajaj Auto Limited, it adds Bajaj will sell the load carrier variant while Renault’s car will be off the same platform. IAB is told that Renault hasn’t seen or tested the ULC prototypes that have neared completion. They will give the go-ahead only if they are satisfied with every aspect of the product. Bajaj Auto MD Rajiv Bajaj has repeatedly said that the ULC is a “four wheeler” and not a “car”.
