Might be late to the party, but the latest to join the LPG bandwagon with so much to offer is the Indica. If you haven’t been following the LPG scene the Chevrolet Beat and Wagon R have been giving the LPG treatment in 2011. The Hyundai i10 LPG should join that list next month and the Volkswagen Polo Bi-Fuel is selling in Europe over the last 15 months.
Tata Motors has launched the refreshed Indica with LPG option. The e-XETA LPG sports features like remote keyless entry, power windows, music system with USB, Aux in and bluetooth connectivity and alloy wheels on the top-end model. The LPG model is offered in four variants are offered – GL, GLE, GLS and GLX. The GLX model is loaded with features such as central locking, fog lamps, body colored fitments, etc.
The BS3 version of the Indica LPG carries on in smaller towns and cities as the Indica V2 LPG. As fuel prices have hit the roof, manufacturers are now adding the LPG heart in all cities to make petrol variants enticing. Sales have petrol cars have taken a hit after the government announced a massive hike a few weeks back.
Tata Indica e-XETA LPG prices in rupees (ex-showroom Mumbai)
GL – 297,332
GLE – 321,550
GLS – 341,056
GLX – 365,771
In terms of space, fuel economy, range and price the Indica e-XETA LPG is the best value in its segment. The Indica’s poor fit and finish bundled with the taxicab image will create some aversion, but if you are able to overlook them the e-XETA, like it seems on paper, is the best petrol car in the market.
Renault’s market share in some parts of Europe has declined along with the sales of the Twingo, a two-door city car pitted against the likes of the Fiat 500, Toyota Aygo and Citroen C1. The next generation model is expected only in 2014 constructed on Daimler’s next Smart Forfour’s chassis. Until then, Renault plans to keep the production lines humming with the Twingo facelift that aims to connect with buyers with a new personality. Will a facelift induce any magic into the tiny Twingo?
[Read more about the Twingo facelift at steeringnews.com]
Dacia’s Popster mini van reminds us of the Xylo. Fact is, it’s more similar to the Tata Winger – will be offered in two wheelbases. The Popster van is in the testing phase in Romania and our in-house image renderer tried cooking up a sketch of the new model. Renault plans to deploy 5 models in India by the end of 2012 and the Popster, along with the new Logan badged as Renaults are definite possibilities for the MPV-loving Indian market in the company’s 2013-14 business plan.
[Read more about the Dacia Popster at steeringnews.com]
Meanwhile Volkswagen, which aims for supremacy in the global automotive business by 2018 has rested high hopes on the next generation Golf. Design of the Golf 7 has been finalized and it will be built using the MQB kit architecture we’ve spoken about before. The Golf is Volkswagen’s best selling hatchback in Europe and the new model will play a key role in maintaining its position at the top. According to market research (a.k.a common sense) in the next few years demand for C segment hatchbacks like the i30, Golf and Focus will be sizable in India. Will it prompt Volkswagen to assemble the Golf in Aurangabad/Chakan?
[Read more about the VW Golf 7 on steeringnews.com]
Under the ownership of Ford, the successor to the Volvo XC90 wasn’t a priority. The sale of the brand certainly was and after being bought out by Chinese auto company Geely, the XC90 revival is back in focus, according to Dutch website Autowereld.com.
Volvo’s new owners see diamonds hidden in the XC90 as a stylish 7 seat SUV is a fantastic idea for the Chinese market. The current generation model has found many Chinese homes and for the trend to continue in a cut-throat environment seeing new arrivals everyday, a revival is mandatory.
It is reported that Volvo will give a mild makeover for the XC90 in late 2011 which will not involve any structural changes. The light clusters, grille, wheels and cabin color palette will be different. The design will be along the lines of the XC60, but sticking larger XC60 design element on a generation old Volvo will not make it a graceful car.
Having secured a safe position for the immediate future, the attention will turn to reviving the old workhorse for a late 2013 debut. The structurally different model could be bigger but the car’s weight will hardly increase due to clever construction techniques and use of light weight materials.
Changes under the hood will include an all new powertrain. A compact petrol engine fitted with a supercharger will join a hybrid powertrain. There’s no talk of diesels, but the twin turbo D5 from the current Volvo range could be improved to continue serving in diesel-loving Europe. The new XC90 could help Volvo increase its market share in America where it wants a decent presence. The XC90 is sold in India and is bought through the CBU channel.
The Volvo XC90 goes head to head with the Mercedes GL-Class and Audi’s Q7. The latter is also going to see drastic change in design and mechanicals three years from now.
We have been monitoring the VW-Suzuki Alliance for ages now. In December 2009, one of the biggest car makers in the world – VW announced that they had bough a 19.9% of stake in the 9th largest car maker in world – Suzuki for a sum of 2.5 billion dollars. This was a promising alliance which would have opened doors to many successful products changing hands and exploring new markets.
However, nothing of that sort ever happened. Nothing fruitful came out of the alliance. The idea was VW will use Suzuki’s expertise in building small cars for which VW will assist Suzuki with technologies like diesel engines and alternate propulsion systems in return. The companies were not in favor of the idea of sharing dealership or service center space.
After much waiting and no results, we asked a simple question to our audience was Fiat (and not VW) the right partner for Suzuki because they share so many technologies and interests. However, it seems that now the whole VW-Suzuki alliance may be on the rocks.
After VW parted with 2.5 billion dollars for 20% stake, Suzuki sent $1.13 billion back and bought 2.5 percent of Volkswagen. Later, there was a war words between the management of the two companies with VW accusing Suzuki that it wants as much modern technology as possible from Volkswagen, but is not willing to reciprocate and the Japanese still need some training in proper cooperation.
click through to learn more
Renault’s V-Platform hatchback is taking shape for an Auto Expo 2012 launch. The branding of the product is being worked on and the name will be revealed to the media either in late 2011 or in Delhi during the launch. Renault has designed this product for the Indian market using Indian designers.
If we are able to observe the image of the hidden car closely, it conceals a tall boy design. Unlike the Wagon R, the V-Platform hatchback will not be an inexpensive car. It will fight for a spot among players in a segment above having the new Maruti Swift, Hyundai i20 and VW Polo sitting at the crest of a giant wave.
No real surprises under the hood – the same 1.2-liter petrol and 1.5-liter diesel engines from the Micra Based on the Nissan Micra platform, Renault’s hatch has no legacy like the Micra and, like we mentioned is not connected to the Clio, Twingo or Sandero. The B+ hatch must have been designed around the needs of the Indian compact car buyer.
Renault India told Indian Autos Blog there were no plans to bring the Clio to India in the short or mid-term. The company’s second small car could be positioned below the V-Platform hatch to lock horns with the i10s and Wagon Rs.
Renault’s V hatch will be displayed at the Auto Expo and is expected to hit Renault showrooms by April 2012 for a price of between 4.5-7 lakh rupees.
Jurgen Stackmann, Skoda’s marketing and sales director recently gave an interview to auto-reporter.net. Speaking to the German media, the following are Stackmann’s views and messages translated into English-
- We want to be known as the brand for its brilliant use of space, flexibility and practicality as well as excellent value for money. And we are well on our way there.
- We have made great strides in Asia, there we are developing very successfully
- Being amongst the key and volume player of the Volkswagen Group, to achieve the target of the world’s largest car manufacturer by 2018, we must provide our brand’s contribution.
- Everyone will have to be oriented with their brand portfolio and their approach to it, and if the whole group does the job well, as it currently looks like, we will all reach the goal.
IAB has already discussed the future product lineup which include a 7 seat Yeti, a junior Yeti, Youngster city car and the next generation Octavia. Renault-owned Romanian auto manufacturer Dacia is a Skoda wannabe and plans to launch a range of products with improved quality to create a better perception in the public’s mind.
These group brands have upped their game are going to sell torrents of low priced products where VFM factor is more important than a superior brand badge.
IAB reader Arjun Shrie who lives in the UAE dropped into a Honda showroom last week to get a glimpse of the new Civic that’s just arrived at the dealers. The new Civic will come to India next year, perhaps with the same powertrain. Details are sketchy at this point, but here’s Arjun’s two cents on the new Civic.
The 2012 Civic is out in showrooms here in UAE but only limited number of cars are available. Just 30 vehicles have been supplied to all of UAE which will be sold on first come basis.
The limited numbers are due to the production crunch in Japan. I was told that the Civic is in high demand and 20 of them are already booked. By the time you are reading this, all 30 would have found Arab homes.
click Continue to read further
In the recent past we’ve brought you variants and equipment of the new Verna, Etios Liva and the to be launched VW Jetta well before their launch.
With the help of Akhil, who just attended the Ford Fiesta dealer preview, we’re showing you the brochure of the new Fiesta today. This is another IAB exclusive.
Both petrol and diesel cars will have four variants each – Style, Trend, Titanium and Titanium+
Standard equipment across the new Fiesta range (equipment by default) – Body colored door handles, mirrors and bumpers, turn indicators on ORVMs, tilt adjustable steering, front and rear power windows, rear armrest, electric boot release, rear defogger/demister, electrically operated rear view mirrors, 6 speakers, audio controls on steering wheel, ABS and EBD, and dual front airbags.
Ford is not going to offer a skimped variant. The Style variant has manual AC and body colored fitments while leather wrapped steering, Bluetooth and Voice control are available only on the Titanium and Titanium+models.
We’re expecting all variants new Fiesta to be priced between 7.99-10.99 lakh rupees (ex-showroom Delhi). Ford, will you pop a surprise?
Might be late to the party, but the latest to join the LPG bandwagon with so much to offer is the Indica. If you haven’t been following the LPG scene the Chevrolet Beat and Wagon R have been giving the LPG treatment in 2011. The Hyundai i10 LPG should join that list next month and the Volkswagen Polo Bi-Fuel is selling in Europe over the last 15 months.
