Indian Autos blog

On the official Car and Bike Show Facebook page, an undisguised image of a white Mahindra SUV has been posted by Suraj Navle. On close inspection, we believe it is the W201 which we’ve been talking about on a daily basis.

The black bits sticking out of the bumpers are camouflage hiding notches or indents. Beside that you’ll see the same car parked in a Mahindra showroom later this year.

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Our reader George Davis filmed the Mahindra W201 parked on the ground floor of an apartment complex. Expected in India during end October, production-ready cars have been spotted doing last minute rounds of testing all over India.

Mahindra is preparing to field their Fortuner basher by testing it in Chennai, testing it in the Himalayas, testing it in the hills of Ooty and then testing it everywhere else. The only part of India that Mahindra hasn’t dared taking the W201 over the last three years is into the Indian Ocean.

Popularly known as the Mahindra Global SUV, sources have told us to expect something very special with the powertrain. The refinement and performance is leagues ahead of the Scorpio and according to one person who managed to sneak a test drive on a mule recently, the pickup is amazing for an SUV.

Based on a new platform, the W201 is Mahindra’s first vehicle built using the unibody construction technique. We’ve not heard of their proposal, but the 2.2 mHawk from the Scorpio will make a definite appearance under the hood. The W201 is primarily a FWD vehicle and the option of AWD will be provided on higher-end variants.

Unlike the Aria which today is technologically the most advanced product from an Indian manufacturer, the W201 could provide a shock to many in the industry as a product and with its price tag. The W201 will offer the same features as the Fortuner, for just over the price of a Scorpio. We’re expecting it to be in the region of 12-14 lakh rupees, right above the flagship Scorpio.

Will you buy a W201 over a Fortuner this Diwali?

We took a breather yesterday and since this morning there has been no activity on Indian Autos Blog. Fresh from a break, we’re raring to go with plenty of interesting news and exclusive content. Here’s what you can expect on Indian Autos Blog today.

1) Mahindra W201 up close spy video
2) Nissan Pickup truck caught testing near Chennai
3) More Mahindra W201 spy shots and information
4) News from Skoda, Mercedes Benz, Mahindra, Tata Motors and Maruti Suzuki
5) International news from steeringnews.com

So better stay tuned!

One of the most successful engines in Maruti Suzuki’s history has cracked yet another milestone. The country’s largest auto manufacturer has managed to roll out ten lakh K series engines within three years.

This engine is almost the heart of Maruti Suzuki powering numerous cars under its portfolio such as WagonR, A Star Swift, Estilo, Ritz and Alto-K10.

First launched in 2008 under the bonnet of the A star, the K series received a phenomenal response from the Customers. So Maruti decided to make the K series ‘The Petrol Engine’ for their cars.

Manufactured in Gurgaon, the 3- and 4-cylinder engines, according to MSIL, is developed to give you maximum fuel efficiency without compromising on the performance.

The K series will also find a new home in the much new Swift and possibly the compact Dzire based on the new Swift. However, Maruti still uses Fiat’s Multijet technology when it comes to powering their diesel cars

Photographs of the Xylo derivatives – Genio single cab and mini Xylo – testing on ice have emerged online. Spy shots of the mini Xylo mounted on a truck have appeared on many websites but the location of capture wasn’t clear. If you look carefully at the image, the mini Xylo is mounted above the Genio on the hauler.

With a modicum of camo and some thoughtfully placed tape, the prototypes give rise to many questions among which is Is Mahindra developing a 4WD system for mini Xylo? We are aware that the Xylo 4WD is production ready and test mules were spotted a long while back. Mahindra is waiting for the right time to launch the 4WD variant, a compulsory addition in countries which experience snowfall.

The mini Xylo could be launched in the next few weeks according to newspaper reports with large cabin space, Xylo level comfort for five passengers and the fuel economy of a three-cylinder diesel engine. Rumor has it that the price will be at par with B segment hatchbacks. We’ve posted 20 spy photographs showing different angles of the mini Xylo last month.

At the launch of the Genio, Mahindra officials said the dual cab version will follow shortly. We have caught the dual cab Xylo on test a couple of times and other than an added row of seats and doors, there’s nothing new in that.

Three days after the launch of the Tata Nano in Nepal bookings crossed 200, reports coming in from Nepal inform us. Bookings were opened for ten days on June 26.

Within days of launch, despite a heavy custom duty and a bare bones nature, the Nano has done better than many expected.

The Nano is priced starting at NPR 7.98 lakhs (converts roughly to 4.94 lakh Indian rupees). The Standard model can be booked for NPR 10,000, the mid CX for NPR 20,000 and the top-end LX for NPR 30,000. The EMI is set at NPR 11,111.

Sipradi Trading Company is the distributor for the Nano and Tata products in Nepal. Officials at the distributor level said the little Nano has attracted large crowds at showrooms and constant bookings are streaming in.

Activities around the Nano began during the beginning of June with the Nano driven around Nepal in a Yatra that doubled up as an endurance run in Nepal’s terrain and weather.

Tata has launched the Nano in Sri Lanka where many vehicles have been bought by a local company to be used as an air conditioned taxi cab. Back home people are eagerly waiting for diesel, LPG and CNG editions of Nano with more features such as power steering and better brakes.

In a mass mailer reaching out to Ford customers, Ford has spilled the beans on the Fiesta’s launch date. The following image, cut out from the mass email gives you the details.

Ford is holding the launch on the 14th, but four days prior to that privileged customers get a chance to experience the car’s features in comfort at the local dealership.

The new Fiesta comes with a pair of new 1.5-liter engines paired to 5-speed manual transmissions. You can learn everything about the new Fiesta using the following links.

Ford Fiesta – Everything technical you ever wanted to know
Ford Fiesta – Indian Fiesta vs European Fiesta
Ford Fiesta AT not coming in 2011
Ford Fiesta – Voice activated controls at work [video]
Ford Fiesta – First impressions

Now that the Fiesta has come back into focus, make sure to check back later for our review.

An Indian Autos Blog buff who wished to remain anonymous sent us these snaps of the Force Motors One from North India. The Force Motors One will be launched in the next few weeks with a Mercedes Benz C Class-derived 2,143cc diesel engine sending 140bhp/320Nm to the rear wheels.

Sources tell us Force Motors will see off the 4×2 version first followed by a 4×4 in a few months. Force engineers are testing the 4×4′s components thoroughly and don’t want to leave anything to chance.

I spoke to Mr Prasan Firodia, Managing Director Force Motors recently where he said the product will not come out until he’s completely satisfied it. The intention at least is not to perform market R&D by using the initial customers as mule testers.

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