Indian Autos blog

IndianAutosBlog.com fan Rohit Naik late last week sent us an email containing snaps of the world famous London Cab parked in Pune donning temporary MH registered number plates. Here’s what Rohit had to say -

The very popular London Cab was spotted in Pune recently. These pictures are taken at a Mega mall in Pune city. But if you see closely, this bears a temporary registration number of Mumbai. Does this mean that this car is available for sale in India for personal use through an importer?

This car is manufactured by the London Taxi Company and is called the TX4. It’s available in UK in two variants Style and Elegance. Further information is available on http://www.london-taxis.co.uk/new

Powered by a 2.5-liter 4cyl diesel engine, the cab is designed to haul passengers and luggage across towns.

Do you know what this cab is doing in Pune? It sure is not a test mule paying a visit to ARAI.

We posted an image and details of the 2012 Honda CR-V concept this morning followed by a SRK rendering of the rear. The third update on the new CR-V is a copy-paste job from the official Honda CR-V page which reveals a little more on the expectantly awaited crossover.

This is what it says -

With a new design, enhanced features and improved fuel economy, the 2012 CR-V is designed for you and your friends to be in the center of the action. The exterior of the 4th-generation CR-V is sleek and stylish, while the accommodating and spacious interior promises a host of new possibilities. The 2012 CR-V goes on sale in late 2011, so sign up to receive the latest updates and follow the CR-V on Facebook by clicking “Like” (http://www.facebook.com/hondacrv).

The hype is on now but the question is this – Will the Honda CR-V rise again in India?

IndianAutosBlog.com reader Maharshi Purohit sent us close up snaps of the new Maruti Swift ZXi from Ahmedabad. Being the top-end model strapped with a 1.2-liter K Series engine equipped with variable valve timing, the Swift ZXi is maxed out on equipment.

Seen in these images are steering mounted audio track and volume toggle controls (there’s no sign of mobile phone controls), CD/MP3 player with a sophisticated center console, automatic climate control (though not clear in this image), black interiors, remote key, giant bottle holder on the door, pen holder above the glove compartment, floating horn, ABS, alloy wheels, fog lamps and body colored fitments.

We’re waiting for our sources to confirm the complete list of variants and equipment. Click “Continue” to see all the Images.

India’s leading business magazine BusinessWorld has carried a comprehensive report on the future of the Tata Nano and how Tata Motors is working to resurrect sales of the mini car that is showing another sales decline in the latest issue.

The report states that Nano will receive a few cosmetic upgrades, higher fuel economy and a diesel engine in the next stage. There’s no Nano 2 (a thoroughly revised model) as yet. Instead an improved edition with a tweaked engine will come out to encourage more people to come have a look.

The report adds that a micro-hybrid variant (start-stop technology) “may come soon.” Tata displayed a special Nano installed with this technology at the Delhi Auto Expo last year.

Tata is also planning to give the Nano new features. Bosch is ready with an inexpensive power steering unit while we have spotted a Nano testing with two ORVMs and a top-hinged rear windshield. The twin cylinder diesel Nano with 40kmpl fuel economy figure could be the next big thing, but to be safe Tata is looking at SAARC countries to create demand. With Sri Lanka and Nepal ticked off, Bangladesh and Pakistan are next on the radar.

On the front end, Tata plans 300-plus exclusive dealerships for the Nano and another 350-odd SNAP (special Nano access points) by the end of 2011. It may also ask select commercial vehicle dealers to sell Nano if the demand rises.

With still time left for the Force One to be launched, Force Motors is already drawing up plans for a new MPV. Force Motors has signed a license agreement with Mercedes-Benz to provide the technology for the new MPV.

This move was predicted because Force Motors have been using Daimler technology for many years. It is used not only for the Force One but also for many of their commercial vehicles. In fact, the Daimler was a shareholder in Force Motors but later dissolved its stakes.

The first product from the personal transport division of Force Motors – Force One – will also use a 2.2-litre common-rail diesel engine from Daimler (Mercedes-C220- derived). The new MPV will be the second product from Force Motors’s passenger division which will be less expensive than the Force One. Force is also in talks with the Madhya Pradesh government to locate a new plant for the production of the MPV at Pithampur.

The product technology will facilitate Force Motors’ entry into the MPV/MUV segment which is dominated by Toyota Innova. Considering Force One will be launched in the price bracket of 12-14 lakhs, we are guessing that the Force MPV will also be a polished product and will target the Toyota Innova.

The Force MPV will be launched in the end of 2012 so there is ample of time for Force to focus on Force One and make it a huge success. Then, they can carry forward the momentum and use it for this MPV.

Here are some pointers from the Beat diesel press conference, a powerpoint presentation discussing technical aspects of the new engine along with official photographs released by General Motors. The Beat diesel in four trims was launched yesterday between 4.29-5.45 lakh rupees (ex-showroom, New Delhi).

• Beat Diesel, GM claims, is the biggest step for the company
• Knowledge gained from European diesel cars applied on the Beat diesel as Europe is the home of diesel cars
• Beat D is PERFECT; P- Performance – class leading power per litre and torque; E- EPS; R- Refinement – Suspension etc; F & E – Fuel Economy; C – Cost of ownership; T – Technology
• Jingle used on the advertisement – DRIVE KHULKE
• 3 year/1 lac kilometer warranty
• Chevy promise to refund money if cost of ownership goes beyond Chevy’s predicted maintenance cost
• PS TDCI – 4.29 Lac Ex Delhi only power steering and AC; LS – 4.59L; LT – 4.99 L; LT with optional pack (ABS EBD) – 5.45 L
• Chevy did not de-spec the diesel model like the competition does
• Bookings started a week back and deliveries commenced yesterday

click Continue for unseen images and powerpoint slide

Having seen some spyshots of the 2012 CR-V and a photograph of the concept model released online yesterday, we can’t wait for the final outcome of the new CR-V that will set the cat among the pigeons in the crossover segment lead by the BMW X1 in India. The Renault Koleos and the Audi Q3 will step into the ring making it a fiercely contested battle.

We do not have a clear idea about the new generation’s rear-end, so we rang in Shoeb R Kalania to show us how the outcome will be. The Volvo XC60ish tail lamp will certainly be the significant feature design wise.

The bulbous rear end could hide an extra row of seats which Honda isn’t willing to clarify at this moment. The CR-V has always intended to merge the cabin space of an MPV and the comfort of a sedan.

As we said this morning, the same 2.4-liter petrol engine will continue sending drive to the wheels but fuel efficiency figures, like the new Civic’s, will be marginally better. Since the CR-V’s hottest market is America where diesel engines are not a priority, there’s no word on that. The goal of the new CR-V has to be to give BMW and Audi some sleepless nights.

A personal blog that started out as a place where three college going auto aficionados would rant about cars every evening has come a long way in three years. I feel as if I wrote our second anniversary thanksgiving note weeks ago and it’s already been a year now.

Before I move on to the rest of the content, I’d like to thank readers, subscribers and webmasters of other blogs for your support. Special thanks go out to my team members Kaustubh Shinde, Shoeb R Kalania, Shakti Budhiraja, Nazish Siddique, Arjun Rajput and Aniruddha Mulgund. You guys are awesome, you’re always pushing the barriers, bringing new things to the table and making the browsing experience better for our readers.

I’d like to give thanks of my guest writers who have pitched in with their thoughts every now and then. I’d like to thank close friends from other blogs who have been a source of inspiration and helped us along with their support – Damon from Autoblog.com, Smokey and Robbie from Autoblog.nl, Moriah and Eber from NoticiasAutomotivas, Brian, Clinton and others from WorldCarFans.com, John from GreenCarReports.com, Muamer from BenzInsider.com, Oscar from Diariomotor, Paul from CarAdvice Australia, Mircea from Automarket.ro, Lorenzo from Autoblog.it, Ashley from ChinaCarTimes.com, John from Carscoop.blogspot.com, Alison from Eurocarblog.com, Daniel from AutoEvolution.com, the entire team of Quatro Rodas magazine, Spyros from Autoblog.gr, Vlad from RPMGo.com, Colum from AutoGuide.com, Marc from TheTorqueReport.com, and Omar from eGMCartech.com. I’m sorry if I have missed any others, it does not mean I’m not thinking about you. Our team is humbled by your love, affection and support.

click Continue to read on