In an exclusive article, CarWale.com is reporting that the premium hatchback Renault unveils on the 29th will be branded Pulse. The Renault Pulse uses the 1.2-litre petrol engine and the 1.5-litre diesel engine powering the Micra. The suspension system is same as Micra, the rear leg room, boot space and interior dimensions are also identical.
Time and again IndianAutosBlog.com has reported that the Modus is on validation tests (across 8 different countries for the next generation model) and the next generation Clio, expected to bow in during 2012 is a different car.
Returning to the Pulse, the dashboard interface and steering wheel are redesigned according to this report which adds that the wheelbase and track measurements are Micra dimensions. Renault is expected to price the Pulse above the Micra lending it extra features. The equipment detailed in the Carwale report is identical to the Micra’s and there’s no unique or first in class feature listed.
Renault will launch the Pulse during Auto Expo 2012 where we will get to see the production-ready version and hear the specifications, variants and prices.
click through to read more
As the excitement of the first ever Indian GP is in the air, Ferrari is all set to deliver some goodies as a parting gift after the race. On 31st of October, a day after the race, Ferrari is all set to unveil the unique Ferrari FF in India at their Delhi showroom.
The FF is Ferrari’s first ever four wheeled drive shooting brake model. When you look at the Ferrari FF there is an instant connect with the 458 Italia. But it’s not the sort of Ferrari that you see in your dreams because it is essentially a 4 seater hatchback.
Oh yes, the FF is Ferrari’s idea of an everyday practical car. Practical it may be, but there is nothing even remotely hum drum of the performance it is capable of.
Powered by a 6.2L V12 engine that generates 660 Bhp at 8,000 rpm with a peak torque of 682 Nm at 6,000 rpm, the FF hits 100km/hr in just 3.7 seconds. Keep your foot down and it will reach 335 km/hr easy peasy.
click through to read more
Although Honda has no plan to bring the 2012 CR-V to Auto Expo in January next year we have a strong feeling it most certainly will launch it here next year. Hence we have brought you all the information of the 2012 CR-V right from its testing phase.
2011 Los Angeles Motor Show will finally put an end to all the speculations and rumors about the 2012 Honda CR-V. CarandDriver is reporting that Honda will unveil the production version of 2012 Honda CR-V at the LA Auto Expo.
See leaked scans of the 2012 Honda CR-V from the Patent Office
Codenamed 2WS, Honda has been constantly providing us official insights on the development of the 2012 CR-V. Touted to be a complete departure from the earlier versions the edgy, boxy design has parted ways for a completely new aerodynamic design. The CR-V has grown a lot in size and shape. In fact, the new design hints at a 3rd row seating that was missing in the previous gen models.
click through to read more
When Ze Germans target something, they most definitely will get it. VW has set an ambitious target of dominating the world auto industry by 2018. The German Czar which owns brands such as Audi, Skoda, Lamborghini, Buggati and many more has set aside a budget of 4 trillion rupees to achieve this goal.
And it seems that slowly and steadily all their plans are taking shape. VW is all set to overtake Toyota as the no.1 manufacturer for the year 2011.
According to Bloomberg, VW sales will probably rise 13 percent to 8.1 million vehicles this year. At the same time GM sales will gain about 8 percent to 7.55 million, while Toyota will drop 9 percent to 7.27 million. If things go according to this plan, VW will be crowned the numero uno manufacturer of the year 2011 with a margin of over 40,000 units.
click through to read more
Renault has just notified IndianAutosBlog.com that its V-Platform hatchback will be revealed on the 29th of this month by Mr Carlos Taveras, the COO of Renault s.a.s. The branding and strategy of the B+ segment hatchback should be discussed during the staging. This is only an unveiling so variants, exact specifications and prices are likely to divulged only at the Auto Expo in January.
IAB can confirm that the small car to be shown in a few days has no connection to the Modus. There has been widespread confusion as the Modus is here on validation tests. Both should not be twinned as the Modus sits on the B-Platform while Renault has made it clear that the small car for our market is its version of the V-Platform. This is not the Clio, Twingo or the Sandero either. It’s an all-new small car designed with inputs from Renault’s designers at the Mumbai studio.
Powertrains are expected to be retained from the Micra. A thorough reskinning will give it very little in common with the Micra.
[Image - Renault Twingo used merely for illustrative purpose and is not related to the premium hatch]
According to various news reports on the Indian blogosphere space, Hyundai is gunning for 12,000 units of domestic monthly sales for the Eon small car. The company has not disclosed plans for the export markets though sources have told IndianAutosBlog.com that overseas shipments could be underway in 2012.
See spyshots of the Hyundai Eon LPG testing near the plant
Coming back to the numbers, Hyundai is not ruling out LPG and CNG variants but says there are no plans for a diesel engine. Following the Eon LPG, the i10 LPG could be introduced.
The Eon is an excellent alternative to the Santro and Alto as it scores better in style, fuel economy and features. Over the next couple of years, Hyundai should gift the Eon with a larger motor (1.0L 3cyl Kappa engine from the export-spec i10). The Santro’s presence must not stop Hyundai from upgrading the Eon.
Mercedes Benz will release a new line of cars using the MFA (Mercedes Front Wheel drive Architecture) and the most important spin-off from the Indian operation’s perspective is the crossover called BLC in enthusiast circles.
Seeing the interest level in the crossover space just above 20 lakh rupees, Mercedes Benz will be checking the progress of the BLC project on a weekly basis. Audi is testing the Q3 for a early to mid-2012 launch while BMW is mulling variants of the X1.
This is one of the most happening segments in the luxury car market. Audi is going to piggyback on the Q3 to reach the lofty target of 7,500 units next year while BMW has extended its lead over Mercedes using the X1′s numbers.
To be available in both FWD and AWD forms, these are the engine options expected on the BLC according to a report on Car and Driver magazine -
- 1.6 liter gasoline engine
- 1.8-liter diesel
- 2.1-liter turbo-diesel
These engines will be married to a 6-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Drivers will get to experience the latest COMAND system and Mercedes’ various other safety and telematics technologies.
click through to read more
According to MotorBeam.com Skoda Auto is working on a cost-down variant of the Superb. The Superb is offered with three engine choices – 1.8 TSI petrol, 2.0 TDI diesel and 3.2 V6 petrol.
The de-spec’ed Superb, driven by the 1.8 TSI motor could be priced at around 17 lakh rupees (ex-showroom, Delhi), 1.5 lakh rupees cheaper than the currently serving base model.
The affordable Superb variant will grace showrooms in December donning the ‘Elegance’ badge.
So how does Skoda bring down the price of the Superb?
They delete some features from the vehicle. At present the Superb is equipped with 6-airbags and dual zone climate control. They could offer frontal airbags and a basic air conditioning system on the Elegance. It remains to be seen if Skoda works with the supplier base to increase localization levels.
The USP of the Superb has always been the rear seat experience and that will remain its selling point.
