Rumor has it that Mercedes Benz India is mulling the assembly of not one but two SUV models over the next couple of years. Taken aback by the growth in the SUV segments Mercedes plans to retain the GL-Class as the king of the range. This is the reason the company chose not to fly in the more expensive G-Class.
The G55 AMG (G-Class from the AMG tuning arm) offered in India is the most expensive Mercedes SUV and as it sports the AMG badges, it is viewed as a niche model and not placed in the same basket as the M- and GL-Class. If positioned at the top of the pyramid, the G-Class could take something away from the GL-Class.
See images of the all-new M-Class
The first model to change direction is the M-Class that’s passed on to the next generation. Test vehicles have reached the Pune plant according to one source who adds assembly starts in the first half of 2012. Currently the 5-seat M-Class and 7-seat GL-Class are fully imported models (CBU route).
GL-Class facelift testing in Europe
Following the M-Class, Mercedes Benz plans to assemble the GL-Class in 2013. Mercedes is testing the facelift in Europe, aligning it to the design language of the M-Class, and this is the model we can expect to see in 2013. Mercedes offers both SUVs in petrol variants, but diesels are the growth drivers.
By assembling these models in India, Mercedes can pass on some cost benefits to customers and not to forget the retain the extra margins that ups their profitability over the long run.
Sources tell IndianAutosBlog.com that Honda is likely to launch the facelifted edition of the City during the third week of November. The upgrade is purely cosmetic with a revised front-end, new tail lamps, alloy wheels and read-outs.
Test mules of the revised City covered with surgical tapes have been running around the Greater Noida plant over the last few months.
Recently launched in Thailand, the refreshed City makes its way to other markets in a phased manner.
Honda will retain the currently serving powertrains (1.5L petrol with 5-speed MT and AT). A notable addition is the ECO Meter which promotes fuel-efficient driving.
We have to wait and see if there is another revision in prices. Honda lacks the advantage of the diesel engine that is catching up fast in this segment. The facelift need not discourage buyers from purchasing a car now as the changes on the new model are purely cosmetic.
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Enthusiast forum Team-BHP.com member fiat_tarun snapped this image last week of a Tata Nano with what appears like extra air vents provided on the top of the rear bumper. This is not part of the Nano accessories and neither is this a safety tool or modifications performed during the optional-recall program.
This is prompting doubts if it indeed is a fix Tata’s come up for the fire cases reported as part of an improved edition with better features.
See spy shots of Tata Nano with top-hinged rear windshield
Tata is investigating the various fires that have erupted on the Nano. The first investigation concluded last year terming the cases as stray while recent occurrences are still being studied.
Adding an extra vent could help in dissipating exhaust heat quicker but drilling holes in the bumper could give rise to new problems like rain water seeping into the engine bay during monsoon weather. Hope Tata leaves nothing to chance and puts the fire ghost to rest with this update.
Here at IAB, we have the habit of soiling our clothes and ruining our shoes all in the name of ‘Off roading fun’. We got behind the wheels of go anywhere Polaris ATV, we drove a couple of BMWs through a challenging terrain. Finally, we participated in the Mecca of off roading events – Mahindra Great Escape.
The Mahindra Great Escape is a series of off roading events that are held annually where Mahindra customers get to experience their vehicles in their natural habitat. It was conceptualized in 1996 and as of right now a total of 78 events have taken place. Right from the challenging terrain of Leh to the sand dunes of Mandwa to the coffee gardens of Mysore, you name it and Mahindra has been there organizing such rallies.
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Earlier this year we brought you the news that due to environmental concerns, Mitsubishi has decided to put a bullet in the Evolution franchise. Later, the CEO of Mitsubishi explained that his press statement was misinterpreted and no decision has been taken on the Evolution brand.
Now, the head honchos of Mitsubishi have confirmed that the Evolution franchise will not be terminated but will be neutered.
Mitsubishi president Osamu Masuko has confirmed to Autocar that the next Mitsubishi Evo, the Evo XI will be due in 2015 and will feature a hybrid drivetrain.
Here comes the biggest surprise, the EVO XI will not be the traditional gasoline-electric hybrid, but instead will be a diesel-electric hybrid. However, Mitsubishi is aiming a 0-100 km/hr time of under 5 seconds from the new EVO.
The car will also feature updated version of the S-AWC all-wheel drive system.
A diesel Evo eh? Now, I am not afraid of the 2012 doomsday 
The smallest Land Rover product ever – Evoque is making headlines in the international automotive markets. Buyers are mighty impressed with concept car looks and unbelievable off roading skills all stuffed in one stylish package.
In fact, the baby Range Rover is such a big hit in the international markets that the first year of production was completely sold out before the units were even manufactured.
However, one Range Rover Evoque was spotted testing in Pune. We assumed that the test mule was completing its ARAI testing and JLR would be looking forward to the Auto Expo launch in 2012. Turns out, the Land Rover India is looking at a much sooner launch than the Auto Expo.
Land Rover has updated its website with all the information of the Evoque signaling a November launch. The Evoque will be available in 2 body styles:
- A three door: Powered by a 2.0 L Si4 petrol engine with 240 PS and 340 Nm
- A five door: Powered by a 2.2 L SD4 diesel engine with 190 PS and 420 Nm
A six-speed automatic gearbox with paddle shifters and four-wheel-drive transmission is mandatory. The 5 door version somehow makes more practical sense because it has more space and it’s a diesel.
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The Tata 407 has successfully completed 25 years in service and its younger sister 207 is giving the Bolero pickups the run for their money. Having launched the Bolero facelift with a new low cost CRDI engine, Mahindra could be mulling a similar operation for the Bolero Pik-Up and Camper models.
This then could be Tata Motors’ answer to Mahindra’s Bolero pickup – the next generation 207 built using Xenon components.
Notice the cabin and loading area carefully, the lifestyle elements are missing. They are replaced by cost-down components. The seats for example don’t have headrests. The front bumper and door handle is black and the model misses fog lamps. The fat alloy wheels are gone too. The loading area is fitted with a basic bed.
Photographed by our friends over at Anything-On-Wheels.Blogspot.com, two mules of this commercial vehicle were spotted doing rounds around the Pune area.
Do you exactly know what they are?
The Duster fever has gripped the Indian market and before it breaks cover here, Renault is launching it in the Argentinian and Brazilian markets. For consumption in their region, the Duster is manufactured at the Curitiba plant with 1.6-, 2.0-liter petrol engines paired to 5- and 6-speed transmissions.
The Dacia badges are replaced with the silver diamond and top-end variants with 4X4 layout are off-road ready.
The Indian specification Duster will be manufactured at the Renault-Nissan combine’s Oragadam plant near Chennai. It will be launched in mid-2012 in both 2WD and 4WD options. Will Renault bring the Duster to the Auto Expo and show it alongside the V-Platform hatchback?
For our market, Renault will use the Micra’s 1.5L diesel engine tuned for an output of around 85HP. Renault has the option of using the Sunny’s new 1.5-liter petrol if at all they are interested in developing an India-specific petrol variant.
The Duster will be priced under 10 lakh rupees as Renault is planning an intense localization program instead of selling through the CKD route adopted on the Fluence and Koleos models which the company launched to mainly reshape the brand after the Logan project didn’t go as per plan.
