In the past 2-3 days, we are flooded with Toyota test mules being spotted all over the country. We have already brought you the spyshots of the new Innova being tested in Bangalore. Now, thanks to our pals at Team-BHP, we are bring you some more shots of the Innova.
Toyota plans to aggressively attack the year 2012 by facelifting its best selling models Innova and Fortuner. The Altis has recently received a facelift and is keeping a steady pace. Toyota is also testing the new global Camry in India as the company plans to re-invent itself in the D sedan market.
IndianAutosBlog’s ardent reader Arjun Shrie shot the Chevrolet Trailblazer concept at the Dubai International Motor show where the 20-inch-wheeled concept premiered.
GM has approved this model for production from its Thailand facility next year. Many of our readers want to see GM sell it in India. It is based on the Colorado pickup truck similar to its peers Fortuner and Endeavour that trace their roots to pickup trucks.
The upcoming Auto Expo is the right place to showcase the concept to receive customer feedback. Will GM display the Trailblazer at Pragati Maidan in January 2012?
Its still early days for the Mahindra XUV500 to be called a success but the interest for a mid-priced SUV loaded with features has not gone unnoticed by the industry. The segment above the Scorpio and Safari is a virgin area having several sedans but lacks SUV models. Both Scorpio and Safari buyers have no option but to spend 20 lakhs or more for an upgrade.
Can the Trailblazer be GM India’s XUV?
The Trailblazer concept employs a 2.8-liter diesel engine and is adorned with futuristic LED clusters. The Colorado pickup meanwhile is also offered with a 2.5-liter diesel engine.
Lowell Paddock will assume the position of President and Managing Director of General Motors India from January 1, 2012 replacing Karl Slym who has served in that position since October 2007, a press release from GM India explained today.
Mr Paddock was the GMIO Vice President of Program Management and Planning, where he was in charge of GM’s products for the Asia Pacific, Africa, the Middle East, Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States. He also serves on the Boards of Directors of the GM-AvtoVAZ joint venture and GM Korea.
Karl Slym has a great sense of humor and always talked his heart. Indian Autos Blog shared a good relationship with him.
Meanwhile Karl Slym relocates to China as Executive Vice President of SAIC and Wuling Motors to oversee operations of its increasing lineup of mini vans and LCV’s. Under Slym, the company’s market presence improved and witnessed many strategic launches that include the Beat, Beat diesel, Spark LPG and the Cruze.
Indian Autos Blog reader Vidit Jain from Delhi sent us this picture of the Lamborghini Aventador clicked using his mobile phone. The Aventador was launched in India during the first week of this month at 3.69 crore rupees (ex-showroom).
Powered by a 6.5-liter V12 engine with 700hp roaming around the crankshaft, 0-60mph comes up in less than 3 seconds. By the time you’re done reading this sentence, the Lamborghini Aventador would be accelerating past 130kph.
In another two days, the Honda City, Volkswagen Vento and Hyundai Verna will have company in the form of the Skoda Rapid. But Skoda India is constantly teasing us with small videos talking about its every aspect. I am sure you must have seen the design video posted by Skoda India.
Now, Skoda India has published another video explaining the performance details of the Rapid. In this video Skoda India’s Marketing Chief Tarun Jha talks about the various engine options available on the Rapid and which one suits you the best.
Do crank up the volume as Tarun’s a soft spoken man!
Remember prior to the Fluidic Verna launch, there were so many spyshots of the test mules on the interweb. Let’s hope so is the fate of the new Avante. Yes, Hyundai is testing the Avante in India and you heard it here first. Now, our good friends at TeamBHP have spotted the same test mule doing its daily routine in Delhi.
If you are like me who places aesthetic value over and above everything else, you are in for a treat. The Avante is drop dead gorgeous. Sure, the new Fluidic Verna is a looker but this is on a whole new level. Hyundai’s fluidic design philosophy at its absolute best!
If a report on Business Standard newspaper is to be believed, Tata Motors brings out a limited edition Nano when the car turns three during March 2012. Tata’s special editions team have shown spectacular examples in the past. To celebrate 10 years of the Indica, they brought out a specially tailored Indica Vista that left showrooms faster than the pace at which it arrived.
On the second anniversary of the Vista, a few beige examples sat down well with the middle class family man. If one report was to be believed, people were ready to pay a premium for it!
Rear windshield wiper and blackened roof unique to this studio model
The special edition Nano could sport extras like black roof, new alloy wheels, leather seat covers among other accessories. Expect the powertrain to remain in the current form.
If you recall during the unveiling back at the Auto Expo 2008, Mr Ratan Tata drove on to the stage in a special Nano with its roof treated with black paint.
What else do you want to see on the Nano bday edition?
Nissan has come out with an interesting variant of the Micra (locally called March) hatch in Brazil sporting a 1.6-liter engine that fires using petrol and ethanol. The March variant is equipped with a 16-valve flex-fuel engine that develops 111PS/151 Nm. Its top speed stands at a lofty 191 kph.
Nissan may not introduce a sporty version of the Micra for the Indian customer as the Renault Pulse looks very close to one. Nissan recently updated the car with a powerful horn, rear head rests and pure drive badges. Skyrocketing petrol prices thwarted the appeal of the fuel-sipping 1.2 petrol, and we’ll be surprised if the Japanese decision makers consider the more powerful 1.5 petrol from the Sunny.
