The slow-selling Mitsubishi Montero running under the Pajero and Shogun nameplate in other parts of the world will pass the torch to its replacement in 2014.
On sale since 1982 and now running in its 4th generation, Autoten.com, using scanned images and information taken from Japanese car magazines reports the newest Pajero is likely to continue using the same engines.
The design makeover is rumored to be a gradual transition and a hybrid variant is expected to join the arsenal into its first year of launch. Besides the five-speed AT, an eight-speed automatic transmission for a better fuel economy is also in the works according to the same report.
Our longstanding reader Gurudatta Nayak who earlier mailed us snaps of the Fiesta AT from a dealer yard has sent in a selection of images of the Innova facelift snapped during the shoot for its TV commercial in Goa.
Guru had a good look at the vehicle and informs us that it will have the same cosmetic changes as the Indonesian model.
On the facelift, Toyota has placed a screen on the center of the dashboard that serves as the interface for the entertainment system. The multi-function steering wheel has dull gray inserts. Rest of the interior has not changed.
Guru adds that the Indian spec model besides cosmetic changes does not have much to show. The engine produces the exact same outputs and Toyota has left out the AT option in India yet again.
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Renault’s low cost vehicle division Dacia known for its affordable and reliable engineering is developing a mini car called “Citadine” according to AutoBild Germany. As the name suggests the car will be an urban A-B type. The Renault group is aiming at sales volume of the VW group’s Up! with this sub-Sandero product.
Dacia is known for sharing the same platform right from Sandero hatchback to Duster SUV. The “Citadine” is also expected to share the same platform (B-Platform) to make it a cost effective exercise. The report is not discussing powertrains but we’re guessing the Micra’s three-pot petrol engine can suit the Citadine.
Like Nissan, Renault is also said to be working out options to occupy the segments below the Pulse (Micra clone). We’ve heard that their small car division begins work on a ULC on January 1, 2012. This is most likely to take on cars like the Tata Nano, Maruti Alto and Hyundai Eon.
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The final nail in the coffin has been hammered and the divorce is about to get mighty ugly. After putting a end to the relationship, Suzuki wanted VW to sell its 19.9% stake.
However, VW refused to acknowledge Suzuki’s request. As a result, Suzuki has filed for international arbitration in London with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC’s) International Court of Arbitration.
The partnership turned bitter because VW did not give Suzuki access to the hybrid technology which it promised to share when forming the alliance. At the same time, VW accused Suzuki of violating the agreement by procuring diesel engines from Fiat. After the debacle, Suzuki believes it is urgent to terminate its business tie-up with VW, feeling a delay may adversely affect its cooperation with other companies.
Suzuki has also started distancing itself from VW when it comes to hybrid technologies. It is reported that Suzuki is sorting help from Mitsubishi to power their hybrid cars.
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The car that was responsible for bringing General Motors out of the dark is soon going to get hybrid treatment. General motors is planning to bring out a hybrid version of the Cruze to compete against Toyota Prius PHEV.
However, despite using electricity as a source of power, the Cruze will not compete against the company’s image leading Volt because GM plans to fix it up differently. Essentially, the Cruze will be a plug-in hybrid whereas the Volt will be a electric car with a range extender.
Both are hybrid in their own way. The Volt uses the electric motor to power the front wheels and the gasoline engine only charges the battery, whereas the Cruze will use a combination of electric and gasoline engine to power the front wheels.
On a different note, last September, General Motors announced the start of field trials of an all-electric version of Cruze in Seoul (pictured) which involved a fleet of Cruze EVs sent out by GM and LG to fetch data. These were fully electric Cruze models and not plug in hybrids. The trial models could travel up to 160km on a single charge.
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The rising fuel prices are deterring a lot of potential customers from even entering the showrooms, forget buying the cars. This festive season of Diwali was a major disappointment as almost all manufacturers showed lack luster sales.
However, because the government is quiet on what the future diesel prices will be, everyone is confused about the future of the Indian automobile market – Will diesel drive the future? Will the government impose more taxes on diesel cars? Will petrol return to the normal prices? So many questions and absolutely no answers.
Due to this uncertainty, Hyundai has backed off their diesel car plans. But Maruti Suzuki has decided to take a different route for the time being.
The company has shifted focus on CNG cars to make sure that the customers who are entering the showrooms are not disappointed.
Considering Maruti Suzuki already sells CNG versions of Alto, WagonR, Estilo, Eeco and SX4, the company should be developing CNG versions of their 2 most popular product – Swift & Swift Dzire. However, because CNG is currently limited to only NCR region, Gujarat and Mumbai, the company feels that the government is favoring the adoption of CNG cars.
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As we get closer and closer to the Auto Expo, the excitement has started to build around the launch of the Mini brand. In our conversation with Dr Andreas Schaff, he revealed that BMW India is going to focus majorly on the MINI brand in 2012.
Now, TheBusinessLine is reporting that MINI will enter India with the help of 3 models – Cooper Hatch, the Cooper convertible and the Countryman SUV. Let’s give you a glimpse of each of the product:
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A few might know that the A-Star sold in India is actually the the latest generation in most international markets, known as Celerio in the Middle East and Nissan Pixo in UK.
However, because the Alto (F8) was doing unbelievably well in the Indian market, Maruti Suzuki chose to sell both cars side-by-side in different segments.
However, in the JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) a raised version of the A-Star is sold as an Alto. Recently, Suzuki launched a frugal version called as the Alto Eco which delivers a mind boggling 32Km/l.
The reason for this astonishing fuel economy is a new 660 cc, R06A, three-cylinder engine with 52-horses at 6,000 rpm and a peak torque of 63Nm at 4,000 rpm coupled with a Start Stop system. The engine is mated to a CVT gearbox which powers the front wheels.
The 2012 Alto Eco will be offered in Japan in two trim levels, “S” and “L” with pricing set at around 6 lakhs a pop.
Back home, Maruti Suzuki has no plans to enter sub 800 cc segment. The company is readying a brand new M800 to fight the stiff competition from Hyundai’s EON and Tata’s Nano expected to launch in 2012.
The slow-selling Mitsubishi Montero running under the Pajero and Shogun nameplate in other parts of the world will pass the torch to its replacement in 2014.
