Mercedes Benz is likely to show the new B-Class at the Delhi Auto Expo and a model they would closely watch is the next generation A-Class that breaks cover during the course of 2012.
After witnessing the busy activities in the 20-30 lakh rupee space, Mercedes Benz will certainly park a hot baby crossover in Indian showrooms in the coming years using the A-Class components and if studies lead to favorable outcomes, we can expect them to launch the A-Class as well.
This picture is doing rounds on the internet with many speculating that it is a junior Porsche. On examining the outline, glass area and roof line, it is clear that Mercedes Benz has deliberately confused the horsepower paparazzi and enthusiasts by fitting the test mule with alien wheels.
Talented Indian designer Harsha Kogod has put out a concept that promises to beat traffic, parking and fuel price woes. As thousands of new vehicles are added to the already congested roads every month and the second worry of urbanization set to take off in the next fifteen years, a uni-seat protective pod on wheels will be the easiest way to go to the beach for a jog, get to work in traffic and buy groceries for the single-car park household.
The In-Rapido (Indian-Rapid) mobility concept is a highly futuristic transportation relying on fuel cells to provide motive force, but a battery powered variant could make it more practical.
The concept has no doors. Ingress is like hopping on to a motorcycle. The absence of doors lowers vehicle parking space and adds to the style meter. Two electric motors are welded to the wheels providing variable drive.
The cockpit is adorned with cameras at the rear to assist the driver at tight parking spots, adaptive cruise control that improves user comfort, night vision for unlit Indian bylanes, collision warning system, countermeasures for rollover and pedestrian detection technologies.
The In-Rapido concept, similar in nature to the Renault Twizy, ticks all the boxes on paper but will auto manufacturers invest a billion dollars to produce one?
Entry posted on November 18, 2011 by
Shrawan Raja;
Read More on Fiat
This is a video of the 2012 Fiat Palio launched in Brazil earlier this month. The video, besides highlighting the features and road presence also presents viewers a comparative look against the outgoing vehicle.
As Fiat India concentrates on revamping its retail network, we’re yet to understand if the company mulling this model to challenge the Liva, Brio and Swift. To fence its new models from confusion and cannibalization of Tata’s equivalent product offerings, Fiat could launch cars such as the Novo Palio in a stand-alone dealership setup.
Entry posted on November 18, 2011 by
Shrawan Raja;
Read More on Skoda
IndianAutosBlog.com’s Arjun Singh Rajput filmed the Skoda Rapid from all angles at the launch in New Delhi earlier this week.
In flesh, the Rapid appears wider and longer compared to the Vento due to the illusion created by the leaf shape headlights and vertically sectioned grille. There are fine cuts to the boot lid besides a revised tail light.
Step inside, and you’ll notice that Skoda has changed the steering wheel (to the Laura’s) and provided a green background lighting. The instrument cluster markings have a different font and style. Barring these changes the Rapid’s cabin echoes every bit of the Vento’s.
Ever since Skoda decided to withdraw the Octavia, the company has missed an affordable sedan badly. The launch of the Vento provided them the opportunity to fill this gap and the operation is beneficial to Skoda as it provides an option to upgrading Fabia buyers, lifts the profitability of the Polo platform and ups volumes for the VW Group in India.
The Toyota Camry has not broken into our market, but in some other developing nations the story reads differently. Toyota’s kicked off production of the global Camry in Russia (the version India will receive in mid-2012) at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Russia (TMMR) plant in Saint Petersburg.
Assembly of the Toyota Camry first began at the TMMR plant in 2007 with the outgoing Camry and the plant workers on this momentous occasion are excited about the prospects of the new model’s entry.
India imports the Camry from Japan and IndianAutosBlog.com can confirm that there are no CKD plans for the replacement next year.
Compared to the American specification, the global model gains a chrome-coated front fascia, bespoke headlamps, new fender designs and unique tail lights. The Russian market is treated to a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder unit and a 3.5-liter V6 petrol unit conforming to Euro V norms. Both engines are paired to six-speed AT.
A similar Toyota Camry was recently spotted by IAB reader Shruchet Jayatheerth testing near Bangalore.
Our friends at CarroseSegredos have posted an image of two black Tata Xenons with masked badges and test plates running in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Tata has not explored the Brazilian market but is present in Venezuela through a distributor retailing completely built-up units, a country north of Brazil.
Wall Street Journal very recently quoted a senior Tata Motors CV division official talking about land procurement in South America and South East Asia to build assembly lines for commercial vehicles.
The Xenon testing in Brazil is the top-end dual-cab LHD model sporting features like alloy wheels, body colored accessories and ABS. Domestic consumption is in single digits for the Xenon which makes a living out of demand in neighboring countries and pickup-loving markets like South Africa and Thailand.
Hyundai’s announced the jaw-dropping new Azera sedan for the American market at the LA Motor Show that sits between the FWD Sonata and RWD Genesis Coupe.
The 2012 Hyundai Azera powered by a 3.3-liter V6 engine with 293 hp of power and 345 Nm of torque paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. The Azera sports the unmistakable fluidic sculpture design language with features such as LED tail lights, 18 inch alloys, leather interior, factory-fitted digital HD Radio Technology, 12 speakers and 7-inch WVGA touch screen, voice activated controls and nine airbags.
The Azera is a major play in the premium segment for Hyundai with class-leading fuel economy. It rivals the Ford Taurus, Nissan Maxima, Lexus ES350 and Buick LaCrosse V6.
IndianAutosBlog’s Shakti Budhiraja filmed the Fluidic Avante/Elantra testing on Delhi roads last week. The Avante is not playing the volumes game but its a powerful point prover for Hyundai who has struggled to sell expensive vehicles in the past. Hyundai’s previous stint with the Elantra proved to be a mis-hit but two generations later, the Koreans have an opportunity to begin on a fresh page.
The C and D segments have done a world of good to shift the baseline of automotive companies in India. Skoda’s premium brand image is credited to its success in managing to sell Superb and Laura that are value buys. Before the arrival of Cruze, General Motors was not competitive in higher segments.
Shortly Ford crawls into this space with the Focus. Honda’s refurbished Civic that’s drawing flak for not being a step ahead is another model awaited in India. Companies will not invest to bring in new models if there is less demand or no potential to that market category. For all those who have bought Verna, City, Vento, Optra and Linea in the coming years there are plenty of models to upgrade to. The brisk sales in the B+ and C Segment is another reason why there is buzz in the immediately higher floor.
Mercedes Benz is likely to show the new B-Class at the Delhi Auto Expo and a model they would closely watch is the next generation A-Class that breaks cover during the course of 2012.
