It’s a hot and happening morning on IndianAutosBlog.com as we unveil an image of the uncamouflaged Chevrolet Tavera BS4 edition powered by the ICML-sourced 2.0-liter CRDI diesel engine outputting 100bhp power for the first time!
The Tavera is set to become the third utility vehicle in GM India’s arsenal as two Chinese minivans (HongTu and Honguang) are also testing in India for a launch next year.
Click to head to the Flickr page hosting the high-resolution image
In addition to the revised front-end sporting a larger bowtie and curvy headlamps, the new Tavera receives a generous dose of body graphics, chrome garnish, new alloy wheels for top-end variants and mildly different interior.
GM India told IAB earlier that the revamped Tavera lands by December 2011, but with the Auto Expo just around the corner the company could push the launch forward to grab more eyeballs.
A new genre in the Indian auto industry is about to form with the launch of the Renault Duster. The mini SUV market, once a celebrated space with the Gypsy, has been neglected by car companies until recently.
Renault has disclosed plans to honor the need for an urban UV with the Duster in mid-2012. This could lead to an avalanche effect and by the time you know it, every manufacturer will line up with a rival. Ford and Mahindra are joining the party in the near future while Maruti and Hyundai are rumored to be secretly planning to conquer this virgin market. They’re all interested but not ready to reveal their intentions yet.
If the Renault Duster is an unprecedented success, floods streets and stumps customers, won’t Nissan be tempted to use the same platform to launch its version? The age of badge engineering began with the launch of the Rapid and rolls on with the Pulse next year.
If the formula yields good results and the twins don’t get involved in nasty family feuds, Nissan won’t blink before rolling out a Duster with a Nissan grille and monicker.
This thought is echoed by our friends at Montagens Automotivas on (photo) chopping the Nissan Frontier’s face on the quirky Duster.
Any responsible husband will tell you that family comes first. In extreme cases the exotic curling up in his garage could rate equally to a loved one. Manufacturers are quick to sense this commonly observed weakness in the car-loving man to showcase its product as one they will brag about and get mesmerized in even in the most sensitive situations.
In certain times it leads to a good laugh, but we’re certain the latest Volkswagen Passat (NMS) commercial has not amused every Canadian resident.
Watch the commercial and tell us if Volkswagen has crossed the line. Does Volkswagen mean to say the NMS driver is irresponsible like he’s shown in reel life?
JokeForBlog.Blogspot.com has brought out spyshots of a camouflaged Ssangyong Rexton testing out in Korea assumed to be a cosmetically upgraded version for a 2012 release.
The spotted mule retains the current model’s alloy wheels. The reworked front and rear fenders, muscular hood, new wing mirrors and perhaps a completely redesigned front fascia could lend it a macho feel.
Ssangyong launches next year in India with the Korando C and the Rexton. The Rexton is a 7-seat SUV formed on an old Mercedes M-Class platform powered by a Daimler engine. These two Ssangyong models sit above the XUV500. The Rexton will act as the Korean brand’s flagship model assembled in Mahindra’s plant either at Chakan or Nashik.
It is hard to guess if Mahindra introduces the Ssangyong brand with the new-face Rexton or saves it up for a later date.
The Renault-Nissan India chapter may not finish with the 4,500 crore facility setup in Oragadam, Chennai if a new report on LiveMint is accurate. It could mark the beginning as Renault maybe planning the next billion dollar investment in the developing Detroit of Asia – Gujarat.
The Renault Twizy electric vehicle is an inexpensive runabout the ULC could mimic
Renault is apparently discussing internally on a second manufacturing facility in Vadordra that can roll out 400,000 cars a year. Much of this factory’s volume, like its Chennai counterpart, is for export through neighboring ports.
The annual capacity in the Chennai plant can stretch up to 400,000 cars. Nissan plans to reach the limit by manufacturing the Micra, Sunny, Note replacement, NV200, Duster and assemble some Renault models. Sources have told IndianAutosBlog.com that Renault will manufacture a sedan on the V-Platform besides the Pulse hatchback next year in Oragadam. Production of the Micra accounts for the most capacity utilization.
If construction is underway in Gujarat in the next couple of years, the first car will roll out by the end of 2015. The company could invest in excess of 10,000 crore to setup the facility and prepare a vendor base that it can tap into for sourcing cheaper components for global Renault models.
To put in a nutshell, the Etios Liva is Toyota’ Indica. It was designed for the Indian market’s demanding customer. He requires a hatchback that can carry a lot of luggage, all his family members, a powerful AC, and absolute comfort for his loved ones and friends. Severe market study unfolded during the development period. The floor mat for example has been designed taking into account the driving habit of the driver who at times uses bare feet to operate the pedals. Indian women dressed in sarees were called in during the development stage, to check the comfort of ingress and egress.
Toyota has two hatchbacks in its overseas portfolio – Yaris and Aygo – that it couldn’t bring to India as both were designed without taking India into consideration and were expensive compared to offerings from rival brands.
The Liva did not get the thumbs up from everyone in the audience, but comments, feedback, scathing remarks from customers could yield better variants in the future. A MY2012 could come out with better equipment and redone interiors.
Toyota has not restricted the Liva’s playing field to India. It is working on a bigger Etios for the Chinese market and said a car of the Etios’ size will be manufactured in another part of Asia. South Africa is next in line, the company’s kicked about the affordable Toyota model’s entry in an uncertain economic climate. Toyota is also seen testing the Liva in Indonesia.
If you have been tuning into IndianAutosBlog.com this year, Hyundai testing the i20 facelift in Europe is not breaking news for you. Recently our photoshop expert Shoeb R Kalania prepared a very accurate illustration of the model that was snagged when it was unloaded from a container. The makeover is to align it with other models in the Hyundai showroom that flaunt the recent edition of the distinct ‘Fluidic Sculpture’ design language.
Hyundai is also taking stock of developments and breakthroughs in rival camps. Maruti rolled out the all-new Swift earlier this year to a grand ovation. There are whispers of Volkswagen working on an upgrade for Polo diesel. Fiat is topping-up equipment on the Punto on 3rd of January. Meanwhile the low-price Chevrolet’s Sail is being tested by GM near Talegaon for a 2012 launch. Next year cars like the Ford EcoSport and Mahindra mini Xylo will be competition in new forms and sizes turning on the heat. With so many launches, the situation can change very fast for the quick-selling i20.
Vehicle 1 – Our friends at Motorbeam.com have scooped the On-Test Mahindra Maxximo CNG in Pune. Besides the CNG badge there’s no visual difference on the sub-1 tonne truck. The cabin and load area are the same. Mahindra is toying with various powertrains on the Maxximo, we saw an electric variant on duty at the Pragati Maidan during Auto Expo last year, production plans of which have not been revealed. The platform has been used to body a passenger van dubbed Maxximo Mini Van.
Will Mahindra bring the CNG variant to the Auto Expo next month?
Vehicle 2 – IndianCarsBikes.in’s EarthFusion has snagged the Tata ACE Dicor in Pune. IndianAutosBlog.com was first in putting this project under the spotlight back in September, but this is the first time we have photographic evidence of it testing. The Ace DICOR is powered by a two-cylinder turbocharged CRDI engine.
ICB adds that certain mechanical components from the Ace DICOR engine will funnel down into the Nano diesel project, rumored to touch down next year.
Click to head to the Flickr page hosting the high-resolution image
