No conversation in the automotive fraternity goes by without mentioning ‘Honda India’ and ‘no diesel engine’ in the same sentence. The company has suffered long and hard due to the lack of diesel engines in India. Most Honda models were the leaders of their class prior to shift in consumer buying behavior.
Now, many of them are just scrapping by every month. Toyota India was lucky enough have a diesel engine in its portfolio that could be adopted for Etios and Corolla. Honda, unfortunately, did not have any sub-two liter engines that could be dropped in the City/Civic/Jazz/Brio.
Image shown here is the diesel engine used on the outgoing Euro Civic – has no connection to the story
However, at the on-going Tokyo Motor show, Honda has revealed something that could possibly change Honda India’s future especially in the sedan market. Honda has revealed a brand new 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel unit revised from the 2.2-liter i-DTEC unit. The smaller unit is rated at 118HP (120PS) at 4,000 rpm and has a peak torque of 300Nm (221.3 lb-ft) at 2,000 rpm. Honda claims that it is the lightest diesel engines in its class weighing at just 170 kg.
At the Tokyo Motor Show this week, Suzuki unveiled the Regina concept. The Regina is 3.5 meters long and 1.6 meters wide, and premieres a global car. It is driven by a 800cc turbo petrol engine partnering with a CVT transmission that delivers above 20kmpl.
Innovation does not stop with just the impressive specifications. Suzuki’s new manufacturing techniques allow it build the Regina’s production version with better cabin space and lesser number of components, while not compromising on build quality.
The exterior design is composed of a green skin that envelopes the car. The passenger cabin volume is enhanced by thin seats and a pushed-in dashboard design.
The A-Star (Alto in Europe) was launched in late 2008 and is due for a mid-life facelift next year. In the next three-four years, Suzuki has to plan for a replacement for this global small car as competitors Hyundai, Peugeot and Toyota are said to be developing successor models of their rivals. The Regina’s dimensions and character hints at the next generation A-Star, but we’ll have to wait and see if that transition does take place.
Hyundai engineers may be fine-tuning the next generation Santa Fe understood to wear the ix45 monicker in select markets, but the Australian division is paying no mind to that development. They have introduced a moderate update for 2012 with new features such as matching skid plates, chrome tail garnish, roof racks and fog lamp surrounds finished in black on the two highest variants, perforated leather seats on the top-end variant and 18-inch alloy wheels.
For the 2012 model, Hyundai fits hill descent control on all variants but for the entry-level SLX manual. The powertrains remain unchanged with the 2.2-litre CRDi diesel engine with all-wheel drive, and the 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine driving the front wheels.
Here’s another spy video of the 2013 Mercedes Benz S-Class model posted by CarBuzz.com. The new S-Class is nothing short of a time machine with a powerful radar-based driving assistance system that lets the driver focus on “other things” in traffic.
Many publications have reported on some of the preliminary technological breakthroughs in the W222 project including an advanced suspension system that sets up the car for overcoming an adulation, full LED lighting system that adapts to weather conditions, a superior infotainment system, and a nine-speed automatic transmission for 2014.
Interior spyshots show a highly futuristic dashboard interface, interior constructed from high quality materials (toughened cashmere and silk, according to one report) and seat design inspired from marine vehicles.
Volkswagen has showcased a new model positioned between Polo and Passat called Sagitar in China.
Turns out that Sagitar is the latest generation Jetta, along the lines of what VW sells in India. It was showcased at the Guangzhou Auto Show earlier this month.
This is not the first time we’re seeing VW try out a different name for a global model. The Jetta for example is branded Vento in Argentina and the Vento is known as Polo Sedan in South Africa.
The offtake of Tata Nano cars stood at an impressive 6,401 units when you consider the measly 509 units it managed in November 2010. These are signs of the Nano recovering from a slump it was in during the early part of 2011.
Tata Motors has introduced 2012 Nano with new colors, higher fuel economy and better-appointed interiors without a price hike. A new television commercial, as good or better compared to the first one, and a new marketing campaign highlighting its features are efforts to mend its image, tarnished by fire cases and misconceptions about its capabilities.
As an improved overall package, the Nano should garner more numbers in the coming months.
Tata is working on a highly fuel efficient two-cylinder diesel engine that is expected to touch down in 2012. Although the Nano was conceived as an ideal upgrade for families on two-wheelers, many of its customers own cars. The base variant, priced closest to a two-wheeler accounts for the least sales.
Tata is understanding the target customer of Nano and making necessary adjustments to meet their expectation.
Entry posted on December 1, 2011 by
Shrawan Raja;
Read More on Skoda
Within two weeks of its launch, the Skoda Rapid has made over 1,600 Indians fall for it! A release to sum up sales performance of the Skoda India states that the VW-owned car manufacturer expects the C-Segment Rapid to turn into the best-selling vehicle for the Indian market in the future.
An experimental program was also introduced where customers can book their Rapid through its official website. The concept has met with moderate success as 18 customers made their deposit in the first hour of live time.
Skoda premiered the Rapid in India last month and takes it other developing markets next year with a restyled front-end and hatchback (think Octavia) body style aligned with the MissionL concept shown at Frankfurt Motor Show.
Skoda could use more powerful engines and dual clutch transmissions on foreign markets where customers demand higher driving performance.
