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Nissan 370Z arrives in India on Jan 20

Nissan_370Z_Fairlady_ZThe Nissan 370Z will be a CBU. That necessarily doesn’t matter to the rich buyer!

Nissan is all set to launch the sporty 370Z in India on the 20th of January. The Nissan 370Z will be most expensive Nissan in India, and will retain that tag for a very long time to come.

We believe Nissan would not have numbers in their mind for the 370Z. The primary motive is brand building, and that the 370Z with its humongous engine and razor sharp looks will certainly do.

The 370Z uses a 3,696 cc V6 engine that outputs 336 PS@7000rpm and 365 N·m@5200. That’s more torque than many of the SUVs in India can manage.

Known as the Fairlady Z in the Japanese market, the 370Z filters power via a 7-speed automatic with paddle shifters or 6-speed manual transmission. Despite aluminum door panels, hood and hatch, the 370Z weighs well over 3000lbs, so forget the word fuel economy altogether.

IAB will be present at the unveiling ceremony to bring you all possible images and information of Nissan’s first sports car in India.

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Entry posted on January 15th, 2010 and filed under Nissan

Fiat Punto Creative with extra equipment out in Brazil

Fiat_Punto_CreativeThe Creative version gets a bouquet of equipment to keep it fresh

A new variant of the Fiat Punto is launched in Brazil, in fact two new variants — the Punto Creative I and the Punto Creative II.

According to the Brazilian blogger, a new Punto with 1.6 ltr 16 valve flex engine is being tested in Brazil but the Creative I and II are the variants of the existing 1.4 ltr SAFIRE version.

MP3 CD radio, electric rear panel, knife type key, alloy wheels, rear spoiler and creative stickers are the goodies added to the Creative I.

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Entry posted on October 27th, 2009 and filed under Fiat

Fiat Linea with new color and engine debuts at Auto Expo

Fiat_Linea_cool_jazz_blueNew color and engine will distinguish the Linea from escort Indigo Manza

The Fiat Linea will be dressed in blue color and launched at the upcoming Auto Expo. The Linea will also be launched with the 1.6-liter Multijet engine during the occasion.

Many people feel the 1.3-liter Multi-jet was common and boring for a car that looks very unique. Fiat will address that concern with the punchy 105PS 1.6-liter engine. The engine is also being tested on the Grande Punto and the results will be out soon.

The new color seen above, is named ‘cool jazz blue’ available in India already on the Punto.

We’re not sure if Fiat will bring the 1.9-liter Multi-jet to next year’s show.

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Entry posted on October 27th, 2009 and filed under Auto Expo 2010, Fiat

Suzuki Kizashi visits Auto Expo 2010

Suzuki_Kizashi_India_Maruti_Auto_ExpoCBU or CKD? It is too early to decipher Maruti Suzuki’s plans for Kizashi in India

One of our favorite picks – DWS, is reporting that Suzuki will launch the Kizashi in India during the Auto Expo in January next year. The Kizashi was launched in Japan a couple of days back and its international debut was conducted in the US back in July.

There is no clarity on the versions that will be offered in India. DWS says a 6-speed manual transmission will be launched next year with front wheel drive.

The 2400cc petrol engine on the Kizashi makes 185 horsepower and 170 ft-lbs of torque. EBD and ABS are standard. Initial test drive reports are positive and say the car can handle corners well.

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Entry posted on October 27th, 2009 and filed under Auto Expo 2010, Maruti Suzuki Kizashi

200hp Mitsubishi Montero released; Indian debut coming up?

new_Mitsubishi_Montero_200hp - 1With 200hp and revised technology, the new Mitsubishi Montero is better car overall

Good news for all those who are looking forward to some ’serious’ off-roading in their Montero.

The all-new Mitsubishi 3.2 DI-D Montero is going to give its customers the power of 200 horses. This completely revised version of Mitsubishi Montero will be out in international market shortly. The existing Mitsubishi Montero delivers some 165 PS.

Mitsubishi also claims that this vehicle will consume 17% less fuel than its predecessor and is of course a 4×4 equipped vehicle.

The extra 35 odd hp comes thanks to modifications to the bearings, cylinder heads, pistons, connecting rods, camshaft, valve train, oil pump, turbocharger, injection system and ECU. The maximum torque available is 441 Nm at 2,000 rpm. The vehicle is available in both manual and automatic variants.

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Entry posted on October 27th, 2009 and filed under Mitsubishi

Nissan Micra trial phase in India begins next month

Nissan_Micra_March_2010-sketchThey say trial production of new Nissan Micra begins next month in Chennai

Reports claim Nissan India will soon begin trial production of the much awaited next generation Nissan Micra in its Chennai plant. The Micra will be produced for domestic and international customers starting May 2010, employing about 1,500 people.

Reports claim Nissan plans to produce about 30 units in the trial run next month.

According to Nissan Motor India spokesperson, the Micra hatchback is based on the global compact car platform and will debut in the Geneva motor show in March 2010. Nissan would follow the Micra up with a sedan using its platform and later on, a MPV as well.

The factory, which is currently under construction, will be able to produce 200,000 units annually when complete. Cars built here will be put on a ship that sails to the European markets and UK.

Another piece of information about this project is that Unipress, Tenneco Exhaust India and Tacle India are going to be some of the suppliers for the Nissan small car project.

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Entry posted on October 19th, 2009 and filed under Nissan

Suzuki Swift celebrates 25th birthday with a special edition

Suzuki is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Swift in Germany by introducing a new model badged ‘Limited 25′ which is of course a limited edition.

Suzuki_Swift_Limited 25- 1Turn signals integrated into ORVMs, aluminium wheels, chrome grille are few decorators

Alcantara seats, aluminum wheels, chrome grille, and an electrically-folding mirrors with integrated turn signals, exhaust aperture, and special decorative elements are some of the ‘Birthday’ decorations for the vehicle.

The birthday edition comes loaded with a 1.3 ltr gasoline engine producing 92 hp and mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. It is a regular 5 door version available for 15,700 Euros. The three color options available on the special edition are “Cool White Pearl Metallic,” “Cosmic Black Pearl Metallic” and “Supreme Red Pearl Metallic.”

Suzuki will sell only 700 units of the Swift limited 25.

IAB wishes a Happy 25th Birthday to the Suzuki Swift.

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Entry posted on October 19th, 2009 and filed under Suzuki

Volkswagen Up! delayed; Will Indian operations also get affected?

VW_UpVW Up! to be manufactured in India at Chakan, now faced with delays?

We got to know that the Volkswagen Up! mini car will be delayed due to some internal problems in the VW Group. They say that the Up! will now be produced starting March 2011 and only by late 2011 will the cars reach showrooms.

Does this mean Up! production in India will also begin in 2011? What happens to the Up-based Skoda small car then? Is that delayed as well?

The dispute is between Skoda and VW, but additional details were not available.

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Entry posted on October 12th, 2009 and filed under Volkswagen

PAL trying to get back into the game with Rio?

daihatsu teriosWill a mini SUV get Mahindra and Tata interested to develop their own?

Premier Auto Limited (PAL) is attempting to get back in the game. Those of you who don’t remember this name, Premier Auto Limited (PAL) is the company which gave us the Premier Padmini a few years ago.

The Company plans to make a come back after 9 years with an interesting idea — to produce the Cheapest SUV in India till date.

This is set to be another ‘cheapest’ after the Tata Nano.

A Chinese four-wheeler company Zotye Auto will join hands with PAL in this new project. It is for the first time a Chinese automobile maker has tied up with an Indian company to produce a passenger car.

Zotye Auto is not a well known name. Zotye Auto will supply vehicle kits from China to Premier to be assembled at the Pune facility which has a peak annual capacity of 20,000 units.

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Entry posted on October 12th, 2009 and filed under PAL-Zotye

First UK built Honda Jazz rolls out of Swindon

Honda-Jazz-Swindon-Plant-mainThe U.K version shown here has alloy wheels and fog lamps

Buoyed by the success of the hatchback in Britain, Honda has started producing Jazz in Swindon, UK. This means, there is no more ‘Made in Japan’ Honda Jazz for UK and European customers.

Till this point, all European nations sold cars built in Japan. With rapidly falling sales in India, Europe could consider sourcing Jazz from the Indian stockyard.

Honda plans to build around 20,000 Honda Jazz units by March 2010 at the Swindon plant and also the plant will be responsible for the production of the top spec CR-V and Civic.

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Entry posted on October 12th, 2009 and filed under honda jazz

Nothing but a declining sales graph for much-hyped Honda Jazz

Honda Jazz declining salesStudy – Thumbs down for the overpriced, underpowered Jazz

Yes, that is right. After all the drama and countless inquiries, sales of the Honda Jazz resembles the opening of a pepsi cola bottle. Experts believe that despite its costly platform, roomy interiors and Honda badge slapped inside and out, it is unable to give competition to other cheaper alternatives, ie- can’t hold a candle to Hyundai, Maruti, Tata etc.

According to officials, there were almost 50,000 inquiries for the Honda Jazz but only 4,000 of them were converted into sales. The Indian customer has intelligently moved to the City as it offers a boot, a more powerful engine and costs slightly more.

So was the Honda Jazz brought in to be a mere bait? If the ill-treated Jazz had feelings, it would cry.

The other important point to notice is the saloon vs the hatchback phenomena – people see more value in Honda City and don’t mind shelling out a few extra bucks for it.

The actual figures are like in June above 2,000 units were sold, 1,037 in July, 1,029 in August and just 504 units in September.

So 100 in October?

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Entry posted on October 5th, 2009 and filed under honda jazz

Suzuki India plans another 150cc motorcycle next year

The entry-level Suzuki motorcycle would be the third of its kind in the Indian market, at the affordable price bracket after the Zeus and Heat.

Apart from this development, Suzuki also has plans of launching another gearless scooter in 2011.

Atul Gupta, vice-president-sales and marketing -

Suzuki Motorcycle is also undergoing a feasibility study to launch its second gearless scooter in 2011. Our strategy is to have a ‘value for money’ bike in the Rs 40,000 segment, introduce at least one more motorcycle above 150cc and launch another superbike. Two of these three launches should happen next fiscal

Currently Suzuki motorcycles have five models in the market, a gearless scooter Access 125, two motorcycles Zeus 125cc and GS150R and two superbikes — 1300cc Hayabusa and the 1700cc Intruder.

This segment of ‘value for money’ motorcycle Mr.Gupta’s speaking about is dominated by Hero Honda. Suzuki attempts to steal some of their market share and that is never going to be easy unless they have a brilliant product priced aggressively that a certain uniqueness to it and boasts of useful features that the competition does not offer.

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Entry posted on October 5th, 2009 and filed under Suzuki

Hyundai i20 production from Turkey begins next May

Hyundai_i20_Turkey

As IAB has mentioned earlier, Hyundai Motor has set up a plant in Turkey to meet rising demands for the i20 after labor strikes bogged down production here in its Chennai plant. Hyundai had also stated that the absence of free trade agreement between India and Europe made it unfavorable to continue exports.

The Turkey plant will produce more versions of the Hyundai i20 for the European markets from May 2010. A MPV version was also spotted testing last week.

The three and four door versions of the Hyundai i20 are being manufactured by Hyundai Motor India and supposedly the five door version will be produced at the plant at Izmit next year.

The annual production of this plant will be 80,000 units which will cater mainly to European markets.

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Entry posted on October 5th, 2009 and filed under Hyundai
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