Archive for the ‘Auto Expo 2010’ Category

Tata Nano special editions at Auto Expo go unnoticed

Tata Nano For HerTata Nano For Him

The Delhi Auto Expo has drawn to an end leaving many of us with tired legs and pregnant minds. Most of us would have visited the Tata booth and glanced at the cute Magic Iris and well-designed Aria. While many of us would have taken stock of the off-beat hybrid bus and Vista sport concept, did anyone bother inquiring about the pink Tata Nano parked there?

There were not one, but two Nano special editions at the Expo

Called ‘Tata Nano for her, and for him’ the special editions are based on the top spec LX variants.

The ‘For her’ car is available in Cocktail Red, and features floral patterns on the door and bonnet. Inside, the patterns are also carried forward to the seats, door pads and centre console.

The ‘For him’ model comes in Wild Lime colour scheme and has leather seats and leather door pads.

Both models are fitted with stop-start technology, electrically operated front windows, air-con, fog lamps and stereo.

No prices have been announced. When Tata is struggling to keep up with the demand of the regular models, how could they pop out special editions?

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Entry posted on January 11th, 2010 and filed under Auto Expo 2010, Tata Nano

My take on the Delhi Auto Expo 2010

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Entry posted on January 9th, 2010 and filed under Auto Expo 2010

Auto Expo info and images to be distributed over the next few days

We’ve not been able to update the blog frequently as the schedule at the show has been very hectic. We’ve had one-to-one chats with industry bosses and asked them questions you’ve always needed answers for.

While other websites were uploading images and information, we were talking to the company representatives asking them all kinds of questions. Some of them loved it. Some of them didn’t.

We will be updating the blog with the information and images as and when it is possible.

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Entry posted on January 6th, 2010 and filed under Auto Expo 2010

Auto Expo 2010 – Suzuki unveils sleek R3 concept MPV

Suzuki_R3_MPV_ConceptThe R3 concept was created by Indian engineers and its future depends on feedback

Created by Indian engineers in nine months, the R3 concept was displayed at the Delhi Auto Expo today. The company has no rigid plans of manufacturing a MPV, which was clear when they declared the future of the model was based on feedback they receive.

You can get the full details of the model by referring to the press release attached after the jump. Here is an extract of what was discussed by the Suzuki’s Indian wing during the unveil.

* Suzuki hopes to sell 1 million vehicle in the future
* Main focus will be on the small car portfolio
* In future they will try to explore new segments other than small cars
* Creation of R&D in India for their contributions in future products is their goal
* Company is working closely with the Indian Govt on the alternate fuel technologies
* Suzuki will try to make future fuel technologies more affordable and usable with masses
* Latest CNG technology will be in India within few months, will be all together advanced & different from what country has as of today. New CNG tech will see improvement in efficiency and power delivery
* Maruti is and will promote safe driving
* R3’s production will depend on the market feedback
* Kizashi will be in India by the end of the year
* Current capacity, Gurgaon – 6 Lac – Manesar – 3 Lac per annum
* Manesar capacity will be increased, as per future demands
* To check the production costs and make products VFM – efficiency & productivity will be increased, sharing of components between models will be done
* To sustain 50% growth – New markets & new segments will be explored
* No plans as of now for the Hybrids in India

click through to view Image Slideshow and read press release

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Entry posted on January 5th, 2010 and filed under Auto Expo 2010, Suzuki

Auto Expo 2010 – BMW launches Gran Tourismo, X6 M, 760Li in India

BMW_alloy_wheelThe BMW line-up in India just got wider with addition of the X6 M, 5er GT and 760 Li

BMW launched the Gran Tourismo and the X6 M in India. The BMW Gran Turismo is priced at Rs. 63,00,000 (only 100 will be sold)

The BMW X6 M is priced at Rs. 1,30,00,000 and the BMW 760Li is priced at Rs. 1,29,00,000.

We spoke to Peter Kronschnabl, President BMW India about the vehicles and their plans. For more info on the vehicle’s launch, click through for the press release.

On the BMW Megacity cars -

They will be different compared to the Mini brand. The two brands (Mini, Megacity) won’t conflict each other. The Megacity won’t come to India and BMW has no plans of assembling it here locally.

On the Mini Brand -

As of 2010, there are no plans to bring the Mini brand of cars to India.

On Launching the BMW 3 Series Corporate Edition -

The Corporate Edition might be aggressively priced but it is a profitable model. If it wasn’t profitable, they would not have launched it.

On the target customers of the Gran Tourismo and USP -

It seems like BMW already know who they are going to sell the allotted vehicles to. Mr. Kronschnabl with a smile said “I’m not answering this question” which naturally meant he knew the customers beforehand. He added rear seat comfort of a 7 Series is the standout feature of GT.

On the success of the Rolls Royce models -

Mr.Kronschnabl isn’t the spokesperson for RR, neither is he related to it directly. He said RR did better than its rivals since RR had worked very hard recently to revive the brand. RR also had the reputation of making the best luxury cars in the world and have an unmistakable identity.

On the sales of the M model line-up in India -

Kronschnabl agreed the M cars were never expected to add volumes to the BMW sales. The M cars are primarily for the fans of driving, those who want to get behind the wheel and experience power. The BMW Motorsport division satisfies the horsepower hungry beings in India, where ever they may be and how many ever there are.

On the target group of the new X1 -

BMW says it will sell the X1 to entrepreneurs, young and old as well as to people who are looking for a vehicle in this segment. This means the X1 will be the first BMW to many of its buyers when it goes on sale later this year.

click through for Image Slideshow and Press Release

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Entry posted on January 5th, 2010 and filed under Auto Expo 2010, BMW

Chevrolet Beat launched – Shocking prices start at 3.34 lakh rupees!

Chevrolet_Beat_India_launch_DelhiThe Chevrolet Beat looks 3-door, styled futuristic and priced aggressively

The Chevrolet Beat was launched here in Delhi today. The gathering at the launch were eagerly awaiting the prices and when they were announced, eyeballs literally popped, hands automatically came together and some even stood up in disbelief!

While many of us were expecting the price to be between 4-5 lakh rupees, GM has gone in for the kill with pricing under 4 lakh rupees for all variants.

Chevrolet Beat Price (ex-showroom Delhi)

Chevrolet Beat PS Price – 3.34 lakh rupees

Chevrolet Beat LS Price – 3.54 lakh rupees

Chevrolet Beat LT Price – 3.94 lakh rupees

click through to read more

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Entry posted on January 4th, 2010 and filed under Auto Expo 2010, New Chevrolet Spark

IAB is at the Delhi Auto Expo, interacts with GM’s global design head

Indian Autos Blog was in Delhi today to cover the launch of the new Mercedes Benz GL, S500L and the Chevrolet Beat.

At the launch of the Chevrolet Beat, we had an exclusive chat with GM’s global design chief Mr.Ed Welburn who is credited with designing cars like the Beat, Cruze and Camaro. Mr Welburn spoke to us on where GM’s design is heading and how the Beat came about.

We’ll hopefully publish all the information and images live from the show so you don’t have to go anywhere. Check IAB every hour for updates.

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Entry posted on January 4th, 2010 and filed under Announcements, Auto Expo 2010

Spied – Facelifted Maruti Suzuki Wagon R

2011-Wagon-R-India-12011-Wagon-R-India-2

The Wagon R from Suzuki is the best selling Maruti after the Alto. Through these years, the drive for such high volumes has not been due to its power or pickup. Forget diesel, we have not seen powerful petrol engines on this hatchback and what we’re about to get this Auto Expo is exactly that.

Thanks to Overdrive magazine, we’re able to understand how the facelifted Wagon R will look like. We’re not sure if Maruti began work on this model before the Estilo facelift was launched. If so then Maruti placed all the eggs in one basket.

Lucky for them the Estilo facelift clicked.

One need not be a car enthusiast to spot Wagon R’s resemblance to the new Estilo. With the same 1.0-liter 3-cylinder K-Series engine, the Wagon R is expected to be quicker and quirky. Swept back headlamps, circular indicator housing and chrome finishing spruce up looks.

We don’t expect the interiors to be entirely different. The ride and handling should stay the same just like they did on the revamped Estilo. We’re happy with the outcome of the new Wagon R, but we sincerely wished to see the JDM Wagon R which looks modern.

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Entry posted on January 2nd, 2010 and filed under Auto Expo 2010, Maruti Suzuki, Spy pictures

Video – Toyota Etios Teaser

The Toyota Etios small sedan concept will be unveiled at the Delhi Auto Expo (World’s largest auto show) scheduled to begin next week. Toyota will also showcase the hatchback version of the Etios at the show and both the vehicles will go into production at the end of 2010.

The Etios series would be produced first in India and then across the world. Codenamed EFC (Economical Family Car) it has been in development for the last few years in Japan. Through Etios, Toyota is trying to establish a better footprint in emerging markets like China, India, Brazil and probably Russia.

Toyota’s management in India told us back in July during the refreshed Camry’s launch that the Etios would not sport a very contrasting design since the Indian market is flooded with hatchbacks of various designs. The vehicle’s strength would be high quality, superior ownership experience and high resale value, they added.

Etios, which means ‘the origin of’ unlike many other concept cars, is 90 percent the production model. It will come in both petrol and diesel engines – 1.4-liter diesel engine adopted from the Yaris hatchback and 1.2 or 1.3-liter petrol engine.

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Entry posted on January 2nd, 2010 and filed under Auto Expo 2010, Toyota

Rumormill – All-new Suzuki Jimny concept heading to the Auto Expo?

Jimny_concept

A 2-door Suzuki concept car shown earlier this decade

We hope this really happens

Back in 2005, a representative from Suzuki speaking to media in UK revealed the all-new Jimny would be brought out in 2009. Suzuki, tight lipped about the Jimny, lead many to believe there were no future plans for the vehicle.

Suzuki might plan to make Indian as an export base for the Jimny. The Jimny SJ series sold in India as the Gypsy. Despite its uniqueness, it was packed up a few years ago. With a 1.3-liter petrol engine, the Gypsy was India’s first mini SUV in every sense of the word.

Autoten reports the concept version of the Jimny could make an appearance at the Auto Expo or the Geneva Motor Show in March 2010. The vehicle could move into production sometime in 2012.

While we can’t vouch for claims from autoten, what this report does is reminds us of the forgotten Gypsy which could make a perfect case for a recreational vehicle in this era.

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Entry posted on December 31st, 2009 and filed under Auto Expo 2010, Suzuki

Just In – Tata Motors to launch three new vehicles at the Auto Expo

tata_indicruz_crossover_rear_1The Tata Indicruz crossover will be the star attraction at the Auto Expo

According to the media invite which has just come in, Tata Motors will launch three new products at the Auto Expo next week.

We’re guessing it should be the Indica Vista Ignis, Penguin truck and the new Indicruz crossover. The Indica EV will be the second electric vehicle after Chevrolet’s Spark EV to make a debut at the show.

Tata will also launch a new Jaguar luxury saloon at the event. No points for guessing what car that is. It has to be the XJ which was launched in London in June this year and ever since, it has attracted a lot of interest from Indians. Engine choices are not plenty. You get a 5.0-liter petrol (385 PS, supercharged 510 PS) and 3.0-liter good for 275 PS.

We hope Tata would comment on the future plans for the Nano at the press conference.

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Entry posted on December 31st, 2009 and filed under Auto Expo 2010, Tata

2010 Delhi Auto Expo to be world’s largest with 2 million visitors

Auto_expo_2010_Exhibition_LayoutLayout of Auto Expo 2010 – 2 million visitors expected in this edition

The previous edition of the Auto Expo in January 2008 in New Delhi drew 1.8 million visitors. The 2010 edition scheduled at the same venue Pragati Maidan, from January 5-11 will see almost 2 million visitors and that makes it the largest auto show on the planet.

Pawan Goenka, president of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam) and president, Mahindra & Mahindra

The 2010 Auto Expo will be bigger, brighter and better than the previous shows. The growing number of visitors indicates the rising importance of India [ Images ] as a key automobile destination.

An Industry Executive -

The New Delhi Auto Expo is held only for seven days, while the New York Auto Show is open for 10 days and the Shanghai Auto Show is spread over nine days. The New York Auto Expo attracts a large crowd because the show venue is located in the heart of New York City’s 34th and 39th Street intersections, which are busy locations. Besides, the show is also promoted as a significant tourist attraction, while Delhi Auto Expo’s Pragati Maidan does not enjoy this benefit

Why is there so much of crowd in India?

- India is the fastest growing market for cars and bikes

- Products and concepts for global markets will be unveiled

- Manufacturers who skipped major shows this year participate in the Auto Expo

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Entry posted on December 30th, 2009 and filed under Auto Expo 2010

Hyundai i10 EV visits Delhi Auto Expo

Hyundai-i10-EVHyundai i10 EV has a 100km range and 130kph top speed

Korean auto company Hyundai announced today that it will showcase the i10 EV (Electric Vehicle) at the Auto Expo next month.

The 5-door i10 EV hatchback is run by 49kW / 65HP electric motor and a 16kWh lithium-ion polymer battery that has been co-developed with Korea’s LG.

Driving range is expected to be in the range of 100 miles or 160 kilometers and a top speed of over 80 mph or 130 km/h makes it a nippy city hatch.

Apart from the i10 EV, we expect the company to showcase the concept version of its small car. Media reports recently adds i30, i40, Tucson and Santa Fe to the speculative list.

Hyundai will also display the existing range and concept vehicles with futuristic technology at the event next month.

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Entry posted on December 28th, 2009 and filed under Auto Expo 2010, Hyundai
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