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.
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.
The 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.
Layout 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
Hyundai 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.
Could the R3 be a stylish Versa ready for powerful diesel engines?
Maruti Suzuki India is all set to unveil ‘Concept R3? a compact multi-purpose vehicle at the forthcoming Auto Expo 2010.
The 6-seater MPV concept has totally been the work of Indian engineers who have slogged nine months to see the project through.
The vehicle generated out of this concept could be the right candidate for the diesel engines. Suzuki could use the R3 to curb the rising popularity of vehicles like Toyota Innova, Mahindra Xylo, and the Tata Indicruz which also makes its debut at the show.
The Suzuki Eeco could replace the aging Omni which will give more clearance for the R3′s price band. Suzuki’s product line-up in India is cluttered and we should avoid making any guesses beyond this level. The Auto Expo holds answers to these type of question so we expect clarity once the Eeco is on air.
Tata could display Nano hybrid, diesel and electric at the Auto Expo next month
DNA India reports Tata could bring off-beat variants of Nano to the Auto Expo. The exhibits could be powered by a diesel engine and possibly hybrid and electric powertrain as well.
Tata Motors has confirmed it is working on the hybrid Nano and on its official website hinted it will offer Nano diesel in future. The electric Nano or E-Nano has also been doing media rounds since the unveiling of the car in the previous edition of the Auto Expo.
Tata Motors is believed to be working on several variants of the Nano including a half-tonne pick-up truck for short distance load hauling.
As we near the opening of the show, we’re definite that more information will be published.
This is our interpretation of Honda’s small car which will be exhibited at the show next month
Honda in a press release issued today said it will display the small car concept at the Auto Expo in Delhi next month. The small car, termed by many as “mini Jazz” will be manufactured in India and positioned under the Jazz. There are also rumors floating around that the hatchback (code: 2CV) will use a 1.1-liter petrol engine and roll out by 2011, though we have no confirmations on the displacement.
Apart from the aforementioned exhibits, the Japanese company will display the famous ASIMO humanoid robot and the CR-Z hybrid concept car to the show.
Honda will also display the existing line-up of cars at the show.
