Indian Autos blog

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Shanghai-VW has cloned the latest generation Passat, made it smaller and is introducing it as the Volkswagen Lavida in the Chinese market. Everything from the car’s daylight opening, tail light, kink on the C-Pillar to the car’s headlights are similar to the Passat (NMS). Volkswagen has many tie-ups with local Chinese auto makers but the latest Lavida’s development used very few inputs from Wolfsburg.

Ford has presented the B-Max five-seat MPV on the internet. The public will see it in flesh for the first time at next month’s Geneva Motor Show. The B-Max is the MPV counterpart of the EcoSport SUV. It will make it to India by mid-decade with a longer wheelbase. The bodywork, front-end and rear are likely to stay similar on the extended wheelbase version.

Renault is finalizing last minute details on the fourth generation B-Segment Clio as it gets ready to present the vehicle in October’s Paris Motor Show. The new Clio will be the most stylish of generations as Renault is trying to connect emotionally with its would-be buyers. A 900cc, turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine is said to be the driving force on the Clio 4. Isn’t that engine ideal for the Indian market as Nissan could also benefit from it?

Ford India is organizing a three hour free motoring skills program on the 25th of February exclusively for Indian Autos Blog readers in Chennai.

The “Ford Driving Skills for Life” is a globally conducted program that has trained over 3,000 participants so far. It was launched to promote safe driving habits and impart driving skills we’ve either forgotten or not known.

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This morning we put out two updates on the Ford Fiesta facelift, one carrying a set of images of the test mule, and one speculative rendering presented by our Brazilian friends at Autos Segredos illustrated using design cues of the Ford Evos concept.

On closely inspecting the spyshots and reading accounts of spy photographers, we’re convinced that Ford is turning to the Fiesta ST concept for inspiration rather than the brand new Evos concept that previewed the Mondeo. With our findings, we rang in Shoeb R Kalania to show us and the readers the how things will pan out.

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Just hours ago we brought you a speculative rendering of what the new Fiesta hatchback could look like and what do you know – Our good friends at WorldCarFans have spotted a test mule of the 2013 Fiesta hatchback. The marque that was born in 1976 is all set to enter the second phase of its 6^th generation. The current Fiesta was launched in 2008 and flaunts the old design language based on the Verve concept.

The new Fiesta will don a design language influenced by the Fiesta ST Concept showcased last year’s Frankfurt Motorshow. The broad grill on the test mule, slimmer headlamps garnished with a string of LEDs are design cues lifted from the Fiesta ST Concept.

The world was stunned to see the Ford EcoSport concept in India at the 2012 Auto Expo. A jaw dropping, gorgeous design coupled with oodles of road presence and excellent fuel economy – surely that’s what dreams are made of. The 1.5L TDCi powering the Ecosport is very much understandable because a lot of SUVs use a 1.5L-1.6L diesel engines to propel themselves (eg – Renault Duster) and they do a pretty decent job.

The mind boggling part is a 1 liter Ecoboost engine that will power the petrol version of the Ford Ecosport. Can a 1 liter engine really provide a fire power need to propel a SUV?

As the Mk6 Fiesta completes completes four memorable years in the motoring industry, it will be planning to continue the good work for another four years through changes to its appearances.

IAB was told last year that designers have completed the mock-up of the Fiesta facelift in one of the global design studios last year. Very soon it will begin testing for a market launch.

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The marketeers at Ford Brazil have scratched their heads, realized that sporty and Fiesta go hand in hand and presented a nicely kitted-up edition of the Ford Fiesta in Brazil.

Yes, the Figo is sold as the Fiesta in Brazil and it looks a little odd for Indian taste. The Fiesta Storm edition includes a rear spoiler, rear and side protectors, tinted windows, roof-mounted luggage carrier and body decals. This is an aesthetic makeover and there are no changes present under the bonnet. The Fiesta Storm can be bought with 1L or a 1.6L petrol engine.