As we know that Maruti Suzuki is developing a small entry level hatchback that will replace the Alto F8D and the legendary Maruti 800. The car (Codenamed YE3) is expected in early December so testing should have begun by now.

As one can see that the detailed spy shots reveal an almost production-ready hatchback that is slightly bigger than the 800 and the Alto. The new hatchback is based on the old 800 platform and will use Alto’s 800 cc engine. But it gets a completely new design which, to be  honest, feels like it is inspired by a lot of cars that are on sale in India.

The headlamps and the front bumper seem to be inspired from the Ford Figo. The huge hexagonal grill is reminiscent of the A- Star. The grill has a small horizontal chrome slat with a Suzuki logo embedded in it. The hood features an extremely sharp crease sweeping to the A-Pillar.

The side profile is a mash up of Figo and A-Star. The rear window kink reminds us of the Swift. A very sharp crease starts at the headlamp and goes right to the tail lamp. The wheel caps are very Figo-ish. The roofline is slightly taller than the current Alto which should translate to a better headroom.

The rear almost seems like it was designed by Hyundai designers. The overall shape resembles of the i10 but with i20 inspired tail lamps at both ends. The rear image also reveals that this is an LXI variant (essentially a base variant with less frills).

So essentially the 800 successor seems to be very much inspired by the Figo, i10, Swift, A-Star and i20. While that is a nice pedigree to have, is the summation synergistic is the question?

So do you like what you see?

[Source: oncars.in]

Camouflaged Genios were tested in the same location about two years ago.

The mini Xylo version Balaji has captured is the model with the Xylo facelift’s front-end. The mini Xylo is codenamed U203 (also mentioned on the notice stuck on the car’s windshield).

The car is undergoing development for the last two years. A few months ago, Mahindra’s engineers were asked to come back with an improved powertrain that had lower NVH, according to our sources, which is the reason for the product’s delayed launch.

Mahindra is likely to position the U203 alongside the Verito and tag it as its first mini SUV. Under the bonnet lies a 1.5-liter three-cylinder diesel engine producing 60-70bhp and 160-170Nm of torque. By the festival season, the mini Xylo will be launched in India locking horns with the Renault Duster, Maruti Ertiga and Ford EcoSport. We’re also told that a brand new mini SUV project (code – S101) that has the footprint of a Ford Figo has kicked off at the Mahindra Research Valley in Chennai.

Mahindra mini Xylo Image Gallery

The more recent Manza witnessed changes to its variants, the top-end Elan with the Tyrian Wine paint job became Tata’s super sedan.

This year Tata Motors could pass the model’s mid-life mile marker by submitting a special edition model. Our friends at OnCars.in have caught a glimpse of an example. On a casual look, it looks like the usual Manza but look closer and you’ll see two important changes – the black roof and the dark orange paint work – unique to this test mule.

As we informed you last year, Tata’s planning to nix the current model nomenclature that varies with every model and adopt a common set of names across its model range. We have a feeling that Aqua, Aura and Elan could be replaced with trims such as LX, VX and ZX. The Manza Indigo badge could be made even smaller as Tata Motors are not using the Indigo prefix during communications.

If you remember, Tata worked with fashion designer Rajesh Pratap Singh who presented a special edition at last year’s Wills India Fashion Week bearing interiors that was adorned with art work of butterflies having gears. Singh combined style and engineering with one trying to enhance the other.

Tata could commercialize this model during the Manza’s third anniversary. The group has worked with fashion designers in the past and a recent example is British fashion icon Victoria Beckham’s namesake Range Rover Evoque special edition, that was showcased at the Beijing Auto Show.

[Source - OnCars.in]

We first sensed that GM India is going to infuse changes into the Spark when we spoke to GM India’s Vikas Jain at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo. Jain said the Spark needs a look change and customers are happy with the performance. He stressed on keeping costs in check and didn’t sound very optimistic about Smartech technology for the Spark’s 1-liter motor.

A camouflaged Chevrolet Spark was spotted doing its testing near Paud Road, Pune. Unfortunately, no frontal pics are available as of now. But I am sure IAB’s eagle-eyed viewers would snap one soon.

There are many speculations in the automotive community that this camouflaged Spark is actually a diesel variant. But sadly, Mr Jain also told us that there are no plans to introduce a diesel Spark in India.

Over the years, the Spark has seen many changes to the powertrain and to the interiors. As the Daewoo Matiz, it was an 800cc hatchback. Since it turned into the Chevrolet Spark, the looks of the car have remained pretty much the same. The new rivals like Hyundai Eon and the upcoming Maruti small car are miles ahead of the Spark in terms of design. As a result, Hyundai is clocking 8,000+ units of the Eon every month.

With Maruti all set to bring in an 800 cc entry level hatchback to replace the Alto F8D, the little Spark is definitely feeling the heat. Let’s not leave out the entry of the Datsun brand in India. A facelift could inject some life in the sales figures.

For now, we cannot comment on how soon would this facelifted model be available in showrooms because there is hardly any official information available. But as always, we will keep you updated on the latest happenings in this direction.

Source: Adi_K from Team-bhp.com

But there is an another Audi in the pipeline. Yes, we are talking about the facelifted Audi Q5 which made its official debut at Beijing Motor show. Design wise, the all new Audi Q5 features

• Revised six-point grille
• Refreshed headlights
• Slightly updated front bumper

Mechanically, the new Audi Q5 features an electrical power steering unit instead of an hydraulic one. The chassis has been modified for increased ride comfort.

Audi India currently offers the Q5 in a myriad of petrol and diesel options. While there is no confirmation from Audi’s side, we have a very strong feeling that the new updated version of these engines will debut with the all new Q5. The set of engines include:

Petrol Engines

• 3.0-liter TSFI with two state of tune 272PS and 329PS.

Diesel engines

• 2L TDI with 150 horses
• 3L TDI with 240 horses
• 3L twin turbo TDI power with 313 horses

Audi India may choose to continue the 2.0L TSi engine as an entry level variant of the Audi Q5. Audi India assembles the Q5 in the Aurangabad plant and most of the operation is CKD.

We can expect the facelifted Audi Q5 to be immediately launched after the much-awaited Audi Q3. Or Audi may choose to give us the new Q5 as a Diwali Gift.

Source: TeamBhp Member – TheRagingBull

The Audi A4L is made by the FAW-Volkswagen joint venture. The BMW 3 Series long wheelbase was introduced weeks ago at the Beijing Auto Show using the F30 model and this is like a reflex action from camp Audi.

The A4 has been stretched by 110mm along its wheelbase to provide more space to the rear passengers. The facelifted A4L will be powered by the 1.8 TFSI, which is upgraded to produce 170hp, up by 10 horses, and more powerful engines such as the 2.0 TFSI and the 3.2 FSI.

Prices start from 272,800 Chinese yuan (approx. 23.3 Lakh INR) and stretch up till 578,100 Chinese yuan (approx. 49.3 Lakh INR)

China has a large number of people who love to be chauffeur driven and hence the long-wheel based models of even the smaller sedans like the A4 or 3 Series are very popular there.

[Source - AutoHome.com.cn via CarNewsChina.com]

He’s come to us with a picture of the Kia Picanto testing on the highways of Chennai. IndianAutosBlog.com readers know the Picanto’s history in Chennai. It started testing without camouflage late last year and when images of it appeared all over the internet, Hyundai-Kia quietly adorned it with camouflage.

We then speculated on the possibilities with Picanto in India and as we all know there’s no Kia in India for the Picanto to be sold. Hyundai’s having enough troubles meeting demand for diesel cars and adjusting to this sudden shift away from petrol models. The Eon and Sonata are new launches and they need balancing wheels until they can ride on their own.  The last thing they want now is to launch a new brand even though the Picanto is a cousin to the i10 that is localized heavily and has already formed a swarm of fans.

When Ben came to us with the Kia Picanto’s image, we were determined to solve this puzzle. We did not hire ACP Pradyuman for this as our reader Aditya Singh suggested! Through some of our sources we’re able to tell you that the Picanto is testing a petrol engine, of 1-1.2L displacement. The engine is suspected to be the 1-liter Kappa engine Hyundai introduced on the i10 for the European market during the facelift operation about two years ago. The camouflage could be a deliberate ploy to confuse onlookers or to stop further speculation that Kia is planning an India foray.

We’re told that Hyundai had brought this car from Korea (LHD model) to test the powertrain in Indian conditions. They have no plans to launch the Picanto in India as they have their hands full. We are unable to verify this information but we’re trying to learn more on it.

An interesting observation is the car’s side mirrors exclusive to the mule – they are borrowed from the Santro.

Surprisingly, despite of the outdated looks, the car has not showed decline in sales figures since Nov 2011.

Ever since Mahindra introduced the Verito, it has been able to an increasing number of buyers and were able position it among utility vehicles such as Xylo, Bolero and Scorpio.

However the Mahindra Verito (which is essentially a Dacia Logan) has been around since 2007.

The opportunity of a facelift helps Mahindra to further bring the styling of the Verito in line with Mahindra’s DNA. The only difference between the Mahindra Verito and Dacia Logan was a Mahindra logo on the grill and the steering wheel. Thus, this facelift will bring the Verito closer to the Mahindra family.

Our rendering maestro, Shoeb, has put forward his thoughts of what the new Verito should look like. The biggest change one can see is the new grill which is in-line with the Mahindra DNA. A generous dollop of chrome to make the Verito look upmarket can be seen evidently. Mahindra should focus heavily on the luxury appeal of the Logan to make sure that it calls out to families more than commercial operators.

The front bumper sports horizontal lines and its orientation is flipped. New crystal clear headlamps sport high-mounted indicators instead of side-mounted ones. Wipers are adjusted to match Indian conditions (old Logan and Verito had the wipers for LHD markets). Bigger OVRM units now have a plastic housing (earlier Verito/Logan used body panels and the mirror seemed like they were sticking out of them).

Coming to the rear, one can see a new set of tail lamps and a new boot lid with a dedicated area for the number plate area (old Verito had its number plate on the rear bumper). One can also expect new wheel caps and if we are lucky a new alloy wheel design to be a part of the facelift.

Mahindra should also work comprehensively on the interiors as the current ones feel very dated. The huge slabs of plastic should be replaced by something more aesthetic and appealing. A new center console is also expected because previous spyshots showed camouflage in that area.

Don’t expect major changes to the mechanicals. The K9K engine may be further refined to get more kmpl but we doubt if any changes will be made to the power delivery.

What are your expectations from the facelifted Verito?

The reason is clearly the B+ segment is growing steadily and the availability of diesel technology is seen as one of the main reasons. The Hyundai i20, Maruti Ritz and Swift models have made considerable progress in the last two years and the demand for these cars, especially in diesel, has peaked.

Newbies Nissan and Volkswagen are mostly selling diesel cars. GM India sells the Aveo U-VA and Aveo as rivals to some of these important models and they have slipped into a deep slumber due to the non-availability of a diesel engine.

General Motors plans to use the Sails to fix this problem but the talk on many enthusiast communities is the simple looks and bare-bones feel of the Sails may not help them mount a challenge to the Swift or the i20. They are more an Indica and Indigo competitors, they may go soft on these premium B-sized hatchbacks. The Sonic twins which are part of the 300 Series platform also consisting of the Beat and Cruze, is seen as the more appropriate replacements. The Sail sits on an old Corsa platform and imitates the Toyota Etios in its temperamental and behavioral traits.

Do you think a killer pricing strategy can help the Sail overcome this difficulty in reaching more buyers?

Chevrolet Sail technical specifications for the Chinese market attached above.

Sales of the A-Star has not been impressive and as we explained in a previous article, the numbers have fallen to sub-1,000 units/month levels for two consecutive months.

The Wagon R, which is in the same segment as the A-Star is one of the best selling Marutis clocking between 10-15k units a month.

The legendary Alto, a synonym for city car in Asia for the last thirty years, is made for the world in India. That’s right, the Manesar factory in North India is the only point of manufacture for the A-Star which is sold globally as the Alto, Celerio and as a Nissan Pixo in the UK. Since exports began in January 2009, over 300,000 units of the made-in-India Suzuki Alto have been sold in over 100 countries.

It is fitted with a three-cylinder 1-liter K-Series petrol engine producing 68PS/90Nm, driven either through a four-speed AT or five-speed MT. If Suzuki is planning to upgrade the engine, they may want to add variable valve timing which they have done so on the bigger 1.2-liter engine powering the Swift.

It was launched at the Paris Motor Show in 2008 and if you remember, the concept A-Star was presented at the Delhi Auto Expo in January of 2008. It is not wrong to say that the Suzuki Alto/A-Star took shape in India.

As times have changed in the last four years, Suzuki is now seen working on a facelift for the Alto.

The interiors are very similar to the outgoing model and may use a slightly different color combination. Several Chinese websites are carrying images of the taped-up prototypes testing around China for a week now. We saw this one coming as Suzuki Australia was reported in the media for expecting an upgraded Alto later this year.

Here’s a roundup of the changes the new Alto sports after we studied the spyshots with magnifying lenses. Our digital artist Shoeb R Kalania has also presented the changes in a rendering attached above.

• The Alto facelift now makes it look like part of the global Suzuki family
• The earlier one’s huge grill and the protruding headlamps made the car look sad. The changes are sure to make the customers give it a second thought.
• Many customers turned away from the Alto due to its different look.

Cosmetic changes on the Suzuki Alto facelift

• New sleek pulled-back headlamps.
• Face grill with a nice chunky Suzuki logo.
• New bumper design with revamped air vents and fog lamp housing.
• Tail-lamps are detailed differently but remain similar to the current one’s form.
• Rear bumpers get vents like the ones seen on the facelifted Ritz (Splash to overseas readers) Suzuki announced earlier this month for Japan.

Can we expect Suzuki to premiere the Alto facelift at this year’s Paris Auto Show?

[Spyshot credit - Autohome.com.cn]