Maybach facelift images leak on to internet

The new Maybach would be revealed next month. This could be the final facelift.

Remember the Maybach? It’s what Rolls Royce is to BMW. Maybach belongs to Daimler AG and there has not been much news about them recently. RR has sold the entire consignment of its latest model Ghost for India and when we asked Peter Kronschnabl, CEO BMW India his reactions, he stated it was due to the constant hard work and how beautifully the brand was revived.

Maybach on the other hand sells less than one-third of what RR manages worldwide. Both their cars are engineered on the S-Class giving rise to doubts of the next generation S-Class moving upmarket with truck loads of technology and avant-garde styling. The new S-Classes in the process would replace the Maybach models.

Before that happens, Maybach will look to put its torrid past behind with the introduction of mildly facelifted 57 and long wheelbase 62 next month. The slightly tweaked grille, new headlights and a more aggressive lower air intake area don’t lend it a fresh lease of life, but it keeps it away from looking boring.

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Entry posted on March 16th, 2010 and filed under Mercedes Benz

Nissan adds new diesel engine to Murano in Europe

Could the Nissan Murano be assembled in India?

Has anyone wondered why Nissan hasn’t launched the Murano in India yet? Could it be possible that Nissan is looking at the CBU route for this stylish one-off SUV which has all the credentials to take on cars like the BMW X1 and Toyota Fortuner?

The new engine on the European Murano is a 2.5 dCi which benefits from a new direct injection system operates at 2,000 bar, up from 1,800 bar, a redesigned cylinder head with parallel port and a new variable nozzle turbo (VNT) with electric control replacing the hydraulic system.

The upgrades help generate 190 horsepower and 450Nm of peak torque. This four cylinder engine is offered only with a six-speed automatic transmission and 4×4 system.

Performance and economy statistics will come close to the car’s launch date in September.

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Entry posted on March 16th, 2010 and filed under Nissan

Spied – New Mitsubishi Lancer in India (Exclusive)

New Mitsubishi Lancer IndiaNew Mitsubishi Lancer India

Thanks to our regular reader Rohin Sureka, we’re able to bring you these pictures of the next generation Mitsubishi Lancer testing in Kolkata. Rohin’s snapped these pics at night so a few things are unclear.

1) Has Rohin caught the Lancer Evolution?

After a brief search on google images, I understood that many of the Evos don’t have badges on three locations at the rear. It is the regular Lancer which has the logo in the centre, Mitsubishi on the bottom left, and Evo on the bottom right. We haven’t tracked the car closely or driven them, we could be wrong. We’d like to know from our well-versed readers whether this is the Evo or in fact the Lancer.

2) When is it coming to India?

This test mule was spotted in one of the markets in Kolkata. As we all know, Mitsubishi has a production line in West Bengal Chennai and Rohin’s clicked when the Lancer mule was running about clocking data and miles. This doesn’t give us an idea of the launch date or whether Mitsubishi is considering it for the Indian market this year. We can assume that Mitsubishi will launch this car by the end of 2011.

3) What if this is the Evo?

Great then! The Mitsubishi Evo according to our sources will be in India in the next few months. Mitsubishi could assemble kits shipped from Japan at the West Bengal plant. Prices would start somewhere around 35 lakhs approximately.

4) Is there a market for Lancer still in India?

Absolutely. The Mitsubishi Lancer is the company’s best product not only in India but also overseas. I think the Lancer is why people walk into Mitsubishi dealerships, and in India they were having a great run with the first Lancer. The Cedia hasn’t worked as many of us were expecting it to be a mini Evo. It was neither fast nor fuel efficient. With this all-new Lancer, Mitsubishi could get back into the ring and fight the battle which it doesn’t seem interested in now.

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Entry posted on March 15th, 2010 and filed under Mitsubishi, Spy pictures

Rendering – Nissan’s upcoming Note on V-Platform

2012 Nissan NoteThe MPV off the V-Platform will be Nissan Note replacement sometime in 2012

Speaking to a news channel from the Geneva Auto Show floor earlier this month, Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Renault and Nissan stated there is a high likelihood of the MPV variant from the Nissan V-Platform which underpins the Micra, rolling out of the company’s Chennai facility in the next few years.

Now Autoten has posted a scan of the MPV (possible Note replacement) rendering from a Japanese magazine. The report says the Nissan Note replacement will hit the market in the middle of 2012. Know internally as W02C, the dimensions are listed 4050mm * 1495mm * 1535mm. A 4 cylinder 1.5 liter engine is said to be on the engine choice list. Isn’t Nissan considering this engine for the diesel Micra as well?

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Entry posted on March 15th, 2010 and filed under Nissan, Renderings

Rendering – Tata Penguin 0.5-tonne pickup (Exclusive)

Tata Iris Pickup truckThe Tata Penguin could be priced at around 1.8 lakh rupees

We have shown you two batches of spyshots of the Tata Penguin pickup truck that will sit below the hugely successful Ace. What we didn’t know while we posted those images is the passenger version of this little truck would be unveiled at the Auto Expo as the Magic Iris.

The Magic Iris gets a 611cc diesel engine which was developed by Tata in partnership with Greaves. With an H-pattern gear shift layout, well designed dashboard and two individual seats up front, the Iris is very close to a passenger car.

It isn’t only the cabin that’s car like. MacPherson struts with an anti-roll bar at the front and trailing arm layout with coil springs and hydraulic shock absorbers are what you’d find on smaller cars sold world over. 145 R12 radial tires and hydraulically actuated drum brakes help Iris retard.

The direct injection 611cc water-cooled diesel engine develops 11bhp at 3000rpm and 31Nm between 1600-1800rpm.

We expect the technical specifications to remain same on the Tata Penguin. The vehicle should be unveiled this year and priced to take down the Mahindra Gio.

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Entry posted on March 15th, 2010 and filed under Commercial Vehicles, Renderings, Tata

Fiat adds two variants to the Grande Punto line-up

Two variants of the Punto with new features and BS4 compliant engine set free

Fiat today expanded its Grande Punto range by adding two new BS4 compliant variants – Fiat 1.2 FIRE Dynamic and Fiat 1.2 FIRE Emotion, both petrol engined premium hatchbacks.

Apart from Tilt Steering, Front Power windows, Fire Prevention System, and Programmed Service Reminder, the 1.2 Dynamic variant will also offer rear power windows and central locking system. As a special introductory offer, the 1.2 Dynamic will also come fitted with CD/MP3 player, for limited period of one month.

Meanwhile, the 1.2 Emotion variant will have all of the above along with integrated audio system with 4 speakers, electric mirrors, fog lamps, dual tone dashboard and split seats.

The 1.2 FIRE Grande Punto Dynamic is priced at Rs. 4.57 lakhs and the 1.2 FIRE Grande Punto Emotion is priced at Rs. 4.87 lakhs (ex-showroom Delhi)

click through for press release and images

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Entry posted on March 15th, 2010 and filed under Fiat

Fiat’s new small car to be based on existing platform

The new small car from Fiat could have Multiair technology and beautiful look

Rajeev Kapoor, CEO of Fiat India during the launch of new Punto variants today has revealed that the company is not developing a new platform for its small car scheduled for 2012.

Speaking to reporters here in Mumbai, Kapoor said the company is relying on existing platforms (for eg – new Uno, 500) to bring out the small car which is at least two years away.

Another bit of information that’s come out today is that the new car could have Fiat’s Multiair technology fitted to its engine which leads to fewer emissions and higher fuel economy.

During the Auto Expo earlier in the year, Kapoor said the new small car will have nothing to do with the Topolino brand of compacts developed for Europe.

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Entry posted on March 15th, 2010 and filed under Fiat

Spied – More images of Euro Ford Fiesta testing in India

The Euro Fiesta hatch has been caught yet again in Chennai, this one’s red color

There have been many reports on the Euro Ford Fiesta coming to India next year with a boot, but none of them have been approved by Ford. Ford maintains that it constantly tests vehicles in Chennai and the Euro Fiesta could be part of that.

Spied testing in Chennai city, this red Ford Fiesta was quite easily the best looking car on that stretch road. It is huge, it has a great design and the red color was smashing!

Can Ford price the new Fiesta hatch competitively? Ford should have learned from Honda’s mistake of introducing a premium hatchback in India. If Ford is going to take a chance, then better give the customer with maximum value at that price point.

Perhaps Ford can take a chance by pricing the base Fiesta petrol at around 6.5 lakh rupees. They could give it features like climate control, electrically operated seats, cruise control, good sound system, etc at the entry point itself. The Fiesta is offered in Europe with a 1.4 liter petrol and diesel engine.

As the length is beyond four metres (4067mm), Ford could take two routes

1) A cosmetic change to shorten the length and plonk a re-tuned Figo petrol engine (probably turbocharge it, (read Ecoboost)) under the bonnet to qualify for small car benefits.

2) Keep the length, preserve the beauty, put in the powerful 1.4 petrol that Europe gets and sell it as a hot hatch with alloy wheels, music system, steering mounted controls, climate control etc.

Ford knows better. We’re expecting the Fiesta sedan to arrive before the hatch and its success will determine the future of the hatchback.

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Entry posted on March 15th, 2010 and filed under Ford, Spy pictures

Ford not considering pickup trucks for India

2010 F-150 SVT RaptorNo pickup trucks from Ford’s Chennai plant at present

Contrary to what was published on Live Mint during the launch of the Ford Figo, Ford is not considering rolling out pickup trucks from its Chennai plant. The company has issued a clarification where it states that its focus is currently only on the passenger car space.

Spokesperson of Ford India -

The senior representatives of Ford India were misquoted by reporters in Mumbai (on the sidelines of Figo launch.) Right now, the company is just concentrating to enhance its marketshare in the passenger car segment. For that we are rolling out various initiatives, which include new and refreshed models. So, commercial vehicles do not come to our drawing board.

The newspaper was reporting that sub-5 tonne pickup trucks from Ford were marked for production at the Chennai plant.

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Entry posted on March 15th, 2010 and filed under Commercial Vehicles, Ford

Chevrolet Beat – Design and Styling

The Chevrolet Beat’s face is inspired from a Cheetah’s. Not sure if the designer was viewing Wild Discovery while drafting this car, but the entire design from bumper to bumper is packed with cuts, curves and bends. The design is inspired from a moving cheetah, I’d say. A cheetah moving in for the kill.

Though the Cheetah face isn’t very evident, what is is its close resemblance to the concept car. GM’s design team did not go beyond the first draft while freezing the production model’s design. They stuck to the pull back headlamps, rising window line and muscular wheel arches.

For once I can say loudly that not all car manufacturers bring imaginary cars to auto shows. The real world now has a foreigner arriving from that location.

How does it stand apart in the most crowded segment in the country, where almost 70% of cars sold are hatchbacks?

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Entry posted on March 14th, 2010 and filed under Car Reviews, New Chevrolet Spark

Bentley Mulsanne priced at 3 crore rupees in India

Bentley Mulsanne IndiaThe 3 crore rupee Bentley Mulsanne is synonymous with exclusivity and richness

Thanks to autoholiks, we’re able to bring you a report on the Bentley Mulsanne’s Indian launch.

The expensive vehicle was unveiled by Sir Richard Stag, Britain’s high commissioner to India and Chris Buxtonm, Bentley’s regional director in an event hosted at British High Commissioner’s residence in New Delhi.

The Bentley Mulsanne is the first Bentley after a long gap to have been built from scratch.

Chris Buxtonm, Britain’s high commissioner to India -

I think our expectations with Mulsanne has always been very strong. We don’t see the sales of the car but wait for its demand in the market. The moment I think would be strong we would probably be sold out, by the end of 2011. I think we have taken some interested parties, I showed some Indian customers the car last year. This market is a very strong market for our cars and it goes back to 1911 when we came into the market. So as I said there are about 700 big car drivers in India today.

Production of the Bentley Mulsanne will begin at the company’s facility in England during the second quarter of this year. Production here needs to be looked at from a exclusive car builder’s perspective.

Each Bentley Mulsanne takes two months at least to be completed. Customers can choose from a choice of 114 paint colors, 21 carpet colors, nine wood veneers and 24 interior leather hide!

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Entry posted on March 14th, 2010 and filed under Bentley

Sporty Ford Fiesta Sport + for the European markets

The exterior theme of the Fiesta Sport + could look good on the Ford Figo

Ford’s newest addition to the Fiesta range in the UK is the Sport + model which aims to give the car a sportier appearance.

While the racing stripes and dark blue color is reminiscent of racing cars, don’t be fooled. The Ford Fiesta Sport + is just a sticker job, in plain english.

You can buy the car with either the 118bhp 1.6-litre Duratec petrol engine or the 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel engine, now with a better 94bhp.

The Sport + gets a full bodykit, featuring redesigned front bumper, side skirts and rear spoiler. The car comes in a choice of two colours: Frozen White with Performance Blue stripes or in Performance Blue with Performance White stripes.

Sporting cues don’t end there. You also get special 17-inch (16-inch if you opt in for the diesel) alloy wheels.

The car will be sold only in European markets, and is based on the three-door Fiesta only. Prices and the launch date have yet to be announced.

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Entry posted on March 14th, 2010 and filed under Ford

Facelifted Wagon R to be named Wagon R E+ in China

Suzuki WagonR E+The Chinese Suzuki WagonR E+ is planned for April 2010 release

We unfortunately don’t have any further information on the facelifted Suzuki Wagon R for India. Hence we chose to write about the Wagon R meant for the Chinese market.

The Chinese Wagon R gets a 1.4 liter petrol engine that makes 90hp and 112Nm of torque. The Wagon R E+ will be the replacement for the aging model which is facing severe competition that threatens its existence.

Though competition in India isn’t threatening the existence of the current model, Maruti wants to be on the safer side by giving the Wagon R both a cosmetic and under-hood change.

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Entry posted on March 14th, 2010 and filed under Suzuki
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