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

IAB Garage – Chevrolet Beat 1.2 LT

The Chevrolet Beat LT is in our garage this week

Launches, media drives and interviews, lately these were very frequent on IAB. We are back now to full test drive reports of the latest offerings from auto manufacturers in the country. In the next few days, we will be performing an extensive drive of the small offering from big American automaker which has to turn voluminous to veer towards the top three in the country. Yes we will be testing the top-end Chevrolet Beat to give u a full detailed review.

Before starting up with the drive let’s list out points which we expect Beat to prove itself:

1. How does it stand apart in the most crowded segment in the country, where almost 70% of cars sold are hatchbacks?
2. Now almost every new Hatchback sold in the country runs on 1.2 Ltr powerhouse, how does this drive?
3. Does it have a big car feel inside?
4. How thirsty is it, no review in India is complete without this question.
5. Is it VFM (Value For Money)?
6. Will it cut a hole in my pocket to maintain this?
7. Can it be an answer to the most desirable Maruti or the well liked Hyundai?
8. And the most important one, does it set my heart beating rapidly?

Well to see the answers of all the above be glued to IAB for the updates.

IAB would also be keen in answering any more points that you might want to add. Feel free to use the comments box below.

click through for image gallery and comments box

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Entry posted on March 13th, 2010 and filed under Car Reviews, New Chevrolet Spark

Rendering – One more elegant India-bound Renault Clio representation

The next Renault Clio could also come in 3-door form. Expect fuel-efficient engines

We’ve shown you Clio renderings and Clio clay models in the past. The Renault Clio we’re referring to here is the one that’ll be manufactured in Renault-Nissan’s Oragadam facility in Chennai using Nissan’s V-Platform in the next few years.

At this point we can only talk about the car’s looks as no details on powertrains have surfaced. We can speculate the possibility of the same 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine from the Nissan Micra under the Clio’s bonnet. We can also speculate that it will be slightly smaller than the Micra.

Renault’s “small entry level car” is expected to bring volumes to the company. Renault will sell the Clio through its own distribution network. It will also price the car competitively. It will also come with dedicated doors for rear passengers.

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Entry posted on March 12th, 2010 and filed under Nissan, Renderings

Nissan Micra priced at 5.23 lakh rupees in Thailand

The base variant Nissan Micra should be priced around 4.25 lakh rupees in India

We don’t know if the prices of the all-new Nissan Micra in Thailand holds any relevance to the Indian scene, but we can take a clue from the announcement – Nissan isn’t going for the Figo territory with its new hatch.

We have learnt that the Thai Micra has airbags, ABS, EBD and Brake Assist as standard features. This indicates the pricing would begin somewhere close to 4.25 lakh rupees at most in India with all these features chopped off in the base variant.

Nissan has also made it clear that it isn’t willing to get into a price war with the Micra in India. Anyways coming back to the Micra launch.

With a 4.5m turning radius, the Micra’s is just 0.5m short of the legendary Tata Nano. That is quite a remarkable achievement for a car that is 3.72m long.

The Micra comes in a choice of 6 colours – Brilliant Silver, Black Star, Crystal Lilac, Spring green, Sunlight orange and White pearl in Thailand. At launch 4 variants with 2 option packs are offered.

You can buy the Micra in both manual and automatic transmission forms. Only the 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine is offered at launch which makes 79ps, while torque output is 108Nm.

Click through for the press release and Image Slideshow

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Entry posted on March 12th, 2010 and filed under New Nissan Micra/March

2010 Mitsubishi Outlander RX limited to 500 units in Oz

2010 Mitsubishi Outlander RXThe 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander RX is butch and ready to pounce

Mitsubishi launched a limited edition Outlander RX last year same time in Australia based on the outgoing Outlander. Today Mitsubishi has introduced the RX edition based on the current generation Outlander.

Styling features include redesigned front bumper and fog lights, 18-inch seven-spoke alloy wheels and unique side and rear air dams. Door handles are painted silver, chrome exhaust tip and privacy glass finish the exterior modifications list.

Inside the Outlander RX you get leather and sports mesh seat trim, silver painted floor console panels and chrome interior door handles. Bluetooth connectivity and ’smart key’ keyless operation are part of the package.

The Outlander RX is powered by the same 2.4L MIVEC engine, coupled with a CVT automatic transmission. Mitsubishi’s All Wheel Control 4wd System, Dual SRS airbags, ABS Brakes with EBD, Active Stability Control, Active Traction Control and Hill Start Control are all standard on the new Outlander RX.

Mitsubishi have just launched the Evo-nosed Outlander in India so this might not be on the Indian operation’s list of things to do at the moment. Maybe a few months down the line when the BMW X1 and new Chevrolet Captiva is out, this could fit the bill.

click through to view the image gallery

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Entry posted on March 12th, 2010 and filed under Mitsubishi

Waiting period balloons for the super-hit Maruti EECO

The Maruti EECO is serving as a great alternative to the Omni buyer

Things are going as per plan in camp Maruti.

The Maruti Eeco seems to have done what the Versa failed to do trying years for Maruti Suzuki. Maruti Eeco customers have to deal with 3-4 months waiting to drive home their EECO as per reports in the media.

The EECO has a vast amount of cabin space and good amount of power. Though being a re-engineered Versa, the customer isn’t bothered about its underpinnings or origin. In fact most of the customers are Omni owners, the company reveals.

Maruti Suzuki spokesperson -

The product has received overwhelming customer response for its attractive power, good air-conditioning, looks and high utility value All these features along with attractive prices have got us many more buyers than what we had planned. This has resulted in a shortfall in supply as compared to the huge demand and we are now trying to increase production so as to match the demand scenario.

In some cases customers have to wait almost 6 months to get their car.

Maruti is reacting to the situation by increasing production as quickly as possible. They forecast about 3,000 units sale in these first few months.

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Entry posted on March 12th, 2010 and filed under Maruti Suzuki

Mahindra Xylo limousine decorated with roses

Definitely won’t give you the time of life. With or without roses

If you want to arrive or leave your wedding in style, then you would do it along with a good looking bride flashy ride that oozes attitude and makes the statement. Like say an Aston Martin or a Lamborghini Gallardo or Bentley Continental.

Whether it is a stretched Toyota Innova, Renault Logan or a Ford Endeavour you can’t recreate such an effect. Would the fat man living next door win the Olympics if you put track suits on him? It’s that simple.

If you can’t lease an exotic, then better walk, take the bus or rent a cab or drive your own car. A stretched Mahindra Xylo shouldn’t be an option. Even if the registration plate has 007.

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Entry posted on March 12th, 2010 and filed under Funny, Mahindra xylo

Audi eyes no.1 position by 2015 in India

Audi begins its mission numero uno with local assembly of Q5 this year

German luxury auto maker Audi is drawing up severe plans to pip BMW and Mercedes Benz to be number one by 2015. The company wants to see sales triple in India by then.

AUDI AG board member Peter Schwarzenbauer -

By 2015, we aim to become number 1 in India. We have told our team in India to work towards that aim. Our efforts, for brand building and developing dealerships for deeper market penetration, are geared towards that

Audi finished third last year in sales (1,685 units) behind BMW and Mercedes Benz. It plans to capture the flag by not only expanding its model range but also dealerships, from 12 at present to 18 by end of next year. It is looking to start operations in Jaipur, Ludhiana, Kolkata, Nagpur, Lucknow and Coimbatore

Seeing the level of demand for premium SUVs in the country, Audi will begin assembling the Q5 in the Aurangabad plant by the middle of this year. At present only A4 and A6 are being put together in the country

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Entry posted on March 12th, 2010 and filed under Audi

Video – Chevrolet Spark (Beat) commercial in Europe

All I can say is it all starts with a Spark!

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Entry posted on March 12th, 2010 and filed under New Chevrolet Spark

Spied – First look of 2010 Suzuki Swift interiors

Thanks to our friends at Alvolante, a leading online portal in Italy, we’re able to bring you the first look of the 2010 Suzuki Swift’s interiors.

Upon elaborate inspection, I figured the new Suzuki Swift’s dashboard is slightly more ordered. The centre stack is clearly visible and the steering wheel is more Chevrolet.

The AC vents have a different shape, the gear knob is the same and a compact twin dial layout replaces three dials. The new Swift’s dashboard lacks a digital clock but a LCD screen is the new addition.

The new Suzuki Swift based on a new platform, according to media reports debuts at the Paris Motor Show later in the year. It could come to India in the first quarter of 2011, but how Maruti will position this hatch remains a mystery. Chinese publications have also hinted the sedan version of the new Swift by the end of this year for international markets.

From limited vision this is all I can figure out. Existing Swift owners, why don’t you give me a hand in completing this comparison.

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Entry posted on March 12th, 2010 and filed under Spy pictures, Suzuki

Honda launches Accord V6 with sun roof and foot lights

The Honda Accord now comes with sun roof, keyless entry and bluetooth facility

After listening to their customers, Honda SIEL have decided to bump up features on the 3.5 liter V6 Honda Accord.

The revamped Honda Accord has electric sunroof, Ambient Light and Footlight which make things easier at night. In addition, the new Honda Accord is equipped with two sets of Keyless entry and mobile phone with bluetooth interface facility.The footlight and 2 sets of Keyless entry are also available in the Honda Accord 2.4L MT and AT variants.

The new Honda Accord range comes with a price tag of Rs.18,52,000 for 2.4L MT, Rs.19,27,000 for 2.4L AT and Rs 26,15,000 for 3.5L V6. (ex- showroom, Delhi.)

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Entry posted on March 12th, 2010 and filed under Honda

Video – Ford Figo TV Commercials

Three TV commercials of the Ford Figo explaining neatly the key features of the car with Indian flavor. Two commercials after the break.

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Entry posted on March 11th, 2010 and filed under Commercials, Ford
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