Indian Autos blog

The Toyota SAI is based on the Lexus HS250h. It is meant only for Japan.

167bhp engine for Fiat Punto

For a minute you must have related the 167bhp to the higher spec Punto which Fiat is developing for India. Sadly, I’m not talking about the Indian Punto or customer. This totally pertains to the Abarth version of the Punto Evo which was shown at the Frankfurt show last month. The Abarth version of the Punto Evo will receive a 167bhp version of the Multiair engine, which is only applicable to the petrol unit. Abarth is the tuning arm of Fiat, for those in the dark.

Toyota Sai

Toyota has unveiled a new hybrid sedan christened “Sai” for the Japanese market. Toyota intends to sell 3,000 Sais monthly. It uses a 2.4-liter petrol engine producing just below 150 horsepower and 187 Nm of torque. Mated to an electric motor, powered by a nickel-metal hydride battery, an additional 140 hp and up to 270 Nm of torque is available to the wheels.

AuSTARlia – A-Star going to Africa, i20 to Australia

With the curtains coming down on the scrappage scheme in European countries, production levels in Indian manufacturing plants are not where they were before. To keep the plants operating in full swing, Suzuki is looking at exporting the A-Star to Africa, while Hyundai is looking to push the i20 down under. The companies hope both these markets will create enough demand and the production levels will be maintained higher.

A house full Geneva Motor Show 2010

Authorities charges with managing next year’s Geneva Motor Show have issued a statement that all auto manufacturers will take part in the 2010 edition of the show. This year’s shows saw a lot of absentees, and even the Japanese Motor Show that’s happening as you read this, has only two foreign brands participating. Let’s not forget Geneva is where Nissan will show the all-important next generation Micra.

Skoda’s 178bhp Fabia vRS is coming early next year

In early 2010, Skoda could introduce a 178bhp Skoda Fabia in UK. Wearing the vRS badge, this Skoda will boast of a maximum speed of 140mph. It will go from a standstill to 60mph in less than 7 seconds! Powered by a 1.4-liter ‘Twincharger’ unit, this Skoda will take its position as one of the insane variants, second only to the rally-bred Fabia S2000.

The next generation Nissan Micra/March will be manufactured in key developing regions of the world. Reports in the media state the new compact car intended for maturing markets like India, Africa and parts of Europe will debut in Thailand in March 2010.

The new Nissan small car will not only be manufactured in India, but also in Thailand, China, Mexico and an unnamed location.

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The Tata Nano, costed over Rs 2,000 crore to the company, is likely to be launched in Nigeria within the next year and a half.

Currency conversion suggests that the NGN 360 price tag for the Nigerian Nano, is same as the India price tag of Rs. 1.23 lakh, which begs the question, Is the Nano going to be exported or be built there?

The car would be available for about NGN 360 for the base model, same as the price in the Indian markets. The car carries a price tag of Rs 1.23 lakh to Rs 1.72 lakh (ex-showroom) in the Indian capital for three variants.

Maruti Suzuki has finally launched its much awaited car, the A-Star with an introductory price of 3,46,775 for its base LXi version announced that they are aiming to sell 50,000 units of the A-star in Indian market.

The all new A-Star (known as Pixo in European markets) will be made in over 200 variants and exported to around 150 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, Asia, Australia and Africa. The A-Star would contribute half of Maruti Suzuki’s overall export target of 200,000 units by 2010-11.The company also plans to commence exports of A-Star in early 2009 to Europe.

The car would be manufactured in Manesar production facility where the capacity has been upgraded to manufacture three lakh cars a year.