Indian Autos blog

A research project initiated by CISR (Center for Information Systems Research) and MoES (Ministry of Earth Sciences) along with nine other institutions including CSMCRI, IIT-Kharagpur, IICT-Hyderabad, NIOT- Chennai and NIO Goa is the Chevrolet Tavera that can run on 20% BioDiesel blend made from marine micro algae. The Biodiesel was extracted and prepared using layers of micro algae found naturally growing in the Western coast of India discovered by the  [ Read More ]

During an interaction today with the VP of General Motors India Mr.P Balendran, we understood that the company is beginning to take the MPV market in mega cities of India very seriously.

The Chevrolet Tavera which enjoys a good image among cab operators will be given a new lease of life during the last quarter of 2011. The top official GM said that it will be fitted with a BS4-compliant Sonalika-sourced diesel engine, which we understand from an industry insider is a 2-liter CRDI mill developing about 100bhp.

Eleven months ago, IAB had speculated on the introduction of a 2-liter Sonalika CRDI engine on the Tavera fitted with a ECU sourced from Continental. Subsequently SRK was asked to a do a rendering of the Tavera facelift and a few weeks back we brought you the entire list of changes on the cosmetic front. So this for IAB readers is not a serious development. It can classified as a mild update.

To put in a nutshell the BS4 Tavera will have a new engine along with cosmetic changes such as new alloys, body graphics, new grille, clear lens lamps and a slight change to the interior. The 2.0-liter CRDI engine is expected to coexist with the currently serving 2.5-liter diesel engine.

Sources have told Indian Autos Blog that General Motors is planning a new Tavera for India this year. Last year we reported that the new Tavera will utilize Sonalika’ CRDI engine on the BS4 Tavera. This could be launched by the end of 2011.

Above is a speculative impression of the new Tavera by Shoeb R Kalania.

GM will fit the Tavera with a 2-liter Sonalika turbocharged CRDI engine producing 100bhp.

Changes on the refreshed Tavera include new alloys, body graphics, new grille, clear lens lamps and minor changes to the interior. The facelifted model might debut the Sonalika CRDI engine as well as host the existing 2.5 L Direct Injection Turbo Diesel for rural markets. It is not clear what the company’ plan is with dual engines, but we’ll soon find out. Stay tuned to IAB.

Speculation. And if its speculation, GM India can’t stay away from it for very long.

GM post bankruptcy filing, has been in the news only for the right reasons. The company has every reason to be happy. Its Beat mini car is doing sparkling numbers. The Chevrolet Cruze is steadily climbing, surpassing expectations and according to the latest figures is the segment leader.

It plans to bring in the Beat diesel and the Aveo twins next year giving the ability to penetrate the market further. There are also a heap of Chinese cars that GM intends to sell in India at killer price tags. The Chinese vans from Wuling will be built at the company’s Talegaon facility with Fiat Multi-jet engines.

In all this noise, many of us have forgotten the Chevrolet Tavera which was not upgraded to meet BS4 regulations. There were rumors last year the GM will outsource production of Tavera to Argentum.

We have heard from our sources that the Tavera will be relaunched in India by the end of this year with a sub 2-liter Sonalika CRDI engine producing 100bhp. The vehicle could have a ECU sourced from Continental.

The 100bhp CRDI engine could help the Tavera take the fight to Toyota’s Innova and Mahindra’s Xylo. GM could also give the Tavera new features and updates in the styling front.

Police Inspector Mrityunjay Hiremath of the ANC, Bandra unit -

Around 10 months ago, our unit had arrested many drug peddlers in Ghatkopar and Borivali in two separate operations. In Ghatkopar, we seized 100 kilograms of cannabis from peddlers and in Borivali 15 kilograms of cannabis were seized from them. In both the cases, vehicles used by the accused were Tavera.

Not good news. The Tavera is not only popular among taxi cab operators in our country.

Apart from this event, during several other raids, police found drug peddlers using the Tavera to transport contraband. Police claim this is so as the Tavera is cheaper than the Sumo and offers more space and convenience to store the banned substances.

GM India has lined up a slew of upgraded and new roll-outs, which includes sedan Chevrolet Cruze (Rs 12-14 lakh), premium hatchback based on the Beat concept and facelift versions of existing models like Spark and Tavera.

The much anticipated Utility Vehicle from Mahindra, the XYLO now has its own microsite- http://mahindraxylo.co.in/

The website talks about the work that has gone into making the XYLO. 160 Engineers in total were involved in developing this MPV which they are going to market as a “Streched sedan” indicating it’s sedan roots.

The XYLO will fight for the top spot against the Toyota Innova, Chevrolet Tavera and the upcoming Tata Indicruz.