Monthly Archives: December 2009

2009 Indian Automotive World in a Nutshell

The last year of the first decade of the new millennium has been very exciting. The year 2009 has pushed India to the real motoring scene with a bang.

The most important event of the year is the coming of the Tata Nano. This small car has been able to make some big noise in the automotive world. Tagged as the cheapest car of the world, the Nano has always been in the headlines for both good and bad reasons. But it had its last laugh by winning the Indian Car Of The Year award.

The Indian car market has been the first one to recover from the economic slump. It has proved the world that the real ‘Big Thing’ is indeed ‘Small’. It has pipped Japan and became the largest manufacturer of small or compact cars. Moreover, it has edged out China and became the largest exporter of cars. Thanks to the Global Motown Meltdown! As a result of the global economic turnover, the Government in European nations and US began a “Cash-for Clunker” programme where gas-guzzlers can be swapped with fuel-economic machines. Makers of small and fuel-efficient cars in India were highly benefited by this programme and this led to car exports to these countries in large numbers and eventually to overtake China as the largest car exporter.

India has also become the favourite destination for luxury car makers. India has witnessed a slew of luxury cars being launched in 2009. Moreover, it has been honoured with top-notch car makers like Bugatti, Ultimate Motors announcing to foray into India in near future. Luxury car maker BMW sprang up as the biggest luxury car maker in India with Audi at heels. BMW India overtook Mercedes-Benz India from a position that it maintained for many years.

It shouldn’t be forgotten that General Motors has been doing good business in India under its Chevrolet brand when Detroit and the whole world was burning. This beleaguered car maker joined hands with REVA Electric Car Company to bring out electric cars.

REVA has wowed the whole world with its telematic REVAlutionary technology which is incorporated in the NRX and NXG. The world has gone ga-ga with the NRX and NXG, which were the only Indian cars to be displayed at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.

The iconic Beetle graced Indian soil in 2009. Indians welcomed the Bug with much gusto and more bookings were placed for this legendary car than its maker Volkswagen anticipated. In the same way, the Fortuner turned out to be very fortunate for Toyota. Bookings for this SUV superseded the Japanese car maker’s sales target for the year.

After eleven defeats, the Force India Formula One team finally came into limelight by winning a Podium finish at the Belgium GP.

The Indian automotive world has literally come out of age in 2009. Hope India can carry this zest into the new year.

Carazoo.com wishes its readers A full-throttle New Year!

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Upcoming Cars of 2010

The New Year promises many new cars in the Indian car market. The New Year will be marked by the Delhi Auto Expo where many car makers will display their new products and concept models.

India will herald the NXR and NXG from REVA in the New Year. India’s numero uno Maruti Suzuki will be displaying seventeen products at the auto fair. The car maker will launch the Eeco that comes with a BS IV complaint 1.2L petrol engine in the under-Rs 4 lakh segment. Moreover, we are waiting to see the hatchback version the SX4 and the Suzuki Kizashi on road. The Grand Vitara will come with a diesel engine and the WagonR will be relaunched with a new heart. The O2, Cervo and the Jimny from Maruti Suzuki are expected to make an India debut next year.

Hyundai will come out with the much-awaited i30 and the Santa Fe and the ix35. The Genenis and the Avante from this Korean car maker will also make its appearance in the growing Indian car market.

Toyota will display the concept of its new compact car for India that will hit the roads by the end of 2010. It will also roll out the Yaris and the Prius hybrid in India. The Japanese car major will also introduce a diesel version of its premium sedan Corolla Altis.

Ford has already unveiled its small car Figo in India, which is slated to launch by March. The company will also bring in the Focus and the Mondeo along with the New Fiesta hatchback.

Tata Motors is all set to launch the Indicruz and the luxury sedan Prima. The Indica Vista Ignis can be listed as a probable launch this coming year.

General Motors will launch the Chevrolet Beat, Chevrolet Lumina and Chevrolet Volt. The Spark will also come with an 800cc engine to lock horns with the Alto and will be introduced as Spark 800.

A slew of launches are expected in the new year from Volkswagen. It will come out with the Polo hatchback followed by a sedan version. The Up! is anticipated with the Scirocco, Tiguan and Phaeton in 2010.

This European car maker will introduce a dozen of other models under is brands. Skoda will bring in the Fabia Combi, Skoda Yeti, Fabia Scout as well as the Roomster and launch a facelifted Octavia.

Audi will roll out the A5 and the R8 Spyder. Lamborghini is likely to come out with the Gallardo LP560/4.

Bentley will introduce the Continental GT Speed and the Mulsanne some time in 2010.

Mercedes-Benz will present the GLK while its arch-rival BMW will unleash the X1. The iconic Mini Cooper will set about in India and Fiat will introduce the Bravo and its Alfa Romeo brand.

Volvo has to offer the C70, S60 and XC60 in 2010.

Mitsubishi will bring in the Grandis, Lancer Evolution X and the Colt.

Nissan is scheduled to launch the Micra in India in May 2010 and is geared up to usher in the small car Pixo along with three exciting SUVs- the Murano, Qashqai and Qazana. This Japanese car maker with its French counterpart, Renault, will pave the way for a Low-Cost-Car and the Megane sedan.

Renault, on the other hand will grace India with its Sandero. Again, with its Indian partner, Mahindra & Mahindra, it will lay forward its unsuccessful venture Logan in a new variant, the Logan Tourer. The Logan will also get a new LPG heart in 2010.

Carazoo.com will carry more exciting news in the New Year. For more updates on any car models in the 2010, keep visiting our Blogs, Car News, Car Reviews and the Articles sections.

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BMW to Soar High in 2010 Auto Expo

German car maker BMW will be displaying the X1 in the upcoming Auto Expo in New Delhi. The car luxury car maker will also be displaying the Z4, BMW 3-Series and the BMW 5-Series.

BMW is currently India’s number one luxury car maker. It has launched the X4 in the Indian car market in October 2009. It has rolled out the 3-Series and the 5-Series sedans in the India.

The X1 is the most compact SUV from BMW. It will be pitted against the Land Rover Freelander 2. The BMW X1 will be available with a choice of three 2-litre turbo-diesel engines. The 18d can derive 143 bhp, the 20d 177 bhp and the 23d 240 bhp. A 6-speed manual transmission comes standard on the 18d and the 20d, while a 6-speed automatic gearbox comes standard in the 23d and as an option in the 20d. The BMW X1 is expected to hit showrooms in mid-2010.

The Z4 is yet to make a mark in India. But this convertible promises to make an impact among the speed lovers in the coming year. The Z4 is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre engine with 306 bhp and a 7-speed semi-automatic gearbox.

The 3-Series is available in 4 variants, 320i petrol, 325i petrol, 320d diesel, and 320d Highline diesel in India. The 320i and 325i are powered by 2.0L inline 4-cyl and 2.5L inline 6-cyl petrol engines respectively. A 2.0L turbocharged diesel engine powers 320d and 320d Highline variants.

On the other hand, the BMW 5-Seriesis a midsize luxury sedan that incorporates attractive appearance and state-of-the-art technology along with luxurious interiors. It comes in five variants, 525i, 530i (petrol) and 520d, 530d and 530d Highline diesel. The 5-Series has 2.5L, and 3.0L 6-cylinder petrol engines that power the 525i, and the 530i respectively. The 520d is powered by a 2.0L Inline 4 diesel engine, whereas 530d and 530d Highline are mated with a 3.0L 6-cylinder diesel engine.

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East meets West in India

European car maker Volkswagen along with its new partner oriental Suzuki Motor Corporation have revealed that the two companies will be working jointly on hybrid and electric car projects in India.

The two companies are looking at establishing an R&D (Research & Development) centre base in India. It has been rumoured that they had zeroed in on Suzuki’s R&D centre.
Volkswagen and Suzuki are in the process of forming a long-term strategic partnership to tap the growing demand worldwide for more environment-friendly vehicles. Both the companies are focusing on the rapidly growing emerging markets of the world.

Volkswagen has green technology to offer to Suzuki while Suzuki has a fuel cell technology programme going on at its end. Sharing each other’s technology will certainly bring down the high development cost of hybrids. In fact, the major roadblock for hybrids is the reluctance of auto companies to share the technology know-how. But carazoo.com believes that VW-Suzuki partnership will overcome this as the two are investing in each other and are open about the strengths they share.

The latest fad in the car industry is either to go green or to turn blue. Most of the auto companies across the globe are looking at alternative fuel technologies in a bid to reduce carbon emissions and comply with stringent environmental regulations.

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1,00,00,000 Nano by DC

New Tata Nano Cars in IndiaHow does this sound? Tata Nano for One Crore rupees. Ridiculous you say. Well read on before you jump into conclusions.

This humble car which was conceptualised for the four-in-a-scooter family in India and it was priced right at Rs 1 lakh by Ratan Tata, the brain behind the Nano and chairman of the Tata Group. Now that Nano stories have been hitting the stands almost every day and Nano’s popularity is ever growing after it won the Indian Car of the Year award, It surely has attained the star status.

Cashing on this star status of the humble Nano, Dilip Chhabria, a well known Mumbai automotive designer has just created a Nano, not for the ordinary people as it was conceptualised but for people with deep pockets. The asking price of the DC Nano would be Rs 1 Crore. To be precise add a couple more zeroes to the zeroes in a lakh and you will find the astronomical sum hovering around your head for the Nano.

You could buy 100 Nanos for the price of this one luxury small Nano. Now before you scoff off the idea, we also say why this Nano is different from other Nanos. The original tiny 623 cc engine has been ripped off the Nano to make way for the much punchier 1600 cc engine that can rocket upto 200 kmph aided by a seven-speed triptronic transmission. How cool is that?

DC’s One crore Nano will be refurbished with choicest of the exteriors and drool worthy interiors. This Nano will carry gull-wing configuration doors that open towards the sky(Are you reading this blog Mercedes ?) State of the art biometric door handles is a standard feature in this Nano that allows only the owner to enter. On the lighting front, DC has imbibed Xenon lights and LED clusters. Polycarbonate glazing to the floor for improved aerodynamics of this Nano is also one of the innovative features. This Nano comes with a wider and bigger 15” alloy wheels when compared to the drab 12” wheels of the ‘ordinary’ Nano and can easily qualify to become the world’s smallest sports car.

This Nano is equipped with a panoramic wind-screen and the interiors are packed with the latest gizmos, similar to those found in the Ambierod incarnation of what was once India’s most ubiquitous four-wheeler. This Nano will hold a mobile LCD screen to watch movies, browse internet, play games and for navigational purpose. The instrumental panel is entirely customized which aligns with the LCD screen.

DC’s Nano will sadly not have 5 seats as in the original but just two seats and this car is meant for long drives and has a door-mounted camera for rear vision which can also record clips which the driver may otherwise miss on the move.

It can be recalled that at the Auto Expo 2008, DC’s Ambierod which is a complete transformation of the Ambassador into a three-seater coupe inspired by American Hotrods bikes was a rage. The Rs 4-crore Ambierod was sold even before the concept was unveiled in January 2008 to a Dubai-based NRI.

As per Mr. Chhabria, he has not frozen the concepts to be unveiled at the Auto Expo, but a person with knowledge of the development said that major work on the Nano has been completed. “Selling such cars is not an issue. The issue is how to conceptualize the design,” he opined. The changes have been incorporated without stretching the Nano’s size.

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Hatchback Version of SX4 Soon

The SX4 premium sedan will come in a different body style. It will soon get a hatchback version.

The SX4 hatchback, an international bestseller, is one of the most popular hatchbacks in European markets. In Europe the SX4 hatchback is available in multiple engine options that include a 2.0 litre, a 1.6 litre and a 1.5 litre petrol engines. In India, it is likely to be powered by a 2.0-litre engine. This engine can give a maximum torque of 190Nm at 4,000rpm while enhancing environmental compatibility by cutting CO2 emissions.

Moreover, lower piston friction in the engine contributes to enhanced fuel efficiency, output and torque. A Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) gives greater driving excitement and the SX4 hatchback with CVT enables lighter gearshifts and improved driving experience. The careful pairing of the transmission and the engine ensures a delightful driving experience.

According to Maruti Suzuki’s official release, “An ideal combination of style, space, high driving position, hatchback practicality, and fuel economy has made the SX4 hatchback a winner. Its strong, eye-catching exterior styling projects the SX4 hatchback as an urban warrior with a sense of fun. The SX4 hatchback with a short turning radius, short gear ratios, a rigid body structure, and a fine tuned suspension make for a nimble, fun driving experience.

Be it the motoring enthusiasts or the customers, the SX4 hatchback is endearing to all.”
The SX4 will come with features like 2-wheel drive (2WD) and an optional intelligent All-Wheel Drive (i-AWD) system. The i-AWD system can allow the driver to switch from 2WD mode to 4WD mode at the press of a button.

As a matter of fact, Maruti Suzuki will be showcasing the hatchback body style of the SX4 at 2010 Auto Expo.

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India to add GL-Class

With the launch of the GL-Class at the 2010 Delhi Auto Expo, India will add another crossover SUV to its market.

The German car maker is pulling out all stops to regain its top position in the luxury car segment in India. A couple of weeks back, we carried a blog on Mercedes-Benz on a dealership opening spree. Introducing the GL-Class is another attempt to regain its lost Paradise.

The GL-Class or the GLK is a full-size crossover SUV built by the German car maker since 2006.

It made its world debut at the 2006 North American International Auto Show. It can be said that the GLK is designed keeping in mind the demands of the American market. The SUV’s large size attributes to this notion.

The Mercedes-Benz GL-Class is likely to be imported as a CBU format and will come with a 110 per cent import duty. Air conditioning with dual-zone climate controls, interior air filter, tilt and telescopic leather-wrapped steering wheel with radio controls, cruise control, heated 8-way power front seats, 6-disc CD changer, outside-temperature indicator and universal garage door opener are some of the standard features of the GLK. Besides, it will have amazing off-roading capacity and will come equipped with an all-wheel-drive system.

Though the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class will be launched at the Auto Expo, it will make into the showrooms by the end of 2010.

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Hyundai i10 Electric to Grace Auto Expo 2010

Hyundai i10 ElectricWell, well well… Hyundai is doing it here what it had done in the Frankfurt Motor show 2009. They are displaying their love for the green technology by unveiling their flag ship model Hyundai i10, but in electric version.

Hyundai, India’s largest car exporter and second largest car manufacturer has been striving very hard to focus on environmentally clean technologies to make a difference in the automotive world. The actual Hyundai i10 made its debut in New Delhi in October 2007.Now this little Hyundai i10 electric is an all-electric zero-emission vehicle that reconciles motoring with the environmental aspirations of customers looking for a vehicle with the best possible ecological footprint.

As part of its initiative to promote eco-friendly and non-polluting means of transport, Hyundai Motor India already has a strong line-up of best-selling models with alternate fuel technology like: Santro CNG & LPG, Accent CNG & LPG and i10 CNG in India. The unveiling of the i10 Electric has just reassured Hyundai’s commitment to develop environmentally friendly cars for the global automobile market in general.

As per the sources this electric version of the car is expected to be launched by the brand ambassador of i10, Bollywood superstar Sharukh Khan at a press meet during the forthcoming New Delhi Auto Expo in January 2010. The new i10 Electric represents Hyundai’s growing expertise to conceive, design and develop vehicles in line with its vision of focusing on environmentally friendly vehicles.

Apart from the current product line-up, Hyundai Motor India pavilion will also display its futuristic technology in the form of concept vehicles to highlight the superior and advanced technology that the company has pioneered.

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Bajaj Autos’ ULC Hits the Road Block

It just seems like the Tata Nano will no longer have a contender in its segment, at least not for now.

Bajaj Auto, India’s two-wheeler maker who also was in news for quite some time with its proposed launch of its Ultra-Low-Car (ULC) tying up with Nissan and Renault to venture into the Indian Car Market has just backed out from the project and dumped the project to concentrate more on the growing two-wheeler market in India and abroad.

So you can go out shopping for the Nano than hoarding the money to buy Bajaj’s ULC. Rahul Bajaj, the Chairman of Bajaj Auto is of the opinion that producing and launching of the ULC (Costing Rs 1 Lakh) is no longer a great idea. The inside sources say that car if at all launched would not even carry a Bajaj brand name which peeved the Bajaj boss man.

According to Rahul Bajaj, “There appears to be no point in launching a new car when there are already so many models in the market – from Mercedes to Nano. We did want to launch a low-cost car but now we have changed our mind”. He also added “Let the company focus on bikes and then think of cars. First, the company can upgrade the three-wheelers. Maybe, we can add a fourth wheel to it and make something like a carry van, but it will certainly not be a car.”

The ULC project didn’t go too well with Bajaj Auto due to branding, product details and pricing that Nissan and Renault had laid out in front of Bajaj Autos.

Bajaj Auto’s managing director Rajiv Bajaj, who is Rahul’s son, was reported to have said that since there is an excess capacity in the global car market , “the company thinks that ULC, being a standalone project , will be vulnerable to business cycles” .

Source: Economic Times

posted by admin @ Monday, December 28th, 2009 Comments Off links to this post
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New MPV From Maruti Suzuki

India’s largest car manufacturer Maruti Suzuki has declared that it is developing a new Multi-purpose Vehicle (MPV). This new MPV from Maruti Suzuki’s mill will be pitted against the best-selling Toyota Innova.

Christened as the RIII, it will make its debut at the upcoming Delhi Auto Expo. The RIII is likely to be built on a stretched SX4 platform. It will have three rows of seats and innovative packaging. It will be a monocoque MPV and will be car-like in its driving dynamics besides having high ground clearance and decent width considering the platform it is based on.
It has to be noted that the R III has been designed exclusively by Indian engineers in barely nine months.

At present, Maruti Suzuki does not have any car in the MPV segment. The car maker could use its brilliant 1.2L K-series engine and 1.3 VVT on the R III and a diesel version of the car is also expected if the R III has to take on the Innova. It is likely that the popular Fiat 1.3-liter Multijet will be employed. However, Volkswagen’s recent involvement with Suzuki raises the possibility that the R III might carry a powerplant from the German carmaker.

The R III is still in concept stage and will take another 18-24 months to make it to the showrooms. It is also part of Maruti Suzuki’s strategy to explore more profitable segments of the market and lessen its reliance on the small car sector where it is totally dominant.

Maruti Suzuki will exhibit as many as 17 vehicles at the upcoming Auto Show under the theme ‘Joys of Life.’ Its illustrious list of displays will include new launches like the Eeco, Suzuki Kizashi, which the company will import solely for the show.

posted by admin @ Monday, December 28th, 2009 Comments Off links to this post
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