Upgraded Maruti Suzuki SX4 Launched
Maruti had launched Maruti SX4 in May 2007 to compete with the likes of Honda City which is the most popular and successful sedan in its segment. But Maruti SX4 could not compete with City's superior technology and brand image. At the time of launch SX4 has been very well recieved by indian customers, as it was a true value for money sedan which comes fully loaded with all the features at a very affordable price. But with the launch of 2009 model of Honda City, the sales of SX4 started to decline.
Now Maruti Suzuki India is back with new improved SX4 to make the deal better in comparison to Honda City, Ford Fiesta, Chevrolet Aveo & Hyundai Verna. They have plonked new 1.6 VVT engine in SX4 so that it complies with the strict emission norms which will be in effect from April, 2011 in 11 cities in India.
The new engine is a 1600cc VVT(Variable Valve Timing) powerplant producing 106 Bhp. Maruti has also given some cosmetic design upgrades to the exterior and interiors to make it look more muscular and smart in comparison to Fiat Linea and Honda City. Facelift is a regular one including new front grille, new alloys and spruced up interiors. ARAI has also announced the mileage figures of new SX4 - the manual version willl return 15.5 kmpl while the automatic variant is expected to return 12.5 kmpl.
Main Additions & Features Of New Maruti SX4
- Upgraded 1.6 Litre engine with VVT head which now develops 106 bhp. It also meets the Bharat IV norms
- All New Brown/Beige Interiors
- USB Input for the Dash Integrated Music System
- Wooden finish door mounted power window console
- Flush fitting central rear seat arm rest
- New Honeycomb Grille
- New 10 spoke 16" alloy wheels
- Automatic Transmission Option
Toyota SAI launched at Tokyo Motor Show
Launched at the Tokyo motor show, the long rumoured SAI, which at one point was being considered for Europe, comes in above the Prius as Toyota's new 2.4-litre, front-drive hybrid saloon. Essentially, a reworked version of the Lexus HS250h that's already on sale in the US and Japan, SAI has the same overall profile with those long, sloping A and C pillars and broad shoulder lines running along the top of the doors.
But Toyota has made the SAI almost four inches shorter and up to 70 kgs lighter than the HS250h. The SAI also get subtly different head and tail light treatment, new grille, bonnet, wings and so on. Power comes from the same 2.4-litre hybrid system as the HS. This sees Toyota's long running 2362 cc four cylinder engine (now with Atkinson cycle) team up with an electric motor and reduction gear, with nickel-metal hydride battery pack mounted beneath the boot floor. Total system power stands at 140 kW (or 187bhp).
Curiously, although it's smaller and lighter, the SAI registers the exact same super frugal 56-65mpg as the more plush HS250h in Japan's economy cycle, while C02 is an equally impressive 101-107g/km. Inside, the SAI is clearly a lot plainer and less fancy than the HS250h. Prices start at around Rs 18 lakh for the base model, and Rs 22 lakh for a top spec one in the UK.
Further afield, although Toyota won't confirm it, the SAI's 2.4-litre hybrid is also expected to drop into the upcoming Lexus compact premium hatch, due in 2011, that Japanese sources suggest may be called CT200h. At Frankfurt, Lexus gave an early pointer to this new premium A3 challenging hybrid player, of course, via the LF-Ch concept which may also spawn an SUV.
[Via: autocarindia]
Tata Motors Acquires Remaining 79% Stake In Hispano Carrocera
Tata Motors which had a 21% stake in Hispano Carrocera has now acquired the remaining 79% shares by the way of exercise of the existing call option through mutual agreement with the other share holder Investalia S.A Spain.
The agreement cements Tata Motor's ongoing commitment to Hispano Carrocera. The company will now further strengthen the ongoing initiatives to improve operational efficiencies such as productivity improvement, cost reduction, and new product development, to improve market share of the company and enhance brand value. Tata Motors is confident that Hispano will now emerge as an even stronger force in the Spanish as well as Global bus and coach markets.
[Via: cubiccapacity]
Hero Honda Hunk & Splendor+ Special Edition
Festive seasons are considered an auspicious time for vehicle purchases and Hero Honda knows the importance of the festive season. After the recent launch of the new Karizma ZMR they have announced two new variants of their existing models - the Hunk and the Splendor+ which by the way has sold over one crore unit!
The Hunk that is targeted at the youngsters with its muscular looks now in its new avatar features special Macho Ebony Grey colour treatment which is carried over to the rear grab handles, side cover, foot rest & handle bar, and has body-coloured rear view mirrors along with contemporary stickering on the fuel tank and the raging bull insignia on the tank shrouds it now also features red coloured rear shock absorber springs.
The Splendor has been Hero Honda's highest and oldest selling bike which now boasts of new-look graphics, gold colour treatment for Splendor+ emblem on side cover and Hero Honda logo on fuel tank, visor and console. The Special Edition Splendor+ features the all black engine, alloy wheels, and front fork among many other changes. But true to its tradition of assigning designers more work than their 'busy' R&D lads the world's largest two wheeler manufacturer has yet again made no mechanical upgrades to these bikes whatsoever.
[Via: BIKE-India]
Tata-Fiat Alliance To Launch Jeep Cherokee In India
Tata Motors and Fiat joint venture is apprehended to launch Jeep Cherokee in India soon. This partnership will be launching a number of Chrysler models in India. The iconic Jeep Cherokee will be produced at the Ranjangaon facility near Pune. The Tata-Fiat alliance will initially start retailing the Cherokee and follow up with other products.
Italian car major Fiat acquired a 20% stake in Chrysler after the Michigan-based company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier this year. Fiat's 20%, stake in Chrysler could eventually go up to 51%. Chrysler will get access to Fiat's small car technology while Fiat gets a footprint into the US market. With financing from the Federal Government, the `new Chrysler' is supposed to change its product portfolio towards fuel-efficient vehicles. The Tata-Fiat alliance has been expanding production at its Ranjangaon facility.
Recently, Fiat India Automobiles (FIAPL), the Tata Motors-Fiat JV raised $510 million through a multi-tranche syndicated loan, which includes a $200 million term loan for working capital requirements. FIAPL is a 50:50 joint venture between Fiat Group and Tata Motors and manufactures Fiat and Tata cars and produces transmissions and engines.
[Via: Carazoo]
Wuling’s To Launch Vans In India Via GM
By around 2011, Wuling' N200 and N300 series vans will be sold in India, which marks GM's entry into the LCV segment in India. The LCV segment is populated with names like Force, Tata Motors, Mahindra, Piaggio etc. But as GM is going to sell minivans initially, they would have to compete with the likes of Maruti's Omni and Tata's Ace Magic. GM will equip the vans with fuel efficient diesel engines.
Wuling , which operates under directions of GM, is also said to be secretly developing a small car that will be slotted under the Chevrolet Spark in the future in India. Though there is no official confirmation of such a launch, GM officials overseas have spoken about the strategy adopted for the low-cost product which will use a lot of tried and test components from previous generation models.
Wuling's vans are already sold in North Africa, South America and the Middle East as Chevrolets. GM could use the same ploy in India as it enjoys a good status among utility vehicle buyers through the Tavera. GM China sells about 80,000 Wuling minivans every month and cornered a market share of 43 per cent in the Chinese minivan segment. It will look to repeat the same with the Indian market as well.
[Via: BS-Motoring]
Honda’s Strike Is Rival’s Gain
Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India is the market leader in the gearless scooter segment of India but it's close to two months now that the Auto major is facing severe labour problems at its factory located at Manesar in Haryana. And due to which Honda predicted a 50% fall in its sales like we had reported earlier. But this is a blessing for competition as consumers want to ride back home in a brand new two-wheel this festive season. Now that they can't get a Honda soon some of them are opting for the second best option.
Sources close to Honda disclosed that because of the 50% drop in daily production at HMSI factory, the waiting period for Honda scooters now stands at around two months. But he feels that the customers who want to buy a Honda are willing to wait to get delivery of their two wheelers.
Other manufacturers like Bajaj say that there are people who must have a new vehicle for the Diwali season. So there's a palpable spillover in the increased demand for Bajaj models. The other Japanese two-wheeler maker Suzuki added that they were confident of touching 31,000 units both for September and October, which represents a 40% growth against similar period last year. Most two-wheeler manufacturers, including Honda achieve around 10% of their yearly sales during the festive months between September and October.
[Via: BIKE-India]
BMW To Offer Financial Services In India
BMW India has announced an investment of Rs. 250 crore to set up a financing subsidiary in the country to serve the credit needs of retail customers, fleet owners and dealers, for which it has sought regulatory approval. BMW sought the Non Banking Financial Company (NBFC) status for its proposed retail financing arm - BMW Financial Services India, which would be a wholly-owned subsidiary of the BMW Group and would be run by a new head. It would be headquartered at Gurgaon. BMW Financial Services was established in 1993 and it has subsidiaries in 31 countries, besides presence in more than 60 nations across the globe.
[Via: Motorbeam]
Tata Indigo Manza Launched
2009 has been a grand year for Tata Motors. They started deliveries of cheapest small car - Nano - this year and also launched some new products including Xenon XT, Jaguar and Land Rover cars. And now Tata has launched the next gen Tata Manza which is expected to increase the overall Tata sales in mid to luxury car segment.
Tata Indigo Manza is available in both petrol and diesel. Both the engines have been picked from Fiat's stable and are mated to 5-Speed manual transmission.
- Quadrajet 90, 1.3 Litre, 89 Bhp - 200 Nm, Diesel
- Safire 90, 1.4 Litre, 89 Bhp - 116 Nm, Petrol
The Qudrajet90 diesel engine develops maximum power of 89 Bhp at 4000 rpm with maximum torque of 200 Nm at 1750 rpm and Safire90 generates maximum power of 89 Bhp at 6000 rpm with maximum torque of 116 Nm at 4750 rpm. Tata has launched Indigo Manza in eight variants - 4 of diesel and 4 of petrol. The variants has been christened as Aqua, Aura, Aura (ABS) and Aura+.
Tata Indigo Manza has been priced very competitively at Rs. 4.90 lakhs for the base model of petrol and Rs. 6.85 lakhs for the top model of diesel. It is for sure that Indigo Manza is going to heat up the competition as it features more fuel efficient engines, more features and spacious interiors in comparsion to its major rival sedans which include Dzire, Logan, Fiesta, Accent and Aveo.
Tata Manza is available in seven shades. Tata Motors has announced a new shade with the launch of Indigo Manza - The Gold Satin shade. In addition to Gold Satin Manza is available in 6 more shades:
- Minimal Grey - Grey Noir - Monarch Red
- Dew White - Infinity Black - Breeze Blue
Active safety features in Tata Manza will be Dual Front Airbags that offers safety in case of collision, ABS (Anti Lock Brake System) and Front Disc Brakes. Passive safety features in Tata Manza are expected to include Side Impact Beams, Height Adjustable Front Seatbelts, Warning Lamp for Driver Seatbelt, Front Passenger Seatbelt Reminder, Child Locks and Central Locking.
BMW Z4 Launched In India
Finally, Porsche gets a serious rival against its Boxster - The BMW Z4 has been launched in Indian market. The Z4 will further strengthen BMW's position in India's luxury car market. BMW currently sells 2 other convertible car models in India - the BMW M3 and the BMW M6. BMW hopes to sell at least 30-40 units of the car in the first year of its launch.
BMW India has made tremendous progress in financial year 2009-10, overtaking its long time rival Mercedes-Benz for the first time this year. From April to August 2009, BMW sold 1,313 units in the country, as against Mercedes-Benz's 1,128 units.
BMW has launched Z4 with only one engine option which is a 2979cc petrol engine which develops 306 Bhp of maximum power at 5800 rpm with maximum torque of 400 Nm starting from as low as 1300 rpm!!
The BMW Z4 is available across India at an ex-showroom price of 59 lakhs. On-road price of Z4 is expected to come around 64 lakhs. Ex-showroom price excludes RTO registration charges, tax, insurance, handling charges; Octroi and entry tax if applicable