Ford India To Launch EcoSport Compact SUV

Ford had announced eight new models for India by 2015, one of which (the all new Fiesta) has already been launched. This leaves us with seven models in the next three years, few of which are certain (Focus, Mondeo, Fiesta Hatchback). Ford has clearly mentioned that they plan to expand market share by launching new models which will help them increase their sales. Cars like the Mondeo will not contribute much to Ford’s India operations and thus the company plans to launch vehicles on the Figo and Fiesta platform. The Ford EcoSport is scheduled to arrive in India early next year and can do to the compact SUV segment, what the Figo did to the compact car segment.

The Ford EcoSport is a compact SUV, which is built to a price. It largely uses components from the Fiesta and is based on the same platform. The EcoSport was first launched in 2004 and is a huge suceess in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Venezuela. The EcoSport’s main competitors are the Fiat Palio Weekend/Adventure and Volkswagen CrossFox in the abovementioned markets. However in India, the EcoSport will battle it out with the Renault Duster. The car features front-wheel drive and will feature the 1.5-liter DuraTorq engine from the new Fiesta, producing 90 BHP of power and 204 Nm of torque. This diesel motor is high on efficiency and should return decent mileage on the EcoSport. If Ford prices the EcoSport around Rs. 8 lakhs, they will successfully be able to do a Figo in the compact SUV segment.

CHEVROLET TAVERA NEW FACE LIFT MODEL

Just recently we spotted the Chevrolet Tavera Facelift undergoing cold weather testing at Manali. Now we caught the Tavera facelift yet again, this time at Rohtang Pass, 13000 feet above sea level. The 2012 Tavera will get new front bumpers along with clear lens headlamps. However the biggest change to the car is the engine from the Sonalika Rhino. The 2.0-liter common rail motor will be badged as a TCDi unit and will produce close to 100 bhp of power. Testing is in its final stages and will be completed by the end of this month. There was no General Motors guy on board and the facelifted Tavera’s interiors were unchanged. Lots of wires along with a laptop were present on the front passenger seat to take down readings in the cold atmosphere. We expect General Motors to launch the facelifted Tavera with a BSIV compliant engine by the end of this year. A slight price hike is evident.

Tata Motors To Launch Aria Automatic

The Tata Aria is the best Tata vehicle till date, without a doubt. However the sales figures of the crossover are just not close to what the Indian automaker expected. Initially offered in 4×4 version only, Tata Motors launched the 4×2 version just a few months back to boost sales. After the arrival of the Mahindra latest offering, buyers have just swinged towards the XUV500. In order to counter the competition from Mahindra, Tata Motors plans to launch an automatic variant of the Aria, which could boost volumes as buyers look for a more relaxing drive.

The automatic version of the Tata Aria is said to have been under tests for quite some time now. Tata Motors has not only been testing the Aria AT in India but also abroad. With Jaguar and Land Rover under Tata’s belt, there are high chances of technology and expertise being used from the British car makers on the Aria. The Aria will be the first vehicle from Tata Motors to feature an automatic gearbox. With the Grande, Safari and upcoming Merlin using the same 2.2-liter DICOR motor, there are high chances of the autobox being used in these vehicles as well.

Renault Unveils Pulse – Live From Event

Renault will be unveiling its compact car for India in a few minutes time. We are at the event and will provide you with updates shortly. Senior members from Renault India and Global management team are present. The Renault compact car is known as the Pulse and is based on Nissan’s V-Platform. It shares its underpinnings with the Micra and will be manufactured at Renault-Nissan facility at Orgadam, near Chennai. The Renault Pulse will be available in both petrol and diesel versions. It will go on sale early next year and will be exported to other countries as well.

The Renault Pulse is nothing but a re-badge Micra. The Pulse looks exactly like the Micra from every angle except the Renault badges. Even the interiors are the same as the Micra. So much for Renault claiming their compact car was designed at their design house in Mumbai. The car is powered by their “reliable, powerful and efficient” 1.5L dCi engine that does duty on the Nissan Micra. Though Renault has not revealed any official technical specifications of the car, yet it is clear that there has been no modifications made to the engine power output and torque. Renault claims the car is going to return a very good fuel economy of 23 kmpl. Initially the car will be launched in the diesel only with petrol units also having a chance to be utilized depending on the market requirement. Renault will announce the prices at the 2012 Auto Expo and will start sales thereafter.

Our Impressions:
To put things very simple, the Renault Pulse is just a rebadged Nissan Micra. Only the front grille and bumper design have been changed to make it look more sporty. The touch of sportiness is a good modification done to go well along with the Renault design language. There have been no significant changes to the rear apart from the Renault and the PULSE logos. The interiors have been kept entirely the same though. This might be to keep the costs exceptionally down. Hopefully Renault does not make the mistake of pricing the Pulse above the Micra, as the Micra at its current price point does not attract many buyers.

Tata Safari Merlin Launch Around The Corner

Tata Motors has confirmed that the launch of the Safari Merlin is just around the corner. At today’s Sumo Gold launch, the company told us that they will be launching the Merlin soon. However the company refused to divulge further details including the exact date of launch and the changes to the car. Tata Motors has upgraded its entire line-up this year. They started off by refreshing the the Indica and Indigo and then launched the two-wheel drive version of the Aria crossover. The company then upgraded the Vista and Manza and recently made some changes to the Grande as well. Today, the Sumo got its fair share of upgrades, leaving the Safari as the only vehicle in their line-up untouched. Thus, it is indeed the Safari, which will soon gets its due in the form of the Merlin.

The Tata Safari Merlin is another model derived out of Tata Motor’s innovative marketing strategy. The Vista evolved from the Indica, the Manza from the Indigo, the Grande from the Sumo and now Merlin from the Safari. Both the Safari and Merlin will be sold separately, with the Merlin filling the void between the Safari and Aria. The Merlin will get significant upgrades to the mechanicals (most of which will come from the Aria) along with slight cosmetic upgrades to both the exteriors and interiors. The acquisition of Land Rover from Tata Motors on the Merlin become quite evident, with several styling cues being borrowed from the British automaker.

 

 

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2012 Toyota Camry Spied In India

The Toyota Camry has been a respected model in the Indian market since the time they launched it. However, it has been a high time they brought in a face-lift for us. And look what we have! Toyota has already started the testing for its 2012 version of the Toyota Camry. Masked mules of the test vehicles were spotted by an Indian Autos Blog reader near the Bidadi plant of Toyota. However, Toyota is not going to launch the new version of the Camry before August 2012. This can be attributed to the much importance Toyota is giving to its Etios and Etios Liva. It is all known that in terms of volumes, the Etios and the Liva segment cars sell much more than those in the segment of Camry.

The new 2012 Toyota Camry sports many new changes to both its exterior and interior. From the spy shots, the front grille has been made bigger and the headlights also seem more swept back. Also it features a restyled bumper, new tail lights and circular fog lamps. Coming to the interior, there seems to be plenty of wooden trim finish applied to the dashboard which gives the car a more up market feel. The car is going to be powered by the 2.5 litre, 4 cylinder and a 3.5 litre V6 petrol engine. There is going to be an automatic option for transmission. However, there might be no diesel option coming along with it which raises a key thought in our minds, how successful is the model going to be without a diesel in the current times of rising petrol prices?

NISSAN 370Z REVIEW

Tata Motors has launched the Sumo Gold, dropping the Victa name from the Sumo. The company unveiled the facelift of the Sumo in Pune and has offered the utility vehicle with two engines – the CR4 diesel and the TCIC diesel. The Sumo Gold’s all new 3.0-liter, CR4 diesel engine produces a power output of 85 PS at 3000 RPM and torque of 250 Nm between 1000-2000 RPM.. The engine is is BSIV compliant and returns a mileage of 14.07 kmpl (as per ARAI). The TCIC engine too uses a 3.0-liter engine but is BSIII compliant. It produces 70 BHP of power and 223 Nm of torque. There are four variants of the Sumo Gold – GX, EX, LX and CX. We are at the launch and will update you with more pictures and details shortly.

Tata Sumo Gold Prices

Sumo Gold TCIC CX – Rs. 5.23 lakhs
Sumo Gold TCIC LX – Rs. 5.6 lakhs
Sumo Gold TCIC EX – Rs. 5.96 lakhs
Sumo Gold TCIC GX – Rs. 6.6 lakhs

Sumo Gold CR4 CX – Rs. 5.49 lakhs
Sumo Gold CR4 LX – Rs. 5.84 lakhs
Sumo Gold CR4 EX – Rs. 6.1 lakhs
Sumo Gold CR4 GX – Rs. 6.74 lakhs


As it appears to be, it is just a upgrade of existing vehicle. Being Tata Motors, they’ve gone through the feedback from customers and suggestions they got from experts. The main purpose behind launching this vehicle seemed to be Just to introduce there new “CR4? engine into these segment. New soft and responsive accelerator paddle to comfort the driver for long runs. Hand break now take position between two front seats besides Power window controls. Gear shifter claimed to be smoother than previous one. Front seats are comfortable. CR4 emblem on front wheel arc while GOLD mark on front grill and at rear try to differentiate it from older versions. New decals also have been provided all over the body.
Footrests will come default. Also Sumo GOLD comes with 3 years / 1,00,000 kms warranty. Reduced NVH Levels.

As per Tata officials this CR4 engine will available on ALL utility vehicles (both commercial and passenger) including premium Tata Xenon. When asked about launch of Tata Merlin, they said it to be around the corners but kept mum about exact date. Seeing all these it appears to be simple Utility Vehicle with efficient engine option. Keeping in mind the launch of new Bolero a month ago and low priced Scorpio from Mahindras and coming soon new Chevrolet Tavera, Tata Motors have prepared themselves for the competition.