2012 TATA INDICA VISTA ZX QUADRAJET

Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 6,91,237/-

Tata Motors unveiled the Indica Vista for the first time at the 2008 Auto Expo. Since then, alot has changed and new competitors have emerged in the competitive hatchback segment. The Vista has received a much needed facelift to keep it fresh amongst new rivals. The company has not done drastic changes on the Indica Vista, but subtle ones, which have been done after factoring in feedback from existing customers. With the new India Vista, Tata Motors’ expects sales to rise by 20-22% and feels that the LX and VX variant will be the most popular one. With 4 engines on offer across 4 variants, we find out if the Vista is a worthy hatchback amongst global alternatives.

Exteriors – One look at the new Indica Vista and you immediately realize the generous addition of chrome on the car. The front is very reminiscent of the Indigo Manza and has been done intentionally. The company wants people to associate the Vista with the Manza, rather then with the Indica. The new three barrel headlamps and chrome grille go along well on the new Vista. Chrome has been added to the side as well, along with the addition of new 14-inch alloy wheels. The rear gets a pearl black finish strip, along with changes in font size for the TATA and Indica Vista logo. Overall, the design of the Indica Vista remains very similar to the old model, with slight changes to keep things looking fresh. The company is offering the new Vista with two new colours – yellow (from the Indica Sport at the Auto Expo) and blue.

Interiors – Step inside the new Indica Vista and the first thing you realize is the sahara beige interiors. The doors too have been modified to be easy to open and close. The center console has been carried over from the Manza and the steering wheel now sports audio controls. Addition of features on the new Vista has been done to offer value to buyers and thus the new Vista now sports dual airbags, ABS, Blue 5 (BlueTooth system), electrically operated outside rear view mirrors, 2-way adjustable lumbar support and the likes. The good thing though is, that some of the features of the top end ZX model are being offered on the lower variants as well. For instance, the rear wiper is now called intelligent, because it automatically switches on (if the fronts are on), when you put the car in reverse.

Performance – Tata Motors’ offers four engines on the new Vista range. The 1.2-liter Safire 65, 1.4-liter Safire 90, 1.4-liter TDi and 1.4-liter Quadrajet. Both the petrol engines are not segment leaders, neither in performance, nor in fuel economy. The 1.4-TDi is best opted for if your on a serious budget or want to run your car as a Taxi. We drove the new Vista with the Quadrajet engine and find it to be well suited for the car. Infact the Quadrajet motor is easily the engine of choice for the Vista and excels at its duty.

Whats Cool 

* Space
* Value for money
* Features across variants
* Improvement in quality

Whats Not So Cool

* Petrol engines not the most fuel efficient
* High speed stability
* Centrally mounted instrument cluster

 

 

MARUTI SUZUKI NEW MODEL "RIII" MINI MPV

Here are the first spy pictures of Maruti’s new people mover. Shot in Rajasthan, probably undergoing hot weather testing, Maruti’s latest baby is not a regular Suzuki model sold in other markets but one that has been designed and engineered in India for the Indian market. Based on a stretched Ritz platform, this new Maruti features three rows of seats, four regular doors and is likely to have a seating capacity of between six to seven passengers, depending on the configuration.

The design is not what we had expected. Maruti had shown the RIII MPV concept at the Auto Expo in 2010, but this car looks almost nothing like it. Yes, the large triangular headlights spillover the fenders in a similar manner, but apart from that the MPV and the R III concept have nothing in common. The design however is immediately recognizable as a Suzuki and the nose, with its large headlamps and horizontal slot like grille, in fact is very similar to the Ritz. The wide inlet under the bumper and the nacelles for fogs however are very different.

Look closely at the pictures and other details come into view. A corrugated roof has been used to increase strength, the rear windscreen wraps itself around the back for that ‘pillar-less’ look and the tiny tail-lamps seem to have been designed with cost rather than visibility in mind.

Look at the nose and you can also see the vertically aligned intercooler in the chin of the car, which of course means there will be a diesel version. And you can expect a more powerful version of the K-Series engine to power this car as well. Maruti could also do a CNG version of this car. What remains to be seen however is if it can keep the three rows of seats with the gas tank in place.

Due to the stretched wheelbase, this car is not likely to duck into the sub four meter small car class, and Maruti will be looking at a more premium customer with this car. So the interiors are expected to be as well specified as a Swift or Ritz and this will be a feature rich model as well. Bootspace on this Maruti for the extended family however won’t be great.

Maruti is currently looking at building a new plant to expand its capacity, and that's something it will need when this car is launched towards the latter half of this year.

 

 

MERCEDES BENZ STAR DRIVE

RUSSIAN HOME BUILT MERCEDES BENZ

FORCE ONE SUV LAUNCHING EVENT

Force Motors has launched its first passenger vehicle, the Force One SUV. The Force One SUV is available in one variant only and only in 4×2. Amitabh Bachchan has been roped in as thh brand ambassador for an year and has ordered two units of the SUV for his personal use. The Force One SUV is priced at Rs. 10.65 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi), Rs. 11.1 lakhs (ex-showroom, Mumbai) and has an ARAI certified mileage of 12 kmpl. Deliveries start from 1st September, 2011. The Force One SUV is powered by a Mercedes-Benz engine and features dual mass flywheel. The 2.2-liter Daimler sourced motor produces 141 bhp of power at 3800 RPM and 320 Nm of torque between 1600-2400 RPM. The engine is Euro 5 ready and is optimized for -20 degree temperature. Mated a 5-speed gearbox from Mercedes-Benz, the One SUV has been tested in U.K.

The Force One SUV has power steering, tit-steering, central locking, all 4 power windows, rear spoiler. The interior features wooden finish panel and a 2-din 4-speaker audio system with USB and Aux compatibility. Bluetooth, audio controls and cruise control are on the steering wheel. Keyless entry, reverse sensors, rear wiper and defogger along with driver infotainment system are other key features of the One SUV.