Mahindra TUV300 variants revealed, to come in 3 variants – T4, T6 and T8

        The upcoming mini SUV from Mahindra, the TUV300 will be available in 3 variants, which are T4, T6 and T8. Air conditioning, power steering and power windows are offered as standard in all variants. Other features pertaining to variants are:

Mahindra TUV300 T4:

Three paint shade options (silver, black and red)

ABS and front airbags (optional)

Mahindra TUV300 T6:

Three paint shade options (white, silver and black)

To come with body coloured bumpers, door handles and wing mirrors

AMT gearbox (optional)

Mahindra TUV300 T8:

Six paint shade options (red, white, silver, black, blue and orange)

Alloy wheels, ABS and airbags

AMT gearbox (optional)

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Maruti’s Ecosport rivalling compact SUV spied without camouflage

        The segment which is devoid of Maruti/Suzuki is the compact SUV segment in India. Maruti has an answer for it now as we came across clear pictures of the compact SUV getting readied at its factory near Delhi. Thank to GaadiWaadi for getting the first ever clear pictures of the highly anticipated mini SUV from Maruti.

        In 2012 Delhi Auto Show, Maruti had showed a mini SUV concept codenamed Alpha XA which was quiet onlooker and ignited the minds of young buyers, thanks to its muscular look and elegant features. It’s been long time since then and the company has held back its decision to launch the vehicle, probably it has different plans (as always), to bring in a product which be the Uno in the segment. Now that we have seen the pictures of mini SUV in India, it is expected to be launched soon, probably in the early August or September 2015.

        Some days ago also there were spy pictures of Maruti’s mini SUV with full camouflage and we could hardly make out any design element of the car. With the clear picture it is evident that the mini SUV is built on Swift platform and shares lots of design cures from the Swift. In fact, from the side profile it is surely to be confused to a Swift – body panels, ORVM & roofline all resembling to it. However the front end is entirely different with rectangular headlamps and teethed grill giving the mini SUV the macho look it deserves.

        Speculations are going around that the Maruti’s mini SUV will be called Vitara Breeza, but there is officially no communication from the company as of now. Also seen from the picture is absence of spare wheel on the tail gate and the length would perfectly fit into less than 4 meters mark.

        Regarding the powertrain, Maruti might fit in Ertiga’s 1.4L petrol and the diesel one could be all new 1.5L Suzuki diesel which was under development for a while. That is why we guess, Maruti delayed the mini SUV launch, well its is just our guess. An in-house diesel engine will definitely cut costs and Maruti can price the mini SUV competitively in this price sensitive market of India.

        Regarding rivalling Ford Ecosport, the Maruti’s mini SUV lacks the dynamic looks, and also the dimensions of it could be far less than that of Ecosport. The only place where Maruti mini SUV could get ahead is in fuel efficiency and after sales service.

        Lets wait and watch to see how things are going to change for Ford Ecosport, or will it not???

More spy pictures

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Scoop: Tata Kite compact sedan spied

        At a time when industry is thinking about Tata Motors shoddy sales, here comes a spy picture of the Tata Kite compact sedan which was seen testing in Pune. Tata Motors has been testing Kite hatchback for a while and the spy picture of its compact sedan is indeed a very surprise.

        Tata Motors has been struggling since the Nano problem started. At present, apart from Zest which was recently launched, the company has no model which is getting it good profits. The new Kite platform gives a hope for the ailing company which once dominated the diesel hatchback segment with its Indica car.

        The spy pictures of Tata Kite compact sedan reveals lots of details about the car. The camouflage tapes with Zest monogram put on the boot is to confuse the people or the tape would have been left over when Tata Zest was being tested and hence used it here. It is clearly seen that the racking C pillar almost eats the boot and the rear tyre is almost at the end giving no overhangs to the car at all. The car looks more coupeish, a good effort by Tata to make its cars more futuristic.

        The Kite compact sedan is expected to launch after its hatch sibling. Powering both hatch and compact sedans will be 1.2L Revotron petrol engine and new 1.05L 3 cylinder Dicor engine which was showed at a Motor Show earlier this year.  

Picture source: CarToq

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Scoop: Next generation Ford Figo hatchback spied in India

        Ford India has already started testing the Figo hatchback. Here is the first ever spy picture of the car being tested around Pune city. The new Ford Figo was unveiled in its production version at Sao Paulo Motor Show last year.

        The new Ford Figo will be powered by 1.2L petrol and new 1.5L DV5 diesel engine. A tuned down or without turbo Ecoboost engine producing 80 bhp might also find its place under the new Figos hood. The new Figo will replace the current generation car in 2015.

        Ford also has plans to bring in a notchback version of new Figo hatchback. Ford is lacking a compact sedan in India which the new Figo notchback will fulfil the vacuum giving the company a niche for competition.

        Ford Figo has been a highly successful car in India. Since its launch in 2010, Ford’s sales have tripled enabling Ford to sustain in this market and go further with new launch opportunities.

        The new Ford Figo doesn’t look much different than the current one. The overall dimensions looks the same, except for the height of the car which has been increased to give more head room. The ground clearance might have been worked out as the major problem of Figo was the ground clearance making the car to scrub in Indian unscientific road humps. The open mouth grill has become a signature of Ford’s new cars and will follow in the new launches as well.

Source: ACI

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Renault’s small car for India spied, to rival Alto

        Early last year Renault had announced its plans to develop a small car for India to compete against the largest selling car in the country ‘Maruti Alto’. Here is the first spy picture of Renault’s small car for India undergoing testing on Indian roads.

        As seen from the picture, the car looks bigger and taller than the Alto. Heavy camouflage gives minute details of the car but it is evident that Renault is serious about competing with Alto which has been the bread and butter car for India’s largest car manufacturer ‘Maruti Suzuki’.

        The dropping down bonnet and a arch roofline suggest the Renault’s small car to be more rounded with smooth contours unlike European cars with sharp edges. The front end will feature Renault’s signature grill with a large Renault diamond logo on it.

        Renault will fit its latest 3 cylinder 800cc petrol engine in the new small car. The engine has been exclusively designed for the vehicle and is optimised to deliver good performance and better fuel efficiency. The engine is said to deliver 21 Km per liter of petrol. As of diesel, Renault has no plans to launch a diesel variant as of now.

        Renault’s small car will be priced around Rs. 4 lakh. Other cars along with Alto at this price point are Hyundai Eon & Datsun Go which will also be hit by the competition. 

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