Toyota Etios launch on 1st December

      Toyota Kirloskar Ltd will launch its maiden small car Etios “meaning origin of” on the 1st of December 2010 in India. Toyota has roped in ace musician A R Rahman as its brand ambassador to promote the vehicle. This is the first time when a car company has roped in a musician when its competitors are getting the job done by more glamorous hollyhood hunks and of course not to forget the star cricketer. One thing is for sure – we will surely get a brilliant tune for the car commercial like the famous tune from Rahman for the Airtel ad.

     Toyota has been working hard to deliver the best quality product for Indian customers. The Etios has been designed and developed keeping in mind of the Indian conditions and hence you can find the new ad with the tagline – World first, India first.

     After extensive testing Etios on the Indian roads, Toyota has raised the suspension by 20 mm for smooth gliding on the bumpy roads. Toyota has also added a steel plate under the chassis to prevent the stone hits to the fuel line and brake pads. Brilliant idea isn’t it.

     Etios hatchback have to compete with already packed B segment with i20, Polo, Swift, Fabia & Punto fighting for the pie. Etios sedan will also have to rub its shoulder with C segment cars like Vento, City, Verna and Fiesta. The big advantage on the Etios’s side is its a Toyota which is known worldwide for its high class quality. The price factor also plays a major factor as it is rumored that Etios is expected to be priced between Rs 4.5 to 5 lakh (for base variant). We might at last see a real competitor to the Swift. Do we?

Tata Aria Price in Chennai

Tata Aria Pleasure Price in Chennai – Rs. 12,86,000/-

Tata Aria Prestige Price in Chennai – Rs. 14,08,000/-

Tata Aria Prestige+ Price in Chennai – Rs. 14,45,000/-

Tata Aria Pride Price in Chennai – Rs. 15,45,000/-

Hyundai Santa Fe SUV launched in India

     Hyundai Motor India Ltd has launched the much awaited Santa Fe luxury SUV in India priced between Rs 20.95 – 22.95 lakh ex-showroom New Delhi.

     Santa Fe is offered in both 4x2 and 4x4 variants, the later being costlier by around Rs 2 lakh. It is powered by a 2.2 liter CRDi engine which pumps out 197 bhp of maximum power @ 4000rpm and maximum torque of 420Nm between 1800-2500rpm. The engine is mated to a six speed manual transmission.

     Both 4x2 and 4x4 variants are well equipped and comes with ESP, Cruise control and Six air bags. Santa Fe is available in four colour options – Phantom Black, Sleek Silver, Vanilla White and Steel Blue. The SUV will be imported as CBU units from Korea. Hyundai claims the SUV will deliver 14.66 km per a liter of diesel.

Hyundai Santa Fe Specifications

Piaggio Ape Mini Truck launched in India

     Italy based Piaggio Vehicles Pvt. Ltd. (PVPL) has launched a 0.5 tonne capacity mini truck in India. Mini truck named as Ape mini truck is priced at Rs 1.74 lakh across all over India. The Ape mini truck fits in the hot sub one tonne light commercial vehicle (LCV).

     Ape Mini Truck delivers an impressive economic figures of 29 kmpl and come with 15 month warranty and 5 free services. It will take on the lone player in the segment Mahindra Gio and soon to be launched Tata’s Ace Zip.

Scoop: Next Generation Iconic VW Beetle spy photos

     The Next Generation VW Beetle has been designed to be more masculine unlike the present one which is very cute looking. The Next Gen Beetle seams to be more roomier, perhaps to attract 'Men' as well.

Source: Carscoop

New Nissan Sunny official sketch revealed

     In our earlier post we had mentioned about the Nissan Sunny – the Micra based sedan from Nissan. Now the official sketch of the Nissan Sunny has been revealed. Nissan Sunny is termed as ‘New Global Sedan’ and is build on the Nissan’s versatile V platform. Styling of the Sunny has been very dynamic and will differ in looks from its hatchback sibling Micra.

     Nissan Sunny will make its international debut at Guangzho, China in December this year. After the international debut the car is expected to come to India by mid 2011. It will come in both petrol and diesel engines, the latter being sourced from Renault (1.5L currently used in Logan). It will be manufactured at Nissan’s Oragadam plant near Chennai.

     In India, Nissan Sunny will compete with cars such as Maruti Swift Dzire, Ford Fiesta, Hyundai Verna and Chevrolet Aveo. 

Scoop: Next Generation Hyundai Verna spotted testing in India

     Hyundai recently unveiled the next generation Verna codenamed RB in Russia. Now the car has been spotted by Autocarindia reader Chris Sekar near Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu during its test drive with heavy camouflage.

Source: Autocarindia

      Hyundai had announced the launch of the new Verna in India by early 2011. Now that the car is being tested we can be sure that it will launched in time (January 2011)..

     The new Verna is built on the lines of Hyundai’s ‘fluidic sculpture’ design language. The ‘fluidic sculpture’ design language has also been used in other two cars in the Hyundai stable namely Sonata and Elantra. The new Verna will incorporate Hyundai’s new technology 1.4L and 1.6L Gamma petrol engine which deliver maximum power of 106bhp and 122bhp respectively. Both engines will have transmission options of a four speed automatic and a five speed manual one.

     Hyundai is working on the ride quality and comfort in order to compete with its competitors like Maruti SX4, Volkswagen Vento and segment leader Honda City.

Next Generation Hyundai Verna Pictures