Scoop: All new Swift Dzire compact spied in Gurgoan

     India’s leading car magazine Autocarindia has published a spy picture of the new Dzire based on the all new Swift platform. The company sources had announced earlier that they are working on the new Dzire which will be shorter in length and will come under 4 meter length mark.


The new Dzire being less than 4 meters in length will get excise benefits at 10% as compared to 22% for other sedans. This means the cost benefit of about Rs. 30,000 - 40,000 can be benefitted to the customers.

     Production of the new Dzire will start by November 2011 and official launch will be in January 2012 at the Auto Expo.

Source: ACI

Mahindra Verito launched, starts from Rs. 4.82 lakh

     Mahindra today launched its maiden sedan Verito in India. The Verito prices starts from Rs. 4.82 lakh for the base petrol variant going up to Rs. 6.62 lakh for the top end diesel variant.

     Yesterday we had reported about Mahindra’s Verito which is the rebadged Renault Logan. Mahindra has done some cosmetic changes to the Vertio make it look fresh. The changes include a new grill and Mahindra logo on it, redesigned fog lamps, side cladding, roof rails, new upholstery, rear spoiler and a chrome appliqué similar to the Toyota Etios.

     The Verito is available with a new paint option – ‘Twilight Blue’. 5 petrol variants and 7 diesel variants (including both BS3 & BS4 versions) are on the offer. Mahindra has announced the prices of the models only in Chennai. The prices in the other cities will be announced shortly.

     Apart from the cosmetic changes, the Verito has the same power trains as that of the Logon. The 1.4L petrol with 75 Bhp and 1.5L diesel with 68 bhp will do the duty on Verito. As far as safety is concerned, Verito is available with ABS with EBD and driver side airbag at top end variants. 

Mahindra Verito Picture Gallery

Mahindra Verito

Mahindra Verito speedo console

Mahindra Verito front

Mahindra Verito rear

Mahindra Verito seats

Mahindra Verito engine

Press Release:

April 26, 2011, Mumbai: Mahindra & Mahindra  Ltd., a part of the US $ 11.1 billion Mahindra Group, today announced the launch of its sedan - the Verito. The new Verito retains the famed strengths of the Logan, while adding a new style with some key changes. Now equipped with  several rugged and sporty  styling elements, the Verito is all set to  be the most  exciting buy in the entry level sedan category for Indian consumers. It is competitively priced at  Rs.  4.82  lakh (petrol  BS3  version) & 5.62 lakh (Diesel BS3 version).  The BS4 compliant version is also available for BS4 markets.

Verito which is derived from the Latin word ‘Veritas’ means truth and goes with the overall image of an honest, sensible and dependable car.

Powered by the Renault engine, the Verito is a sedan which remains true to itself and the consumer by offering the unique proposition of space, mileage and performance along with  style. The exterior of this car is quite unique with ski racks and side cladding, which are available for the first time on a sedan in the Indian market.

The chrome rear appliqué and rear spoiler increases the car’s premium quotient and gives it a distinctive look at the rear. These new additions on the exterior align with the tough, rugged and sporty DNA of a Mahindra vehicle.

On the performance front, the Verito retains all the strengths of the Logan. The new Verito offers the same Renault drive train with the option of a 1.5 DCi CRDi diesel engine or 1.4 MPFI petrol engine. Equipped with this, the Verito offers an amazing 21.03 KMPL fuel efficiency (diesel mileage as per ARAI). The Verito remains the broadest car in its segment, offering unmatched cabin space. It also boasts of a spacious seating capacity and a boot space which is one of the largest, with 510 litre capacity.

Similar to the  Logan, the Verito  offers a host of safety  and technology features like ABS with EBD, Driver Airbag, head restraint for all seats, side impact beams, driver information system etc.  Further, a long wheel base of 2630 mm ensures a very smooth ride even on Indian roads.

Packed with class leading space, comfort, proven technology, safety features and a low running and maintenance cost, the Verito scores highly over its nearest competitors.

Mr. Rajesh Jejurikar, Chief Executive, Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. said “The Verito, with its unique value proposition aligns with the Mahindra DNA of offering tough, rugged and sporty vehicles. For the first time, we are using social media platforms to unveil a new product, reflecting alternative thinking. The earlier Logan will continue to get complete service and spares support from us.”

Features of the Verito

The Verito has several new features which include:

• Mahindra Logo

• New bold fog lamps

• Side cladding

• Roof rails/ski rack

• Rear Chrome appliqué

• New Upholstery

• New Colour – Twilight Blue

Skoda Rapid ready for India, spied testing in Aurangabad

     Indianautosblog has published couple of spy pictures of the Skoda Rapid being tested in India. The spy picture has been taken by Mr. Pranjal from Aurangabad. 

     Skoda Rapid is Skoda's new car for India, built on the VW Vento platform. There was a big gap in Skoda's portfolio between the Fabia and Laura after retirement of Octavia. The company also need an entry level sedan to stay in the competition, hench the new Rapid evolved. Speculation about  a sedan version of  the Fabia hatchback was also considered but finally Skoda stuck to develop an all new car based on a new concept - Vision D.

     Vision D concept was showcased at the Geneva Motor Show 2011. The company had hinted about a new car on this concpet, but no body would have guessed the speed with which Skoda could develop and bring the car to India. Skoda Rapid, as it is expected to be called, will be launched with a strip down model with couple of features excluded, to compete with SX4 diesel and New Ford Fiesta. 

Keep connected for more updates.....

More pictures from velocitimag.com

Premier Rio 1.3L Multijet diesel, would you buy?

     Yes, you are thinking right. Premier Rio with a Fiat 1.3L Multijet diesel engine would become a reality soon. Premier is in discussions with various engine manufacturers, including FIAT, for a Euro 4 engine. Trails with these engines are already on and the company is satisfied with the performance. However the confirmation to use a new diesel engine is Rio will be done shortly.

     Rio, the only mini SUV in the market was launched in late 2009. It struggled to take off since its launch, thanks to its outdated 1.5 liter turbocharged engine with 65 PS of power and 152 Nm of torque. The outdated engine and lack of brand value made people hesitated to buy the product. However the company claims that the launch of Rio was an experiment to guage the mini SUV in the market. Well for the company’s experiment, why should the people pay their hard earned money? These automakers have to do their homework before they launch a product. After all they are not selling pea nuts. What do you say?

Source: Inputs from IAB

Skoda Rapid to be built on Vento platform

     Skoda will build a new sedan on the VW Vento platform for the Indian market. Skoda has many times mentioned the name ‘Rapid’ and hence the new car could be called Skoda Rapid. The Rapid sedan design language will be based on the Vision D concept show in Geneva.

     Skoda Rapid expected to be launched by this Diwali will be powered by same VW 1.6L petrol and diesel engines, both developing 105 Bhp of power. As this would camouflage the Vento, Skoda will price it below the Vento and will remove couple of features as well in the Rapid. 

     A strip down Rapid is also on the cards with a fine tuned diesel engine which can take on the Maruti Suzuki SX4. Skoda is planning to launch it with price tag of Rs. 7 lakh for petrol and Rs. 7.80 lakh for diesel variant. 

Source: Autocarindia

Renault Logan renamed as Mahindra Verito in India

     Mahindra has renamed the Renault Logan as Verito, meaning ‘Truth’ in Latin. That means, the Logan will be called as Mahindra Vertio in India hereafter. The car will be launched shortly with some cosmetic changes. The Vertio joins Mahindra brand philosophy of vehicles with names ending with ‘O’. 

     Mahindra will remove the Renault tag associated with Logan from now onwards. The redesign would include sporty side cladding, new rear view mirrors and a new front grill. Apart from minor changes there will be no major structural changes and so do the powertrain. Expect the new Verito to be priced same as Logan though Mahindra is trying to localize the spares to reduce costs. 

  

     A sub 4 meter Logan is also being developed with the boot chopped. It is expected to be launched by early next year. As Tata Indica it could also end up in taxi segment because of its space and fuel efficiency. 

Source: Autocarindia

All new 2011 Jaguar XJ named International Luxury Car of the Year

     The International Car of the Year (ICOTY) jury with renowned automotive journalists from 12 countries has named the all new 2011 Jaguar XJ as the 2011 International Luxury Car of the Year for its unique design and stellar performance.


     Accepting the honour Mr. Adrian Hallmark, Jaguar Global Brand Director said "We're delighted that the 2011 Jaguar XJ has received this honor," The all-new XJ is a benchmark in both design and technology, and we're thrilled to receive such an accolade from one of the highest international panel of judges in our industry." Mr. Hallmark also added "This success, along with the redesigned XK and XF, speak volumes about the future of the Jaguar brand as a leading edge premium car maker."