Multi fuel engine? Thats what powers the Altius Scimitar

     Altius Automotive Technologies, founded by former Hyundai Motor India boss Mr. BVR Subbu, in partnership with California’s Hayes Diversified Technologies is manufacturing an eninge which runs on various fuels including diesel.


     Both the companies are working on a plan to manufacture a small displacement multi fuel engine for a motorcycle in India. The bike named Scimitar will get a 670cc engine which will run on more than one fuel.


     The 670cc Scimitar engine is a single cylinder, liquid cooled onew which produces 33 Bhp of power at 5700 rpm a 5.4 Kgm of torque at 3300 rpm.

Tata Magic Iris and Ace Zip launched in Thane

     Tata Motors today launched its small passenger carrier ‘Magic Iris’ and smart micro truck ‘Ace Zip’ in Thane priced at Rs. 1.95 lakh and Rs. 1.90 lakh respectively (Prices ex-showroom Thane).


     The Magic IRIS is a 4 wheeled, 4 seater small passenger carrier aimed to target 3 wheeled auto rickshaws. Being a 4 wheeled it is a better alternative to the auto rickshaws in terms of safety.

     The Magic IRIS is powered by a 611cc, water cooled engine with 11 HP of power. It comes with One year or 36,000 Kms warranty. Four colours are in the offering – Arctic white, Ruby red, Skool yellow and Jet black. Tata Motors has worked hard to keep the maintenance cost of IRIS on par with the auto rickshaws.

     The Ace Zip is based on the Magic IRIS but has been designed as a luggage carrier. It too comes with 1 year/36,000 Kms warranty.










P M Telang ,Tata Motors' Managing Director (India Operations) -


"Tata Motors has been a pioneer in creating and growing the small commercial vehicles market in India with the Tata Ace and the Tata Magic. With the introduction of Magic IRIS and Ace Zip the company will more comprehensively address the burgeoning need of public transportation and goods movement."

Mahindra not to bring Ssangyong cars in India, to focus on SUVs

     India’s largest utility vehicle manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra has said it will not bring Ssangyong car to India as it wants to focus on SUV segment and want to become a global utility vehicle manufacturer. To remind, Mahindra bought majority stake in Korean’s automaker Ssangyong recently.


     Mr. Rajesh Jejurikar, who heads Mahindra’s automotive business operations said, they feel appropriate to have a single car in the portfolio of SUVs. The focus of the company is on global SUV.


     Mahindra has a lone car model in its portfolio in the form of Verito. The company is planning to launch a hatchback version of Vertio by early next year.
Saying no to the Ssangyong cars, Mahindra will bring in Ssangyong SUVs to India. Ssangyong SUVs include Korando and Rexton which are seen decent success in US markets.


     We feel the Mahindra’s strategy of preferring a single car in its portfolio of SUVs may have fueled the rift between its JV partner Renault. Renault wants to bring in its series of cars to India which Mahindra was not intending to as it wanted to focus more on the SUVs. All is well that ends well. Now we can get to see Renault’s range of cars as well as Mahindra’s SUVs together in Indian market.


     Ssangyong Motors which as 'Chaiman H' as its flagship car could wait for some more time to make it to India. 

Renault’s future launches in India

     The Renault’s Indian home page shows the outline of Renaults future launches in India. The only car displayed is the Fluence which will be launched on 23rd of May this year. Next to come is an SUV – Koleos in October 2011.


     Come 2012 we will see a small car/hatchback from Renault in Indian market. The small car could be the Renault’s highest selling Clio which is slated for a next generation change. Followed by the small car are mini off-roader - 'Duster' and a sedan - 'Safrane' in July and October 2012 respectively.

Renault Fluence India launch on 23th May

     French automaker Renault will launch its luxury sedan Fluence in India on the 23th of May this month with sales starting from June 2011. This will be Renault’s second innings in India after the Logan launch in association with Mahindra. This time Renault has decided to go alone and would like to create a brand image for its cars.

     The Fluence is expected to be priced between Rs. 12 – 14 lakh and will compete with VW Jetta and Skoda Laura in Indian market.

     Two engine options is likely to be available. A 2 liter petrol engine, delivers 137 Bhp and the same Logan’s 1.5 liter dCi diesel produces 105 Bhp will find the place under the Fluence’s hood. The company claims 21.84 Kmpl from the diesel engine.

     Suspension will be tuned for Indian conditions. The ride and comfort is expected to be class leading. The Fluence will sport loads of equipment such as Keyless Start, Bluetooth conectivigy, Dual zone climate contral, Four airbags etc.

     The Fluence will be imported as CKD units from Renault’s Turkey plant and assemble in India at Chennai. The car will be available at 14 dealerships across 12 major cities in India. Renault plans to expand its dealerships to 40 by December this year and then to 100 in 55 cities by the next year.

     Hope Renault don’t slip off its track this time in India.

Stephen Norman, Sr. Vice-President, Renault -

Renault has officially confirmed that the Fluence saloon will be competitively priced "below its Western European rivals. The Fluence saloon is targeted at customers who want great value in a stylish and innovative package and don't need the snob value of a Volkswagen ".

Skoda Fabia Scout spied testing in India

     Our friend BurnYourFuel has got us the spy picture of the Skoda Fabia Scout being tested in India. The Fabia Scout is a kind of offroader based on the Fabia hatchback. It is the same engine from Fabia hatchback that powers the Fabia Scout. The Faiba Scout has added plastic trim on the lower half of the car with a diffuser on the rear bumper. We suspect the suspension would have tweeked and raised litte for the car to do the off-roading.






     Skoda seams to be in an expansion mode since it is preparing to launch the Rapid sedan soon. With the Fabia Scout and Rapid sedan, Skoda could boost its sales in India. 

Hyundai Verna 2011 interior snaps released

     Just before the launch of the 2011 Verna (which will be done on 11th May), Hyundai India has released the interior pictures of the car. People in India are very eager to see the most beautiful car of the year. The 2011 Verna, designed with Fluidic Sculpture philosophy is Hyundai’s big gun for C segment cars in India.