Range Rover Evoque spied in India

     The latest from Land Rover stable Range Rover Evoque was spied testing in Pune. The Range Rover Evoque seen in the picture is a 3 door version, but we feel the 5 door version of the vehicle will make it to India by Diwali this year.

     The Range Rover Evoque has been designed like a coupe, like the Honda CR-V, which has a silhouette coupe like silhouette. It is powered by a 2.2L engine which pumps out 150-190 Bhp of power. The Evoque could be available in both 4x2 and 4x4 drive options. Expect the Evoque to be priced above Rs. 50 lakh because of high import duties.

Fiat Panda, the best competitor for Wagon R in India

     Just few days ago, Fiat revealed the all new third generation Panda before its international debut at Frankfurt Motor Show starting this month. The next generation Panda looks brilliant with redesigned front fascia which is now more rounded. The new Panda all together looks prettier with its smooth contours.


     The Panda has been since 1980 and Fiat has till now sold over 6.5 lakh units of Panda worldwide. The basic architecture of the Panda – tall boy design remains which means ample headroom for passengers.


     With the new Panda being sold in European markets in couple of months, we though why should Fiat not think about launching the car in India, well of course to compete with 2nd largest selling car in Indian – Wagon R.

     Wagon R when launched was criticized for its boxy look but slowly people started liking it because of its practicality, low maintain ace and easy to drive in traffic. The biggest advantage of Wagon R was for tall drivers who were seeking a car to drive without their legs cramped. Elderly people too found it easy to get in and out. The Wagon R’s headroom is superb with tall passengers need not duct to sit. The main drawback of Wagon R is its shape which is boxy even after couple of facelifts.

     The Panda with its dimensions similar to Wagon R can be its serious challenger in India. We feel Fiat has one more opportunity bounce back in the Indian market with the launch of Panda. Since Fiat has its own mulitjet engine, a Panda with a 1.3L diesel engine will the perfect recipe. The Panda might not only beat Wagon R but also give a serious dent to the Ritz diesel as well.


     We await your valuable opinions…

Third Generation Fiat Panda revealed

     The third generation Fiat Panda has been revealed before its international debut at Frankfurt Motor Show which is starting from September 11th 2011. The new Panda has been describe as more matured compared to its preceder.


     The new Panda has a bold front end with rounded hood and prominent air intake. The overall dimensions of the new Panda are measures 3650mm long, 1640mm wide and 1550mm tall.

     The new Fiat Panda has been designed by Fiat styling director Roberto Giolito. The interiors have carried the same rectangular theme as from the outside with everything from horn, the dash, the gear knob and even the dials being rectangular. The roof rails enhance the Panda’s sporty look. The tail lamps are placed high like that of the Punto. 

     Thought the Panda is built on the Fiat 500 platform, it is a 5 door vehicle by default unlike the ‘500’. 2 petrol and 1 diesel engine is available. The latest technologically advanced 900cc multi air engine, which powers the ‘500’ will find its place under the Panda as well. The other petrol engine is the 1.2L 4 cylinder one with 69-75 Bhp of power. The 1.3L multijet diesel with 75 Bhp of power makes Panda, the desired vehicle.

     It will be available in manual as well an automatic Dualogic robotised transmission. The other latest features include brand new “Blue&Me-TomTom LIVE”, large transparent electric “Skydome” sun roof, a Hi-Fi system with CD/MP3 player, 4 airbags (front and window), ABS complete with BAS (Brake Assist System), Daytime Running Lights and Dualdrive electric power steering with “City” function.

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Mahindra W201 world SUV named XUV500

     Mahindra has unveiled the name of its much awaited global SUV codenamed W201. The vehicle is christened XUV 500 (pronounced as XUV ‘5 double Oh’). The XUV500 is Mahindra’s first global SUV with significant in styling and development from customers all over the globe. Mahindra has done customer research for XUV 500 in Western markets, South Africa and India. The XUV500 has been tested across Europe, Australia and South Africa among others.

     The XUV500 is conceptualized keeping in mind the category between the Scorpio and high end SUVs. The XUV500 is aimed at Generation X, where the double O denotes the added Oomph value in the product.

     The XUV500 is designed entirely in-house at Mahindra’s world class R&D facility – Mahindra Research Valley at Chennai. It is the first indigenously developed monocoque SUV with the first transverse engine offering from Mahindra. Right from the start XUV500 has been developed for global standards of quality, technology, testing norms, regulations and emissions. 

Next generation Land Rover Defender concept to debut at Frankfurt Motor Show

     The iconic Land Rover Defender will be reborn again with a new avatar. The next generation Land Rover Defender concept has been revealed ahead of its debut at Frankfurt Motor Show next month. The concept named DC100 has been a challenging work for Land Rover designers because of it worldwide popularity.

Land Rover's director of design, Gerry McGovern says –


"Replacing the iconic Defender is one of the biggest challenges in the automotive design world; it is a car that inspires people worldwide. This isn't a production-ready concept but the beginning of a four-year journey to design a relevant Defender for the 21st century."

Source: Worldcarfans

Skoda Lauretta is the new Fabia sedan

     The new sedan based on the Fabia will be called Lauretta and not Rapid. The sedan was spied testing near Skoda’s factory in Gujarat few days ago.


     The Skoda Lauretta shares design cures from its younger sibling Fabia hatchback and cousin VW Vento. It will be powered by VW’s 1.6 L petrol and diesel engine and will be priced below the Vento sedan.

     The Lauretta is expected to be launched in October this year and aims to grab a substantial share in the popular C segment.

Hyundai EON is the new small car from Hyundai for India

     We had showed you some spy pictures of Hyundai small car being tested near Hyundai’s factory in Chennai. The small car from Hyundai will be called ‘EON’ which will take on the market leader Maruti Alto.


     The Hyundai EON bears the Hyundai’s new design philosophy of fluidic sculpture design. Most of you will find hard to differentiate it from the i10 but believe us the small car has been built on an entirely new platform and the car has nothing to do with the i10.

     
Hyundai EON will be powered by a 800cc 3 cylinder engine and we are sure Hyundai would have done its home work on the engine to give maximum mileage which is the essence of the segment.


     The Hyundai EON is expected to be launched by November this year and will be priced around Rs. 2.5 lakh ex-showroom India.