Chevrolet Cruze facelift India launch in June

     Chevrolet is all set to launch the facelifted Cruze next month in India. The facelift includes changes in the exterior, interior and the engine block called the Z series.

     In the front there will be new head lamps, fog lamps and air dams. In the rear the tail lamps have been redesigned. The alloy wheels will be sportier in the new Cruze. However there will be minor change in the interiors. The dashboard and instrument cluster colour will be changed to give a sporty look. A new audio system with a feature called ‘MYLINK’ is expected with will help to connect the smart phones.

     Due to the use of the new Z series engine block, the engine capacity has been increased by 7 cc and the engine is Euro 5 complaint. This means there will be better fuel combustion and hence more mileage. The engine with new block produces 163 Bhp of power and 350 Nm of torque. Expect this engine to overcome the turbo lag present in current engine.

     The new cosmetic changes and change in the engine block will definitely make the new Cruze costilier. Expect the price hike between Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 50,000.

Fiat launches 90 HP Punto Sport in India

     Fiat has launched a powerful 90 HP Punto with a suffix ‘Sport’ added to it. The Punto Sport, as the name suggest is aimed at performance oriented customers who love fun driving. Fiat has termed the Punto Sport as a Limited Edition, which means the variant will be on sale for a short period of time.


     The Punto Sport features a host of premium features such as chrome accented interiors, red stitching on seats, leather gear knob & gear cover, stylish body decals, sporty aluminum pedals, colour coded ORVMs, chrome exhaust tip and Punto branded door sill.

     The Punto Sport delivers 93 Ps of power with fuel efficiency of 20.5 Kmpl. The car is priced at Rs. 7,36,154/- ex-showroom New Delhi and is available in 3 colours – white, red and black. It also comes with host of other features such as dual stage airbags, ABS with EBD, automatic climate control, Blue & Me technology, integrated CD/MP3 player with USB, alloy wheels with wide tyres and chrome exterior door handles

Fiat Grande Punto accessories price list

CAR CARE AND UTILITY

Carpet Mats Black
Floor Carpet Mats give a plush & luxurious feel to the cars interiors. Anti skid ridges on driver mat & thick rubber backing makes it functionally better
Part Number: 59116303 | MRP: Rs. 790/-

Carpet Mats Grey
Floor Carpet Mats give a plush & luxurious feel to the cars interiors. Anti skid ridges on driver mat & thick rubber backing makes it functionally better
Part Number: 59116304 | MRP: Rs. 790/-

Car Cover Silver
Car cover protects the vehicle from possible damage to external paint from harsh sun, rain & scratches caused by animals/birds and even dust particles.Tested for strength, stretchability, softness & ease of use
Part Number: 59116306 | MRP: Rs. 1190/-

Car Cover (Tyvek) White
White Tyvek is a premium fabric material with superior quality used for premium car covers. It protects the vehicle from a possible damage to external paint from harsh sun, rain & scratches caused by animals/birds and even dust particles. Tested for requisite strength, stretchability, softness & ease of use
Part Number: 59116307 | MRP: Rs. 2,490/-

Mud Flap
Mud Flaps help prevent the car body from getting dirty due to mud splashes. These are specifically designed for Fiat cars & tested for durability, flexibility and sturdiness.
Part Number: 59116305 | MRP: Rs. 490/-

Sun Protection Film Grey
Optimized Visual Light transmission (VLT)
Designed to suit CMVR norms
Scratch Resistant Coated (SRC) film
Available in Grey Shade
Part Number: 59116513 | MRP: Rs. 990/-

Hi Performance Sun Protection Film Charcoal
Heat rejection up to 40%
Optimized Visual Light transmission (VLT)
Designed to suit CMVR norms
Scratch Resistant Coated (SRC) film
Available in Charcoal Shade
Part Number: 59116514 | MRP: Rs. 2,450/-

Premium Sun Protection Film Green
Excellent Heat Rejection up to 60%
Visual Light transmission (VLT)
Designed to suit CMVR norms
Scratch Resistant Coated (SRC) film
Available in Green Shade
Part Number: 59116515 | MRP: Rs. 7,950/-

COMFORT & CONVENIENCE
Cushion Pillow Grey
For those long drives, added comfort with the specially made cushion pillow.
Part Number: 59116465 | MRP: Rs. 590/-

Neck Rest Grey
Added neck support and comfort for driver & co driver.
Part Number: 59116468 | MRP: Rs. 490/-

GPS Navigation Unit
Zx150 is a satellite-based voice guided navigation unit with a bank of maps of Indian cities. The Zx150 is loaded with complete in-car entertainment & connectivity features.
- SD card - 5"" TFT touch screen.
Part Number: 59116491 | MRP: Rs. 22,800/-

Reading Lamp
Flexi Arm halogen reading light for uniform light distribution.
12 V DC operation
Part Number: 59116475 | MRP: Rs. 1290/-

Coat Hanger
Suitable for hanging Suits, Jackets, Overcoats & Aprons.
Chrome Steel finished
Part Number: 59116476 | MRP: Rs. 690/-

Note: 
The prices indicated against accessories are MRPs for these respective units.
Labour/ Fitment charges are not included. These will be charged extra by dealerships during fitment.

Source: Fiat India

Chevrolet unveils mini SUV concept named ‘Trax’

     Chevrolet has unveiled its mini SUV concept which is named as Trax. The Trax mini-SUW will be showcased at Paris Motor Show this year. Trax will compete with Ford EcoSport, Renault Duster and Maruti Alpha XA in Indian market.

     The Trax is basically the Opel Mokka which will go on sale in Eurome this year. The Mokka is powered by a 1.4 litre petrol and 1.7 liter diesel engines. But in India Chevrolet might launch the Trax with a small engine, possibly a 1.6 liter diesel one. Trax is 4.2 meters long so any excise cuts is doubtfull. The Trax might get features such as Electronic Stability Control (ESC), the Traction Control (TC) as well as the Hill Start Assist (HSA) and Hill Descent Control (HDC) systems, possibly in the top end variant.

     Chevrolet might change the name for the mini SUV ‘Trax’ as it might be confused with the famous Tempo Trax in India!

Renault updates details of Duster on its Indian site, launch in June

     Renault Duster is the vehicle which has been waited in India by many SUV enthusiasts. The good news is that Renault has updated the details of Duster on its Indian site which means the launch is around the corner. Expect the Duster launch in India by June 2012.

Here is what Renault’s Indian website says about the Duster - 

Stylish Chrome grille

Twin barrel headlamps

16” Alloy Wheels, Front Fog Lamps

Keyless entry

ABS with Brake Assist & EBD

Dual front Airbags

Plush Leather Upholstery

4 Speaker Music System with USB, AUX-IN & Bluetooth Connectivity

Satellite Audio & phone control

Rear Defogger, rear wiper & washer

Electrically adjustable ORVMs

Rear parking sensors

A Boot capacity of 475 litres

     Renault has been testing the Duster on Indian roads for over two months. Spy pictures of Duster being tested near Chennai were posted on many automobile sites. The stylish and muscular body of Duster reminds us of a war tank and we believe the vehicle is built to be tough as it looks.

     The Duster is a major trump card for Renault which has not been able to convert its quality cars into success. The launch of Fluence, Koleos and Pulse might have given Renault the brand equity but the true potential of Renault is still not proven. Renault has plan properly for Duster, especially in the price issues to make a mark in Indian automobile industry.

Maruti Suzuki Swift accessories price list

Price list of Maruti Suzuki Swift accessories in Bangalore as of 15-05-2012

Floor Mats (Rubber) – Rs. 999.00
Dicky Mat (Rubber) – Rs. 390.00
Mud Flaps – Rs. 390.00
Steering Grip – Rs. 2250.00 (Leather), Rs. 620.00 (Ordinary)
Body Side Moulding Set – Rs. 1175.00
Bumper Guard – Rs. 600.00
Body Cover – Rs. 1190.00
Wheel Caps – Rs. 1600.00
Reverse Horn + Switch – Rs. 290.00
Reading Light – Rs. 950.00
Rear Roof End Spoiler – Rs. 5,100.00
Body Graphics – Rs. 1450.00
Under Chassis Coating – Rs. 2300.00
Perfume – Rs. 329.00
Door Visors – Rs. 1850.00

Renault launches petrol variant of Pulse hatch

     Having seen success (though little) from its diesel Pulse French car maker Renault has launched petrol variant of the car in India. Renault had launched the diesel Pulse earlier in this year at time of Auto Expo 2012. The Renault Pulse petrol is priced between Rs. 4.24 -5.5 lakh ex-showroom, New Delhi. It is available in three trim levels - RxE, RxL, RxZ . 

     The Pulse petrol is powered by Renault's XH5 petrol engine. The XH5 engine has 3 cylinders with capacity of 1200cc and 4 valves per cylinder and DOHC valve trian. It pumps out peak power of 75 Bhp @ 6000 rpm and peak torque of 104 Nm @ 4000 rpm. The engine is coupled to a 5 speed manual transmission. The overall dimensions of Pulse petrol are Length - 3805 mm, Width - 1665mm, Height - 1530, Wheel Base - 2450mm. It has a boot space of 251 liters. 

The Renault Pulse is available in 6 different colours:

Champagne Gold

Metallic Grey

Metallic Red

Metallic Silver

Pearl White

Solid Black

Price of Renault Pulse petrol (ex-showroom, New Delhi)

Renault Pulse RxE Petrol is priced at Rs. 4.25 Lakh

Renault Pulse RxL Petrol is priced at Rs. 4.99 Lakh

Renault Pulse RxZ Petrol is priced at Rs. 5.55 Lakh