Renault Scala clear pictures, adds a CVT varaint

     Our friend Indianautosblog has posted clear pictures of soon to be launched Renault Scala. We thought we will show you these pictures of Renault Scala and tell you how it is different from the Nissan Sunny.

     As you can see from the pictures and our earlier post, the Scala is a rebadged Nissan Sunny with some modifications in the front and rear. The Scala features Renault’s distinctive styling in the front bumper (bull dog face appearance), redesigned headlamps and ofcourse the prominent Renault’s diamond logo. In the rear the tail lamp design remains the same but the assembly cluster has been changed which has indicator lights continuing with the chrome strip on the boot. The Scala written on the chrome strip reminds us of the Duster.

     The Scala will be powered by both petrol and diesel motors. The petrol engine is 1.5L with 99 Ps power and fuel efficiency of 16.95 Kmpl and the diesel motor produces 86 Ps of power and 21.54 Kmpl of fuel efficiency (Fuel efficiency figures as per ARAI).

     Renault Scala will be launched in the first week of September. The front and rear of Scala has been designed by Indian designers at Renault’s design studio in Mumbai. A CVT variant is an addition to the petrol model in comparison with the Nissan Sunny. Scala will be sold in two petrol (RxE, RxZ) and two diesel (RxL and RxZ) trims.

Scoop: Mahindra mini Xylo to be named ‘Quanto’, launch soon

     The much hyped Mahindra’s mini Xylo will be named as ‘Quanto’, the name being in line with Mahindra vehicle’s ending with the letter ‘O’. We in our earlier post had showed spy pictures of the mini Xylo, naaa Mahindra Qunato doing testing rounds. We had also mentioned about a new 1.5L 3 cylinder mHawk diesel engine developed by Mahindra for Quanto.

     The Quanto uses the same Xylo’s latter on frame platform but the chassis has been shortened to make the overall length of the vehicle to come under 4 meters. Mahindra Quanto features short front and rear overhangs, redesigned tail lamps, spare wheel on the rear door and smaller wheels. Because of smaller wheels, the wheelbase would be reduced considerably and hence the Quanto will have a better ride than its bigger brother Xylo.

     The interiors including the dashboard will the same as that of Xylo and so do the suspension settings. Mahindra has removed one cylinder from 2.2L mHawk diesel engine and reduced the reaming 3 cylinder bores to develop a 1.5L diesel engine for this vehicle which still produces 100 Bhp of power. A seven seater version (the rear two seats facing each other like the ones in Bolero) is likely to come later on which might help fleet operators to push two more seats in their business.

Picture Source: Team-Bhp

Keep visiting Automobile Planet as we like to offer much more information about the Mahindra Quanto...

Changing Your Car Tyre: Far from Rocket Science [Infographic]

Sometimes, drivers will experience the misfortune of a flat tire while travelling. While some may consider calling their insurance agent or a tow company (especially if they do not have a spare tyre on hand), it is a much wiser idea to change the tire yourself. This is actually a very simple process, as long as you know what to expect.

You should secure, or chock, the tyres that are located on the opposite side of the vehicle from the flat, and activate the handbrake while the vehicle is in park. Be sure to set up roadside flares or safety triangles, along with activating your hazard lights.

Once your vehicle is prepared, begin by loosening the lug nuts on the flat tyre. This will also involve removing hubcaps or any trim. Sometimes, the lug nuts may be too tight, and it can involve serious effort to loosen them. One option is to use your feet and body weight to lightly bounce on the tyre iron, in order to gradually loosen it. You should be careful when doing this, as it can be a dangerous task if you are not gentle. One nut should be left intact, so that the tyre remains in place while you lift the vehicle.

Using your jack, prop the vehicle up until the weight is completely removed from the flat. You should then remove the last lug nut. You then remove the wheel, and clean the mating surface to eliminate any dirt or grime. You should also use an anti-seize compound, to prevent a stuck wheel later on.

Once you slide the new wheel onto the vehicle, you should place the lug nuts back on while only tightening them by hand. To center the tyre, spin it a few times. Once you have done this, tighten the lug nuts once again with the tyre iron; then, you may lower the vehicle. You should perform one final tightening once it is lowered to ensure that the wheel is completely secure.

Instructographic brought to you by Auto Trader
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Scoop: Renault Scala spied just before the launch

     Ever since Renault hinted about a sedan launch from its stable, we had lot of curiosity of how would a Renault sedan would look. But what we see now is just a rebadged Nissan Sunny which will be sold in the name of Renault Scala in India. Of course you can see little changes in the front and rear which make Scala look bit different than the Sunny.

     To remind, Renault had launched Pulse which is again a rebadged Micra. The Pulse is selling less than quarter of the Micra sales and its surprising to see what prompted Renault to launch a Nissan car again with its badge. Renault has already done in mistake in the form of Logon which has dented its image of a premium car maker and we doubt these strategies of cost cutting by means of badge and light cosmetic change will restore Renault’s brand identity.

     Coming back to Scala, the front end reminds you of the Pulse, the you Bulgarian Bulldog front grill looks prominent. We came across many articles where Pulse face has been appreciated compared to the Micra’s we feel the Nissan cars have a better looking front end. In the rear you find redesigned tail lamps which indeed look better than the Sunny. As seen in the picture, the alloy wheels have been carried from the Pulse and no changes in the interior except for the Renault logo on the steering wheel.

     The Scala is powered by a set of 1.5L petrol and diesel engines with 98 and 85 bhp respectively. Yes they are the same engines which power the Nissan sedan. Renault will price Scala bit higher than the Sunny, keeping in mind the brand hierarchy in the Renault-Nissan Alliance.

Final words from us – Renault has a long way to go in India!!!

Picture Source: Autocarindia

Honda introduces automatic variant of City S

     Honda has introduced a 5 speed automatic transmission variant of City S priced at Rs. 9,09,0000/- ex-showroom, New Delhi. Earlier the automatic variant was available in only V variant with paddle shifters.

     Honda in order to regain the lost battle is trying hard to woe customers who like to drive an automatic car and do not mind spending extra pinch of petrol for a comfortable ride. With the city traffic choking with cars moving inch by inch, an automatic variant is a boon for the customers.

     Honda is also planning to launch a diesel City in the near future. Its Brio diesel has been spied many times during the test runs and it is likely that by this Diwali we will all be able to see a diesel powered first car from Honda in Inida.

Mercedes to drive in 2 new SUVs to India

     Mercedes was the first of the German trio to make it to India way back in 1996 but the other two – Audi and BMW have surpassed Mercedes Benz in Indian luxury vehicle market. Mercedes though has made good mark in luxury cars in India, it has no vehicles in the SUV segment like the Audi and BMW. Audi and BMW has seen good success with its SUVs X1,X3 and Q3,Q5 respectively.

     Here is a good news for Mercedes lovers. Mr. Dieter Zetsche, Head of Mercedes Benz cars in India has revealed that the company is planning to launch two brand new SUVs for Indian market. Of the two models, an all new GLA will share platform with A and B Class where as the second generation GLK will come in 2015.

     The Mercedes GLA will compete with Audi Q3 and BMW X1 and hopes to take the Mercedes brand to the next level. Since it is based on A and B Class platform which are essentially the Mercedes MFA (Mercedes Front wheel drive Architecture) efficient space utilisation can be seen. According to sources the styling of this small SUV seems to be as edgy as the A class and the cabin is reputed to be very spacious. Most of the features seen in the A Class will be carried over to the GLA as well.

     The Mercedes GLA could be powered by the same A and B Class engines and is likely to be priced Rs. 23 lakh for petrol and Rs. 30 lakh for diesel variant.

     The bigger SUV GLK will make it to India in 2015. The second generation GLK is already undergoing development at the company’s HQ at Stuttgart. For more updates, stay tuned to Automobile Planet.com

Mahindra mini Xylo to get 1.5L 3 cylinder twin-turbo mEagle engine

     Mahindra mini Xylo to get 1.5L 3 cylinder twin-turbo mEagle engine

Mahindra has been extensively testing its mini Xylo for quiet a long time. The recent spy pictures posted by Motor Vikatan give the exact picture of how the vehicle will indeed look. From the side profile the mini Xylo could be confused for a Wagon R (the vehicle looks like a oversized Wagon R). The quarter glass in the rear runs through from C to D pillar giving an all glass rear two third look. The tail lamps have been moved higher in the d pillar.

     What is more exiting is that the mini Xylo will get a 1.5L 3 cylinder engine to come into small car excise concession category. Much more exiting news is that the 3 Cylinder mHawk engine will have a twin turbo which makes the engine to pump out power of 100hp@3,750rpm and a torque of 240Nm between 1,600-2,800rpm. Perhaps that is the reason why Mahindra is extensively testing the engine to get the tuning right. The small 3 Cylinder engine might as well find its place in Mahindra’s small cars which will be built on Logan platform.