Mahindra to launch SsangYong Rexton in Inida on 17th October

     Mahindra will launch SsangYong Rexton SUV in Inida on 17th of October which coincides with the Tata Safari Storme launch. The Rexton is the first vehicle from Ssangyong in India, and to remind our readers, Mahindra bought majority stakes in Ssangyong Motors of South Korea in March 2011, which means Mahinda owns the brand Ssangyong. The Rexton will be launched in Mumbai on 17th October followed by launches in New Delhi and Bangalore.

     The Rexton coming to India is the 3rd generation model, internationally known as Rexton W which was showed at 2012 Busan Motor Show. Built on the first generation Mercedes M Class platform (W163), Rexton uses tubular frame chassis and will compete with Toyota Fortuner, Mitsubishi Pajero, Ford Endeavour and Hyundai Santa Fe in India.

     The 3rd generation Rexton looks prettier than the current model. The changes in the front and rear give a descent look to the vehicle. The power train will be 2.0L CRDi engine which replaces the current 2.7L diesel sourced from Mercedes. The 1998 cc in-line 4 cylinder diesel engine produces 154 Bhp of power and is equipped with intelligent torque vectoring system. The Rexton will be 6th SUV from Mahindra. Expect it to be priced around Rs. 20 lakh. 

     The Rexton in India will come with 5 speed automatic transmission with a 5 speed manual transmission also available. The Rexton will be equipped with safety features such as electronic stability program (ESP) with with emergency brake assist, hill descent control (HDC) and active rollover protection (ARP).

     Speaking on the announcement of Rexton launch in India, Dr Pawan Goenka, President, Automotive, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. & Chairman, SsangYong Motor said that Mahindra with the launch of XUV500 entered into premium SUV segment and the company would like to enter high end SUV segment with the launch of Rexton. 

     

Tata Motors introduces Indica eV2 refresh with reduced price

     Tata Motors has introduced refreshed Indica eV2 with some cosmetic changes and upgrades. The refreshed Indica eV2 gets new headlamps, bumper and grill carried over from the Indigo eV2. The upgrades include a rear spoiler, sporty alloy wheels and body decals. Tata Motors has slashed the prices of the new eV2 as token of discount this festive season. The new Indica eV2 is now priced between Rs. 4,01,162 and Rs. 4,87,619 (Ex-showroom, Delhi).

     There is no change in the mechanicals and is powered by the same reworked 1396cc CRDi engine delivering power of 70 Ps @ 4000 rpm and torque of 140 Nm @ 1800-3000 rpm. The company has worked on improving the gear rations, started motor protection and 10 Kg body weight reduction making it the most fuel efficient car with 25 Kmpl. Addition of Keyless entry, Bluetooth enabled music system and USB port helps increase the Indica’s user experience.

     The new Indica eV2 is available in three variants – LE, LS and LX. Two new colours – Spicy Red and Sea Blue has been added to the existing colours - Neo Orange, Jet Silver and Mint White. The Indica eV2 can be booked for a down payment of Rs. 50,000. It comes with a warranty of 24 months or 75,000 km (whichever comes first).

New Tata Indica eV2 TV Commercial

All new Mahindra Bolero in the making, on sale by 2015

     Great news for Mahindra Bolero lovers, the all new next generation Bolero (codenamed: U301) is under development and will go on sale by 2015. Mahindra is focusing of making a new Bolero which is better in all areas without changing Mahindra’s strong and rugged DNA.

     Mahindra is developing a new generation, hydro formed latter chassis and the new Bolero will be based on this new chassis. The new chassis will be lighter and stronger than the current tubular ladder one. This chassis could underpin all body-on-frame SUVs in the future.

     The new Bolero will get a derivative of mHawk engine and lot of parts sharing will be done with other models to keep the cost low. Special attention is given for fuel efficiency and cost of ownership.

Honda announces Civic wagon for European markets

     Honda has announced that it is preparing a wagon version of the Civic sedan. According to Mr. Manbu Nishimae, Honda’s European president, the prototype of the vehicle will be showed next year, which means by March next year at 2013 Geneva Motor Show or later in September at 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show.

     As per the teaser picture, the Civic based wagon looks like the S-Concept recently unveiled by Honda at Tokyo Motor Show. A swooping roofline, bulging wheel arches, a roof-rack and the clean window-line round to the car’s back reminds us exactly how the S-Concept looks. As we know Honda makes some futuristic designs, expect the Civic wagon to be as futuristic as it looks in the teaser. The Civic wagon is expected to hit roads by 2015. 

Source: Honda via WorldCarFans

After the shopping spree, Mahindra is going places

     Last year Mahindra was busy buying companies, it bought Ssangyong of South Korea and Bangalore base Reva Electric Car Company. Now we see a XUV500 being tested in Brazil, thanks to a reader of autseegredos.com.br. The XUV500 was spied testing on Brazil roads, so expect it to be launched in Brazil by 2013.

     Mahindra will take part in the upcoming Sao Paulo Auto Show and will highlight the XUV500 at the show. As Brazil market is flooded with SUVs Mahindra will make sure the best of the mechanicals goes into making of XUV500 for overseas markets. XUV500 will be imported from India and sold overseas. 

Mahindra XUV500 Specifications

Next Generation Renault/Dacia Logan unveiled at Paris Motor Show

     Though being a good car Renault Logan could not make a mark, thanks to its old boxy looks. The number of cabs (Meru) is a classical example why Logan was chosen; it had good fuel efficiency and more space for both passenger and luggage. Renault/Dacia has unveiled the next generation Logan at the Paris Motor Show which indeed is a head turner. But the bad news is it will not make it to India.

     As you see in the picture, the next generation Logan retains its boxy architecture but looks better now. The headlamps and wide grill gel with the sturdy looking body and the rear resign though simple looks good.

     The video below shows you the interiors of the next generation Logan and we are sure many would like to have one in India. Does Renault think again and bring the new Logan to India... that seems like an impossible happening. 

Next Generation Renault/Dacia Logan Video

Manza to get a new variant on 16th Oct, will be called Manza Club Class

     Despite being a value for money car Tata Manza somehow could not become a best selling car in its segment. Innovative ad campaigns and addition of a new variant (Elan) has not helped Tata Motors to raise the Manza sales numbers. The reason could be many. Firstly the segment is packed with lot of cars especially by International car makers like Toyota, Skoda and Nissan which have better brand value. Secondly Tatas have a poor record of build quality (earlier Indigo) prompting customers to look beyond it. Thirdly the design, the big bulky rear offends many and the reasons will go on...

     Tata Motors to improve the sales has now decided to introduce a new variant of Manza which will be called ‘Manza Club Class’. The car will be officially launched on the 16th of October this year. The Manza Club Class gets a 75 Ps 1.3L diesel engine and host of other goodies to woe its customers. Till now Manza had 90 Ps 1.3L Multi-jet eninge under its hood.

The host of new features in Manza Club Class include –

1. 75PS Quadrajet Engine
2. Touchscreen Multimedia Navigation
3. Auto Climate AC
4. Italian Leather Upholstery
5. New Design 8 Spoke Alloy Wheels
6. New Better Quality Seat Fabric
7. More Chrome
8. Contrast Roof