Honda Mobilio MPV prototype unveiled at Indonesia Motor Show

Honda Mobilio MPV which is based on Brio hatchback will be the first MPV from Honda in India which be launched in 2015.

Honda today unveiled its Brio based MPV prototype Mobilio at the Indonesia Motor Show. The Mobilio is the new Multi Purpose Vehicle from Honda for Asian Markets. 

Speaking at the Indonesian International Auto Show, Mr. Takanobu Ito, President, Chief Executive Officer and Representative Director Honda Motor Co., Ltd  said “Honda Mobilio is especially designed based on Indonesian customer needs. I believe Honda Mobilio would fulfill Indonesian customers dream of an affordable family car with high standard quality from Honda.”

Honda Mobilio MPV is 4.4 m long, 1.68 m wide and 1.61 m tall. It has a wheelbase of 2.65 m and a class leading ground clearance of 185 mm. Its 1.5L petrol engine is the most powerful in its category and the all new 1.5L diesel makes perfect sense in this MPV with 7 seating options. Being more than 4 m in length it will have no cost benefits when launched in India, which again makes the Datson GO+MPV the only 7 seater MPV to be under the 4 m length mark. 

Next Generation Maruti A Star spied in India

2014 Maruti A Star to debut 800cc diesel engine in India.

The next generation Maruti A Star has been spied testing in Gurgaon India. The new Maruti A Star codename ‘YL7’ had already been spied in southern Europe some time ago. Thanks to Vipin of Team-Bhp.com for bringing us the spy photo.

The ‘YL7’ is Suzuki’s global model likely to replace A Star and Ritz. Since Ritz is doing well in India, Maruti Suzuki might keep the Ritz along with the new A Star. Possibly the company had intensions to replace the existing A Star and Estilo with the ‘YL7’ model and hence stopped the production of Estilo. The sales of A Star is not too good and don’t be surprised to hear about axing A Star very soon.

The big thing about next generation A-Star/’YL7’ is that Maruti’s might bring in the 800cc 2 cylinder diesel engine with this model. Currently development of the small 800cc engine is going on and according to sources company aims at achieving record breaking fuel efficiency of 30 Kmpl.

The next generation A Star will make its appearance at the Auto Expo 2014 held in January 2014 at New Delhi. 

Datsun GO+ MPV unveiled in Indonesia

Datsun GO+ which is a sub 4 meter length vehicle will give volumes to Datsun when launched in India.

Datsun has unveiled its second model GO+ at the Indonesian Motor Show. Indonesia is the biggest market for MPV and hence Datsun chose to unveil the GO+ MPV there. To remind our readers, Datsun unveiled its hatchback GO in India as the hatchback market here is the biggest in the world.

Datsun GO+ MPV is built on the GO hatchback platform. It retains the same wheelbase of GO hatchback which is 2450mm and hence makes production easier and cheaper for Datsun. Though Maruti Ertiga is built on Ritz/Swift platform, it has longer wheelbase and hence production of Ertiga is costlier, the large rear doors and extended part to be produced separately. This cost factor will put Datsun GO+ MPV ahead of Ertiga when it will be launched in India in mid-2014.

The Datsun GO+ retains the same look of GO hatchback right from front to end. The rear portion of the car has been stretched to accommodate the 3^rd row of seats which sits in the overhang portion of the car. Though built on a hatchback platform, the GO+ MPV looks well proportionate from all angles, unlike other stretched or notched MPVs which gets its looks ruined. The good thing is that it is less than 4 meters in length and hence Datsun can pass on the cost benefit to the customers.

The Datsun GO+ MPV will be powered by the same 1.2L petrol engine of GO hatchback and as of now Datsun has no plans to launch a diesel powered GO+ MPV. If it does we are sure this vehicle will certainly surge way ahead in the competiton.

The Datsun GO+ MPV is expected to be launched in mid-2014, 6 months after the launch of GO hatchback in India. As per speculations, the GO+ MPV might be priced between Rs. 4.5 to 5 lakh (Ex-showroom).

Datsun GO+ MPV Photos

Datsun GO+ MPV Video

Datsun GO+ MPV Photos

Datsun unveiled its GO+ MPV at Indonesian Motor Show which will come to India by mid-2014.

All new Toyota Corolla 2014 spied in Bangalore

Toyota Corolla 2014 has been started testing in India, launch will very soon.

Toyota has started testing the next generation Corolla 2014 sedan in India. Couple of test mules have been found going around Bangalore, near which Toyota has its manufacturing plant. The cars seen in the pictures are European version which will come to India unlike the American version, which is more sleek and sportier.

Picture Source: Autocarindia

The 11^th generation Toyota Corolla is built on Toyota’s Furia concept which was unveiled at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show. The Furia concept hinted at Toyota’s future design philosophy for its largest selling compact car “Corolla”. The Furia Concept has a striking face with narrow headlights, vertical marker lights and a massive eight-sided grill, while its short hood and raked windshield give it a more modern look.

The all new Toyota Corolla 2014 will be launched in mid-2014 in India. It will be powered by the same 138bhp 1.8-litre petrol and the 87bhp 1.4-litre diesel with some minor upgrades. The petrol variant might come with a 6-speed manual or a 7-step CVT gearbox. The new Toyota Corolla with its contemporary look will definitely ignite stiff competition in the D segment. 

Next Generation Nissan X-Trail unveiled at Frankfurt Motor Show

The all new Nissan X-Trail will have seven seat arrangement and stands at the top of Nissan’s vehicle portfolio.

Nissan unveiled the fourth generation Nissan X-Trail at the ongoing Frankfurt Motor Show 2013. Nissan in 2012 at Geneva Motor Show had showed the stylish Hi-Cross concept, on which the all new Nissan X-Trail is built. With next generation Nissan Qashqai expected to come next year, which will be offered in only 5 seat arrangements, the X-Trail becomes the sole SUV in the Nissan’s portfolio.

According to Nissan, the new X-Trail has better ride and handling than the outgoing model. The improved styling and dynamics has not affected the off-road capability of the car. The new Nissan X-Trail is as capable as the old modle when equipped with optional four-wheel drive system.

Under the hood of the new Nissan X-Trail will be the updated version of current X-Trail’s 2.0 L diesel engine, optionally coupled with the newly developed Xtronic CVT gearbox. The interiors have also been improved in terms of design and quality.

Design:

The major factor in the all new Nissan X-Trail is its design. The new Nissan X-Trail sheds it boxy look and is now rounder and muscular. The new grill with nicely designed big front bumper adds muscularity to the vehicle. The bonnet scoops and lines running on the body makes the SUV look more like a car than an off-road vehicle. The rear of the car has also been designed with neatly integrated wraparound tail lamps.

At the Frankfurt Auto Show 2013 Renault-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn said "This fourth generation model builds on the X-Trail's earned reputation for value, innovation, style and reliability. This also replaces the US market Rogue to become a sole global car for us; it will be built in five plants worldwide and sold in more than 100 markets. It's another segment busting model for us like the Juke and Qashqai. The X-Trail introduces a new platform (Common Module Family) that will be rolled out over next five years on everything from a small Indian market car to a large premium offering. (The Module) maximises volume and cost efficiency and allows us to pass on savings, the economy is up to 20 percent better model for model.”

Suzuki iV-4 concept SUV unveiled at Frankfurt Motor Show 2013

Maruti’s mini SUV, the Alfa XA will be built on Suzuki iV-4 concept

Suzuki unveiled an out-of-the-age SUV iV-4 concept at the ongoing Frankfurt Motor Show 2013. The Suzuki iV-4 concept forms the base of the compact SUV, which Maruti Suzuki is planning to launch in India. Earlier Maruti Suzuki had showed a mini SUV concept named Alpha XA  with looks very similar to the iV-4 concept.

The usage of ‘i’ in the vehicle/concept name has become a common term by automobile manufacturers these days. Hyundai and BMW are the other two companies which uses ‘i’ in their vehicle naming trend. Eg: Hyundai i10, i20 etc and BMW i3 and i8. Here in Suzuki iV-4 concept, the ‘i’ stands for individuality, V stands for Vehicle and the 4 represents all wheel drive system. With Suzuki iV-4 concept, Suzuki launches an all new all wheel drive technology termed “Allgrip”. According to the company “Allgrip” will offer a combination of design and off-road performance that goes beyond a typical city SUV.

Though Suzuki iV-4 concept is an all wheel drive vehicle, Maruti’s mini SUV in India might not get the all wheel drive options, at least not in the near future. 

Suzuki All-Grip 4WD System Explanation