Datsun Go hatchback spied on Indian roads

The Datsun brand was revived by unveiling of GO hatchback in July this year. The prototype of the car has been spied in Chennai doing testing rounds.

As seen in the pictures, the Datsun logo and GO monogram has only been covered unlike other test mules which have their whole body covered. That is because the car has been officially unveiled and the unveiled car is the production model and not a concept car.

Datsun GO is slated for launch early 2014. Probably the car will be launched at Auto Expo 2014 being held in February 2014. Built on the Nissan Micra’s ‘V’  platform, the Datsun GO is aimed to cater to the lower end of the car market. It is likely to be priced at around Rs. 4 lakh and will compete with Maruti Wagon R, Hyundai i10 and Chevrolet Beat.

Datsun GO will be powered by the same 1.2L petrol engine which powers the Micra and Pulse. However it is likely to be tuned for more fuel efficiency and anything around 20Kmpl is what can be expected from the engine. After its Indian launch, Datsun GO will be launched in Indonesia, Russia and South Africa.

More Spy Pictures of Datsun Go in India

Volkswagen adds Corporate Edition accessory pack to Vento lineup

Volkswagen today added a special accessory pack with 8 features for its Vento car. The pack is available on both petrol and diesel models with manual transmission.

The special Corporate Edition accessory pack can be added to any of the trim levels and will cost Rs. 40,000 extra. The accessory pack contains:

1.   Navigation system with rear-view camera

2.   A trunk-mounted spoiler

3.   Side door protectors

4.   Alloy wheels

5.   Doorstep garnish

6.   Mud flaps

7.   Seat covers

8.   Chrome strip along the window-line

Tata Indica Vista facelift spied now at Coimbatore

We had posted earlier about a facelift for the Tata Indica Indica Vista. Now more spy pictures of the Inidca Vista facelift has appeared on the net, thanks to Motor Vikatan for posting the pictures on his facebook page. The car with heavy camouflage was found testing at Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.

What we see from the spy pictures is the covering up of the tall tail lamps and only half of its portion uncovered. Will this mean the tall charismas tree tail lamps will give way to a new design? We and almost all the online motoring journos think so. Tata Motors might ditch the Christmas tree tail lamps and will design a new one, which could extend to the tail gate. Also seen is the number plate moving up from the bumper to the tail gate.

Though not much could be seen on the front end, according to sources, the Indica Vista facelift is likely to get a new grill inspired by Manza Hybrid concept shown at 2012 Auto Show. More angular air dams and fog lamp slits is likely to make the Vista facelift more appealing.

Powering the new Vista facelift will be the same 1.3L Quadrajet engine. But a 3 cylinder 1.1L developed in house from Tata Motors might make its debut here. As the 2014 Auto Expo is nearing, hope to see the new Vista facelift in flesh very soon.

Maruti’s SX4 replacement YL1 sedan caught on road for the first time

Next Generation Maruti Suzuki SX4 codenamed YL1 spied in India. Will it turn around Maruti Suzuki’s future, like the Swift did?

Few days back we had posted about an all new sedan, being developed by Maruti Suzuki to replace the aging SX4. The new car codenamed YL1 has been spied for the first time on Indian soil with some heavy camouflage.

The spy car was found by a Motoroids.com reader and from picture you can see hardly make out any curves on the car. From the concept car picture which was released some months ago, the YL1 sedan has some curves and creases which have been missing in Maruti Suzuki vehicles. As the car market is flooded with cars with curves and creases on the body lines, a similar design language is the hour of need to which Maruti Suzuki has tried to answer. This new design concept is named Suzuki Aesthetic concept revealed few months ago in Japan.

More details of the car like engine and body specs, features etc is still remote. There will likelihood of sharing of parts from Swift and Ertiga to keep the cost competitive. We feel Maruti Suzuki desperately need a car in this segment which could look good and have a status symbol and the YL1 concept perfectly suits the recipe. Keep tuned as we try to get more details about the YL1 or the next generation SX4 soon...

All new Skoda Octavia 2013 launched in India

Skoda Auto today launched the 3^rd generation Octavia in India, priced at Rs. 13.85 lakh Ex-showroom, New Delhi. Skoda had launched the second generation Octavia with the name Laura and now has decided to retain the old name ‘Octavia’ for its 3^rd generation model. Skoda had unveiled the all new Octavia in India in August this year, since then the car has been assembling in Skoda’s factory at Aurangabad.

 The all new Skoda Octavia 2013 is available in 3 engine options – 2 petrol and 1 diesel. The starting model of Octavia 2013 comes with a 1.4L TSI petrol engine which produces 140 Ps of power and 250 Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a 6 speed manual gearbox and the model comes only in Active and Ambition grades.

The other petrol engine is the same 1.8L TSI seen in Laura and Superb. The engine now produces 180 Ps of power as compared to earlier 160 Ps and comes only with a 7-speed DSG automatic transmission. The 1.8L petrol model come only in the top of the end Elegance grade.

The Octavia diesel will be powered by the 2.0L CR diesel engine producing 143Ps of power and 320 Nm of torque. The diesel model is available in all the three trim levels – Active, Ambition & Elegance with choices of a manual and an automatic gearbox, both having 6 forward gears.

All new Skoda Octavia 2013 Price in New Delhi:

Skoda Octavia 1.4 TSI Active (M) – Rs. 13.95 lakhs

Skoda Octavia 1.4 TSI Ambition (M) – Rs. 14.95 lakhs

Skoda Octavia 1.8 TSI Elegance (AT) – Rs. 18.25 lakhs

Skoda Octavia Active 2.0 TDI (M) – Rs. 15.55 lakhs

Skoda Octavia Ambition 2.0 TDI (M) – Rs. 16.55 lakhs

Skoda Octavia Ambition 2.0 TDI (AT) – Rs. 17.55 lakhs

Skoda Octavia Elegance 2.0 TDI  (AT) – Rs. 19.45 lakhs

Skoda Octavia Dimensions:

All new Skoda Octavia 2013 is 4659 mm long, 1814 mm wide and 1476 mm tall.

Skoda Octavia Wheelbase:

All new Skoda Octavia 2013 has wheelbase of 2688 mm.

Skoda Octavia Ground Clearance:

All new Skoda Octavia 2013 has ground clearance of 155 mm.

Suzuki Wagon R MPV concept unveiled at 2013 Indonesia International Motor Show

In a surprise move, Suzuki unveiled a Wagon R MPV concept at the recently concluded Indonesia International Motor Show 2013. High demand of MPVs in Indonesia could have prompted Suzuki to develop a mpv concept on Wagon R platform, that could cater to the lower end of the mpv segment in the country.

Datsun and Honda had shown their MPVs based on GO and Brio hatchbacks in the beginning of the show. With Ertiga sitting on the top end of MPV segment, Suzuki seriously had a deficiency in the entry level mpv segment. As seen from the picture, a few millimetres have to added to Wagon R to accommodate the third row of seats. Company sources reveal, there has been no change in the wheelbase of the car.

Davy Tuilan, Marketing Director of PT Suzuki Indomobil Sales, says - “It’s still a concept and no decision has been made”. However, it has been confirmed that if this Wagon R goes into production, it would be a contender for the Indonesian LCGC (Low Cost Green Car) project, thereby availing some tax benefits.

Since he is speaking of tax benefits, will the Wagon R MPV come to India?. Suzuki might consider bringing it to India to keep the aging Wagon R going. Without a diesel engine it would be hard for Suzuki to convince its buyers for a mini MPV. 

Suzuki Wagon R MPV Picture Gallery:

Honda Mobilio spied on road in Indonesia

Honda Mobilio was unveiled at Indonesian Motor Show last week and guess what? a production mule has been spotted on Indonesian roads, thanks to AutonetMagz.com for getting the spy photo of Mobilio on the roads.

As the mule has been found on the road, probably for testing, the things have been moving fast at Honda. The Mobilio is expected to be launched early next year in Indonesia and soon will be followed by its Indian launch. 

Honda Mobilio details:

• 4.4 meters in length
• Ground clearance of 185 mm  
• Wheelbase of 2650mm
• 1.5L petrol i-VTEC engine with an optional automatic transmission in Indonesia. Indian model could come in both petrol and diesel.
• Interiors same as that of Brio and Amaze
• Third row could be the best in the competiton.
• Could be priced around Rs. 10 lakh in India.

Honda Mobilio along with Datsun GO+ MPV will be good competitors for Maruti Ertiga which has been the leader in the segment.