Premier Rio 1.3L Multijet diesel, would you buy?

     Yes, you are thinking right. Premier Rio with a Fiat 1.3L Multijet diesel engine would become a reality soon. Premier is in discussions with various engine manufacturers, including FIAT, for a Euro 4 engine. Trails with these engines are already on and the company is satisfied with the performance. However the confirmation to use a new diesel engine is Rio will be done shortly.

     Rio, the only mini SUV in the market was launched in late 2009. It struggled to take off since its launch, thanks to its outdated 1.5 liter turbocharged engine with 65 PS of power and 152 Nm of torque. The outdated engine and lack of brand value made people hesitated to buy the product. However the company claims that the launch of Rio was an experiment to guage the mini SUV in the market. Well for the company’s experiment, why should the people pay their hard earned money? These automakers have to do their homework before they launch a product. After all they are not selling pea nuts. What do you say?

Source: Inputs from IAB

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Skoda Rapid to be built on Vento platform

     Skoda will build a new sedan on the VW Vento platform for the Indian market. Skoda has many times mentioned the name ‘Rapid’ and hence the new car could be called Skoda Rapid. The Rapid sedan design language will be based on the Vision D concept show in Geneva.

     Skoda Rapid expected to be launched by this Diwali will be powered by same VW 1.6L petrol and diesel engines, both developing 105 Bhp of power. As this would camouflage the Vento, Skoda will price it below the Vento and will remove couple of features as well in the Rapid. 

     A strip down Rapid is also on the cards with a fine tuned diesel engine which can take on the Maruti Suzuki SX4. Skoda is planning to launch it with price tag of Rs. 7 lakh for petrol and Rs. 7.80 lakh for diesel variant. 

Source: Autocarindia

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Renault Logan renamed as Mahindra Verito in India

     Mahindra has renamed the Renault Logan as Verito, meaning ‘Truth’ in Latin. That means, the Logan will be called as Mahindra Vertio in India hereafter. The car will be launched shortly with some cosmetic changes. The Vertio joins Mahindra brand philosophy of vehicles with names ending with ‘O’. 

     Mahindra will remove the Renault tag associated with Logan from now onwards. The redesign would include sporty side cladding, new rear view mirrors and a new front grill. Apart from minor changes there will be no major structural changes and so do the powertrain. Expect the new Verito to be priced same as Logan though Mahindra is trying to localize the spares to reduce costs. 

  

     A sub 4 meter Logan is also being developed with the boot chopped. It is expected to be launched by early next year. As Tata Indica it could also end up in taxi segment because of its space and fuel efficiency. 

Source: Autocarindia

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All new 2011 Jaguar XJ named International Luxury Car of the Year

     The International Car of the Year (ICOTY) jury with renowned automotive journalists from 12 countries has named the all new 2011 Jaguar XJ as the 2011 International Luxury Car of the Year for its unique design and stellar performance.


     Accepting the honour Mr. Adrian Hallmark, Jaguar Global Brand Director said "We're delighted that the 2011 Jaguar XJ has received this honor," The all-new XJ is a benchmark in both design and technology, and we're thrilled to receive such an accolade from one of the highest international panel of judges in our industry." Mr. Hallmark also added "This success, along with the redesigned XK and XF, speak volumes about the future of the Jaguar brand as a leading edge premium car maker."

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Toyota Corolla Altis 7 speed automatic transmission here next month

     Toyota has been testing its Corolla Altis facelift for some time in and around Bangalore. Speculation of an 1.6L petrol engine to compete with Honda City was considered seeing the camouflaged face lifted Corolla Altis.


     Autocarindia reports that the face lifted Corolla Altis will come with a 7 speed automatic transmission (CVT) in India next month. At present Corolla Altis is available with 4 speed torque converter transmission.

     The facelift for the new Altis includes a new grill, new headlamps and new bumpers. The company will retain the 1.8L petrol and 1.4L diesel engine options and the 1.6L petrol engine is ruled out. Expect to see little rise in the new Corolla Altis price.

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Mahindra launches Yuvraj 215 tractor in Pune

     The agriculture and farm division of Mahindra & Mahindra has launched a 15 HP tractor named Yuvraj 215 in Pune with price tag of Rs. 1,81,000. According to the company sources, Yuvraj 215 has been received very well in Gujarat and it expects the same response from farmers in Maharashtra.


     Yuvraj 215 (we guess it is nothing to do with Yuvraj Singh) has been priced competitively, for the small farmer to own tractor and get benefit from its mechanism which helps him to boost his productivity.


     Yuvraj 215 has a top speed of 25.6 Kmph and haulage capacity of 1.5 tonne. It is manufactured at Mahindra’s Rajkot plant which has a production capacity of 16,000 tractors per annum.

Press Release:
M&M Senior Vice-President, Marketing & Applitrac (Farm Equipment Sector) Sanjeev Goyle -


"The Yuvraj is a key part of M&M's vision to go beyond retailing tractors and focus on creation of farm tech prosperity,"

Source: EconomicTimes

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Volvo Concept Universe Pictures

     Volvo Cars previewed its next generation sedan Concept Universe at Shanghai Motor Show. Here are the pictures:

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