Volkswagen Up spied in India, could be for Auto Expo 2012

     Volkswagen Up which was unveiled at Frankfurt Motor Show this year has been spotted in Delhi, mounted on a truck. Mr Sandeep Singh has posted these images on NDTV’s Car And Bike facebook page. We guess the car has been imported from Europe for the coming Auto Expo 2012.

     The Up is the smallest car in Volkswagen’s portfolio which the company plans to launch in India soon, ofcourse in 5 door version unlike the 3 door one seen in the picture. Price of the Up is expected to start from Rs. 3.5 lakh. The Up unveiled at Frankfurt Motor Show had a 1 litre petrol engine with 75 Ps of power and 23 Kmpl of fuel efficiency. A diesel option, it is still a secret. 

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Scoop: Renault Duster spied in India

     The Renault’s SUV for India, the Duster has been spied for first time in India. According to Renault’s Indian website, the Duster will be launched in India in September next year, which means we see Duster on Indian roads by March-April 2012. The Duster will be Renault’s 4th launch after Fluence, Koleos and Pulse. The Pulse small car which is based on Nissan Micra will be officially launched at Auto Expo 2012 in January.


     The Duster is a key vehicle in Renault’s Indian portfolio. The current launches – Fluence and Koleos have not made a good impact on the Indian customers, thanks to their high prices and slump in car sales. This leaves Renault to depend heavily on the Pulse and Duster. Since Pulse is just a facelift of Nissan Micra, we doubt it will have anything to turn around Renault’s fortune. The only vehicle which according to us can keep the Renault on a success path is the Duster, but of course if Renault prices Duster sensibly.

     Now coming back to the spy picture of the Duster, Autocarindia could manage to get couple of snaps which the SUV was undergoing test runs. We have often seen car manufacturers test their new vehicles with camouflage in India before it is launched. There was a speculation about Duster’s launch in India, but since it has been spied here, it is definitely going to be launched in India.


     According to Autocarindia, the Duster will be available in 5 variants. The base variant will come with a 1.6 L petrol engine and is likely to be priced at Rs. 7 lakh. There will be two versions of diesel engine, both with 1.5L capacity (currently powering the Fluence) but with different power outputs. An entry level diesel variant will have 85 Bhp output where as the top of the line variant will get 110 Bhp output engine.

     Since the Duster is based on Logan platform, it will have the same interiors and switches of the Logan. But we guess Renault redesign the Duster interior to keep it fresh and attractive. The Duster will not come into under 4 meter length mark, so it will not have any excises sops. But according to sources, the Duster range in India will be priced between Rs. 7 -11 lakh. Let’s wait and see what Renault does.

Picture Source: Autocarindia

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Tata Motors comes up with upgraded Nano

     The People’s car of India has just got better. Tata Motors has come up with an upgraded model of Nano with some changes in the interiors and mechanicals.  After series of attractive offers and discounts, this is the first major upgrade for Nano since its launch in March 2009. The upgraded Nano has already reached the dealers across the country and the best part is Tata Motors has not increased the price of the car.

     The upgraded Nano (also referred to as 2012 Nano) gets following beige dashboard, improved cushioned seats with new head rest at front, beige and black door trims, passenger side outside rear view mirror and new wheel caps. Apart from these cosmetic changes, engine power has been increased by 3 bhp which means Tata Nano now produces 38 bhp power as compared to earlier 35 bhp. There is no power steering option which was expected in an upgraded Nano. But Tata Motors have worked on the steering column to make the Nano steering much more lighter.

     The upgrade Nano will be available in new colour shades. Here are the colour options available on different variants.

Nano Std

Serene White (Old Shade: Ivory White)

Aqua Blue (Old Shade: Summer Blue)

Rouge Red (Old Shade: Racing Red)

Nano CX

Serene White (Old Shade: Ivory White)

Rouge Red (Old Shade: Racing Red)

Meteor Silver (Old Shade: Lunar Silver)

Champagne Gold

Papaya Orange

Neon Rush

Nano LX

Papaya Orange

Meteor Silver (Old Shade: Lunar Silver)

Champagne Gold

Mojito Green

Sunshine Yellow

Pearl White

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Nissan working on 2 cars below Micra for India

     Nissan with its hatchback Micra has had a good success in India. In fact Micra is one of the best cars in its segment with class leading performance and fuel efficiency. However the Micra’s price is a let down with Rs. 7.8 lakh on road for top end variant why would anyone go for it when then can get a Swift or Etios Liva for a good lakh rupee cheaper.

     Nissan is now planning to utilize its V-Platform (V-Versatile) for sub Micra cars in India. One will be an Alto challenger and the other one will positioned just below the Micra. More details about these two cars is still remove and we will bring in the latest news as we come across. Stay tuned to Automobile Planet. 

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Tata Y1 Light Commercial Truck spied

     The next generation Tata Y1 light commercial trucks have been spied. The Tata Y1 LCVs will replace the Tata 407 and 708 EX series which gave phenomenal success to Tata Motors.  The Y1 series of light commercial vehicles come in 4-9 ton capacity range with a 11 ton truck possibility cannot be ruled out. Developed at Tata Motor’s Pimpri plant, the Y1 series of light commercial trucks will be manufactured at Tata’s Dharwad plant.

     The Y1 series of light commercial trucks will feature improved driver ergonomics which will reduce driver fatigue and consequently accidents. Apart from driver ergonomics there is possibility of bringing in CRDi turbo charged and intercooled engine to the lineup which will boost the truck’s performance and fuel efficiency. The Y1 series of light commercial trucks will be displayed at the 2012 Auto Expo.

Tata Y1 Series of Light Commercial Trucks

* Tata Y1 Series LPT 410

* Tata Y1 Series LPT 712

* Tata Y1 Series LPT 812

* Tata Y1 Series LPT 912

* Tata Y1 Series LPT 1112

Picture Source: Indiancarsbikes

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All new Tata Sumo Gold launched at Rs. 5.23 lakh

     Tata Motors has launched the all new Sumo Gold with price starting from Rs. 5.23 lakh (ex-showroom Pune). The all new Tata Sumo Gold is the most powerful vehicle in its category with a 3.0 L diesel engine. The 3.0L diesel engine - CR4 Turbo - BS4 and Di Turbo BS3 has two different power outputs of 85Ps @ 3000 rpm and a torque of 250Nm @ 1000 to 2000 rpm and 70PS @ 3000 rpm and a torque of 225Nm @ 1600 to 2000 rpm respectively.

All new Tata Sumo Gold Key Highlights

Equipped with the new technologically advanced, BS4 3.0L diesel CR4 engine, delivering 85 PS power for enhanced driving pleasure. Also available in turbo engine.

Best in class 250 Nm torque, for excellent power and reduced gear shifts.

New generation styling with luxurious upholstery.

Smoother transmission.

Softened suspension for better ride quality.

Best in class, small turning radius of 4.9m.

Tallest vehicle in its category, with class leading seating space & comfort for all occupants.

Tata Sumo Gold, Mr. R. Ramakrishnan, Vice President, Commercial - PCBU, Tata Motors –

"The Tata Sumo Gold is a result of extensive consumer studies and field tests. The product has been designed to fulfil various requirements, long-awaited by the new generation customer."

All new Tata Sumo Gold Features & Specifications

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Skoda Rapid microsite goes live, car launch on 16th November

     Skoda Auto will launch its new midsize sedan in India on the 16^th of this month. As the launch date comes closer, there Skoda Rapid’s microsite goes live. However you will not get many details about the car as of now.

     Skoda Rapid is based on Volkswagen Vento platform and shares the same engines with the later. The Skoda Rapid will come in 3 variants - Active, Ambition and Elegance. Since there is sharing of platform, Skoda might have saved much of the cost which is expected to be passed on to the customer. The Rapid is likely to be priced between Rs. 7-9 lakh.

     The Rapid in the front reminds us of the Fabia hatch with its prominent Skoda grill. The rest of the car is Vento, as we have said earlier that Rapid shares its platform with the Vento. Only in the rear, the crease on the sides of number plate gives some differentiation with the Vento.

     The strategy between Skoda and Volkswagen is not still understood. They both have a same car with different names and of course will come with different price tags. How will Skoda and Volkswagen convince the customer to buy their own product? Let us see how this strategy works in India. 

Check out the Skoda Rapid microsite

Skoda Rapid Video

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