Tata Pixel at Auto Expo 2012

     Tata Motors will showcase its advanced micro car Pixel at the coming Auto Expo 2012. The Pixel, designed for the European markets is based on Nano and incorporates lots of advanced features. The Pixel is over 3 meters in length and accommodates 4 persons comfortably. Tata claims Pixel to be  most advanced compact car in the world.

     A 1.2 liter 3 cylinder diesel engine powers the Pixel and the engine position is same as that of the Nano, in the rear. The Pixel features start stop technology and low resistant tyres. The design of the Pixel gives a very low coefficient of drag which gives maximum fuel efficiency to the car.

     The Pixel features the Zero Turn System which enables the car to deal with tight parking spaces. An Infinitely Variable Transmission (IVT) results to rotation of the outer rear wheel forwards and the inner rear wheel backwards during aforementioned maneuvering. This gives the car an incredible turing circle of radius of just 3.6 meters. The Pixel’s vertical lifting doors is the main highlight of the car.

     As we told earlier, the Pixel is developed for European model and will not come to India soon. Expect the car to come to India by 2012.

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Renault launches upgraded Fluence diesel in India

     Renault has launched an upgraded variant (E4) of Fluence diesel in India. The E4 trim which was available only in petrol version is now available in diesel which now becomes Rs. 1.5 lakh dearer than the base E2 variant. The E4 variant is priced at Rs. 15.12 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai). Bookings for the diesel E4 variant have already started.

     The E4 diesel variant gets Chrome Finish on Window Sill and Trunk Lid, Automatic Healdlamp, Rain sensing wiper (2 Speed + Intermittent Variable), Rear Parking Sensors and Side Chest Level Airbags on the Front Seats. 

     There are some changes in the interiors as well. The E4 variant now gets Plush Leather Upholstery with beige interior which adds to the premium look of the vehicle. There is Dual Zone Auto Climate Control with rear AC vents to keep the cabin temperature at one’s need. The car also get Cruise Control and Speed Limiter, Rear sunblinds and electrically operated outside rear view mirrors which fold with tough of a button. The inner rear view mirror gets ElectroChrome treatment. 

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Chevrolet/ Wuling Sunshine van spied, could be launched at Auto Expo 2012

     Chevrolet’s Chinese minivan Sunshine has been spied again on Indian roads and as the Auto Expo 2012 is getting nearer, we can expect its launch very soon. Chevrolet has brought Wuling vehicles to India and has been testing them for quite a sometime.

     Apart from Sunshine, Chevrolet is also testing a minivan of the Maruti Eeco size in India. We in our earlier post (few months back) had showed you the spy pictures of this Maruti Eeco sized minivan. Seeing the sizes of these two Chinese vehicles we can asses that Chevrolet wants to tap Maruti Eeco and Mahindra Xylo/Tata Sumo segment.

     If Chevrolet can bring in good diesel engines for these vans, the can turn the fortunes of Chevrolet in India. But having said this no one can expect a vehicle’s success than the cautious Indian customer!

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Next generation Nissan Pathfinder spied

     The legendary Nissan Pathfinder is the SUV anyone will like to do off-roading with. The current generation model built on Nissan’s F-Alpha platform will undergo transformation to a new platform FF-L (Front-engine, Front-Wheel-Drive, Large) in 2013. Spy photographers of Worldcarfans has caught some spy pictures of then next generation Pathfinder testing in US.

     The FF-L platform underpins the Murano and Quest and by the spy pictures we can assume the new Pathfinder will have the same sleek styling of the Murano. Before speculating anything let’s wait till next month where Nissan will preview the new Pathfinder at Detroit Motor Show.

Current Nissan Pathfiner	2013 Nissan Pathfinder
2013 Nissan Pathfinder	2013 Nissan Pathfinder

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Honda City facelift launched in India

     Honda today launched the City facelift in India. Honda had earlier launched the City facelift in Thailand few months ago. We somehow did not like the new City's changes. We will highlight you why we were not impressed with the changes in the new City.

     The front bumper now doesn’t look as sporty as the earlier one and the grill with wide air inlet openings doesn’t suit the City’s overall sleek body design. The front headlamps have made bigger now, boy the sleek small headlamps suited the best for the arrow shot design. In the rear also the bumper design doesn’t look attractive; the crease continuing from the tail lamp to the bumpers doesn’t gel well.  What we liked is the tail lamps with LED lights and the turn indicators on the ORVM. Oh we have not motioned about the roof opening, yes it is a good move by the Honda to provide one but it will be available in only selected models.

     Having said these things, we feel beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. Anyone might feel the new City to be attractive, but we have mentioned about our feeling about the ‘Iconic City’ (Known for its superb design).

These are changes you can seen in the new Honda City facelift - New chrome grille, Restyled front & rear bumper, New tail lights, 10 spoke alloys, Improved ground clearance, now stands at 165 mm, Honda City facelift interior additions, New fabric seats, Center control panel, Chrome fittings, Blue meter, Sunroof, Cruise control, Turn indicators on ORVM, Introduction of Corporate edition for value customers, Two new colors – Carnelian pearl red and Sparkling brown metallic.

Honda City facelift price (All prices ex-showroom New Delhi)

Honda City Corporate Edition – 6.99 lakh

Honda City E – Rs. 7,70,000/-

Honda City S – Rs. 8,20,000/-

Honda City V MT (Manual Transmission) – Rs. 8,70,000/-

Honda City V AT (Automatic Transmission) – Rs. 9,42,000/-

Honda City V MT with sunroof and leather seats – Rs. 9,50,500/-

Honda City V AT with sunroof and leather seats – Rs. 10,22,800/-

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Nissan Sunny diesel launched at Rs. 7.98 lakh

     Nissan has launched the diesel version of Sunny sedan in India with price starting from Rs. 7.98 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi). The Sunny diesel is available in two trim levels – XL (priced at Rs. 7.98 lakh) and XV (priced at Rs. 8.78 lakh) (Both prices ex-showroom New Delhi). The bookings for the car have been started all over India.

     The Sunny diesel is powered by same 1.5L engine of Micra but with different tune. Here the engine develops 85 bhp of power @ 3750 rpm and torque of 20.4 kgm @ 2000 rpm. It is coupled with 5 speed manual gearbox. Nissan claims the diesel engine has ARAI certified fuel economy of 21.64 Kmpl.

     The XL variant gets body coloured bumpers, on board drive computer, manually adjustable anti dazzling mirror, ABS with EBD and Brake Assistance, driver and passenger side airbags, body coloured and electronically adjustable outside rear view mirrors, chrome plated outside door handles and radiator girll, steering mounted audio controls, rear A/C vents and remote keyless entry. In addition to all these the XV variant gets alloy wheels and electronically folding rear view mirrors. With all these features both the variants of Nissan Sunny is a good value for money car. 

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Honda City facelift Indian launch on 14th December

     Honda will launch its facelifted City sedan in India on the 14^th of December. The facelifted City will be the same one launched couple of months ago in Thailand. Honda had drastically reduced the price of the current City to clear the backlogs.

     The key exterior changes in the new Honda City are – new front grill with chrome plating, new altered headlights, new front bumper and fog light design, new rear bumper with diffuser, new taillights, new alloy wheel design. In the interior there is blue instrument cluster illumination and gun metal finish to the central console. The E variant gets beige interiors.

     The new Honda City comes in following colours - Chameleon Red, Sparkling Brown Metallic, Bold Beige, Tafeta White, Black, Silver, Urban Titanium. Six variants will be on the offerings - E M/T, S M/T, V M/T, VL M/T, V A/T, VL A/T. The V variant gets OSRVM turn indicators and new alloy wheels. The VL variant in addition to the features of V variants gets leather seats, sunroof and automatic climate control. The E and S will remain the same with just the facelift. There is absolutely no change in the mechanicals in the new Honda City. 

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