Maruti Ritz facelift clear pictures, launch around the corner

     The Ritz facelift has been undergoing test runs for a while and now we have clear images of the Ritz facelift posted on a Facebook page. The Ritz facelift has a redesigned front bumper which includes redesigned grill and foglamps. The Ritz now looks more stylish with prominent creases on the front bumper. Apart from the change in the front bumper, there seems to be absolutely no change in the car.


     Maruti has been upgrading its vehicles to woo customers who demand for something different as the time goes on. The Ritz is just 3 years old in India (launched on 15th May 2009), so a next generation model is still couple of years away. With new entrants coming in Maruti wants to keep the Ritz alive which has been a decent substitute for Swift buyers who do not want to wait for long (Swift still commands a waiting period of over 7-8 months). Just go and ask any Maruti dealer about the Swift, the sales person will try to pacify you by referring to the Ritz. The Ritz success credit for some extent has been due to the Swift long booking periods and Maruti just don’t want the car buyers to go in for another brand just because of the waiting period.


     The Ritz facelift could get an automatic option, new seat fabrics and new colour options. The petrol Ritz might get the VVT technology for increased fuel efficiency.

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Renault Scala, the rebadged Nissan Sunny for India

     It is indeed a good news to hear that Renault is launching a sedan in India by the mid of this year. But again Renault has disappointed us because the sedan named Scala will be the same Nissan Sunny with a Renault badge.


     The Scala will be powered by the same Sunny’s 1.5L diesel engine. Only the diesel version is expected to be launched though Renault has not ruled out petrol Scala at a later date. Like the Pulse, the Scala is expected to have some cosmetic changes to differentiate it from Sunny and the changes will be minimal in the form of redesigned bumpers and grill.

     With Scala, the Renault-Nissan alliance seems to be going strong in India. To avoid cannibalization Renault will price the Scala little higher than the Sunny. At last what we have to say is, just by changing the name and bumpers you cannot make us believe that a new car is being launched. Renault has failed once; don’t know why they are repeating the mistakes. Renault, are u hearing? 

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Get ready to drive a diesel Brio in couple of years

     Honda developing a diesel engine is definitely a big new in the automotive world. Whats good news is Honda has announced that a 1.6L diesel engine has already been developed under the banner ‘EarthDreams’ and will soon find its place under the hood of Civic and probably City. Honda has also mentioned that a smaller diesel engine is underdevelopment and will come only by next year.


     Honda is a pioneer in petrol engine manufacturing, but being relatively new player in sub 2L diesel, it is surprising to know that the 1.6L ‘EarthDreams’ diesel produces 120 Bhp of power with high fuel efficiency and low carbon emissions. Who better than Honda know about environmental friendliness as its iVTEC petrol engine is already E10 complaint.

     Having lost its No. 1 position in mid-sized sedan segment to the new comer Volkswagen, Honda will not take any chance for its small cars Brio and Jazz. India being a main market for Honda and the magnitude of diesel car sold here will definitely make Honda launch a diesel Brio and Jazz to stay in the completion. According to some sources, Honda is developing a 1.2 L 4 cylinder 80-90 Bhp diesel for Brio and Jazz. But we feel Honda will cut down one cylinder from its 1.6L ‘EarthDreams’ and make a 3 cylinder one to cut down cost. A 3 cylinder diesel with 80 Bhp would be sufficient to power any Honda vehicles which have performance as its main strength.


     We at Automobile Planet wishes Honda develops the small diesel engine very soon and hope to see the diesel Brio and Jazz by at least mid on next year. But according to Honda spokesperson the Brio and Jazz will only come after 2 to 3 years in India.

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Maruti renames previous generation Dzire as Dzire Tour, on sale next month

     Like Ford renamed the old Fiesta as Fiesta Classic after the launch of the all new Fiesta, Maruti Suzuki has renamed the last generation Dzire as Dzire Tour which will go on sale next month. The last generation Dzire was stopped after the launch of new Dzire which is shorter in length and comes under small car category.

     The Swift Dzire has been a huge success story for Maruti Suzuki after the Swift. The comfortable rear seats and loads of luggage space wooed customers to buy this not so good looking sedan. Though through some angles the Dzire did look like a premium car, the overall side profile has been disappointing. Having said this we also feel that the current Swift has also some design flaws especially from the side. It is understandable because the Dzire has been built in on the Swift platform designed to be customized for Indian conditions.

     The Dzire has been so successful that every the good looking SX4 could not match half of its sales, thanks to the pricing of the later. The typical Indian customer who wanted more for less got a suitable recipe in the form of Dzire. The Dzire Tour will obviously cost more than the current Dzire because of its length commanding higher tax. With both the current and earlier Dzire on the roads, it is hard to who will be sold in big numbers.

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Mahindra to increase prices of its vehicles post budget

     President of Automotive and Farm Equipment division of Mahindra, Mr. Pavan Goenka has announced that the company will raise the prices of its vehicles ranging between Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 35,000 depending upon the model. Mr Goenka applauded the Finance Ministers budget called it a mixed budget with both positive and negative impacts. He welcomed the reduction in taxes and duties for hybrid and electric vehicle components.

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Volkswagen brings in Polo and Vento IPL II Edition, no extra cost

     Having seen good success with IPL I edition of Polo and Vento, Volkswagen now brings special IPL II editions of Polo and Vento with no added cost. The cars are already on display at Volkswagen showrooms and will go on sale in April 2012 when the IPL season 5 starts.


     The Volkswagen Polo and Vento IPL II editon price starts at Rs. 6.13 lakh and Rs. 7.08 lakh respectively. The Polo IPL II edition come in three trim levels where as you get 4 trim levels for the Vento.

     The Volkswagen Polo and Vento IPL II Special edition will get interactive car pad with multimedia entertainment system. A GPS based Navigation system helps to find directions. Also there will be social networking options for the rear seat passengers. In the interiors both Polo and Vento IPL II gets dual tone leatherette seat covers, special IPL floor mats, door sill design and IPL branding on the boot.


Prices of Volkswagen Polo and Vento IPL II Editions (ex-showroom, New Delhi)
Volkswagen Polo IPL II 1.2 Petrol Highline – Rs. 6.13 Lakhs
Volkswagen Polo IPL II 1.6 Petrol Highline – Rs. 6.48 Lakhs
Volkswagen Polo IPL II 1.2 Diesel Highline – Rs. 7.16 Lakhs
Volkswagen Vento IPL II 1.6 Petrol Trendline – Rs. 7.08 Lakhs
Volkswagen Vento IPL II 1.6 Petrol Highline – Rs. 8.23 Lakhs
Volkswagen Vento IPL II 1.6 Petrol Highline AT – Rs. 9.21 Lakhs
Volkswagen Vento IPL II 1.6 Diesel Trendline – Rs. 8.28 Lakhs

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Toyota Corolla Altis on road Price in Bangalore

All prices wef & as of 17th March 2012 at Ravindu Toyota Bangalore

Toyota Corolla Altis Petrol on road Price in Bangalore


Toyota Corolla Altis 1.8J Petrol on road Price in Bangalore – Rs. 13,67,586/-


Toyota Corolla Altis 1.8G-MT Petrol on road Price in Bangalore – Rs. 16,06,401/-


Toyota Corolla Altis 1.8G-AT Petrol on road Price in Bangalore – Rs. 17,55,868/-


Toyota Corolla Altis 1.8GL Petrol on road Price in Bangalore – Rs. 17,78,377/-


Toyota Corolla Altis 1.8VL Petrol on road Price in Bangalore – Rs. 19,12,610/-


Toyota Corolla Altis Diesel on road Price in Bangalore


Toyota Corolla Altis DJ Diesel on road Price in Bangalore – Rs. 14,89,400/-


Toyota Corolla Altis DG Diesel on road Price in Bangalore – Rs. 17,29,976/-


Toyota Corolla Altis DGL Diesel on road Price in Bangalore – Rs. 18,85,102/-


Note: Prices prevailing at the time of delivery will be applicable irrespective of booking date.

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