More powerful VW Polo diesel by 2014

     Volkswagen has confirmed that it will launch the Polo with a more powerful diesel engine in India by 2014. The new 1.5L diesel engine pumps out 95 Ps of power which is 23 Ps more than the current 1.2L engine.

     The 1.5L diesel has been developed with the same structure of the current 1.6L 4 cylinder diesel doing duty in Vento. As the 1.5L engine will be a four cylinder one it will be quieter than the current 1.2L three pot one.

     We feel just by putting a powerful eninge inot the Polo will work in India. The Polo, no doubt is a good car, but lacks some factors. The seating is low which makes difficult to gain entry and out, a strong factor cared by a conservative Indian customer. The interior space too is not in the league of  the B Segment car, so why would anybody buy a Polo just for driving pleasure. The Swift is a classic example of successful car in India. It has good space, good engine, good design and priced competitively. VW should take a leaf out of Swift success story.

     Having seen VW’s track record of making good cars, we fell the next generation Polo will be here by 2014 having a 1.5L diesel engine. Of course expect VW to work on the interior space in the new Polo. 

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Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 website goes live

     Maruti Suzuki has updated the new Alto 800 micro site with a teaser picture of the car’s headlamp. The quote says “India has a new favorite. The all new Alto 800. Book Now!” As per the website the Alto 800’s key highlights are – contemporary exterior design, fresh interiors and superior drive experience. To visit the Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 official page Click Here.

     Going by what the company has to say about the key features, we doubt anyone will agree with Maruti Suzuki about the Alto 800’s exterior design. From no where the car looks contemporary and we are sorry to say Maruti might has  put a wrong foot forward. As for the interiors are concerned, it is indeed fresh will new console matching the current trend. The engine and suspension has been tweaked so the car will definitely have a superior drive experience.

     With vast experience and diversified service network, Maruti might again pull out a winner in Alto 800. The company is capable of pricing it very competitively (as we have seen earlier) to be just ahead of its rivals. But Maruti lost a good chance to show the people of India that then too can make cars which are attractive to look.

Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 Specifications

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Toyota launches Innova Aero Edition

     Feeling the heat from its competitors, Toyota today launched a special edition of Innova MUV called ‘Aero Edition’. To remind you, couple of days back Nissan launched its Evalia MPV which is competitively price and surely going to eat Innova’s market share. The special Aero Edition comes with cosmetic upgrades and two new colour shades - Super White & Silver Mica Metallic.

     This is the second special edition of Innova by Toyota. Toyota earlier last year had launched a special edition of Innova named ‘Crysta’. The ‘Aero Edition’ is based on Innova GX which is available in both Euro 2 and 3 versions. Toyota recently launched an Aero edition of its Corolla Altis sedan. 

     The Cosmetic upgrades in ‘Aero Edition’ includes - body coloured side skirt, roof spoiler, dual tone front lip-spoiler and a rear bumper spoiler. The Innova Aero Edition is priced at Rs. 12.30 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi).

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Suzuki reveals S Cross compact concept at Paris Motor Show

     Suzuki today revealed its new S-Cross compact crossover at the ongoing 2012 Paris Motor Show. The S-Cross compact crossover will make into production by late next year. Suzuki aims to offer largest luggage areas in its class combined with four wheel drive performance in the form of S Cross concept. 

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Nissan not partner with Bajaj on ULC project

     The ambitious Ultra Low Cost (ULC) project of Bajaj Auto Ltd. seems to be heading nowhere. In 2009 Bajaj had an agreement with Renault-Nissan for contract manufacturing of an low cost car which could be sold under Renault-Nissan brand. Seeing the prototype of the car RE60, Nissan has announced that it will not partner with Bajaj in making the low cost car. Will this mean Nissan will develop a low cost car on its own? It might be so as the company is working on a low cost Micra for the developing markets .

     Nissan-Renault had hoped Bajaj Auto will develop a lost cast car which could be rivalled against Tata Nano. But what Bajaj Auto developed in the form of RE60 was a low cost 4 wheeler which had no essence of a car. The overall design was no where rear the Nano and so do the mechanicals, engine, windows etc. We might see Bajaj launching its low cost vehicle in mass passenger movement segment soon.

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BharatBenz launches its range of trucks in India

     Daimler India Commercial Vehicles Pvt. Ltd. (DICV) today launched its first set of trucks in India under the BharatBenz brand. The three trucks launched are 2523R and 3123R for the haulage segment and 2423C for the construction segment. These trucks is available at BharatBenz state-of-the-art dealerships. 

2523R

3123R

2523C

     Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Llistosella said: “Today is an important milestone for all of us at Daimler and Indian trucking as, from today on, Indian truck buyers will have a new choice. A choice of trucks that are more fuel efficient, more reliable and in the end makes them more successful. BharatBenz is here, and we are proud to have delivered on the promise we made since 2010, to launch our trucks in September 2012. We will drive the change in the Indian market with a new product experience, a new sales experience and a new service experience for our customers.”

     BharatBenz also has tied up with four leading Indian financial institutions – HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Sundaram Finance and Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd., who will offer tailored financing solutions for customers. Additionally, several other banks & NBFCs have also approved BharatBenz products with attractive terms & conditions. Cholamandalam, SREI, Magma, IndusInd Bank, Axis Bank, YES Bank, Reliance Capital, L & T Finance, to name a few.

Source: BharatBenz

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Next Generation Hyundai i10 spied again in Chennai

We in our earlier post had showed you the spy pictures of Hyundai i10 being tested in India. Thanks to MotorVikatan, for new spy pictures of next gen i10 surfaces as the cars were being tested near Chennai.

     The next gen Hyundai i10 features an all new front grille and bumper, larger swept back headlamps, new fluidic sculpture design and new side lines. The most important features will be a diesel engine, probably a 3 cylinder one presently in the European spec i20. A more powerful 1 liter Kappa petrol engine is also on the cards.

     The new Hyundai i10 will debut at Frankfurt Motor Show next year and will go on sale by 2014.

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