After the shopping spree, Mahindra is going places

     Last year Mahindra was busy buying companies, it bought Ssangyong of South Korea and Bangalore base Reva Electric Car Company. Now we see a XUV500 being tested in Brazil, thanks to a reader of autseegredos.com.br. The XUV500 was spied testing on Brazil roads, so expect it to be launched in Brazil by 2013.

     Mahindra will take part in the upcoming Sao Paulo Auto Show and will highlight the XUV500 at the show. As Brazil market is flooded with SUVs Mahindra will make sure the best of the mechanicals goes into making of XUV500 for overseas markets. XUV500 will be imported from India and sold overseas. 

Mahindra XUV500 Specifications

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Next Generation Renault/Dacia Logan unveiled at Paris Motor Show

     Though being a good car Renault Logan could not make a mark, thanks to its old boxy looks. The number of cabs (Meru) is a classical example why Logan was chosen; it had good fuel efficiency and more space for both passenger and luggage. Renault/Dacia has unveiled the next generation Logan at the Paris Motor Show which indeed is a head turner. But the bad news is it will not make it to India.

     As you see in the picture, the next generation Logan retains its boxy architecture but looks better now. The headlamps and wide grill gel with the sturdy looking body and the rear resign though simple looks good.

     The video below shows you the interiors of the next generation Logan and we are sure many would like to have one in India. Does Renault think again and bring the new Logan to India... that seems like an impossible happening. 

Next Generation Renault/Dacia Logan Video

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Manza to get a new variant on 16th Oct, will be called Manza Club Class

     Despite being a value for money car Tata Manza somehow could not become a best selling car in its segment. Innovative ad campaigns and addition of a new variant (Elan) has not helped Tata Motors to raise the Manza sales numbers. The reason could be many. Firstly the segment is packed with lot of cars especially by International car makers like Toyota, Skoda and Nissan which have better brand value. Secondly Tatas have a poor record of build quality (earlier Indigo) prompting customers to look beyond it. Thirdly the design, the big bulky rear offends many and the reasons will go on...

     Tata Motors to improve the sales has now decided to introduce a new variant of Manza which will be called ‘Manza Club Class’. The car will be officially launched on the 16th of October this year. The Manza Club Class gets a 75 Ps 1.3L diesel engine and host of other goodies to woe its customers. Till now Manza had 90 Ps 1.3L Multi-jet eninge under its hood.

The host of new features in Manza Club Class include –

1. 75PS Quadrajet Engine
2. Touchscreen Multimedia Navigation
3. Auto Climate AC
4. Italian Leather Upholstery
5. New Design 8 Spoke Alloy Wheels
6. New Better Quality Seat Fabric
7. More Chrome
8. Contrast Roof

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Renault Duster prices hiked by Rs. 30-40 thousand, bookings cross 20,000

     Renault has hiked the prices of its mini SUV ‘Duster’ by Rs. 30,000 to 40,000. The new price is effective from 1^st October 2012. Renault has crossed bookings of 20,000 Dusters and to cash on some profits, Renault has hiked the prices.

     According to the company the price hike is due to hike in input costs and depreciation of rupee. Customers who have booked the Duster in August are safeguarded from the price hike. Currently the Duster has a waiting period of 2 to 4 months. 

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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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