Scorpio Automatic launched

It was just waiting to happen,Mahindra plan to enter the US market soon and if they wanted to sell anything there then they cannot leave out automatic transmission.

Rather than risk trying out the new systems in the US market,Mahindra have taken the safer option of the Indian markets after all nobody is going to sue them here if anything goes wrong.

Mahindra are not looking for numbers and hence the automatic is the most expensive scoprio to be sold at about Rs.10.2 lakhs ex-showroom price in pune.The scoprio and Mahindra have come a long way and the tractor maker looks likely to be heading the Landroer way and focussing more on the premium segment than utility.

All new Honda city is here

The car we have all been waiting for is finally here and from the first looks Honda have not dissapointed one bit.The car is worthy enough to be called the smaller brother of the D-segment Honda civic.

If there is any thing you can pick on Honda its the rear of the car,somehow the futuristic front is not translated at the back.The back is more down to earth and should I dare to say a rather outdated look. We may soon see a facelift shall we.

This car is meant for markets like the US, and Europe and a LHS version of the honda city too as been developed.Honda have reduced the number of variants and now like the civic you just have the E and S variants.Pricing is ofcourse very honda like on the higher side.But hey Honda cars sell well don' they and expect this to do well,so well that perhaps the civic could feel the pinch.

For the details of the car you could check out the ET article,which is nothing but Honda PR at its best.
Honda unveils 3rd generation City in India

Toyota Corolla review

I know a lot of you guys have been waiting for a review of the Toyota corolla altis.Check this link out for the detailed review.

Corolla test drive

My thoughts,frankly speaking Toyota has disappointed with the nod diesel for corolla policy.My only hope is they are following the Maruti strategy and shall launch the diesel version of the car in a few months time.A very likely possibility. As far as ground clearance and easy ingress and degress the corolla wins hands on compareed to the civic.

Yes the engine remains the same old unit,is it not sufficient enough definitely not but surely Toyota could have given us a more modern engine.Look at Honda they don't discriminate.

Lastly the ride quality,I would prefer the civic anyday when it comes to that and oh what about that futuristic meter when will Toyota learn to make their cars more interesting.

Think of the new corolla as the maruti 800 of luxury cars,yes it comes decked with features but just does not have that luxury car feeling[that x factor seems to be missing].If gizmos are what you are concerned with then this is certainly the car for you but if you are looking at dream car this somehow does not seem to fit the bill.

Toyota Launches New Corolla Altis

Toyota has finally launched the much awaited Corolla Altis in three different grades at a price between Rs 10.83 lakh and Rs 12.86 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The Altis uses Toyota's 1.8 liter VVTi petrol engine, which produces a decent power of 132bhp@6000RPM and torque of 17.3KGM@4200RPM and is available with a 5 speed manual and a 4 speed automatic gearbox. The Civic has similar engine specifications. The new Corolla is really impressive, atleast on paper. It looks like a Mini Camry and has features un talked of in this segment.

We are really very impressed with the pricing of the car and the features it offers. The car has features like 8 way powered driver seat, lumbar support, automatic headlamps, automatic wipers, multi information display, cruise control, audio controls and multi information switches on steering wheel, Hgh Intensity Discharge headlamps, headlamp washers, Electro Chromatic inside rear view mirror (auto dimming mirror) and all wheel disc brakes to name a few. It also has has flat rear floor, ABS, Dual SRS Airbags, Automatic Climate Control, ORVM Turn Signals, 195/65/R15 tires and Integrated Audio System like the Civic. There is no black colour yet. But at the price Toyota plans to sell the Altis, it seems extreme value for money. On paper it looks faster then the Civic with better brakes. Diesel is on the cards too. The Civic and the Jetta better run for cover. Stay tuned for a test drive report of the Corolla Altis.

P.S Looks like the timer on Toyota's site seems to be working overtime :) but you can check out the site here.

Source - Indian Cars And Bikes

Enhance Engine R&D : Suzuki Tells Maruti

Japanese auto major Suzuki Motor Corporation has asked its Indian subsidiary Maruti Suzuki to enhance the level of research and development (R&D) for small car engines to meet growing demands.

“Engines below 1,200 cc get excise benefit from the government of India and currently 60-70 per cent of R&D for these engines takes place in Japan. Now Osamu Suzuki wants 90 per cent of the R&D to be done in India. It is important that Maruti develops these engines in India with help from Japan. The R&D efforts will also have to enable our vehicles to meet the new emission and safety regulations, which are to come into force in 2010,” Maruti Suzuki India Chairman R C Bhargava said.

Already Suzuki has announced its plans to make India an R&D hub and bring the level of product developments to that in Japan.

Source - Motorbeam.com

Hyundai's small car to be out in 2012

Hyundai are targeting to sell a small car with a price tag of $3500[Rs.1,50,000 approx].This car should cause a lot of problems to maruti especially and if there is a diesel available too at similar pricing God help Maruti.Maruti however have some time at their disposal since this car is only expected by 2012.

Hyundai have done well to realise the importance of the Indian markets much before other rivals.They have also gambled by launching the i10 first in the market and ensuring it caters to local choice as well.The end result is if you keep track of monthly car sales figures as each month passes by the gap between hyundai and maruti suzuki keeps getting narrower and narrower.Unless maruti does something drastic I have no doubt that Hyundai could unseat Maruti from its number one position.

GM to launch Beat in 2009

Remember the small car from GM which was caught testing in China.In all possibility we will see that car on Indian roads by 2009 itself.

This new car could be cheaper than the Spark even is what GM have told us and also the fact that this car could be here by the year end.Chevrolet have even talked about a sub 1.0L engine for the car.So this car may just see a 800cc engine in India.

Here's the link to the older post.
GM small car caught testing.