Another Nano goes up in flames, Tata Motors shirks responsibility

We used to be big fans of the Tata Nano. Not anymore though!

Here at India Automotive, we used to be big fans of the Tata Nano. We used to believe that the Nano is a car that’s right for the times – small, frugal, inexpensive and well suited to the rigours of driving in congested, super-crowded towns and cities. However, with yet another Nano having gone up in flames in New Delhi yesterday, our faith in the little car’s abilities has taken a real and well-deserved beating. People are now really wary of the Nano and surprisingly enough, Tata Motors isn’t doing too much about it.

Since the Nano was launched last year, there have been five or six separate incidents where the car has burst into flames though it’s a miracle that there have been no injuries yet. After the last such incident, which happened about three months ago, Tata officials claimed they had looked into the problem and declared that the Nano is “absolutely safe.” Yesterday’s incident, however, shows that there is indeed a serious engineering problem with the Nano that Tata engineers haven’t been able to resolve.

It would have been a good idea for Tata Motors to have accepted the fact that there may be a problem with the Nano and that they are working on sorting things out. Some humility and some genuine apologies would have helped. What we have, instead, is this statement from Tata Motors: “"While this incident has taken place, you need to acknowledge that there are thousands of Nanos running absolutely normally."

With that kind of an attitude, it seems Tata Motors is just not prepared to take the safety aspect very seriously. And if they want to be callous about the safety of their customers, we can only recommend that you steer clear of the Nano. After all, for another Rs 50,000 over the Nano’s price, you can still buy the Maruti 800 in most cities in India...

Concept RB: Hyundai is ready with VW Vento, Honda City rival

Hyundai Concept RB - all set to take on the Vento and the City...!

Hyundai is getting ready with its own contender for the VW Vento / Honda City segment. The Korean company recently unveiled a new sub-compact family sedan – dubbed concept RB for now – at the 2010 Moscow International Motor Show (MIMS).

“The RB projects a coupe-like dynamic styling that is sculpted, stately and performance-oriented. With elegant lines that resemble a calligrapher’s ‘orchid strokes,’ the concept RB continues Hyundai Motor’s ‘fluidic sculpture’ design philosophy that injects sophistication and dynamic angles into the shape of a vehicle. Like any timeless work of art, the fluidic essence that characterizes molding design of Hyundai’s latest models is inspired by nature, realizing the harmonic coexistence of all things created,” says a press release from Hyundai.

Hmmm... we definitely don’t know about the ‘timeless work of art’ bit, but the tech specs are reasonably interesting, especially in the Indian context. The car will be available with 1.4-litre (106bhp, 135Nm) and 1.6-litre (123bhp, 156Nm) four-cylinder petrol engines, mated to a five-speed manual transmission. The engines are said to be quite fuel-efficient and a four-speed automatic will be on the list of options.

The production car based on the Hyundai Concept RB will first be manufactured in St. Petersburg, in Russia, with production starting in January 2011. We’re quite sure Hyundai will also bring this car to India by mid-2011, to take on the Honda City and the VW Vento. The battle should be quite interesting...

Jaypee Sports International (JPSI) to sponsor Karun Chandhok in F1

Jaypee Sports International (JPSI), who are building India's first F1 circuit near Greater Noida, are now sponsoring Karun Chandhok in F1...!

Jaypee Sports International (JPSI) today agreed to a partnership with Hispania Racing´s HRT F1 Team driver Karun Chandhok, starting with this week´s British Formula 1 Grand Prix. Hispania Racing´s HRT F1 Team race car will now carry the Jaypee Group logo.

JPSI, a Jaypee Group company, is currently constructing a 5.14km long first world-class motor racing circuit near Greater Noida, at a distance of about 40km from New Delhi. This circuit is expected to host the inaugural F1 race in India in October/November 2011.

Hispania Racing’s Karun Chandhok will act as Brand Ambassador for Jaypee, endorsing the Group, its brands and its products. Jaypee Group will also have exclusive rights to sell Hispania Racing and Karun Chandhok merchandise in Uttar Pradesh and the National Capital Region (NCR).

Karun Chandhok, who currently drives for the Spanish Hispania Racing, HRT F1 Team and is the only Indian driver of the F1 grid, won the Formula Asia Championship in 2001 and the Formula Asia V6 Renault Championship in 2006. Before entering F1, Karun drove in the GP2 Series for three years, winning two races.

Sameer Gaur, Managing Director, JPSI: “We are very happy to be sponsoring Karun Chandhok in Formula 1. He is a talented racing driver and deserves all the support that we can provide. Apart from establishing our commitment towards F1, we also hope this move will provide a flip to the popularity of F1 racing in India and build excitement for the first F1 race that we hope to host in the country towards the end of next year.”

José Ramón Carabante, Hispania Racing, HRT F1 Team owner: “We are very pleased to have a new company sponsoring us and supporting Formula 1. And the fact that next year India is expected to host a Formula 1 race also makes us happy. We want to welcome Jaypee Sports International to our team and hope we work positively together”.

Mark Hughes, Vice-President (Operations), JPSI: “With JPSI sponsoring Karun Chandhok for the remainder of the 2010 F1 Season, we hope to significantly boost the level of interest in this sport in India. For businesses, top-flight motorsport coming to the country in 2011 will open up a whole new range of opportunities for brand-building, high-end corporate entertainment, sponsorship deals and, ultimately, revenue generation. We’re glad to be playing a major role in getting this started.”

Karun Chandhok: “It's a great privilege for us to have the Jaypee Group as a partner. They have taken the bold step to bring the Formula 1 World Championship to India next year and it's something I am very excited about. To be the Indian driver on the grid for the first Indian Grand Prix next year will be very special for me and I look forward to working with the Gaur family and their team at Jaypee to make sure the Indian Grand Prix is a huge success for all of us.”

Revamped VW Phaeton unveiled in Beijing

The new VW Phaeton offers luxury comparable to the best from Mercedes-Benz and BMW...

Volkswagen has unveiled a revised version of its top-end luxury car, the Phaeton, at the Beijing Motor Show. ‘Featuring a new look and technologies, the updated Phaeton builds on what is already one of the most advanced and thoroughly engineered cars on the road today,’ claims a press release from VW.

The revised VW Phaeton features a new front end, comprising of a pair of bi-xenon headlight units, LED running lights, a new grille, re-profiled bonnet and restyled front bumper. At the rear, a new set of light units fitted with intricate lenses sits above a redesigned bumper. The car also gets redesigned alloy wheels.

The Phaeton’s interiors have also been updated and now include a new multimedia display system, Google Maps on the RNS810 satellite navigation system and one of the most advanced airconditioning systems in the world. The new Phaeton also gets all-wheel drive, adjustable air suspension, leather trim, 18-way adjustable electric seats, a laminated finish to all glass areas and a total of eight airbags.

Engine options on the VW Phaeton include a 3.0-litre V6 TDI diesel and a 6.0-litre 12-cylinder petrol unit. Prices and specs will be announced in August this year and we fully expect VW to also bring the new Phaeton to India by the end of this year.

Tata Magic Iris launched in Jaipur, priced at Rs 1.98 lakh

Tata Motors has launched its new people carrier – the Magic Iris – in Jaipur, and the tiny MPV is priced at Rs 1.98 lakh ex-showroom. The Magic Iris is fitted with a 611cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled diesel engine that’s only BS3 compliant, so it can’t be sold in cities like Mumbai, Delhi and some others, which require BS4 compliance.

According to Tata Motors, the Magic Iris has been designed to carry five adults (including the driver), but with only 11 horsepower from its small engine, we suppose the vehicle will run out of breath very soon if it’s driven with five people on board.

At an on-road price of Rs 2.12 lakh (including registration and road tax), the Magic Iris, which was unveiled at the Auto Expo in Delhi in January this year, will probably work as low-end public transport in smaller cities, perhaps as a replacement for outdated, smoke-spewing and terribly noisy autorickshaws.

Via Indian Autos Blog

Volkswagen Milano electric taxi concept unveiled

While the Milano is just a concept, VW expects to launch is first mass market electric car by 2013...

Volkswagen has unveiled its new Milano electric taxi concept at the Hanover Trade Show. The Milano, which is fitted with a lithium-ion battery pack, is being presented as a study into the viability of a mass-market, emission-free taxi powered by an electric motor.

With 115 horsepower from its electric motor, the Milano, which weighs 1,500 kilos and which can seat three people (driver and two passengers), can achieve a top speed of 118km/h. Driving range, with a full charge, is 300km and the batteries can be 80% charged in just over an hour.

Volkswagen expects to launch is first mass market electric car by 2013.

Mercedes-Benz Shooting Break concept car to make its world premiere at Auto China 2010

The Mercedes-Benz Shooting Break concept car...

Mercedes-Benz will show its Shooting Break concept car, which takes its design cues from the SLS AMG supercar and the CLS four-door coupe, at the Auto China 2010. Fitted with a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine that produces 306 horsepower and 370Nm of torque, the Shooting Break also features luxurious interiors with a full complement of high-spec wood and leather trim.

‘The Shooting Break concept car is based on the great tradition of a stylish, cultivated sportiness which has always characterised the great Mercedes coupés and it takes this unique legacy an exciting step further. At the same time, it points the way towards the future design idiom of Mercedes-Benz,’ says Professor Gorden Wagener, chief designer at Mercedes-Benz.

With cars like the Maserati Quattroporte, Porsche Panamera and Aston Martin Rapide making inroads into the four-door, four-seater luxury sportscar market, Mercedes-Benz had to do something to protect their turf and the Shooting Break seems to be their attempt at doing a luxury car that’s also stylish and dynamic. Expect to see a production version of the Shooting Break early next year…

Volkswagen Polo: LPG version might be launched in India in 2011

An LPG compatible VW Polo might be launched in India early next year...

According to a report on Polo Driver, Volkswagen is now offering an LPG-compatible variant of the Polo hatchback in Germany. The VW Polo BiFuel is fitted with a 1.4-litre 84bhp engine that can run on both petrol and LPG and the driver can switch between the two fuels with the push of a button even when the car is moving. In LPG mode, the Polo’s emissions are 10% lower compared to when it’s running in petrol mode.

While Volkswagen’s clean, green ‘BlueMotion’ technology might be too expensive for the Indian market – at least on a small hatchback like the Polo – we believe VW may well offer an LPG variant of the Polo in India. It shouldn’t be too hard for VW engineers to adapt the existing India-spec Polo’s 1.2-litre petrol engine to run on LPG, and with the significant cost savings that it entails, an LPG variant of the Polo could find many buyers here.

Via Indian Autos Blog

Bajaj hikes stake in KTM to 35.67%

Bajaj Auto Ltd. has increased its stake in Austria-based motorcycle manufacturer KTM Power Sports AG from 31.92% to 35.67%, with an additional investment of about Rs 120 crore. KTM is currently one of the largest motorcycle manufacturers in Europe and Bajaj plans to launch various bikes from the KTM stable in India, in a phased manner, from 2011 onwards.

Cross Industries, owned by Stefan Pierer (KTM’s CEO) and Rudy Knunz (KTM’s Chairman), will continue to be the biggest stakeholder in KTM, with a stake of more than 50%. KTM has aggressive growth plans for emerging markets and Bajaj will distribute KTM bikes not only in India but also other markets like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Africa.

ASCI tightens code for automotive advertising

Apparently, ASCI is not too happy with this kind of advertising...

The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), an apex self-regulatory body that controls the content of advertisements in India, has introduced additions to the code on automotive advertising. With the new guidelines, ASCI aims to make sure that car and motorcycle manufacturers refrain from showing potentially dangerous activities in their advertisements.

ASCI wants to ensure that with their advertisement, automotive manufacturers should promote safety-related practices such as wearing of helmets, fastening of seatbelts and not using mobile phones while driving. Also, the new guidelines prohibit the portrayal of traffic rules violation in any manner, and showing reckless speed and stunts that could harm the driver/rider, passengers or general public.

‘The additions to the ASCI advertising code is in line with the swift changes happening in the Indian advertising and marketing world. ASCI realises that cutthroat competition among products and the need for uniqueness can sometimes lead to senseless exaggeration and depiction of unsafe practices. The recent set of guidelines for automotive manufacturers seeks to make advertising content safer and healthier for the general public,’ says Alan Colaco, Secretary General, ASCI.