Dacia Logan: New version launched in Europe

This is the new, spruced-up Dacia Logan that's just been launched in France. We're sure Mahindra-Renault will also bring this new variant to India soon...

Following the recent launch of the Dacia Sandero hatchback in Europe, Dacia has now launched a slightly reworked ‘new’ version of the Logan sedan – the car that’s also sold in India under the Mahindra-Renault brand.

The new Logan gets a new front grille, additional bits of chrome (on some models), upgraded interiors, slightly modified instrumentation and a wider range of equipment, including the ‘emergency brake assist’ feature.

The Logan hasn’t, it seems, been doing very well in India, and a mild cosmetic makeover isn’t likely to work wonders for its sales figures, but still, we’re sure Mahindra-Renault will also launch this new Logan variant in the country soon.

Mercedes-Benz launches C-Class ‘Blue Efficiency’

The 'Blue Efficiency' Mercedes C-class. It's all about mileage now...

Mercedes-Benz now has an ‘environmental line’ in Europe, which has been named ‘Blue Efficiency,’ and C-class cars are now getting the Blue Efficiency treatment. This means lighter glass, lightweight alloy wheels, and tyres that have less rolling resistance. For better aerodynamics, the cars are also getting a closed underbody, revised engine bay and even redesigned rear-view mirrors.

Blue Efficiency Mercedes C-class cars will still have two engine options – the petrol-powered C180 Kompressor and the C200 CDI. However, the C180 Kompressor’s engine will be downsized from 1.8 to 1.6 litres, though power and torque will remain unchanged at 156bhp and 230Nm.

The much anticipated stop-start feature is not being made available yet, but with so much overall optimization for fuel efficiency, the mileage figures are pretty good – about 15-17km/l for the C200 CDI and around 10km/l for the C180. We’re sure these Blue Efficiency variants of the Mercedes-Benz C-class will also be launched in India, soon.

Honda launches Civic Hybrid in India, priced at Rs 21.5 lakh ex-showroom

At Rs 21.5 lakh ex-showroom, the Honda Civic Hybrid is pegged at more than twice of what it costs in the US, thanks to import duties levied on CBU imports in India!

Honda has launched the petrol-electric Civic Hybrid in India today – the car is priced at an astronomical Rs 21.5 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi. This is more than twice of what the car costs in the US market, but since the Civic Hybrid is being imported into India as a CBU, perhaps the price difference is understandable, given that more than 100% duty is levied on imported cars.

‘This is yet another step to strengthen Honda's presence in India, in line with our long term goal of bringing eco friendly vehicles,’ Masahiro Takedawa, President and CEO, Honda Siel Cars.

The Civic Hybrid is powered by an SOHC, 8-valve, four-cylinder, 1339cc i-VTEC engine that makes 110 horsepower at 6,000rpm. Plus, there’s an electric motor that makes an additional 20 horsepower. This motor is powered by Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) batteries.

The Civic Hybrid also gets a fully automatic CVT transmission, 15-inch alloy wheels, anti-lock brakes with EBD, and multiple airbags. It’s a safe, sophisticated and high-tech car, but at Rs 21.5 lakh ex-showroom, it remains to be seen whether Indian buyers are prepared to fork out that kind of money to go green and/or save the planet…

Royal Enfield continues to launch new variants

More than 50 years on, the Royal Enfield Bullet just keeps going...

Royal Enfield, a division of Eicher Motors, has proposed to launch four new variants of the Bullet by 2010-11. ‘Out of the four, two models will be for the international market while two will be for the domestic market,’ said R L Ravichandran, CEO, Royal Enfield.

Royal Enfield has only two models in its current lineup – the Bullet 350 and the Bullet 500. Both these bikes are powered by ancient single-cylinder engines of 350cc and 500cc engine capacity respectively. However, the company keeps launching new variants, with minor cosmetic and mechanical modifications, every now and then.

‘We plan to increase the production capacity at our Thiruvottiyur plant from the existing 40,000 units to 60,000 units in the next two years,’ says Ravichandran. In the last two years, the company’s sales have increased by 25 percent, and this year, sales are expected to go up by another 15 percent, he added.

Royal Enfield sold a total of about 39,000 bikes last year, while the target for this year is 45,000 units. The company has just launched the Thunderbird Twinspark variant, which costs Rs 103,000 on-road – only slightly less than the recently launched Yamaha YZF R15.

A large chunk of Royal Enfield’s sales come from the export market – people in Europe and elsewhere buy the Bullet 500 for its nostalgia-inducing old-world charm. The company recently launched a fuel-injected variant of the Bullet 500, which is meant only for the export market.

In the Indian market, Bullet fans can expect to see fuel-injected versions of both, the 350 and the 500 Bullets, which are likely to come out by 2010.

GM to develop LPG/CNG powered variants of its cars for India

Expect to see a new LPG / CNG variant of the Chevy U-VA soon...

Car manufacturers are currently grappling with the recent hike in fuel prices in the country, and LPG / CNG variants of existing models is being seen as one solution – even if only a partial one.

The latest carmaker to join the LPG / CNG variant bandwagon is General Motors India (GMI), which may soon be introducing CNG and/or LPG powered variants of the Chevy Spark and U-VA hatchbacks, and the Aveo sedan. GMI already sells a CNG version of the Chevrolet Optra sedan in some cities in the country.

A company spokesperson says that GMI has been working on alternative fuel variants for some time, and the recent hike in fuel prices has only served to speed up that process. However, a launch date for the new variants has not yet been set, since the company is still putting the new variants through an extensive testing process.

First among GMI’s new ‘green’ variants is likely to be an LPG-powered model of the Chevrolet Spark, followed by the U-VA. GMI’s new plant, where the Spark will be produced, is coming up at Talegaon near Pune, and is expected to be operational by the end of this year.

Hyundai Accent CNG now available, priced at Rs 5.55 lakh

The age-old Accent is now available with a factory-fitted CNG kit...

Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has introduced a CNG variant of the Accent, which can be run on petrol as well as CNG. The new variant is more expensive than the petrol-only version, and is priced at Rs 5.55 lakh ex-showroom.

The Accent CNG is fitted with Hyundai’s old 1.5-litre engine, which is compatible with CNG without needing any major modifications. HMIL has tied up with Korea-based CEV, which will be providing CNG kits for the Accent. This kit comes with an advanced ‘Lambda’ control system that ensures that the car will meets Euro III emission norms.

Hyundai is also planning to launch LPG variants of some of its cars, including the Accent and Santro.

Next-generation Porsche 911 gets direct fuel-injection and double-clutch gearbox

With new DFI engines and PDK transmission, the latest Porsche 911 is better than ever before

First launched in 1963, the Porsche 911 series has been going strong ever since, improving and evolving with every new iteration.

Now, Porsche is making the 911 even better by offering all-new, flat-six 3.6-litre and 3.8-litre engines, featuring Direct Fuel Injection (DFI), and the option of the Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) double-clutch transmission.

The four new 911 models – two coupés and two cabriolets – offer increased dynamic performance, better fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions. Porsche’s Direct Fuel Injection (DFI), already in use on the Cayenne SUV and now being used on the 911 for the first time, forms exactly the right mixture of fuel and air directly in the combustion chamber. This technology serves to develop more horsepower and torque from less fuel.

As well as offering lower running costs, the DFI engines fitted in the 911 are also more powerful than the previous generation power units. Maximum output of the 911 Carrera 3.6-litre is now 345 bhp, and the 911 Carrera S 3.8-litre now packs 385bhp. The Carrera S Coupé now offers a top speed of slightly over 300 km/h, which in India can probably only be achieved on the Mumbai Pune Expressway…

Apart from DFI, the new Porsches also feature the Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) technology. This is Porsche’s all-new double-clutch gearbox with seven forward speeds. This can be used either in the fully automatic mode or the manual sequential-shift mode. PDK replaces the Porsche Tiptronic S automatic transmission system used on some earlier Porsche cars.

The seven-speed PDK shifts gears up to 60 percent faster than a conventional automatic transmission, and naturally, gives the new 911 Carrera models even better performance: when equipped with PDK, the Carrera S Coupé accelerates in from 0-100km/h in 4.5 seconds, which is 0.8 seconds quicker than its predecessor with Tiptronic S.

In a further enhancement of driver safety, the new Porsche Stability Management (PSM) system now also comprises the Brake Pre-Filling and Brake Assistant functions which ensures faster and more powerful braking response when required. These aspects were previously available only on the Carrera 4 and Turbo models. The 911 Carrera now also features larger 330mm diameter brake discs front and rear.

The new Porsche 911s will be available in India with immediate effect. For pricing and other details, visit the Porsche India website here

LPG-powered Maruti 800 Duo launched

After 25 years, the Maruti 800 is still going strong. The car is now available with a factory-fitted kit that'll allow it to run on LPG

With petrol and diesel becoming more and more expensive, India’s smallest, most inexpensive car – the Maruti 800 – is suddenly relevant all over again. After almost 25 years, the M800 refuses to die – Maruti is giving the car a new lease of life by offering an LPG variant, the Maruti 800 Duo.

Priced at Rs 2.05 lakh (non-AC) and Rs 2.26 lakh (AC), ex-showroom Delhi, the Maruti 800 Duo will be capable of running on LPG and petrol. ‘Dual fuel vehicles have always formed a prominent part of our overall product strategy. Besides, the car is economical to drive and [the LPG kit] being factory fitted, it is completely safe,’ said Mayank Pareek, executive officer, marketing and sales, Maruti Suzuki India.

Till date, MSI has sold almost 125,000 cars that are powered by LPG and CNG fuels. Besides the M800 Duo, the company offers Omni and Wagon R in dual fuel options.

Logan sales continue to be poor, Mahindra-Renault to launch LE version in July

With its dated styling and poor interiors, the Logan hasn't been selling well in India. Is that why Mahindra-Renault is launching an LE variant next month?

Next month, M&M will be launching a Limited Edition version of the Logan sedan, which will be aimed specifically at higher-end customers.

To be launched in July, the Mahindra Renault Logan LE will be fitted with a new CD player, better upholstery and snazzier interiors. The LE will also be fitted with safety equipment like antilock brakes (ABS) and airbags.

The Mahindra Renault Logan was launched in May 2007, but due to its dated styling and rather chintzy, low-rent interiors, the car hasn’t been able to take on the competition from Honda, Ford, Hyundai and Maruti etc.

Mahindra Renault only managed to sell 1,531 units of the Logan in May 2008, down from 2,786 units in May last year. The question is, with so many other cars that are better built, more refined, more contemporary looking, and boast of better fit and finish, can a tarted-up Logan really be successful in the Indian market? We think not!

New limited edition Suzuki Wagon R launched in Japan

The new limited edition Wagon R for the Japanese market looks good!
Pics: Autoblog

With newer compact cars coming in, the common consensus here in India seems to be that the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R is on its last legs – most industry experts expect Maruti to replace the car with something else in the next few months, or perhaps in 2009.

In Japan, however, the Suzuki Wagon R is still going strong. In fact, Suzuki has sold three million Wagon Rs in Japan and is launching new limited edition variants to commemorate its success with this car. The Wagon R and the 4WD ‘Stingray’ version sold in Japan will both be available in LE versions, with new front grilles, foglamps, Alcantara-covered seats, leather-wrapped steering wheels with silver contrast stitching, and rearview mirrors with LED turn indicators.

Unlike the Maruti Wagon R sold in India, the Japanese Wagon Rs get 660cc engines, and cost the equivalent of Rs 4.50 lakh for the regular car, and Rs 5.30 lakh for the 4WD Stingray version. Take a closer look at the interiors of the Japanese Wagon R – wouldn’t it be great if Maruti also decided to revamp the Indian Wagon R’s interiors, and make them like the Japanese ones…

This is the 4WD 'Stingray' version of the Suzuki Wagon R, which retails for the equivalent of about Rs 5.30 lakh in Japan. (Of course, why anyone would want 4WD on a 660cc-engined city car is quite beyond us...)

Hyundai to launch Rs 1.40 lakh small car in India by 2011, new i10 with 1.2-litre engine in two months

The Hyundai i10 will get a new 1.2-litre engine in two months...

Hyundai is developing an all-new small car for India, which it hopes to launch in the country by 2011-12. The car will cost about Rs 1.40 lakh, and will compete with the Tata Nano and possibly the Bajaj-Nissan small car.

Apart from India, the new Hyundai small car will also be sold in China and perhaps other markets. Hyundai says the new car is being developed in response to a perceived need for a vehicle that’s smaller and less expensive than the Santro, and not necessarily to compete directly with the Tata Nano.

Research and development work for the new small car is already on at Hyundai’s facilities in Korea, and in India, in Hyderabad and Chennai. Hyundai exported more than 100,000 cars from India last year, and hopes to double that number this year.

Hyundai will also launch a new variant of its i10, which will be fitted with an all-aluminium 1.2-litre engine that’s likely to make about 80bhp. The existing i10 comes with a 1.1-litre, 66bhp engine.

Codenamed ‘Kappa,’ Hyundai’s new 1.2-litre engine for the i10 is currently being developed at the company's Chennai facility. Apart from that, the company is also planning to launch LPG variants of the Santro, Getz and Accent cars, as well as a CNG variant of the Accent.

Tata Motors introduces the new Indica V2 Xeta LPG

The Indica V2 Xeta LPG - prices start at Rs 3.27 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi

In a bid to provide some relief to car buyers who’re scared of rising petrol prices, Tata Motors has announced the launch of the Indica V2 Xeta LPG. The new Indica runs on LPG, but can also be run on petrol in case a user runs out of gas and/or if LPG is not available.

Tata Motors claim excellent fuel efficiency for the new Indica variant, and also says that running the car on LPG reduces its CO2 emissions by 10 percent. The engine is Tata’s proven 1.2-litre MPFI unit, but with two ECUs instead of the usual one. This, of course, is to allow the car to run on both petrol and LPG.

In LPG mode, the engine makes 62bhp at 5000rpm, while in petrol mode, power is a bit higher at 65bhp@5000rpm. A torque figure of 102Nm@2600rpm means excellent tractability and pulling power at low speeds, with a full load and with the AC switched on.

The LPG Indica’s engine meets BSIII emission norms, and it can be upgraded to meet Euro IV norms. The car will be available in GLE and GLS versions, with prices ranging between Rs 3.27 lakh to Rs 3.42 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi.

External links:
Airbus also gets on the alternative fuel/biofuel bandwagon!

Yamaha G5 now available with electric start

The Yamaha G5 has been launched with electric start

After the Alba 106, it’s now the Yamaha G5’s turn to get electric start – the G5 is now available with ES and is priced at Rs 39,380 ex-showroom (all over India).

‘We plan to continue gearing up our existing product line and marketing initiatives. We are paying attention at the customer who always looks for more. The new G5 is equipped with electric start as a convenient feature,’ said Takahiro Maeda, Yamaha India’s executive vice president and chief sales and marketing officer.

Old, small capacity commuter bikes with electric start notwithstanding, motorcycle enthusiasts all over the country still wait for Yamaha’s FZ150 and YZF-R15, both of which are due for launch later this year.

Fiat Palio: CNG variant planned for 2009

With petrol and diesel variants already available, Fiat will now do a CNG version of the Palio, which might possibly cater to the taxi market in Maharashtra?

In the face of ever-rising petrol prices, some hapless consumers, and of course taxi drivers, are left with no option but to fit LPG or CNG kits in their car, which reduces running costs by a big margin. Keeping this in mind, Fiat India is planning to launch a CNG variant of the Palio hatchback by early 2009.

Fiat India, which has not been doing too well in the country despite its best efforts, hasn’t given up on this market yet. The Italian company has many new car launches lined up for the next few months, including the very stylish 500 hatchback, the Linea and the Grande Punto.

While the 500 would be imported as a CBU in limited numbers, the Linea sedan and Grande Punto hatchback will be made at Fiat’s plant in Ranjangaon, near Pune. It remains to be seen whether Fiat India can indeed make a comeback to profitability with its new range of cars.

Yamaha introduces Alba 106 with electric start

Yet another 'new bike' from Yamaha, in the dying 100cc segment. When will this company learn?

Yamaha India, it seems, is not prepared to change . While all other manufacturers are going ahead with bigger, sportier and more stylish machines, the company has gone ahead and launched yet another rehashed 106cc machine – the Alba – which now comes with electric start.

Even as the Indian motorcycle market is ready to graduate to bikes with bigger engine capacities, and despite Yamaha promising to launch sportier bikes for ages, all we have from the company is another motorcycle in the 100cc segment. Can it really be that Yamaha has still not understood that it can’t beat Hero Honda in the 100cc game?!

‘The unique design of Yamaha Alba 106 blends youthful style and modernism with thoughtful decency. Giving it a sturdy, macho image are the new aerodynamic cowl, well sculptured tank, well-built side and rear panel. While the exciting graphics with the smooth flowing design give the bike its stylish, super cool looks,’ says a company press release. Ahem. But wait, there's more...

‘The launch of new Alba with electric start is in line with Yamaha’s true commitment to provide world class products to its customers. A lot of emphasis has been laid on shaping Alba for maximum comfort of the rider and its premium features will give consumers a new thrill in biking pleasure. Alba delivers comfort, style and solidity, which will make it the right choice for the discerning customers,’ says Takahiro Maeda, who heads Yamaha India.

What can we say Maeda san. We’re speechless. Just hurry up with the YZF-R15 and the FZ150, please.

Skoda India unveils new petrol variant of the Fabia

With the new 1.2-litre petrol engine, the Fabia will be able to avail excise duty benefits and will be cheaper to buy

With the Fabia quickly becoming the premium hatchback of choice with the motoring cognoscenti in the country, Skoda India has gone ahead and unveiled a new, cheaper variant of the car – the petrol-powered Fabia 1.2. The Fabia 1.2 is now available in Active, Classic and Ambiente trim levels, priced at Rs 4.86 lakh to Rs 5.80 lakh, ex-showroom.

While Skoda already had the Fabia 1.4 petrol in their India lineup, the 1.2 model has been introduced to take advantage of the excise duty benefits being offered to cars with 1,200cc or smaller engine capacities. Fitted with Skoda’s 1,198cc, 16-valve, DOHC, inline-four, the Fabia 1.2 is not likely to be as perky as the 1.4 model, but the 1.2 model’s cost advantage and perhaps its better fuel efficiency will probably be appreciated by some prospective customers.

The new Fabia will have dual airbags and collapsible steering wheel as standard features, while anti-lock brakes will be on the options list, so it’s likely to be a reasonably safe car. Colour choices will include candy white, cappuccino beige, brilliant silver, magic black, satin grey, corrida red, and tangerine orange.

Skoda India has sold over 3,500 units of Fabia till April 2008. The target sales of the Fabia product line is 10,000 units for 2008, wherein the share of the Fabia 1.2 MPI is supposed to be at 40 percent.