Tata Manza to be unveiled on Oct 14

Tata Manza

A brand new Indigo christened as Tata Manza will be launched on October 14 this month. The new Manza is built on Indica Vista platform and will be unveiled in Mumbai by Ratan Tata, Chairman Tata Motors. The new model will be powered by an engine sourced from Fiat and will be available with two engine options -1.4L petrol engine capable of delivering 95PS power and 1.3L multi-jet engine that pumps out power of 90PS.

Other features of new Tata Manza include class leading interior space, and steering mounted controls. There is even more refinement in the huge boot space that is well integrated in the overall shape rather than a stand out space as in previous model. In the front, there are projector headlamps to differentiate it from the Indica Vista. Interiors are expected to be upgraded with brand new, better quality trimmings and fabric.

The new model is expected to be priced at Rs. 5.5 lakhs for entry level to Rs. 7.5 Lakh for top end diesel model. The car will be pitted against Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire and Mahindra Renault Logan.

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Congratulations to the readers of Motercar blog

This came as a surprise to me and was pretty overwhelming that ‘Mahindra Scorpio’s official website has included a post of their car written by Motercar blog in a PDF format’. I just came to know about it seeing the blog stats in WordPress and has given a boost to our spirits to keep it up.

The PDF has been uploaded at:

http://mahindrascorpio.com/scorp+io_refresh/Admin/tmpupload/Scorpio on Motercar.wordpress.com7.pdf

and can also be downloaded from here:

http://motercar.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/37a8c0f4d01.pdf

Land Rover Freelander Launched in India

Land Rover Freelander 2, a Sports Utility Vehicle from Land Rover’s reputed international stable, has been launched today in India.

The Land Rover Freelander is positioned as an upmarket yet compact ‘lifestyle’ SUV, ideal for an urban setting while also being decently capable off-road. Land Rover Freelander will be available in three trims: S, HS and HSE. There are two engines on offer: a petrol V6 or a turbocharged four-pot diesel. The V6 displaces  3200cc, putting out 230 bhp while the torquey diesel is a 2.2 litre powerplant, with 40.8 kgm of torque.

Land Rover Freelander acceleration figures are reported to be 10.9 seconds for a 0-100 kph run in the diesel, which has better fuel economy over the petrol. The petrol will do 0-100 kph in 8.4 seconds.

Land Rover Freelander Terrain Response System is also part of the package, which will help you when you’re out in the muck along with the 4WD system. Though we don’t think the average Land Rover Freelander owner will quite enjoy spending all day in a mud bath with his machine. And that’s exactly why more focus has been on nice and predictable road manners.

Land Rover Freelander Prices stand at Rs.33.8 lakh for the S version, Rs.39 lakh for the Land Rover Freelander HS version and Rs.45 lakh for the Land Rover Freelander HSE version. (All Land Rover Freelander prices ex-showroom, Mumbai)

New Nissan Teana & X-Trail launched

Nissan Teana

Nissan are pulling out all stops to get their Indian plans on track. While a state-of-the-art plant is being constructed out of Chennai, that isn’t stopping their small, yet significant CBU effort.

The new X-Trail and Teana are the first of the lot. Essentially newer generation cars with new engines, revised chassis and interiors and yet they aren’t an entire generation up.

The Teana’s 2.3-litre V6 now gets replaced with a 2.5-litre engine unit that now produces 180 bhp and a 23.2 kgm of torque. Other changes include new tapering headlamps, larger chrome grille, revised bumpers and tail lamps as well as new alloy wheels. On the inside a new dashboard with the instrument cluster located right behind the steering wheel forms the major highlight. Other changes include the adoption of an Ottoman chair for the front passenger seat that mimics airline business class seats, the adoption of sunroofs for the both the front and rear seats in the top-end version as well as a multi-speaker Bose surround system and vented seats at the rear.

Nissan X-Trail

The X-Trail on the other hand gets a new 2.0-litre common rail turbodiesel engine, instead of the 2.2-litre unit. Power is now up to 150 bhp from 135 bhp, while peak torque has increased marginally to 32.7 kgm. Like the Teana, the X-Trail gets a revised instrument cluster layout (behind the steering wheel), a new centre console, hill descent control and hold assist on the premium variant among others. Exterior changes include new larger bug-eyed head lamps, V-shaped grille, cleaner bumper design, revised tail lamps and alloy wheels. Nissan claims that the X-Trail is based on an all-new chassis that has improved dynamics considerably. Read elsewhere on this site for a comprehensive X-Trail drive in Japan.

The prices of the cars, ex-showroom New Delhi are as under:

Teana
2.5 XL- Rs 21.03 lakh
2.5 XV- Rs 25.40 lakh

X-Trail
2.0 LE- Rs 20.81 lakh
2.0 SLX- Rs 23.18 lakh
2.0 SLX AT – Rs 25.08 lakh

Meanwhile the company has hinted that the Murano premium SUV and 370Z roadster will complete its range of four CBUs that have been planned for an Indian launch.

New Honda Civic

Honda Siel Cars India launched the new Honda Civic with new looks. The new Curved 5 Point Metallic Front Grille and restyled Front Bumper are the new changes on the new Civic.

The new Civic SMT comes with two tone luxury high quality fabric seats with matching fabric on door panels & armrest. The other changes include newly shaped fog lamps, new design alloys, tail lamps have a new hexagonal shape and the Civic now features a single CD changer instead of its 6-Cd changer.  Honda Civic VMT & VAT comes with a steering mounted cruise control system that helps to cruise at the desired speed with one touch operation. It also comes with a new sporty fog light with garnish and newly designed alloy wheel.

Additionally, all the variants will be available in 2 attractive types – Elegance and Inspire.

The 1.8 L i-VTEC engine in the new Honda Civic is the most advanced engine technology available in the segment. It combines Honda’s i-VTEC (Intelligent Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control) technology with VTC (Variable Time Control), delivering both powerful performance and superior fuel economy. The ARAI fuel efficiency results of 15.5 km/l for Civic MT reiterates its unmatched fuel economy. In line with Honda’s mission to reduce its environment footprint, the new Honda Civic is E10 compatible and has Euro IV emission levels.

The all Honda Civic comes with a 2+2 year warranty and 24-hr roadside assistance as standard value for all new Civic buyers.

Price of the New Honda Civic (Ex showroom -Delhi)
Honda Civic SMT: 11.8 lakh
Honda Civic VMT: 12.7 lakh
Honda Civic VAT: 13.44 lakh

Audi launches New Q7

Audi announced the New Audi Q7. The new Audi Q7 is available in three engine options – 3.0 TDI quattro, 3.6 FSI quattro and 4.2 FSI quattro at Audi dealerships across the country from 3rd September 2009. The new Audi Q7 range starts at (ex-showroom Mumbai) Rs 53,40,000 for the 3.0 TDI quattro, Rs 55,20,000 for the 3.6 FSI quattro and € 42,696 (Rs 29 lakh approximately excluding the duties and taxes) for the 4.2 FSI Quattro. The 4.2 FSI Quattro should cost about Rs 65-70 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai without any accessories).

The Audi Q7 is 5,089 mm long and has a 3,002 mm wheelbase. It provides generous interior comfort, a cargo volume of up to 2,035 liters. The customer can order an interior with six or seven seats. Many improvements down to the smallest details enhance personal comfort – including interior lights in the door linings, an inlay on the passenger side, and new colors as well as materials. Many operator-control details have been refined and enhanced with chrome elements in the new Audi Q7.

All engines in the Audi Q7 program are powerful and efficient direct-injection versions. Standard equipment includes a six-speed tiptronic. The new Audi Q7 is available in an exciting palate of new colors like Ibis White, Teak Brown, Orca Black and Graphite Grey as well as the existing colors which include Deep Black, Bahia Beige, Cobalt Blue, Condor Grey, Ice Silver, Garnet Red and Lava Grey.

Maruti Suzuki Launched New Zen Estilo

India’s leading car maker, Maruti Suzuki India has launched an all-new Zen Estilo. Zen Estilo represents the company’s matching pace with the changing taste and lifestyle of ‘Vibrant India’, and the bolder new Estilo is perfectly designed to meet just those aspirations of the Indian customer.

The new Zen Estilo comes with the popular 998cc K-series engine where its three-cylinder engine delivers a power of 68 PS@ 6200rpm and a higher torque of 90Nm @ 3500rpm. The improved engine technology enables more power, low NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) and the lighter weight of the engine which helps to increase the fuel efficiency. The new Zen Estilo comes with certified with 18.2 kmpl by ARAI. It is also the second car in Maruti’s stable to meet BSIV norms, much ahead of its effective enforcement date of April 2010.

Its new efficient transmission technology and advanced ‘Detent pin’ gear shift mechanism offers smooth and precise gear shift feeling for the customers. Its minimum ground clearance of 165 mm and wheelbase of 2360 mm with a tight turning radius of 4.6 meters makes it a favored car in tight parking and driving conditions.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Shinzo Nakanishi, Managing Director and CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited said, “The new Zen Estilo, with a new technology engine and a new transmission, is sure to delight the customer. We are confident that the new Zen Estilo with its bolder new design and interiors will add to the competitive edge of Maruti Suzuki in compact car segment.”

On the refreshed Zen Estilo, that packages contemporary features and style with next generation technology, he added, “Product upgradation is an integral part of Maruti Suzuki’s business strategy and future plans. This is a way to include feedback from the customers and offer better products that match their tastes.”

The new Zen Estilo is available in three exciting variants: LX, LXi and VXi and in four brand new colours: Ecru Beige, Emerald Blue, Dusky Brown and Quantum Orange and with a price tag of Rs 3.12 lakh for Lx, Rs 3.40 lakh for LXi and Rs 3.66 lakh for VXi variant. All prices are ex showroom Delhi.

Toyota to launch Fortuner SUV in India on Aug 24

Toyota, the world’s largest carmaker, would launch Toyota Fortuner in the Indian market on August 24, betting big on its sports utility vehicle.

Toyota’s Indian unit Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) expects Fortuner to “take away 50 per cent market share” in this category.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Deputy Managing Director (Marketing) Sandeep Singh said the joint venture expects to sell 2,000 units of Fortuner from the launch date to December end. Fortuner would come with a price tag of around Rs 20 lakh, he added.

Company officials said Toyota has not planned to launch any new model over the period between the unveiling of Fortuner in August and its compact car by next year-end. However, there would be limited editions and variants of existing models hitting the roads.

Tata, Fiat eye market for Ferraris in India

Italian auto giant Fiat and Indian car maker Tata are in talks about a joint marketing project to sell Ferraris and Mazeratis in India.

“We are talking. We have various projects (including) marketing Ferraris and Maseratis” in India, Tata boss Ratan Tata told the Italian daily La Stampa.

Both brands are under Fiat’s control.

Tata Motors is also present in the luxury car business, having acquired the British brands Jaguar and Land Rover for 2.3 billion dollars from US automaker Ford last year.

At the other end of the scale, Fiat and Tata are considering marketing the Tata Nano, the world’s cheapest car, in Latin America, where Fiat has a strong presence.

The partners are also discussing “sharing new car platforms” and have plans for Iveco, Fiat’s truck and bus subsidiary, Tata told La Stampa, which is owned by the Fiat group.

The Nano, starting at some 1,640 euros (2,330 dollars) in India, hit the streets this month in India, and Tata has plans to export it to Europe, South America and Southeast Asia.

It will arrive in Europe “at the end of 2011 as planned,” said Tata, who is on Fiat’s board of directors.

He added that the Nano had just passed European safety tests.

Fiat and Tata build cars, engines and gearboxes together in India, and Tata Motors is Fiat’s distributor in India.

Tata Motors to deliver first Nano on Friday

Tata Motors Ltd, India’s largest vehicles maker, said on Thursday it would deliver the Nano, the world’s cheapest car, to its first customer on Friday.

Chairman Ratan Tata had showcased the Nano at an auto show in New Delhi in January last year, but consumer bookings began only in April this year after the project was delayed due to land disputes at its planned site in the eastern state of West Bengal.

Over 70% of the total 2.03 lakh bookings have come from non-metro markets. Tata Motors, which closed the bookings for the Nano on April 25, 2009, will complete the process of delivering one-lakh cars by the last quarter of 2010. A Tata Motors dealer based out of South Mumbai said, customers have been informed about the delivery schedule in their allotment letters.

Tata has assured price protection for the first 100,000 customers, for whom the cars will be available for 100,000 rupees ($2,053), excluding taxes.