Look who's coming to Auto Expo 2010...

Toyota Motor Corporation announced the unveiling of the concept model of its compact car, for the Indian markets to take place next month at the annual Auto Expo show to be held in the capital, along with its hybrid variant, the Toyota Prius.

Toyota's Indian counterpart, Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt Ltd, will start the compact car's production in December, next year at its second plant which is being built in Bangalore. TKM Deputy Managing Director Sandeep Singh said, "Both hatchback and sedan version of concept vehicle of the compact car will be showcased at Auto Expo in New Delhi from January 5th to 11th." "Production will start by December 2010. First year production plan is 70,000" he added.

In eleven year's of Toyota's existence in India, this compact car's project is believed to be the most ambitious and the company is betting big on this initiative to become a volume player. TKM will also be showcasing its hybrid variant, the Toyota Prius at the same event in the capial. "Prius, we are going to display and you can say we are talking about launch of the Prius", Singh said.

When asked about the price tag which will accompany the Prius, Mr. Singh declined to give any details. However, he said that the company is striving hard to convince the Government in granting some concession on duty for Toyota's Prius.

Toyota might launch the Prius along with its compact car

Toyota Kirloskar Motors is just a month's time away from showcasing its compact car for India. With the launch of its compact car Toyota wants to increase its market share by entering the small car segment which registers the higest sales in the country. The manufacturer is also planning to launch its hybrid car Prius in the country.

According to Sandeep Singh, Deputy Managing Director, Toyota Kirloskar Motors, itis a concept vehicle comming from Japan. He said that both hatchback and sedan version of the concept compact car will be showcased at the upcomming Auto Expo in January. He further said that production of the compact car is slated to begin by the end of 2010 and the manufacturer is plaanning to build around 70,000 units.

Toyota Kirloskar Motors will also be showcasing its Prius at the Auto Expo. When questioned about the possibility of its Prius being launched here, the company's Deputy MD commented that one can say we are talking about the launch of our Prius. Mr.Singh also revealed that the company is hoping the government to approve some consession for the hybrid vehicle otherwise the price of the car would be very expensive and it dosen't make sense in paying a high duty and selling it. He declined to comment on a likely price tag for the Prius.

 
The manufacturer is also vying to increase its dealer network to around 150 dealerships from its current 93 dealerships. A wider dealer network will help the company to attract more potential buyers once its compact car is launched.

Ford India is vying for larger market share

Ford Motor India intends to become a mainstream player in the hatchback segment. The manufacturer has announced that it will be launching a new car model every year for the next five years. It is also aiming to triple its car sales by the end of 2010. As we have revealed earlier first up will be its new Figo hatchback.

According to Micheal Boneham, President and Managing Director, Ford Motor India, if one wants to be in the game in India, then one has to be in that segment otherwise one will be an interesting niche player not a mainstream player.

The B segment car sales constitute around 70% of the total car sales in the country. Ford Moor India currently holds only 2% of the car market in terms of sales figures. The American auto major currently sells iis sedans Ikon, Fiesta, Fusion along with its SUV Endeavour in India.

Mercedes F1 sign on Nico Rosberg

The reigning F1 world champions Mercedes (previously known as Brawn GP) have signed on the German ‘Britney’ a.k.a Nico Rosberg as one of their title contenders for 2010.
Williams Chief executive Nick Fry admitted that Nico’s Brawn switch had happened long ago and had been kept under wraps until the end of the season.

However the second Mercedes seat is still up for grabs. Rumors suggest that Nick Heidfeld is the most likely candidate for the seat making it an all-German party, but some other big names have been linked to the seat as well. Michael Schumacher might even make a comeback to F1 just to thank Norbert Haug and Mercedes for supporting him all through his pre F1 struggle. It could also be the incredibly talented Pole, Robert Kubica if Renault decides to quit of F1. But it could also be Kimi Raikkonen re-united with a ‘Silver Arrows’. Hope it somehow works out that way.

Tatas Omni Challenge : Ace Van

For the past two and a half decades, Maruti's little van, the Omni has been the only 'really cheap' mode of transporting 6-7 people around in our country. Rivals have come and gone, but thanks to their optimistic price-tags, none of them have been able to make a dent into the popularity of the 'lil Omni.

Even though the demand for the other Maruti, the 800 has dropped from 20,000 units (per month) to just 2500 these days, the Omni remains popular as ever with steady sales of 8,000+ examples.

Tata wants a piece of this pie, and have it, it will with its Super hit, Ace-based Van that you see here in the pics. The re-worked grille and tail-light do give it an upmarket air compared to the utilitarian Ace. Interiors too seem to be more than a match for the Omni. The chassis and power train will be carried over from the Ace albeit with modifications, as it will no longer be expected to haul its usual 1 tonne legal + 1 tonne illegal cargo. So modification to the suspension to improve its ride quality and to the gearing for improving the drivability must have been on the cards.

Expected launch: March 2010.
Expected Price: Rs. 3.25 Lakh (on-Road).

Volvo's new car line-up for India

Volvo has decided to enrich its existing product portfolio for India. The Scandanavian manufacturer will be launching the latest variant of its luxury sedan S80, premium utility vehicle XC60 and the S60 sedan in the country. The new S80 will be powered by a twin turbo, Euro V compliant, diesel engine. Volvo Auto India has not revealed the pricing of its soon to be launched cars but said it will be announced closer to their launch early next year.

According to Paud de Vojis, Managing Director, Volvo, the first batch of containers carrying the new S80 sedans is on its way to India and should be here around the time of the Delhi Auto Show. He further said that Swedish manufacturer will be focusing its resources towards the new car launches planned for 2010 and are working towards expanding their product portfolio in India with the proposed launch of Volvo XC60 in the first half of 2010. He also commented that the XC60 and the S60 are good products for the Indian market.

Paud de Vojis further stated that the luxury car market in India, comprising of cars priced above Rs.24-25 lakh has grown at 11% this year while Volvo Auto India has grown at 16%. He revealed that Volvo Auto India sold 900 cars last year and expects to beat the 10% increase it had earlier projected this year. Speaking on behalf of Volvo cars he said that the manufacturer has decided internally to not participate at the upcomming Delhi Auto Show.

FIAT's city car confirmed for 2011

A few days back, we revealed Honda’s plans of launching a small car specifically for India powered with a 1.1-litre petrol engine. Close on the heels of this news, we learn that even FIAT is readying a small car that will be designed and developed specially for India. With the design finalized, we hear that a clay prototype of the car is ready with the Italian’s firm design studio in Turin. A fully functional set of prototypes are expected to reach the firm’s Ranjangoan factory by early 2010 where the rigorous testing will commence.

If pointers given by FIAT are to be believed, then expect the new car to employ a wide array of engines ranging from a frugal 600cc to a competitive 1.1-litre mill. The car will be powered by petrol initially, while a small turbo-diesel engine might be in the pipeline. Designed specifically for India and its traffic conditions, the car will be placed between the A and B segments in terms and pricing and features – where it will take on the likes of the i10 and A-star. Similar to Hyundai and Suzuki, FIAT too will make India a production hub for the city car and will export it to the European markets to begin with. The car may well be christened the ‘Topolino’ – an old classic like the 500, which FIAT has hinted at reviving since early last year.

Expected: Q2 2011

Price bracket: Rs. 2.5-lakh to 5-lakh
Engines: 600cc & 1.1-litre petrol

More Horses to pull Linea

Fiat India’s comeback car, the Linea is arguably one of the best mid-size salons on sale today. However, one of its very few shortcomings has been the lack of horses, for the petrol as well as the diesel engined variants. Having identified this problem, Fiat India is ready to remedy the situation by launching not one, but two new engines for the Linea. We already told you about the 1.6 litre Multijet Diesel that is on its way. But before that Fiat is all set to introduce a powerful 118bhp T-JET petrol engine, at the upcoming 2010 Auto Expo. The Honda City will have its work cut-out against the Linea, thanks to the Linea’s excellent handling and ride quality, superior torque (30% more than the City) and a wide power-band (courtesy of the force feeding), comprehensive kit, and a price tag that is almost a lakh lower than the Honda



The new engines were slated for a simultaneous launch, but our sources say that the diesel engine has been shelved until December 2010. The problem being that the gearbox mated with that engine is an outdated GM sourced unit. Fiat is in the process of designing a brand new gearbox for that particular engine.
 

A fire-breathing Linea is all well and good, but more than that, Fiat should really focus on getting their latest small capacity ‘Multiair’ series engine into the country. It may not be high on horsepower with only 77bhp to boot, but it is fantastically drivable, eerily refined and best of all remarkably fuel efficient (remember the iDSi Honda City?). A 0-100kph time of 13 seconds for the Punto Evo powered by this engine doesn’t sound too bad either. This engine will send chills down the spine of even the best of its competitors, say the Ritz, the i20, the Fabia and even the Jazz. It will do a lot of god to Fiat as well as Tata's Portfolio in the country.

 
Engine Specifications:

Petrol (l4) 1.4L 16V Turbo JET (T-JET)
Displacement: 1368cc
Max. Power: 117.8bhp@5000rpm
Peak Torque: 206Nm@2500rpm
Fuel Injection: Timed, Sequential Electronic Multi-Point Fuel Injection
Top Speed: 195 kph
Acceleration: 0 - 100 kph: 9.5sec

New Santro to be launched within a month

From our Media Partners: MOTOROIDS

Hyundai’s ideal ‘first car’ for masses is about get completely refreshed to cope not only with the intensifying competition but to also gel with the stylish ‘i’-range of Hyundai cars. Yes, we are talking about the Santro – an entry level city car that has been giving the market leaders, Maruti Suzuki a run for their money!

Hyundai was all set to launch the new car during the festive season in India; however with labor unions going of a strike and related problems cropping up, the Korean carmaker had to hold the car back. However, Hyundai is now all set to launch the refreshed Santro and there are some interesting bits on offer. It goes without saying that the car will find a spot below the i10 on the portfolio and will replace the current model completely.

The exteriors will boast of new headlights which will follow a swept-back design flow to gel with the likes of the i10 and i20. The taillights on the other hand, will follow a similar ‘stacked-up’ format much similar to the current Santro Xing. While the entry level car will continue to use matte black bumpers, mirrors, radiator grille, door handles and scratch guards, the higher end variants will get body coloured units along with other equipment like fog lamps, roof spoiler and mud-flaps. The interiors on the other hand will remain similar to recently refreshed trim in the outgoing model.


Inside in the engine bay will be the 1.1-litre Epsilon petrol engine which will also spawn CNG and LPG variants. We are however speculating that the new Santro might also introduce the 1.1-litre CRDi diesel powerplant before it finds its way into the i10 as well. The inclusion of a frugal diesel engine in the entry level city car segment will mean a major blow to Maruti Suzuki – precisely what Hyundai to want to do at this stage.


Hyundai will stick to the ‘ideal first car’ image of the Santro and will price in competitively to increase its market share. But at the same time it will leave enough room for the upcoming 800cc city car to positioned competitively. We are expecting the new Santro to be launched by the end of this month, unless the Chennai-based headquarters decide to post pone it for an illustrious launch at the 2010 Auto Expo. Stay tuned!

Formula1: Jenson might drive for McLaren

If Formula One rumor mongers are to be believed, then Jenson Button will be donning a McLaren racing suit for the next season. The 2009 F1 champion is yet to sign a driver’s contract with any of the teams including Brawn GP. Mclaren intends to replace Heikki Koveleinan for the 2010 championship. They were interested in signing up Kimi Raikonnen but have been unsuccessful in negotiating a contract.

VW Polo coming to India

VW are planning to launch their flagship small car Polo's launch in India during early 2010. The car has already been a big success in european markets and if priced competitive it could soon cause ripples among sales figures of other small cars in the same segment.