Tata Megapixel with expected 100 kmpl mileage

Combining a lithium ion phosphate battery and an on-board petrol engine generator for recharging on the move, the Tata Megapixel offers a range of up to 900 km with a single tank of fuel. With the petrol prices rising to record highs on a regular basis, will Tata put this dream vehicle into production?

 

Tata Motors presented at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show the Tata Megapixel, a new four-seater city-smart global range extended electric vehicle (REEV) concept for the performance-seeking and environment-conscious motorist anywhere in the world.

Ford Figo - INR 3.85 Lacs

Ford India has launched the face-lifted Figo, an enriched version of India’s “Most Awarded Car” with an enhanced Kinetic design, trendy new colours and a host of enhanced smart features. Prices start from Rs 3.85 lakh for the petrol trim and Rs 4.81 lakh for the diesel (both ex-showroom, Delhi). The new Figo will not only add many numbers to the sales chart but it will also be adding fear among its rivals including the Chevrolet Beat, Maruti Ritz and others.

Like we mentioned earlier today, the Figo facelift gets

Toyota Corolla Altis - INR 11.45 Lacs

Toyota India has launched yet another limited edition variant of Toyota Corolla Altis to mark the 10th Anniversary of the car in India, earlier in June-2012 the company introduced the Corolla Altis Aero limited edition. . The new edition is offered in only lower trim of Corolla Altis sedan – the Corolla J – that makes these trims more value for money.

On the exterior, the festive edition Corolla Altis include newly designed grille, new rear bumper, new rear combination lamp,

Toyota Fortuner SUV - INR 21.75 Lacs

Toyota India is in full-swing of introducing the Limited Edition models of its existing line-up, for this festive season. The line-up has been specially introduced to bring in new product excitement during the festive season. The line-up includes Liva TRD Sportlivo edition, Etios TRD Sportivo Limited Edition, Innova Aero Limited Edition, Corolla Altis Limited Edition and today launched the Fortuner TRD Sportivo Limited Edition.

The Fortuner Sportivo TRD Limited Edition launched today is available in both 4×2 manual and automatic transmissions,

Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 to start pricing at 2.44 Lacs

Maruti Suzuki India Limited has launched the most awaited vehicle of the year, the new Alto 800 with a prices starting from Rs 2.44 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). This entry-level hatch by Maruti is expected to fetch the same huge response as the Maruti 800 did a long-back, and it will be sold alongside Maruti 800 (BS-III only) and the Alto K10, although the existing Alto F8D will be discontinued in India.

Thunderbird 500 from Royal Enfield at INR 1.82 Lacs

Royal Enfield has launched the much-awaited Thunderbird 500 in India at a price of Rs 1.82 lakh (on-road, Mumbai). This motorcycle was first showcased first showcased earlier this year at Delhi Auto Expo and due to production restriction, the launch was delayed massively. The Thunderbird 500 is one of the best cruisers available in the country, as it is more tech-savvy and advanced as compare to its predecessor and competitors. And its the most expensive Royal Enfield model to date.

In terms of looks and styling it is almost same like the Thunderbird Twin Spark but what is new is the 500cc engine which also powers the Classic 500. The engine displacement is 499cc and it generates maximum power of 27.2 Bhp at 5250 rpm with maximum torque of 41.3 Nm at 4000 rpm. The engine is mated to 5-speed gearbox. Royal Enfield claims that on a full-tank of 20 litres, the new Thunderbird will be able to travel a distance of 500 kms, this means that the new Thunderbird gives a mileage of 25 kmpl.

Club Class Tata Manza - INR 5.7 Lacs

Tata Motors has launched a revised line-up of the Manza Sedan for this festive season. Although the exteriors remain largely unchanged the interiors do get a handset set of new features including black leather Italian upholstery, a chrome instrument cluster, a new gear knob with chrome and leather combination finish, a two-tone dashboard, touchscreen multimedia navigation, steering mounted audio controls. Front and rear cabin lights, Tachometer and automatic climate control.

The company has introduced a new top-end trim called the EXL. The other variants are LS, LX,VX and EX which replace the Aqua, Aura, Aura ABS and Elan monikers. The new Manza is available in six colors – Laser Red, Tyrian White, Castle Grey, Dew White and Jet Silver come with black roof, while Infinity Black colored Manza comes with silver roof. This roof color combination is only offered on the EX and EXL variants.

Nissan Micra Primo - Price Hike INR.22,000

Japanese auto giant, Nissan is all-set to launch a special edition of the Micra hatchback, called the Primo edition in India. The new trim gets LED lights, remote controlled rear view mirror, rear parking sensors and decals. Inside, a double din audio system with USB port has been added. The company is offering the Primo in four variants – two petrol (XL, XV) and two diesels (XV, XV Premium).

You will be getting all these premium upgrades for a moderate price hike of Rs 22,000 over the regular version of the car. So if you want to calculate the price of any Micra Primo Edition variant, just add Rs 22,000 over and above the original price of that variant.

Force Traveller 26 - INR 10.87 Lacs

Pune-based automobile company, Force Motors launched the all new Traveller-26, which has been said to be the world’s largest monocque van with price of Rs 10.87 lakh. As the name itself mentions, this vehicle has ability to accommodate 26 people on the board apart from the driver. The Traveller-26 was first unveiled at 2012 Auto Expo held in New Delhi earlier this-year.

Today, the all new Traveller-26 has been launched in three variants: Standard, School bus and Deluxe priced at Rs 10.87 lakh, 11.17 lakh and 13.78 lakh respectively. Power steering is standard on all variants and the Deluxe variant comes with factory fitted AC. Initially, this vehicle will be sold via 27 dealerships of the company in Maharashtra and Goa states.

Mercedes-Benz ML 250 - INR 46.5 Lacs

Last-month, we reported that Mercedes-Benz reported is aiming to assemble their SUVs M and GL-Class in India by early 2013. Today the company launched their first assembled car in India M-Class, the ML250CDI. The ML250 CDI is priced at an attractive Rs 46.5 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), which is Rs 10.4 lakh cheaper than the more powerful 350 CDI variant. Mercedes has aimed the ML250 CDI squarely with the likes of the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 which are actually a segment lower.

Powered by a 2143 cc diesel engine generating 151.5 kW @ 4200 rpm and 500 Nm torque @ 1600-1800 rpm, thank to the 7G TRONIC Plus automatic transmission. Mercedes Benz India states that the new ML250 CDI has a top speed of 210 kmph and an acceleration time of 9.0 seconds for 0-100 kmph. New Mercedes Benz ML 250 will return a mileage of 15.26 kmpl. It features 18″ ten spoke alloys while a kerb weight of 2160 kgs. Where dimensions are concerned, the new Mercedes SUV is 4808 mm long, 1906 mm wide and 1796 high. It has a wheelbase of 2915 mm.

Mahindra Ssangyong Rexton W - INR 17.67 Lacs

After lot of speculation if Mahindra could launch a Ssangyong Rexton II or the Rexton W in India. Mahindra today launched the new Rexton W SUV in India with a price-tag of Rs 17.67 lakh for the manual variant, while the automatic costs Rs 19.67 lakh (both prices ex-showroom, Mumbai). The SsayngYong Rexton W line-up consists of 2 variants namely: the Rexton RX5 which is the manual transmission version and the Rexton RX7 which is the automatic transmission AWD version.

This SUV will be sold through all Mahindra dealerships in India, where a special Ssangyong vehicle sales representative will be available to attend the Rexton customers. Assembled at Mahindra’s Chakan plant, the company’s first SUV from the SsangYong stable will compete with the likes of the Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour, Hyundai Santa Fe and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport. As of now Rexton has a localization of 22% and they plan on increasing this number in the future.

Toyota Etios Sedan - INR 6.25 Lacs

The Japanese car manufacturer, Toyota recently launched a limited edition of its Corolla, Etios Liva and Innova models in India. Today the company has launched a limited edition version of its Etios sedan, the TRD Sportivo, which incorporates several cosmetic changes similar to its Liva TRD Sportlivo edition. This TRD limited edition Etios is available in only two colors: white and silver

Like the Liva TRD Sortivo, the sedan too has been designed

Bajaj KTM Duke 200

Based on the customer feedback, Bajaj-KTM has now launched two new paint options for the baby Duke. The KTM Duke 200 is now available in Black and White paint jobs and the bookings for the paint option can be done at any KTM showroom across the country. The KTM Duke 200 was launched earlier this year, being offered only in neon orange color.

The color orange on the existing-Duke 200 is KTM’s signature color, but many found it too loud and not suitable for regular use (like for office purposes). However with the introduction of the neon orange baby Duke, it has become an eye-candy for every youngster in India. The KTM Duke 200 is most good looking and most admired motorcycles to have ever been introduced on the Indian roads.

Honda Brio automatic - INR 5.74 lacs

Honda India has launched the automatic variant of its hatch, the Brio in two trims – S(O) at Rs 5.74 lakh and V at Rs 5.99 lakh (both prices ex-showroom, Delhi), approximately Rs 60,000 more than the equivalent manual trim. The Brio AT is the first car in its segment to feature a 5-speed automatic transmission. The company has also introduced a new manual transmission version called as Brio EX , that takes the total variant number to 7; 5 manual transmission and 2 automatic.

The Automatic variant of Honda Brio will be powered by same a 1.2 liter i-VTEC engine which will generate 88 PS max power at 6000 rpm while peak torque is slated to be at 109 Nm at 4500 rpm mated to a five speed automatic transmission. The Brio AT gets similar auto ’box to the one doing duty in the Honda City but there are no paddle shifters behind the steering wheel.

Honda City CNG Prices announced

Honda Cars India has launched the City CNG in the Indian car market. The CNG-Petrol dual fuel version of the City sedan will be available only on the top end V MT variant. Honda will ship out CNG kit ready cars with all the necessary modifications to dealerships, who will install the CNG kits into the cars. The modifications that will be made at the factory level includes a modified 1.5 Liter i-VTEC naturally aspirated petrol engine, beefed up suspension to handle the additional weight of the CNG kit and a modified fuel filling inlet, which will have separate inlets for CNG and petrol.

 2012 Honda City C-Segment Sedan

Ford Fiesta sedan 2013

Ford Brazil has unveiled the facelifted 2013 version of the Fiesta sedan at the ongoing 2012 Sau Paulo Motor Show. The Fiesta sedan’s facelift comes a couple of years after this model’s global unveil and is a mid career facelift for this sedan which is quite popular in the Brazilian car market. The facelifted Fiesta sedan’s front end is very similar to that of the hatchback version, which also saw a facelift a few weeks ago, at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. The Aston Martin-esque front end of the car, that is soon becoming Ford’s family face, is the biggest change up front.

2013 All New Ford Fiesta Sedan Facelift Front

Volkswagen follows XL1 style

The XL1, which looks like an ugly cross between a platypus and an automobile finally has something useful to offer, apart from its slippery aerodynamics that is. Volkswagen’s R&D chief Ulrich Hackenberg has just announced that a diesel version of the Up! hatchback is in the works. The diesel engined Up! will use a twin cylinder, 800cc TDI turbo diesel engine that will be borrowed from the XL1 concept. This engine is basically a chopped unit from the four cylinder 1.6 Liter TDI turbo diesel engine that a range of Volkswagen group cars like the Vento and Rapid sedans use.

2012 Volkswagen Up! 5 Door Hatchback

Honda Plans to launch Compact SUV in Brazil

The compact SUV market isn’t just hot in India, it is the segment to be in, in Brazil as well. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that every major car maker, from Volkswagen to Nissan, it busy showing off compact SUVs or crossovers in Brazil, at the ongoing 2012 Sau Paulo Motor Show. While Volkswagen just pulled the wraps off the Taigun compact SUV based on the Up! platform, Honda will follow suit come 2014, when the Jazz based compact SUV will be launched in the Brazilian car market. The Honda Jazz based compact SUV is already under development.

2013 Honda Fit Twist Hatchback used as an illustration

2012 Tata Safari Storme SUV

The new 2012 Tata Safari Storme SUV is out! The Tata Safari SUV has been around for a long time, almost a decade and a half. First beginning life as a well equipped Indian SUV that has been within the reach of the middle class SUV buyer, the Safari has come to become a cult of sorts with a steady set of owners who swear by their Safaris. Though not as big a seller, as say the Mahindra Scorpio, the Safari has always been that SUV for the discerning buyer who likes to stand out. In that vein, the Safari has had a streak of individuality about it, be it the very first 2 Liter TCIC diesel engined version to the latest 2.2 Liter VariCor turbo diesel motor engined model.

2012 Tata Safari Storme SUV Front

Next-Gen Skoda Octavia/Laura

Last week, the next generation model of the Skoda Octavia(Laura in India), was caught testing on video. The new car, which is based on the Vision-D concept from Skoda is an all new model and is underpinned by the Volkswagen MQB platform. The MQB platform is also used by the likes of the Volkswagen Golf, the Seat Leon and the Audi A3. That effectively makes the 2013 Skoda Octavia the fourth car in the Volkswagen group and the first ever Skoda car to be underpinned by this brand new platform. The MQB platform will allow Volkswagen group brands to keep costs low, by sharing parts and production facilities.

Next-gen 2013 Skoda Octavia Rear

Tarago and Innova: Toyota’s International Success Doesn’t Stop

The Toyota Tarago - sold only in Australia - and the Toyota Innova - sold only in India - are two similar vehicles from one of the world's most trusted automakers. In fact, both vehicles are highly regarded by the critics and well suited to the markets in which they compete.

Take the Tarago to begin with. The vehicle, like the Innova, is a sporty, four-door 'people mover' with stylish, aerodynamic lines, a futuristic driver's seat, touch-screen information console, loads of safety features, and the most appealing feature for those looking to transport large numbers of people -- seven to eight seats.

Tarago comes in a range of vehicles, from a four-cylinder GLi and four-cylinder GLX (the GLX includes more bells and whistles than the GLi) to the six-cylinder versions of both vehicles. This is in fact one of the most recognizable people mover vehicles in Australia and also one of the most trusted: most Australian car review sites say the latest Tarago does not disappoint - the vehicles handles well, and the six-cylinder engine in particular has been described as providing 'ample acceleration', which makes for an 'effortless' drive, especially when overtaking other vehicles. 

The Toyota Innova, which is only sold in India, is built on the same design as the Tarago and offers many identical features and design specifications. For instance, the Innova holds the same number of people, features a similar-looking touch-screen console and offers the same outstanding safety features, including duel SRS airbags, anti-lock brakes, and a specially-designed 'GOA' body that is engineered to minimize damage or injuries in the case of an accident. The Innova even features a back camera display, allowing drivers to more safely and effectively watch their back while backing out of a parking space or alleyway. 

Drivers in India describe the Innova as a comfortable, smooth ride that is a dream to take on long trips or a morning commute on the highway. Several sites have also noted how the Innova has only improved over previous editions, with a more well-apportioned interior in the recent model, better interior controls, including Bluetooth connectivity and a flexible interior, with seats that are able to be moved for storage and transportation of goods, or for transporting people.

If the reviews and design specs are any indication, both the Innova and the Toyota Tarago will be two more international success stories for Toyota.