Lancer Evolution X and Evo-like Mitsubishi Lancer coming in 2009
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, colloquially known as the Evo is going to be launched in India early 2009.
Although few months ago Mistubishi and HM didn’t have any plans for the Evo X but something made them change their mind for good. The Lancer Evolution X sedan will feature a newly designed 4B11T 2.0 L turbocharged, all-aluminum Straight-4 engine. It also features Mitsubishi’s new sequential semi-automatic six speed Twin Clutch SST twin-clutch transmission with steering-mounted magnesium alloy shift paddles. A 5-speed manual gearbox will also be available. Mitsubishi claims that the 5 speed manual transmission has always been preferred in rallying and should be very refined, resulting in a more satisfying drive.
Maruti Suzuki A-Star : Coming this october, 800 to be face-lifted
Maruti Suzuki faces a tougher competition when compared to a decade ago. Although its still the most popular brand in india, it needs model changes rather than few face-lifs and also introduce new models. Right now, many brands have two cars in the same segment. Unlike other markets, India seems to have good market for old generation cars which is available comparitively cheap, be it Accent, Octavia, Ikon, Lancer and Santro. With these ever increasing models, Maruti Suzuki is bringing out new models. This time, the A-star, which is probably in the same range as Maruti-Suzuki 800. As the company launched the new Swift Dzire it said A-star would be in the market this year end.
Tata’s new Xenon (TL Sprint) launched in Thailand
TATA is making lots of headlines these day, As it closed a year long deal with Ford with acquisition of Jaguar and Land Rover. Now it launched the new TL Sprint Xenon in thailand for the domestic market.
Xenon is a thai-made vehicle which is designed in England and features a German engine. The Xenon’s front looks like the new TATA Sumo launched in India. It has been developed and built in Thailand specifically for thai customers in mind. This is a good market for TATA, where one-tonne trucks have traditionally accounted for 60% of the domestic vehicle sales.
The xenon models are to be sold for 539,000 to 629,000 baht ($17,111 to $19,968). The Thai subsidiary of TATA motorshas set up a factory in Samut Prakan province last year where it will manufacture the Xenon.
The engine is a 2.2L direct-injection common rail engine. The body uses 0.8 - 1.55mm thick steel sheets which is sturdier than other pickups in Thai market. The Xenon is being launched in two body styles: X-tend Cab and Double Cab (4-door). All models come with the 2.2-litre DICOR common-rail engine with VTT and intercooler, as well as 32-bit ECU to produce 140 horsepower and 320Nm of torque from 1,700-2,700rpm, as well as excellent fuel economy.
TATA acquires Jaguar and Land Rover : TATA now makes them all
As of today, TATA motors makes cars starting from 1 lakh to over 1crore. TATA showcased its 1-lakh car in the 2008 New Delhi Auto Expo this January and is all ready to roll out the Nano’s in Indian showrooms. But now the TATA has more to boast about, it owns two of the most respected brands in the automobile industry, Jaguar and Land Rover. Ford closed the year long deal with the sale of the two luxury car manufacturers.
Jaguar Cars Limited is a luxury car manufacturer, originally based at Browns Lane, Coventry, England but now at Whitley, Coventry. It was founded as the Swallow Sidecar Company in 1922, changing to SS Cars Ltd in 1934, and finally becoming Jaguar Cars Ltd in 1945.
The Ford Motor Company made an offer to purchase the company in September 1989 which was accepted at an Extraordinary General Meeting in January 1990 and Jaguar was removed from the London Stock Exchange listings on 28 February 1990. In 1999 it became part of Ford’s new Premier Automotive Group. Read more
Audi’s largest luxury car showroom in Pune
Audi, the German luxury car manufacturer announced today the opening of a new exclusive Audi showroom in Pune, Maharashtra. Spread over an area of 6,500 square feet the Audi Pune showroom invites the customers to experience the exclusive Audi world including the whole Audi model range with Audi A8, Audi Q7, Audi A6, Audi A4 and the sports car Audi TT.
Being the second Audi showroom in Maharashtra, Audi is more than half way through to increase the dealership to 10 exclusive Audi showrooms by the end of this year. After the recent showroom openings of Audi Gurgaon in January and of Audi Hyderabad in February the Audi model range is now available in six exclusive dealerships across India including Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Pune.
Volkswagen will be up with Up! by 2009 in India
Mini Cooper, Beetle, Golf, 500 … these are referred to small cars in the europe and the US, but when it comes to India, things change a bit. When compared to the small cars here these European cuties are pretty big in size and price. But India is slowly catching up, economy is booming and rich kids revving up the powerful engines.
Volkswagen has some of the best passenger vehicles in the premium and luxury segments but its best known for its small cars like Beetle, Polo, Golf . Now Volkswagen is bringing a new masterpiece named “Volkswagen Up!“. The up! is a clever luxurious city specialist for four persons. Volkswagen engineers have developed the Up! maintaining a balance between pleasing design and practicality. That was one of the reasons why VW has chosen to position the engine of the Up! at the rear. Which exhibits links to the legendary Beetle. Volkswagen has said that it will have a production-ready small car by 2009. The platform and concept on which Volkswagen’s India-spec small car will be based is the Up!. The concept was on display at last month’s Auto Expo in Delhi.
Although Pricey hatchbacks and India don’t go together, models like the “Chevrolet SRV” failed to sell in a decent amount when it was launched 2 years ago. But the way Skoda Fabia is selling, things are looking good.
Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire to repace esteem, 1.3 Petrol and DDiS diesel, Review
Maruti Suzuki is ready to take on competition in the mid-size car segment as it launches the Swift ‘DZire’, the sedan version of Swift hatchback, on March 26 in 1.3L Petrol and 1.3L DDiS Multjet diesel options. Maruti plans to replace its old warhorse with this new modified swift. This new saloon has been redesigned with wider rear space and more legroom, the Dzire will much longer than Swift hatchback which is 3695 mm long. They are trying out the TATA Indigo CS idea of cutting the boot short to save taxes 
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The launch price of Swift Dzire is expected to be in the range of Rs 4.7 - 6 lakh for the top-end model.
Maruti Suzuki will be manufacture “Swift Dzire” only in India for the global market and will be available in both fuel options. It will sport a 1.3 litre petrol and the 1.3 litre DDiS multijet diesel engine, currently available in the Swift hatchback. Comparing to Esteem, Dezire, will have a host of contemporary new features
The Cheapest Car is TATA NANO ? No! its TARA Tiny
When the world car leaders are trying hard to make a small car, better but cheaper than TATA nano, a small company called Tara International, an arm of the Bengal Enamel is bringing out its “Tiny” version of the cars. Tara has teamed up with China’s $1.5-billion Aucma, a leading player in the electrical vehicles and appliances segment, to source components for this dream car. Tara Tiny, unlike nano or other small cars is not polluter, it is an zero emission, four-seater, battery-powered electric car with a top speed of 69 Kmph and a can cover a range of 100KM.
The car looks more like a Deawoo Matiz (Chevrolet Spark) with some modifications to the front lights and bumper. Why does all the low cost companies have to copy something from somewhere in their products ? .. ahem ..
Tiny is being prepared in four variants, all electric cars at the Tara International factory at Palta, few kilometers from Kolkata. Namely Tara Tiny (two-seater) , Tara Titu (four-seater), Tara Shuttle, and Tara Carrier. While Tara Tiny and Tara Titu are priced at Rs 99,000 (approx.), Tara Shuttle and Tara Carrier are priced at Rs 500,000 (approx.). Tara is also planning to release electric two-wheeler and three-wheeler-like auto rickshaws. Tara International is working with China’s Aucma, and has already ordered a 14-seat electric bus that will ship this May.
Each of TARA series car needs to be recharged daily at a 220 volt per 15 Amp socket whereas the bikes can be recharged through 5 amp sockets. The Tara series cars are available in electric red, black and white. Bikes comes in varied hues green, blue, red etc. In step, the company targets to unveil three other electric car labels which will be branded as Tara Titu, Tara Micro and Tara Mini.
Budget ‘08 Effect : TATA Indica, Indigo, CS and Skoda Fabia price reduced.
Thanks to Mr. Chidambaram’s new budget ‘08 , the excise duty cuts on small cars. Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Friday proposed to reduce excise duty on small cars and two-wheelers to 12 per cent from the previous 16 per cent post which varies automobile companies have been reducing prices of their products. TATA and Skoda have already started to pass the benefit to its customer.
The prices of Indica range have been reduced in a range of Rs 8,500 to Rs 14,600 while prices of the recently launched Indigo CS have been reduced in a range of Rs 12,700 to Rs 15,300, a company official said. TATA has also reduced the prices of its entire commercial vehicle range by two per cent.
Luxury car maker Skoda has also announced a cut of up to Rs 18,000 on its hatchback Fabia’s diesel variants. Skoda on Saturday reported a 102 per cent increase in its sales during February at 1,303 units. Sales in the month comprised 524 units of Fabia.
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Published on Monday, Mar 31st, 2008 at 2:04 pm under categories : MitsubishiTags : Auto News, evo, evo x, lancer, lancer 2009, lancer evo, Mitsubishi
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Published on Saturday, Mar 29th, 2008 at 1:45 pm under categories : Maruti-SuzukiTags : 800, a-star, Auto News, autos, Maruti-Suzuki, suzuki
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Published on Friday, Mar 28th, 2008 at 3:29 am under categories : TATATags : Auto News, TATA, Xenon
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Published on Wednesday, Mar 26th, 2008 at 6:05 pm under categories : TATATags : acquisition, Auto News, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, TATA
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Published on Wednesday, Mar 19th, 2008 at 1:25 pm under categories : Audi, Auto NewsTags : Audi, Auto News, autos, india, pune
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Published on Wednesday, Mar 19th, 2008 at 1:01 pm under categories : Auto News, VolkswagenTags : Auto News, autos, beetle, fiat 500, golf, hatchback, mini cooper, up!, Volkswagen
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Published on Wednesday, Mar 19th, 2008 at 2:38 am under categories : Maruti-SuzukiTags : Auto News, autos, dzire, Maruti-Suzuki, suzuki, swift, swift dzire
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Published on Tuesday, Mar 18th, 2008 at 4:05 am under categories : Auto News, TaraTags : 1-lakh-car, Bengal Enamel, cheapes, cheapest-car, nano, Tara, tara tiny, TATA, tata nano
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Published on Saturday, Mar 1st, 2008 at 6:35 pm under categories : Auto News, TATA, ŠkodaTags : 2008, Auto News, autos, budget, indica, indigo, Škoda, skoda fabia, TATA