Mahindra unveils Bolero Stinger

Mahindra & Mahindra has unveiled a new version of its decade old workhorse Bolero called Bolero Stinger. Bolero Stinger is powered by the same 96bhp CRD engine but comes host of new features like customised paint-jobs, alloy wheels, styled scoops & bezels and custom built guard and rear roll cage. Along with that, four large foglights and a massive air intake on the hood add muscle to stinger. The colour co-ordinated interiors, customized floor carpeting and unique leather suede upholstery giving stinger a premium feel.  Mahindra has also given the Bolero Stinger, a new MP3 player, leather seats, and reverse camera are available to increase the appeal of this lifestyle off-roader. Mahindra handed over the first bolero stinger to Indian cricket team’s opening batsman, Gautam Gambhir.

mahindra_bolero_3

Maruti prepares for Bharat IV emission norms

Soon to be implemented stringent Bharat IV norms is giving sleepless nights for few manufacturers. Maruti the market leader has currently only one hatchback (A-star) that can comply Bharat IV. It has already said that decade old 800 and Omni will be phased out. To make the other models fit, Maruti plans to series of uplifts with new eco-friendly engines. “We have a staggered implementation plan. The deadline is April 1 for implementing the new emission norms. With the number of models we have, it may not be possible for us to launch all of them with Euro 4 norms at one time,” Mr I.V. Rao, Executive Officer, Research and Development, Maruti Suzuki said. Maruti-Suzuki today opened its new engine manufacturing facility in Gurgaon, The new facility will be used to produce advanced K12M engine which will go under the hood of the Ritz. The four-cylinder engine which produces 85 ps of power is part of Suzuki K-series engines. “K12M engine is another example of Maruti Suzuki’s commitment to take engine technology in India to the next level,” Maruti Suzuki Managing Director and CEO Shinzo Nakanishi said.  This new engine may also power the swift in the near future.

Maruti to launch electric cars in India

Finally the giant has awaken! Maruti today said that it will roll out electric cars in India in next four to five years.“We are developing electric car technology for India. But it might take us up to the next five years or more to manufacture and sell electric cars in the domestic market,” said Maruti Suzuki Managing Director Shinzo Nakanishi. Nakanishi also said that Suzuki’s R&D unit will put in large investments to develop electric cars with larger range (mileage per charge) and affordable price.“Cars available in the domestic market can give, say, 120 km per charge. What they are implying is 120 km for a single passenger — which means the power is sufficient for the driver of the car alone,” said Nakanishi. “If another passenger joins, the travel range per charge drops to 60 km. If a third persons sits behind the range drops to 30 km. We are trying to address the longer range of driving in our R&D work,” he explained. On pricing, Nakanishi said, “You have Honda and Toyota, which have proven, commercially viable hybrid technology cars. But internationally, they sell in small volumes. Globally, Suzuki is known as a low-cost car manufacturer selling in large volumes. We would like to achieve that for electric cars in India.”

Maruti Suzuki which currently sells LPG variant of 800 and Wagon-R is also looking at CNG for some of its models. “We are working on multi-fuel variants and some models have been identified for CNG. A CNG kit currently costs over Rs 40,000 and that is expensive. Also, these cars can only be launched in 2010 or 2011, when there is a pan-India CNG filling system from companies like Reliance.”Maruti Suzuki Chairman R C Bhargava said.

India to have 2.4million cars by 2014

India one of the  fastest growing economies in today’s world is expected 2.6 million units of cars by 2014 accoding to JD power, an auto research firm. “While we expect the Chinese market to grow from 5.8 million units currently to about 11 million units by 2014, the Indian car and passenger vehicle market is expected to grow to 2.6 million units in the same period from the current 1.5 million units,” Arora said. “While the economy in many of the crucial markets is shrinking, India and China are countries that will still manage to grow. So a growing economy is certainly a big plus. This factor will be further sweetened by the introduction of new models and increasing affordability of cars,” he added. Also the study projects that the Indian market will continue to be ruled by small cars. “Small cars would continue to account for about 70% of the market, around the same levels as today,” Arora said.

Nissan to launch Micra in India

Even as its partner Renault postponed the launch of products,Nissan is confident of rolling out products from its upcoming Chennai facility. Nissan plans to roll out four to five products in next four years. “We propose to launch four to five models over the next four-five years in the Indian market. Our first car is scheduled for launch by summer 2010,” Nissan Motor India’s Managing Director and CEO, Kiminobu Tokuyama, said. Nissan, Renault and Mahindra proposed a Rs4500 crores manufacturing plant in Chennai. But Renault and Mahindra defaulted citing various reasons. The first model will be the micra hatchback and it will be followed by a sedan variant of the same. “Our plans are on track and our first car will be the Micra hatchback. The Micra is known as March in Japan and the Indian version will be christened either Micra or March,” Tokuyama said.

Toyota to launch Fortuner in September

Toyota said on Wednesday that it will launch its Fortuner SUV in India by September. Fortuner the hardcore SUV is likely to come with Common Rail Diesel Engine and is likely to challenge the likes of Chevrolet Captiva and Ford Endeavour.  “The Fortuner is an important addition to our product line-up in India and we are currently in the process of finalising details for the launch,” said Mr Sandeep Singh, Deputy Managing Director, Marketing, Toyota Kirloskar Motor.“We are still working out the price details of the Fortuner, taking into account variations in exchange rates, but expect it to be around Rs 20 lakh,” he added. The Fortuner will be brought as a completely knocked down unit and will be assembled in India.

Skoda launches Superb diesel and Superb V6 4X4

Following the launch of all new Skoda Superb with 1.8L version in last month, Skoda today launched all New Superb in Diesel & V6 4×4 Petrol versions in India. The Skoda Superb Diesel 2.0TDI PD is geared with an automatic 6-speed, DSG, with manual Tiptronic gear changing. The 2.0 litre engine equipped with the Pumpe Düse (PD) technology has an inbuilt turbocharger with a high pressure direct injection system. The success of this engine can be attributed to the fact that it posses a lethal combination of power and fuel efficiency perfectly suited for Indian terrain. The all new model has been designed with a clear focus on user-friendliness, which augments the overall ‘Skoda’ experience. Through the distinctive, individualistic and exceptional design of the all new Superb Diesel, Skoda reclaims the 7-star experience on wheels.  Skoda Superb 3.6V6 4×4: The new 3.6 litre engine is the largest powerplant fitted into a modern-era Skoda. Producing 260 bhp (350Nm) of torque between 2500-5000 rpm, and a top speed of 250 km/h this range-topping engine accelerates the car from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.6 seconds – a new record for a Skoda production car. It is equipped with a DSG gearbox as a standard and delivers power to the road via a fourth-generation Haldex clutch variable four-wheel drive system.

Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Thomas Kuehl, Board Member, Sales & Marketing, ŠkodaAuto India said, “It makes us proud to add the diesel and V6 versions with the newest technologies to the all new Superb range. The response from auto critics and our customers post the launch of the 1.8TSI version last month has surpassed our expectations and motivated us to introduce these versions as well soon after. With the diesel engine Skoda once again stands by their claim to offer cars with the best technology and fuel efficiency and with the new 3.6V6 we will set new records in power and performance and also bring to India, the first 4×4 wheel drive in its segment.”

Available in an aesthetic array of colors – Black Magic, Rosso Brunello, Cappuccino Beige, Diamond Silver & Candy White, Platinum Grey (Exclusive for the V6). The price range of the cars would be:

Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI PD

Ex-showroom Delhi     Rs. 22,04,943
Ex-showroom Maharashtra     Rs. 21,50,000
Ex-showroom Kolkata     Rs. 22,21,921
Ex-showroom Chennai     Rs. 22,00,697
Ex-Showroom Bangalore     Rs. 22,00,697

Skoda Superb 3.6 V6 FSI 4×4

Ex-showroom Delhi     Rs. 25,31,343
Ex-showroom Maharashtra     Rs. 24,70,000
Ex-showroom Kolkata     Rs. 25,48,322
Ex-showroom Chennai     Rs. 25,27,098
Ex-Showroom Bangalore     Rs. 25,27,098

Mercedes launches E-class special edition

Mercedes today launched limited edition E-class in India. Mercedes  would come with a three-litre diesel engine. The other features in the limited edition would include double-spoke light alloy wheels, LED technology tail lights and six different colour options. “Mercedes-Benz E-Class is clearly the most sought after luxury car and we have sold over 16,000 units of this car since its India launch in 1996,” Mercedes-Benz India Managing Director and CEO Wilfried Aulbur said in a statement.Mercedes would sell  only 192 units of this E-class limited edition

TVS issues clarifications

TVS Motors has issued an clarification on media reports claiming that TVS would be toruble following the Bajaj’s exhausTEC patent approval.

Sections of the press have carried news reports based on the press release made by M/s Bajaj Auto Limited titled ‘Bajaj Granted “ExhausTEC” Patent’ dated 2nd April 2009.

Our comments and clarifications are as follows:

1.  TVS Motor Company is not infringing on the said patent and the grant of this patent has no impact on our business as none of the products of the company utilise the said technology.

2. The patent granted to Bajaj Auto is for “ExhausTEC”, which is a chamber fitted on the exhaust pipe. It has nothing to do with “DTSi twin spark” technology. They are two  separate patents and are not linked to each other.

3.  DTSi technology involves the use of two spark plugs in the cylinder head, which is part of the engine.

4. “ExhausTEC” is not fitted on the engine but is fitted in the exhaust pipe and refers to an additional chamber (box) that is created in the exhaust pipe through which exhaust  gases are dispensed.

5.  Bajaj Auto filed the “ExhausTEC” patent in 2004 and the subsequent patent application was published in the Indian Patent Gazette in 2007. TVS Motor opposed this in the Indian  Patent Office. It was only because of TVS Motors opposition that Bajaj had to amend their claims and the claim as amended was subsequently granted to Bajaj.

We hereby firmly state that some persons in the media seem to have been misled into believing that a correlation exists between “DTSi twin spark” technology and “ExhausTEC”. In reality they are two independent technologies with separate patents and these technologies are not used by TVS Motor Company in any of its products.