Saturday, December 11, 2010

Upcoming Car Launches in India

1. BMW X1




Expected launch date : Jan-2011
Estimated Price : N/A

After the partial success of BMW Z4 roadster, luxury car manufacturer BMW plans to launch its cost efficient and much stylish SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) model BMW X1 in the Indian auto market. BMW is planning to launch BMW X1 with comparatively lower price tag to capture more market share and to make its position stronger in luxury car market. The company, however, did not disclose the exact prices of BMW X1 but it is expected that it will be priced in the range of Rs 25 to 30 lacs. The company unveiled this stylish SUV at Delhi Auto Expo and hopes to launch it in the Indian auto market in the second quarter of 2010. It is expected that the BMW X1 will be launched with five variants and it will be available with six speed manual gearbox or six speed automatic gearbox. All five variants of the car will be equipped with the diesel powered engine. It is expected that the BMW X1 will be launched in India as a CKD (Completely Knocked Down) unit and it will be manufactured at the company’s Chennai based manufacturing plant.

 

 

2. Hyundai Avante


 

Expected launch date : Jan-2011
Estimated Price : N/A
India's largest auto exporter and second largest auto manufacturer, Hyundai Motor Co. plans to launch Hyundai Avante in the Indian market very soon. Hyundai Avante is the fourth generation sedan model of D segment that will replace its discontinued model Hyundai Elantra. Hyundai Avante offers an excellent choice for drivers who need a stylish economic compact car with a handsome body.

Initially, the Hyundai Avante might be equipped with a 1.6 litre Gamma petrol engine and a diesel engine variant may follow. The 1.6  litre, DOHC, VVT, 4 cylinder, petrol engine is believed to pump out a top power of 118 bhp at 6200 rpm and churn out a peak torque of 156 Nm at 4200 rpm. The diesel variant of the car is reported to be loaded with a 1582cc, CRDi power-train that belts out a max power of 115 bhp at 4000 rpm and generates maximum torque of 260 nm at 1900 rpm. Both the mills are to be mated with 6 speed automatic gearbox. For better fuel economy, the petrol engine is reported to have intelligent Gasoline Direct Injection technology (GDI). This technology will ensure around 10 per cent increase in the fuel efficiency as compared to its peers.

 

 

3.Maruti Kizashi

Expected launch date : Jan-2011

Estimated Price : Rs 10 to 12 lacs.


              Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. Is all set to launch it latest sports sedan Maruti Kizashi in India by 2011.  Suzuki, Japanese auto major and parent company of Maruti India, sells Suzuki Kizashi in the US and Japanese market and the response is overwhelming at there. The mid-size car, Maruti Kizashi, was showcased for the first time at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show then at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show. In addition to this, the concept third Kizashi was introduced at the 2008 New York auto show. After showcasing the Maruti Kizashi at different Auto Shows across the world, it was launched commercially in Japan and the US in October 2009 and December 2009 respectively. The company also displayed the production model of the car at the biggest Auto Expo-Delhi Auto Expo 2010.

 

 

4.Maruti Cervo

Expected launch date : Jan-2011
Estimated Price : N/A

Maruti Cervo Launch Date

It is expected that Maruti Cervo will be launched in the Indian auto market in the month of January 2011.


                       India’s largest auto manufacturer, Maruti is planning to launch another small car model Maruti Cervo in entry level segment in the Indian auto market. Maruti is working aggressively to launch Maruti Cervo in Indian market as a counter attack to Tata Nano which has stormed the auto market with its ultra low cost. Maruti is a market leader for small car market but the launch of Tata Nano has affected heavily the sales of Maruti 800. It is expected that the Maruti Cervo will be priced in the range of Rs 1.5 to 2 lacs. To reduce its manufacturing cost Maruti Suzuki may reduce some features from the original model which is available in Japan. It is also expected that after the launch Maruti Cervo will overtake the company’s most popular models Maruti 800 and Maruti Alto.

 

 

5.Chevrolet Sail

Expected launch date : Mar-2011
Estimated Price : N/A

After being hit by bankruptcy last year, General Motors has overcome the bad time and is now sailing across the world. It recently launched a new sedan Chevrolet Sail in the Chinese market in association with Shanghai GM and the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC). The concept car model, Chevrolet Sail was displayed in Shanghai Auto Show in 2005. The company has informed that the car will be exported to other emerging markets as well. The statement is seen as an indication of its launch in India as well.

 

 

6.Nissan Sunny

Expected launch date : Mar-2011
Estimated Price : Rs 8 to 10 lakhs


                          The wait for the sedan version of the Nissan Micra seems to be over now with the news of launching it next year. As promised by the Japanese auto major, Nissan Micra, a small car, will be followed by Nissan Micra sedan. The New Global Sedan is reported to have been named as Nissan Sunny; a name that was initially decided for Nissan small sedan cars. This Sunny range was first introduced in 1966 and a lot of modifications took place every passing year for decades. Now here in India, the sedan name Sunny might face legal issues as the same name was used for Bajaj scooter, Bajaj Sunny which was discontinued a few years back. It is also speculated that the company might think over the name again. Recently, Nissan has circulated a sketch of its global sedan, Nissan Sunny, which is informed to be showcased at the 8th Guangzhou international Auto Expo in China this December.

 

 

7.Toyota Etios Liva

Expected launch date : April-2011
Estimated Price : Rs 4.2 lakh to 5.5 lakh


Toyota Etios Liva

December 1, 2010 - Toyota Etios Liva, the much awaited hatchback from auto pioneer, Toyota Motors was unveiled alongwith Toyota Etios sedan. The event of the launch was graced by Toyota Motors' President, Mr. Akio Toyoda. The hatch received a huge applaud from the audience post the unveiling.

 

 

8.Nissan Pixo

Expected launch date : Mar-2011
Estimated Price : Rs 3 to 4 lacs.

                            Another Indian connection for Nissan! This time Suzuki followed by Renault, Mahindra and Bajaj. Nissan has tied up with Suzuki to develop a new vehicle on the base of A-Star. The new vehicle is named Nissan Pixo. As per news reports, the vehicle is named Suzuki New Alto except Europe. The Nissan Pixo will be developed in India and exported to other countries. The auto company will change some of the exterior of A-Star while the rest of the car will be same. New changes include new grille, upgraded bumpers and Nissan logo. The car will give unmatchable fuel efficiency, less carbon emission and competitive price tag. Nissan Pixo will compete with the popular cars in India and newly launched Ford Figo, Volkswagen Polo etc.

 

 

9.Hyundai i10 Diesel

Expected launch date : Mar-2011
Estimated Price : Rs 3,48,804 to Rs 5,90,915 (approx)

                                   23 September, 2010 - The second largest car maker in India, Hyundai Motor India, on Thursday launched facelifted new Hyundai i10. The new Hyundai is now available with a new mighty engine and with a great amount of cosmetic change at front and rear side along with a few interior modifications with a price tag of Rs 3.48 lakh to 5.91 lakh (Ex-showroom,Delhi). The new Hyundai i10 named 'Next Gen i10'  houses the same existing powertrains but with a newly added technology that is Variable Timing Valve Train (VTVT), incorporated to enhance power and performance of the heart of the car. The cosmetic changes include round headlights, lower but wider air-intake, single chrome finished horizontal slat at front radiator grille that houses company logo and a new design front bumper. The new Hyundai i10 now has stylish ORVMs with integrated turn indicators, height adjustable driver seat, full wheel cover and foldable key with keyless entry. The side view is contributed by body colour door rubber moulding and VTVT and Kappa2 logos. The rear side of the car has reserve parking sensors and new design bumpers. The cabin of the Hyundai i10 now has steering mounted audio controls and bluetooth control; the cabin has been equipped with USB port and AUX connection, instrument console is now vibrant blue instead of light green, two-tone dashboard, silver casing for audio, a digital fuel meter and a up shift-down shift indicator, etc are some other features. The company claims a mileage, for the 1.1 litre engine, to be 19.81 kmpl and 20.36 kmpl for 1.2 litre engine.

Toyota Etios

 

Toyota Motors launched its highly awaited sedan, Toyota Etios in Bangalore on 1 december 2010. The sedan is priced at Rs. 4.96 lac (base variant) and Rs. 6.86 lac (top end variant) with a booking amount of Rs. 50,000. This is the first ever and the last (as per the company) low cost sedan from Toyota stable. The hatchback version, Toyota Etios Liva which was unveiled on dec 1 will be launched in April 2011. The sedan will be available in 6 colors comes with 5 variants namely Toyota Etios J, Toyota Etios G, Toyota Etios G safety, Toyota Etios V and Toyota Etios VX.

The sedan equipped with a 5 Speed MT boasts of a 1.5 liter DOHC engine that offers 90 Ps of power along with 132 Nm of torque. The car offering a mileage of 17.6 kmpl is available for booking starting from today.

Toyota Etios Description :

Overall

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (KTM) launched one of its most innovative creation on dec 1 at an event in Bangalore, Toyota Etios sedan and unveiled hatchback, Toyota Etios Liva. The booking of this new concept car is started in India and will be introduced in other countries thereafter. The delivery of Toyota Etios saloon version will start from January 2011. This compact car, Toyota Etios, is targeted at masses in India. As per the company, to develop this people's car, over 2,000 engineers were engaged to give it small size without compromising on the eye-catching interior, power, performance and higher fuel economy. At the Auto Expo 2010, the company displayed hatchback and sedan models of Toyota Etios and now finally the saloon version is launched whereas the hatchback version of Etios named Toyota Etios Liva is unveiled. The launch of this hatchback version is planned in the month of April next year. The company had worked hard to make Toyota Etios affordable and wished to use only domestic components for the same.

Toyota has promised to provide world class technology and quality with the Toyota Etios. The design concept for the car is Bold Simplicity which is referred to affordable luxury and functionality in one machine. The car will have to compete with the likes of Maruti Swift Dzire, Tata Manza and Hyundai Accent. The company will produce around 70K units of the car per year. With its small car Toyota Etios, the company intends to grab a 10 per cent market share in Indian compact cars segment by the end of the current year.

This new innovation of Toyota, Etios sedan comes equipped with 1.5 litre petrol engine. The Toyota Etios sedan's engine will produce 90 PS of peak power at 5600 rpm. The engine generates maximum torque of 132 Nm (13.46 kg-m) at 3000 rpm. This simply indicates huge power hidden in this saloon from Toyota.

The shock absorbers at front are independent MacPherson strut while the rear suspension is non-independent Torsion Beam. The suspensions are very much similar to Toyota's Yari. The frames of the cars are rigid and strong with total weight of 930 kg.

The exterior of both the cars is sporty and sharp. Front face of the Toyota Etios saloon looks like a smiling face of human with dimples at cheek (headlamps). Upper smiling grille and lower grille can be identical to this model. At the back, a big size rain wiper and rear hood are provided which look very general. Both hatchback and saloon cars from Toyota have six spoke alloy wheels. Body colour rear side view mirrors, door handles and bonnet catch the eyes of the beholder.

The instrument panel, including speedo and trip is placed at the middle of the dashboard while the AC vents are in round shape. The three spoke steering wheel comes in dual tone along with the rest of the interior. The dashboard of Toyota Etios hatchback is general while the one in the sedan's is quite appealing. Enough legroom and headroom are given in both models. As far as safety is concerned, it seems the cars will miss a lot apart from seat belts for all passengers
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The instrument panel, including speedo and trip is placed at the middle of the dashboard while the AC vents are in round shape. The three spoke steering wheel comes in dual tone along with the rest of the interior. The dashboard of Toyota Etios hatchback is general while the one in the sedan's is quite appealing. Enough legroom and headroom are given in both models. As far as safety is concerned, it seems the cars will miss a lot apart from seat belts for all passengers.

Mileage, Average and Fuel Economy

Toyota Etios sedan model is equipped with 2NR-FE, petrol, 4 Cylinder 16V, DOHC engine. The engine is developed to give apex power of 90PS at 5600 rpm and maximum torque of 132 Nm at 3000 rpm.

Toyota Etios is loaded with light weight that delivers improved anti-knocking performance, and electronic throttle control contribute to high fuel efficiency. It gives a mileage of 17.6 kmpl on highway and 12 kmpl in city. This makes it a fuel efficient car without compromising on the performance and luxury.


 

Price Range (in lakhs)*

Ex-showroom Price Rs 5-7lakh (estimated) (Ex-showroom Delhi)

 

ENGINE

Fuel Petrol
Type 4 cylinders in-line, 1496cc
Power 88.7bhp at 5600rpm
Torque 13.46kgm at 3000rpm

 

Transmission

Type Manual
Gearbox 5-speed

 

Chassis & Body

Length 4265mm
Width 1695mm
Height 1510mm
Wheel Base 2550mm
Boot Volume 595-litres
Ground Clearance 170mm
Weight 930kg
Wheels 15 inch
Tyres 185/60
Spare Full size

 

Suspension

Front Independent, MacPherson strut
Rear Non-independent, torsion beam

 

Steering

Type Power Electronic Power Steering

 

Economy

Overall 17.64kpl ARAI certified
Tank size 45-litres