Auto Guru India

May 21, 2009

Skoda Yeti Price Features India

Skoda India is ready to bring Yeti to India. The model was launched earlier this year in March at the Geneva Motor Show. The company has already started mass production of its Hatchback SUV crossover model and it is expected to be launched in India by January 2010. The first SUV model of Skoda Yeti rolled out from the Kvasiny plant in Czech Republic on 13 May.

The Indian model of Skoda Yeti will have both front wheel and 4W driver versions when it is finally launched in India. The introductory price of the new Indian model is expected around Rs. 10-11 lakh. Currently there are no models in India that fall in the category of pseudo-SUVs or crossover models. The India version will be available in petrol as well as diesel models. Skoda definitely plans to bring its 2.0 litre TDI diesel model to India for sure.

The New Yeti hatchback SUV crossover model has been built on 2578mm wheelbase, with length – 4233mm, width – 1793mm and height – 1691mm, and can easily make room for luggage compartment of as much as 1,760 litres. Skoda aims to bring turbocharged versions of Yeti for greater performance and responsiveness.

Source: Cartradeindia.com

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May 15, 2009

New Eco Friendly Bike To Hit Indian Roads

Students of Auto Engineering Department at the Guru Nanak Dev Polytechnic College in Ludhiana have developed an eco-friendly motorbike which runs on air-pressure and doesn't require fuel. The 100cc bike is equipped with two compressed air cylinders, with a mileage of 11 miles per hour.

The group of students has plans to increase it with some changes in near future. They claim that it is the world's first 100cc motorcycle powered by air and can help eliminate pollution to a great extent.

"There are bikes that run on batteries, but a lot of time is spent in charging them. In an air bike, you just need to fill air through a compressor. If we develop its air tank and reprocess the exhaust air, the capacity of this air bike can be increased, "said Akashdeep Singh, one of the innovative students.

"The main advantage is that it is pollution-free as its exhaust is cold air. The Defense personnel can also use the bike, as thermal radiation cameras cannot detect it. Also, the engine of this bike can work underwater and breathes air from its storage tank, which in turn sucks it from the atmosphere," said Balbir Singh, another student.

On having devised an eco friendly bike, the college students say that it might not look very hi-tech and stylish for now, but it is certainly a step in the right direction for a greener Earth.

"The idea of an air bike was conceived as our energy resources are being depleted day-by-day and pollution level is rising. Keeping all this in mind we have designed a 100cc bike which runs on air pressure technique," said Jagraj Singh Kaul, Head of the Department, Auto Engineering Department.

Guru Nanak Dev Polytechnic College (GNDPC) was established in 1953 and is one of the oldest engineering institutions in north India and a pioneer in technical education. It is an ISO-certified institution. The GNDPC is committed to improve technical excellence to achieve global standards. The polytechnic has set up its own Electrical and Electronics Laboratories Library and Computer Center under World Bank assisted projects. The air-powered bike has certainly made the college proud.

Source: Infibeam.com

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Apr 10, 2009

Toyota's Fortuner set for Indian launch in September

The Fortuner, Toyta's best-selling sports utility vehicle model, is set to make its Indian entry in September, Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt Ltd announced on Wednesday. The vehicle will be assembled at Toyota Kirloskar's factory at Bidadi near Bangalore.

Toyota Kirloskar is 89-per cent owned by Japanese-based Toyota Motor Corp, the world's largest car-maker. The remainder is held by India's Kirloskar Group. The Indian version of the Fortuner will be powered by a three-litre diesel engine, and is expected to cost around Rs20 lakh.

"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 Sandeep Singh, deputy managing director for marketing at Toyota Kirloskar.

The company already produces the Innova multipurpose vehicle and the Corolla sedan at its 60,000-unit-a-year Bidai factory. It also sells the Camry sedan and Land Cruiser Prado SUV as direct imports, rather than assembled from 'completely knocked down' units as the Fortuner will be.

Singh said, "Entering the SUV space was a natural extension to our multi-purpose vehicle business. Though we already have the LandCruiser Prado (petrol variant) in this segment, Fortuner will be our actual entry into the Indian SUV market."

Singh said that as the Fortuner will be assembled in India, the company is looking at higher volumes to capture the luxury SUV segment. It will compete with other luxury cars like the Mercedes Benz, Audi and BMW, he said.
Toyota Kirloskar is building a new 100,000-unit-a-year plant at the same location in Bidadi. The company plans to start production of its first ''strategic'' small car in India at the new plant in for launch in 2111.

Source: Domain-b.com

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Mar 19, 2009

SBI plans for higher down payment for Nano

With State Bank of India (SBI) planning to finance around 70% of the total cost of the Nano, you can now drive home the car for just Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000!

However, both the Bank and Tata Motors spokespersons refused to divulge any details of the same before the launch date of Nano that is March 23.

Sources further say the bank will come up with more stringent norms and demand higher down payment for Nano considering that the vehicle will generate robust demand. Tata Motors have already received around 40 million queries on the Nano on its websites so far.

Though there is no clear indication from the company about the allotment of the vehicle, a Delhi-based dealer says that the company will fix the number of vehicles per state and per dealer, as the initial numbers are very low, to meet the demand across different parts of the country.

The entry-level model of Tata Nano will cost Rs 1 lakh (excluding freight and value-added tax) and the top-end model with air conditioner will be costlier by Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000.

Source: Infibeam.com

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Mar 9, 2009

Skoda to launch three Fabia variants

Skoda Auto India, part of Europe’s largest-carmaker Volkswagen, is set to launch three new variants of its flagship hatchback Fabia, including a new sports model this year according to a top company executive.
Fabia Sportline will be the new sports car, which will have newly-designed interiors and alloy wheels. It will be powered by a1800-cc powerful engine to cater to the growing demand for sports vehicles. The existing Fabia range is available with 1200-1600 cc engine capacity.

Skoda the well known maker of premium cars is among the very few auto makers with increasing sales despite the slump in the domestic market. The total auto sales have declined due to the financial meltdown and it is said that the sales grew 22% to 11,309 cars in the April-December period.

Skoda Fabia is however its largest selling brand and the company is reported to have sold over 7,000 cars in 2008, the first year of its launch. Fabia is assembled at Skoda’s Aurangabad facility. Skoda will also announce the next generation models of sedans namely Superb and Laura in the next few months.

Source: Infibeam.com News

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Feb 5, 2009

New Nissan X-trail model now in India

Nissan intends to bring the new face lifted X-trail model to India by mid-2009. The new model will have enhanced power with better exteriors and interior designing. The new face lifted model will have sharper and taller head lamps that would lend a taller posture to the model. The new model will be 175mm longer than its original model with a 5mm longer wheelbase. The tail gate will sport a new design with larger tail lamps giving a little boxy look to the overall design.

The centrally located instrument cluster has been placed in line with driver's sight. There are more knobs and buttons around the driver seat with some of the controls on the steering which makes the car exciting. The Indian customers will experience a better overall build quality.

The vertical console stack is expanded to accommodate a new stereo and GPS navigation unit. Although the new car is still not a seven-seater as there is definitely more room for the passengers on the rear.

The mileage is yet to be released by the company just before the launch of the model in India. There have been no press releases announcing its launch date.

Source: Infibeam.com News

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Jan 21, 2009

Nissan to opt for India & Thailand for production of its March & Micra

Nissan Motor Company has announced a shift in the production of the March and Micra hatchbacks to India and Thailand in a bid to reduce costs. These cars are at present being made in Japan and UK.

Nissan Motor Company has announced a shift in the production of the March and Micra hatchbacks to India and Thailand in a bid to reduce costs. These cars are at present being made in Japan and UK.

The Japanese automaker is likely to compete in the entry-car market with a new platform. The platform would be used for three more models including the next generation of Micra and will be built in five of the Leading Competitive Countries (LCCs).

Nissan Motor India Private Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ennore Port Limited (EPL) to export its vehicles to Europe. NMIPL will be the first automaker to use the eastern gateway port of India as an export base. The total exports are estimated to be 110,000 units in the fiscal year 2011 and this would be enhanced to 180,000 units in a phased manner. Nissan would ultimately outsource the production of its smaller hatch backs as its production in Japan has become more expensive.

Source: Infibeam.com News

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Jan 8, 2009

Hyundai Motors to launch revamped Verna

Hyundai Motors India Limited is would soon be launching the Hyundai Verna in India with a fresh look.

Sources revealed that the new Verna has been given cosmetic face-lifts both in the front as well as in the interiors. There may be changes in the interiors, music system with USB port, etc.

The new look have been designed with an aim to give competition to the Fiat Linea to be launched shortly in India. It is to be mentioned here that the existing Verna is a stylish luxury
sedan with awe-inspiring engines and elegant interiors.

Available with 5-speed manual transmission in all variants, it comes with 1.6-litre I4 engine in the petrol variants and a 1.5L I4 turbocharged engine in the diesel variants.

Hyundai Motor India Limited, the country’s largest car exporter has recently launched Hyundai i20, a premium hatchback model and is also planning to launch the new face-lifted Sonata Embera before it launches the revamped Verna in India.

Source: Infibeam.com News