Feed: Indian Drives - AggScore: 45.8

Tata Safari Storme expecting a June-July launch

Tata Motors showcased the Safari Storme at the 2012 Auto Expo in Delhi and it is about time the rugged SUV hits the market. The second generation of Safari Storme is expecting a launch in June end or early July.

Though its not the most handsome Tata car, the Safari Storme loses weight and grows bigger than the current generation Storme. Meanwhile, there is subtle change to the design of the car, which will avoid the cannibalization of the current model, as it will continue to serve further.

Featuring a hydroformed body-on-ladder chassis, the upcoming Tata Safari Storme will be platformed alongside the Aria. Although the model will grow in size overall, it will take sharper cuts with 5.4 meters turning radius in comparison to 6 meters turning radius of the current runner. It features wider track-width at the front and opts for double wishbones suspension instead of the torsion beam. This will make it very efficient in urban traffics as well as out on the trail.

In terms of interiors, the car gets plenty of plastic trims in the fittings and panel gaps. There is no change in the seating arrangement and the Safari Storme comes as a seven-seater featuring 2X3X2 configuration. We are going to miss the rear hanging spare wheel, as Safari Storme opts for under-frame spare wheel mounting.

Power will be drawn from the 2.2-liter DiCOR engine also doing duty in the Aria. This common rail diesel engine punches out 140 bhp peak power and 320 Nm torque. It features a variable geometry turbocharger for improved fuel economy at low speeds and groundbreaking performance at high speeds. Mated to the powerful diesel unit is a G-76 five-speed manual gearbox with iterated gearing ratios. For improved off-road capabilities, the Tata Safari Storme features Borg Warner transfer case for shifting from two-wheel-drive to all-wheel-drive on the go.

In terms of safety, Tata has employed 4-channel ABS with EBD, all 4 discs, a new rack-and-pinion steering system with collapsible steering column, improved crumple zones, side intrusion beams on all doors, dual SRS airbags and engine immobilizer.

Pricing of the Tata Safari Storme takes a massive leap form the current Rs. 7-9 lacs range to Rs. 9-12 lacs range. The SUV will eat into the sales of Mahindra Scorpio and upcoming Renault Duster.

Honda planning large-scale expansion for India: Will be bringing in new diesel cars

There is a lot that is going on in the minds of Honda futurists as the company is now looking forward to a massive expansion in India. Over the past few years Honda has been consistently considered in the top league of car-makers in India and now the company feels that they necessarily need to flounder more and more of their cars into India. So now the profit will be more for the company as it plans to manufacture cars to its optimum capability so that the volume of cars sold is much more than what it used to be earlier. Presently, the Tapukara plant based in Rajasthan is idle to a great extent as the company is not able to maintain proper volume of expected supply that they had earmarked in the beginning of this fiscal. This plant of Honda will now be actively put to use for export business of the company.

The Indian automobile market is said to be one of the most booming markets in the world with almost all of the major car makers playing and competing with each other in the arena. Honda stands up against most of its adversary automakers owing to the fact that since the fall of the company last year as a result of the flash floods in Thailand, the company had concurred losses which they were hell-bent on making up. Then the company started growing at a massive scale with the launch of Brio in India. The company now aims of rolling out 1 million units in the domestic Indian car industry by the fiscal of 2015-16. The best way to do that as per the thoughts of the company visionaries is to bring more and more diesel variants of cars to India in the coming time as the price of petrol in India has skyrocketed to such extent that it burns a hole in the pockets of the people living here. The diesel car market is booming and this is the reason why Honda is planning a massive rollout of cars in the coming time. Very soon, the 1.6 L Diesel engine variant of Honda Civic and Honda City will be rolled out on the Indian roads. These two cars are the most demanded and revered cars of Honda in the Indian automobile market. On the contrary, the diesel variant of Honda Brio is now under testing mode and maybe it will be launched soon as well.

Increasing the percentage of sales manifold in the upcoming span of 2-3 years is something that critics will say long-thinking or over-estimation but Honda as a matter of fact has an impressive line-up of cars and strategies that will back this aspiration of theirs. Owing to the flash floods in Thailand, the plants of Honda based in Japan are presently under pressure as the amount of spare parts for the cars has subsequently increased but the company has vouched to eradicate this obstruction in the upcoming few months when the production rate increases at a colossal rate.

Mercedes-Benz S Class replacement to sport 9-speed transmission

Mercedes S Class is like the Boeing 747 of the auto world, and after serving for almost a decade, the car is due to retire next year. The engineers and designers at Mercedes’ Stuttgart headquarters are busy adding final nip and tuck to the model that will make its debut next year. When launched, it will replace the S Class as the flagship sedan of Mercedes.

Although Mercedes-Benz has not given any hint on the styling or packaging of the top-notch sedan, we can expect the car to set benchmarks in terms of engine refinement and technology. According to a report in Italy’s MotoriOnline, one of the features that will make debut in the next-gen S-Class, is a nine-speed sequential automatic gearbox called 9G-Tronic transmission.

Growing above the current 7G Tronic transmission, the new gearbox will feature amazing fuel-economy and superb comfort. The longitudinally mounted gearbox will match itself to the entry-level diesel motor as well as the powerful petrol unit. Moreover, Mercedes is planning a hybrid version of the upcoming flagship sedan, and the 9G Tronic transmission will find its way in this version too.

Apart from the flagship sedan, this transmission will feature later in the next-gen lineup of Mercedes-Benz. The Mercedes-Benz S Class replacement will make its appearance along with other tri-star models at next year’s Geneva Motor Show. Watch this space for more.

Mahindra to launch a Verito-based hatchback in September 2012

We know Mahindra and Mahindra for its rugged and tough SUVs, but what we don’t know is that the company has a hatchback up its sleeves; and sources suggest, it is just around the corner. The Indian automotive giant is contemplating to add a hatchback to its portfolio, and this one is based on the Verito sedan.

Now, we all know that the Verito sedan launched a while ago did not do fairly well in the Indian market. There are plenty of big fishes with better packaging and aggressive price tag in the D segment sedans. However, there is one segment in the market that certainly draws volumes, and Mahindra is taking a shift to the hatches.

The Mahindra Verito-based hatchback is expected to break cover by September 2012, which means Mahindra has finished the final testing of the hatch and is preparing a launch. This does come as a little surprise as there has not been a single scoop of spy image or rendering of the upcoming hatch.

Since Mahindra has not revealed any detail or prototype of the hatchback, axing the Verito’s boot seems like a practical approach. This will probably give it a sub 4 meter length, and ease in excise duty as implied by the government. So we can expect Mahindra to price the Verito-based hatch aggressively.

There is no word on the power plant option, and the Verito’s K9K, 1.5-litre turbo diesel unit seems unlikely for a hatch positioned below the Verito. Moreover, to benefit from the relieved excise duty, Mahindra will have to sport a sub 1.2-litre engine for the hatchback.

Although Mahindra has a pretty strong stance in the SUV segment, the automaker is making a shift to volume driven segment to improve sales. Having said that, Mahindra is also planning a Verito facelift in the upcoming months.

Tata signs agreement with Burma Apex Industrial Company

The historic restoration of official ties between India and Burma has begun in earnest with Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh on his maiden visit there. Accompanying the Prime minister’s delegation is a host of industry leaders as well.

Tata Motors had already initiated a soft approach, but surprisingly came trumps up in 2010, when it successfully signed a turnkey agreement with Myanmar Automobile and Diesel Industries Ltd (MADI) for setting upa heavy truck assembly plant at Magwe, located in central Myanmar.

As part of the 14 memorandum of understandings between the two neighbors of the Indian sub-continent, Tata announced that it has signed an agreement with Burma’s Apex Greatest Industrial Company (AGI) for promoting and distributing its range of passenger cars and commercial vehicles in Myanmar as well.

The Burmese government made good use of the $20 million line of credit granted by India to invest in this assembly plant. Incidentally, the plant was inaugurated in 2010 and is fully operational now.

The state of the art chassis and frame assembly line has the capacity to produce approximately thousand cars annually with the capacity to manufacture 5,000 per year should the demand grow.

The easing up on sanctions as Burma slowly shifts a vice like dictatorship to democracy will ensure that other industries, particularly the automobile industry would invest there and convert the country to a mini hub for countries like Thailand and other neighbors.

Tata Indica Vista heads to Spain, Xenon and Aria will follow suit

Tata Motors is going all out in its efforts to promote and propagate itself as a global brand. Recently, the company roped in Nissho Motor Espana, distributors of Tata in Spain, who in turn hired an internationally famed fashion house to redesign the Tata Indica to cater to the taste of the Spaniards.

The result was the left hand drive Indica Vista, which was inaugurated by Monica Cruz, sister of Hollywood star Penelope Cruz. Tata Motors is doing its best, taking into consideration the unsatisfactory economic conditions of Spain, by keeping the price of the Indica Vista within the reach of common people. Not many global automobile manufacturers have seen the wisdom in this, but Tata Motors remains confident of its success with this model and its competitive pricing.

The Tata Indica made a tactical retreat as it did not meet Spain’s strict and non-compromising emission and safety laws and therefore introduced the Indica Vista. Soon to follow will be the Aria and Xenox models. Tata has stuck to black interiors as Europeans in general have an aversion to the colors beige and chrome. Tata has also thought it prudent to omit the Indica insignia from the bonnet as well.

Spain, incidentally, is the first country to receive the left hand drive model from Tata Motors, which also features headlamps and grille (not chrome) similar to that of the Manza. Tata Motors has also appointed a new distributor NijulerAutomocion to create the dealer and service network all over Spain.

The car at present has two variants. The petrol version has a 1.2 liter-1172 cc engine with a spanking new C510 gear box which throttles to 65 PS at 5500 revolution per minute with a torque capacity of 96Nm. The diesel variant has a 1.4 liter 1405 cc, turbo cooled TDI diesel engine, a new TA 65 gearbox capable of producing 71 PS at 4500 revolutions per minute, torque of 135Nm at 2500 revolutions per minute.

Honda Motors to launch Mini MPV by 2014 in India

Honda Motors is all set to launch the Honda Mini MPV, which promises to accommodate your whole family along withyour entire luggage. Suzuki has reason to worry as this company till recently had been dominating this segment with the Suzuki Ertiga. There was absolutely no competition for Suzuki in this inventive segment, but Honda has gone ahead and has succeeded in putting a spanner in the “works” of Suzuki.

It would be noteworthy mention here that Suzuki managed a whopping 32,000 bookings within the first month of the launch of its Ertiga MPV. The Maruti Suzuki Ertiga is modeled on the lines of the Swift. Incidentally the Suzuki Ertiga is exclusively for Indian markets only.

The Honda Mini MPV which has been designed on a platform akin to the Concept S, displayed at the recently concluded Beijing Auto Show, will first be launched in China first and then make its way to India for a grand launch.Cars like the Honda Mini MPV are ideally suited for countries like China and India due to the huge population factor and hence the manufacturing decision of a global platform.

Honda will also be introducing a 1.6 liter diesel engine for its sedan class of cars which include the Honda Civic and City. The new Honda Mini MPV will have an extra seating row with a much spacious boot space. The car is expected to be launched in India by 2014.

Daimler India to launch 18 BharatBenz trucks in next 18 months

We recently reported about Daimler investing a sum of Rs 4400 crore to set up a facility for BharatBenz trucks in Orogadam near Chennai. The Mercedes subsidy also announced its plans in India with the introduction of its entire range of trucks that will carry freight across the nation’s highways. In a more recent report, the company plans to launch as much as 18 truck models of BharatBenz in next 18 months.

“We would be launching 18 models in next 18 months and the launch would start from October this year. The trucks will be customised as per the need of Indian market,” V Sreeram, Assistant Vice President, Marketing and sales, was quoted saying.

The company showed interest in the Indian market, after seeing the infrastructure conditions in the country and plans to take over the 20 percent of the market by the end of the decade. “We are focusing on network of dealership and after-sales service to ensure achievement of our target of capturing 20 per cent market share by 2020,” he said.

To expand its foothold in India, Daimler plans dealership and service centers at Jaipur, Jodhpur and Uaidpur in Rajasthan.

Daimler organized the ‘BharatBenz Power Yatra,’ under which, Sreeram and his team showcased different truck models across various cities in Rajasthan before reaching Jaipur.

The 8000-km pan-India drive kicked off in Chennai and took the team across several urban and rural areas covering Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharastra, Gujarat and will now enter into Haryana from Rajasthan. According to Sreeram, the purpose of the drive was to showcase the BharatBenz product line to drivers and transporters across the nation.

“During our journey, we spoke to truck drivers and transporters and showed them the performance of the vehicle and take their feedback,” he said.

Petrol price drops by Rs 1.26 in New Delhi

With the sudden shoot up of petrol price last week, rising over Rs 7.5 rupees per litre, it was foreseen that there would be a gradual decrement. And here it is – the government of New Delhi has announced a price cut of Rs 1.26 per litre of petrol.

The drop in price of fuel is owing to the slash in VAT applied on fuel. While India is still nursing the effect of petrol price rise of Rs 7.5 past week, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit laid easy 20 percent VAT on the revised price of petrol. The Chief Minister made this announcement while presenting the budget in Assembly.

To cushion the effects of depreciating rupee value relative to US dollar, the Indian government announced the steepest petrol price revision in history. Apart from the protests seen from the common man, even huge tax payers have shown their revolt against the revised price.

In March, Goa slashed the VAT on petrol to 0.1 percent; in effect, the petrol price per litre came down by Rs 11. After the ease on VAT, per litre petrol in Delhi pegs Rs 71.93 coming in effect from June1. This means Delhi saves nearly Rs 600 on a full tank of car, in comparison to Maharashtra.

Battery powered GT40 hits 200kmph (Video)

Ford revolutionized the 24 Hours Le Mans racing with the introduction of the GT40 during the mid 60s. It was inevitable for this car to have immitators through the decades, and a bunch of go-fast-car wannabes just manage to pull it off. One particular GT40 copy has caught the attention for its under hood marvel. Andrew McClary has built a GT40 that is actually an EV.

In an outrageous attempt to build an EV GT40, McClary bought a rusty chassis and fiberglass kit for a 1968 Fiberfab Valkyrie. With some clever engineering, he doped AGM batteries on the prototype and after successful testing, he switched it with a 38kWh Lithium battery pack, delivering about 200 km range. The car can hit speeds up to 200 kmph, which is surprisingly quick for an EV.

The best bit of this vehicle is the four-speed gearbox that is mated to the electric motor and runs without a clutch. In addition, the car is equipped with solar panels to power the cooling fans when the car is at halt. Now, EVs are not particularly gorgeous, but this one here has Lamborghini-like scissor doors and the wheels look pretty cool. The car has retro styling, nerve-wrecking speed and zero emission, what more could you ask for?