Yearly Archives: 2011

Durango Dude (the login name of a person) has posted pictures of the Renault Modus in the Forums section of Autocar India.com. This car seems to be undergoing testing in and around Chennai.  The test mule sports the red number plates indicating that it is a test vehicle.  There is just the taping of logos on the vehicle that is otherwise sporting no camouflage.  This maybe the car that will be launched as the small car during the Auto Expo in January of 2012.  This car will probably be pitted against the successful Wagon R from the Maruti stable.  Interestingly Renault calls this a mini MPV and there is also a longer model called the Grand Modus.  However, if the test mule is anything to go by it is the smaller Modus which seems to be under consideration for India.  The Grand Modus which is 63 centimetres longer than the regular Modus may not duck under the four metre category, but we are not sure of that since we do not possess the information of the overall proportions of the car.

Pictures Courtesy: Durango Dude and Autocar India.com

Porsche was the first of iconic “car” makers to decide on making an SUV and received a lot of flak for that.  But then the SUV (Cayenne) went on to break sales records and criticism simply had to die down.  Now another iconic “car” maker, Maserati which is a part of the Fiat group, seems to have decided to get into the SUV space at a time when the green brigade is shouting itself hoarse over how unfriendly SUVs are.  Something tells us that the Maserati SUV will also go the Porsche Cayenne way.  The leaked image is apparently of the SUV which will be displayed at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

In a not so surprising move Carl Peters Forster who was appointed the global CEO and Managing Director of Tata Motors in February, 2010 has resigned with immediate effect.  The move is not surprising because the period in which he has been CEO and MD has been an unhappy one for Tata, especially in India, with the Nano being a non seller and still being dogged by controversies of fire and the Indigo and the Indica range sells also plummeting.  The integration of Tata’s global businesses including Jaguar/Land Rover has also not happened to the extent that Tata wanted and these are probably the reasons for Forster stepping down, though he has cited personal reasons.  He however continues to be on the Board of Governors of Tata Motors in a non-executive position.

Toyota have launched the diesel version of the Etios sedan and the Etios Liva hatchback.  The engine is the same as the one found in the Toyota Corolla but with a fixed geometry turbo charger instead of the variable geometry turbo charger found on the Corolla Altis.  The result is that the engine makes lesser power 67PS as opposed to the 88PS on the Altis.

The Etios diesel is priced in the range of Rs 6.44-7.87 lakh while the Liva diesel is at Rs 5.54 lakh (all prices ex-showroom, Delhi).

Honda is getting aggressive with its strategy for India post the split with Hero.  Honda knows that even now the biggest volumes in motorcycles are in the 100cc category and therefore has decided to launch a new 100cc motorcycle below the CB Twister (110cc) in the next fiscal after show casing the product in the Auto Expo in January, 2012.  It is also in the process of finalizing a launch of another scooter to keep its share of the scooter market intact, especially with TVS getting stronger with the Wego and Piaggio coming into India next year.  Also the Maestro from Hero will soon be reaching showrooms and hence Honda is covering all its bases.  Good thinking, but that is only expected from the world leader.

Mercedes Benz India has launched the delicious and mouth water CLS with a price of Rs. 67.67 lakh (ex showroom Mumbai).  This is the second generation CLS and has a huge responsibility of following up an ultra successful and class creating act of the previous generation CLS which was a coupe design with four doors.  The new CLS is bigger and cheaper than the previous generation and features design cues that will be seen on future models from Mercedes Benz.  The car is powered by a 3.5 litre motor that puts out 306 PS of power.  The car is built on a slightly modified platform of the current E Class.

Picture Courtesy: Autocar India.com

The Bolero from Mahindra as become the definitive Mahindra after the iconic Jeep derived vehicles such as the MM540 and the CJ series Classic became redundant in the Indian market.  The Bolero has the distinction of finding acceptability from the urban and the rural populace of India and that is what makes it the most selling MUV in the country, with sales sometimes crossing even 7 thousand units per month.  The vehicle is very basic, but very solid and reliable and can go anywhere and also be repaired anywhere should something happen.  Mahindra considers the Bolero its staple and to ensure that customer interest in the vehicle does not die out, the vehicle is updated every once in the while.The new Bolero features a new front bumper, a new grey coloured grille, restyled head lamps and the rear gets a new spare wheel cover and the glass on the hatch gets a defroster and wiper as is now mandatory.  It also gets the low cost common rail engine that Mahindra have developed.  The engine puts out a respectable 75 PS power.  The interiors are spruced up as well with plastics in beige and all new digital console with LED lighting for the speedometer, temperature gauge and fuel gauge.

Mahindra launched the new Bolero SUV at a price of Rs. 6.38 lakhs (ex-showroom-Delhi, for SLE BSIV version) today. The New Bolero SUV is powered by a refined & peppy new m2DiCR engine, aggressive new front styling, a host of new technology features and new interiors and is available in both BS III and BSIV versions.

It also incorporates new technology features like Digital Cluster with Driver Information System (DIS) and a digital Engine Immobilizer, all new stylish dashboard, new wood-finish central console and all-new seats and upholstery. The New Generation Bolero, is available in 3 variants – SLE, SLX & ZLX.

Prices ( Ex-Showroom Chennai)

The New Bolero is available in the following colors, in addition to the ‘Java Brown’ featured in the images above.

From the press release:

After a false start in India with Mahindra as their partner, Renault has decided to come back with a vengeance and with a new outlook and strategy.  They launched the the very competent Renault Fluence in the month of June and even showed the world their strategy for India till 2013 by putting a launch schedule teaser on their website.  As per that the Koleos was due in September, 2011.  And Renault has not disappointed.  They have launched the Koleos with a price tag of Rs.22.99 lakhs (ex showroom Delhi).  The softroader SUV is powered by a 2 litre diesel engine that is shared by the X Trail from sister company, Nissan and puts out a respectable 150 PS of power from the all aluminium common rail diesel engine.  The car also has a split tail gate, tray tables behind the front seats for the back seat occupants, 17 inch alloy wheels and cruise control.  The Koleos competes with the likes of the Honda CR V, the Mitsubishi Outlander and the Chevrolet Captiva.The Koleos will come to India through the CKD route and be assembled at Renault-Nissan’s facility in Oragadam, Chennai.

The Renault Koleos will be powered by a 1995cc Direct injection Common rail + Turbo diesel mill delivering 150 PS at 4000 rpm. The top speed is claimed to be around 180kph with a 0-100 kph time of 12.3 seconds.The Renault Koleos will be available in three colors, White Pearl, Ultra Silver and Black Metallic. The new Renault Koleos is also available in a new dynamic body colour, Cayenne Orange elsewhere in the international markets, wonder if India will get this colour too.

The split rear tailgate enables easy access to the boot. Distinguishing it from its previous interation, the new Koleos has integrated LED indicators in its outer rear view mirrors.

Renault’s crossover benefits from expert input from across the Alliance. In addition to being conceived and designed by Renault, it benefits from Nissan technologies (notably its 4×4 transmission) and outside India, is manufactured at the Renault Samsung Motors plant in Busan, South Korea, which is acclaimed for its outstanding build quality.

From the press release:

Renault’s expertise in the realm of active and passive safety saw the brand’s crossover earn a five-star EuroNCAP crash test rating at the time of its launch thanks to features such as ESP, emergency brake assist, programmed structural deformation, six airbags and seat belt pretensioners.

Motoroids.com is carrying a picture of the Kawasaki KLR 650 with the caption that Kawasaki has introduced this motorcycle without specifying any market.  We assume that this must be in some international market.  However we are put a picture of the bike which is a trailie type and suitable for on and off road riding.  Have a look, who knows maybe Kawasaki will someday introduce it here in India.

Picture Courtesy: Motoroids.com