Category: compact hatchback

Posted on

Tata Motors introduces iCNG technology in Tiago and Tigor

By Javed Ali Khan

Tata motors introduced iCNG technology which they call the most advanced technology in their two successful products – Tiago and Tigor. The single advance ECU allows smooth auto switchover between fuels and direct start in CNG (segment first) makes things more easy for the users. The iCNG based Tiago starts at Rs.6.09 lakh and goes up-to Rs. 7.64 lakh and Tigor starts at Rs. 7.69 lakh and goes up-to Rs.8.41 lakh.

The cars have been loaded with features – Tiago iCNG comes with the Projector Headlamps, LED DRLs, Chrome embellishments on the exteriors and premium black and beige dual-tone interiors. Tigor iCNG comes equipped with features such as Rain sensing wipers, Automatic headlamps, Dual tone roof, new seat fabric and new dual tone black and beige interiors.

Both have a warranty of 2 years or 75,000 kms, whichever is earlier, as a standard option for all customers.

Posted on

Toyota & Suzuki Tie-Up, Baleno to be sold as Glanza by Toyota

By Admin

Pictures – Via WhatsApp

Suzuki and Toyota, in India, have been facing almost same problem but in different segment. Maruti Suzuki is not successful in selling premium cars beyond CIAZ segment and off lately is facing stiff competition right from selling Alto to Brezza. For Toyota Kirloskar it has been a very comfortable ride for them in the SUV segment but when it comes to hatchback segment, they have only one product to boast of – Etios Livia.

On 6th of February, 2017 both parties signed an MoU for sharing of ‘Toyota Hybrid System’ to Suzuki, widely spread hybrid electric vehicle technology in India, OEM supply of two new electrified vehicles built on Toyota platforms (RAV4, Corolla Wagon) to Suzuki in Europe, OEM supply of two compact vehicles built on Suzuki platforms (Ciaz and Ertiga) to Toyota in India.

Apart from this, Toyota to adopt newly developed Suzuki engines for compact vehicles, OEM supply of Suzuki’s India-produced vehicles (Baleno, Vitara Brezza, Ciaz, Ertiga) to Toyota – targeting the African market, drawing upon Suzuki’s expertise in developing vehicles in India, joint development of a Toyota C-segment MPV and OEM supply to Suzuki and Production of the Suzuki-developed compact SUV Vitara Brezza at Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd. (TKM) from 2022.

The process of mutual collaboration has already started with Suzuki providing baleno model to Toyota, rebadged and renamed as ‘Toyota Glanza’ and will be officially launched in India in the month of June, 2019. We expect Glanza will be available in two variants – G & V, one with a Petrol-manual and the other with petrol-automatic combination. The heart of Glanza will be a 1.2 litre K series engine connected to a CVT automatic and a 5-speed manual gear box.

Both, Toyota and Suzuki are following the same approach which Renault and Nissan have done in India, sharing each other’s products with different names. Time will tell how successful this collaboration will be but one thing is for sure that in future, car makers in India, will be quite aggressive in approach which will definitely put market on fire.

 

Posted on

Mahindra S210 named ‘XUV 3oo’ – launch in Feb 2019

By Admin

Pictures: Mahindra

Mahindra has named S210 as ‘XUV3oo’ – pronounced as XUV, 3 double ‘Oh’ and with this, company has entered the very successful – ‘sub 4 metre’ – sub-compact SUV segment of Indian automobile market. Although earlier, Mahindra had launched Quanto which was later renamed as NuvoSport with an aim of achieving success like Ecosport did for Ford India.

    
The upcoming, all new, ‘XUV3oo’ will be pitched against the very successful Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Ford Ecosport and the Tata’s Nexon which recently achieved NCAP 4 star for adult safety and 3-star rating in child occupancy protection. XUV3oo is based on SsangYong Tivoli platform which has received multiple safety and ergonomic awards including a Grade 1 safety award from the 2015 KNCAP (Korean New Car Assessment Program), automotive safety test.

Indeed, XUV3oo resembles SsangYong Tivoli but the overall look and appearance is based on XUV5oo cheetah inspired design especially the headlamps, the fog lamps and wheel arches. The SUV will also boast of dual LED DRLs and LED tail lamps giving it a bold and charismatic road presence and yes one has to appreciate that boomerang effect to the DRLs at the front makes you stop doing everything and look at XUV3oo with deep breath.

XUV3oo will have – first in its class – dual zone FATC (Fully Automatic Temperature Control), all four disk brakes and seven airbags. The SUV will have a – expected – 1.2-litre petrol motor and the 1.5-litre diesel motor linked to 6-speed gear box and will have highest torque in its segment, as shared by the Mahindra team.

The interior straightway looks rich with premium upholstery and a touch screen infotainment system making driving surely a pleasure. The car also has ESP, ABS, cruise control apart from air bags as safety features. Not to forget, it will even have an option of Sun-roof but will be launched without an automatic transmission.

The car will be sold through the mainstream Mahindra showroom and not from premium store in store showroom specifically meant for selling Alturas G4. Mahindra, currently, is also working on the electric version of XUV3oo which will be out in 2020.


The sub compact SUV will be built in Nasik plant, will be available both in petrol and diesel and will be available in the Indian market in the first half of 2019.

Posted on

Is This The End? Tata Nano The People’s Car

By Admin

Pictures: Tata Motors

The dream of Mr. Ratan Tata of giving Indians the cheapest car in the form Nano which saw the light of the day way back in 2008 is now at verge of its end. Yes, you have heard it right. Tata Nano was called ‘People’s car’ by many, was also referred as ‘Lakhtakiya’ which means something which costs under 1 lakh. In June this year only one unit was produced and as far as exports are concerned, Nano could not even open up the account.

 

The car which indeed made its place into the hearts and garage of Indian car buyers was loved and hated by many at the same time. A few incidents of Nano bursting into flames gave it a negative image from which it could not recover till now. But it also gained love and admiration to an extent that famous American Talk show host Mr. Jay Leno bought one Nano for his garage and took it to America. The only problem was that as the Nano was not road legal, he had to use the track of LAPD for testing the car.

The best thing about Nano is that

  1. it is small
  2. easy to manoeuvre
  3. has space for four
  4. a person as tall as 6ft. can fit into it easily

and the most important thing was its air-condition which was so effective that even Jay Leno said that it is better when compared with his McLaren F1.

It is to be seen whether Tata motors would finally end the production of Nano or will revive the brand and the product by introducing it into electric form. We believe that Nano can, any given day, do well as compared to MS Alto, Renault Kwid or Datsun Go but for that Tata motors have to go back to drawing board and come up with a strategy which helps Nano in gaining customers confidence.