Carazoo Articles

Part-4 - Sedans to be launched in 2012

24 January, 2012 : The next generation Lancer has been included in the SE AWC range, positioned in between the DE, SE and GT models and the Ralliart versions. The car is the most successful series of the company with sales of the brand hovering about the 1,500 units per month mark, capturing about eight percent of the market share.

The new Lancer sports a more powerful 2.0 Litre 4-cylinder turbo engine with a maximum output of 295 hp, maximum torque of 300 pound feet and a Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) drive system. The Fuel consumption has been reduced from 7.6 litres per 100 km to 6.8 litres per 100 km in case of the manual transmission and from 8.2 lt/100 km to 7.2 Lt/100 km in case of the CVT variant. Other luxury features in the car include Bluetooth telephone connectivity and steering wheel audio, heated front seats, power drivers seat, privacy glass and phone controls. The exterior appearance has been updated with front corner air dams while reversing camera and sensors come as standard features. The safety features of the car include active stability control, dual front, side and curtain and driver’s knee SRS airbags and ABS braking system with Electronic Brake Force Distribution. The Mitsubishi Lancer range has been rated the highest five-star rating according to the ANCAP safety rating.

Part-3 - Sedans to be launched in 2012

23 January, 2012 : Hyundai plans to launch its most awaited next generation Sonata, based on the design of the Mercedes CLS. The new Sonata is expected to be available with advanced wireless monitoring system, linked to a monitoring centre. Hyundai unveiled the new Sonata at the 2012 Auto Expo, to be held between 7th and 11th January 2012 in New Delhi. It is also possible that the car will be completely made and developed in India itself, to keep the price of the new fluidic style car highly competitive. The new Sonata Sedan is expected to be priced about Rs. 18 lakhs and to be pitted against the Honda Accord, Skoda Superb and Volkswagen Passat in the Indian market.

Part-2 - Sedans to be launched in 2012

20 January, 2012 : Not to be left behind in the race for launching upgraded versions of successful car models to woo buyers, Fiat plans to launch a facelifted version of its car, the Linea, in 2012. Linea, launched initially in January 2009, is likely to feature new front and rear bumpers, new head and tail lamps, new front fender and also a new boot lid. The company also plans to upgrade the interiors. In spite of improving on the car and launching a fully loaded T-Jet variant, Linea failed to attract a good response, selling only 947 units in January 2011, which was its best recorded performance. The car was launched in India a day before the 11th Auto Expo started.

It is speculated that Fiat will mildly tune its 1.3 litre multijet engine to give a displacement of 1,248 cc. Fiat expects to storm the car market with the facelifted version of the Linea.

Part-1 - Sedans to be launched in 2012

19 January, 2012 : Audi plans to launch a revamped version of its popular car, the Audi A4. The A4 has enjoyed better popularity and acceptance when compared to the BMW 3 series and the Mercedes C Class. The new A4 will feature the trademark front grille, LED light strips and rear lights apart from wearing new hood and rear bumpers, new steering wheel, a revised ignition key. The car has added slight tweaks to its shock absorbers and a new electromechanical power steering system apart from more comfortable interiors.

The new A4 will offer engine variants of a 1.8 TFSI petrol engine with an output of 120 hp and a 2.0 TFSI offering 210 hp. The diesel 2.0 TDI engine will have an output of 134 hp while the more powerful 3.0 TDI engine will have an output of 201 hp. The diesel 3.0 litre engine will be offered in the high end variant of the A4.

Part-3 - Small Cars to be launched in 2012

18 January, 2012 : Launched way back in 1963, the Mini Cooper made a name for itself winning the Monte Carlo rally three times apart from winning in numerous races and rallies across the world. Mini Mania is now all set to launch the diesel version of the car. The New Cooper is expected to debut in Geneva in March 2012 and to make it to the showrooms by June 2012. The MINI brand has been launched in India during Auto Expo 12.

The diesel version of the furious petrol fired Mini Cooper is equipped with a 2.0 litre turbocharged diesel engine, giving out 143 bhp at 4,000 rpm, producing a top speed of 215 kmph. Maximum torque of 305 Nm is produced at 1,750 to 2,700 rpm. The car has a fuel efficiency of 65.7 mpg and emits 114 grams of CO2 per kilometer. The most powerful diesel car has been kept lightweight to improve fuel efficiency. Other fuel-saving features of the car include Brake Energy Regeneration, auto start/stop functions, shift point display, electric power steering and the need-based operation of ancillary components.

Part-2 - Small Cars to be launched in 2012

17 January, 2012 : Ford plans to launch the revamped model of hatchback car, the Ford Figo. Though the original Kinetic Ford design has been retained, the car has been given a new look with slightly sharper headlamps and a more angular appearance though the changes are more defined in the rear side. The revamped car sports a more sleek appearance and a premium looking exterior. The new Figo has scoops for fog lamp and appears sharper and edgy. Ford has also introduced an entirely new variant of the EXi in petrol and diesel versions, taking up the number of variants offered by it to 10. The Ford Figo was launched in India in 2010.

Ford continues to offer both the 1.2 litre petrol and 1.4 liter diesel engine versions. Ford has priced the new car at Rs 3.7 lakhs for the base variant. The upgraded version has priced its high end Titanium variant with an additional Rs18,000.

Part-1 - Small Cars to be launched in 2012

16 January, 2012 : BMW 1 Series is one of the popular car models of BMW, known to be synonymous with driving pleasure. The popular hatchback has made its mark in the history of BMW, selling more than one million units in the worldwide markets. The revamped car carries a high-tech engine and suspension system, taking up the fuel efficiency apart from providing better internal space and attractive and innovative features. The car stands out as the only rear wheel driven car in its class.

The 2012 BMW 1 Series is equipped with a turbocharged 1.6 litre petrol engine that pumps out 247 bhp, while the diesel version with a turbocharged 2.0 litre engine churns out 181 bhp. The engine in both the options is mated to a six-speed manual or an eight speed automatic transmission system. The SUV is expected to storm the market, impressing the onlookers with its precisely molded body shape, youthful and stylish appearance, two ranges of interiors and exterior design choices with a host of exclusive personalization options apart from contributing an impressive fuel efficiency of 18 kmpl. The SUV will be priced from Rs. 17 lakh onwards.

EXPORTS: THE SAFEST WAY OUT FOR CAR MAKERS?

10 January, 2012 : Car makers in India are currently going through a phase of sluggish growth in the domestic sales. The negative sentiment has been triggered by the intermittent hikes in the prices of fuel and higher rates of interest. During April-October 2010, buoyant demand for cars which went up to 33% had prompted car makers to focus on the domestic market. Car exports during the period had seen less than 2% growth during the period. The trend however seems to have reversed during the current year. The various car companies are now turning exceedingly towards promoting exports to make up for the slacking domestic demand. The Industry lobby, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam) has reported that sales declined by 1.8 percent to 13.79 lakhs during April-October 2011 while exports during the same period escalated by 19% to touch 2.93 lakh units. Global car makers including Hyundai, Nissan Motor Co Ltd and Ford Motor Co which shifted a large part of their manufacturing activities to India, to leverage on the growing opportunities here, have been seen to lead the trend of increased exports. Siam has reported that the Hyundai factory of Sriperumbudur shipped 1,44,000 units out of India while Nissan Motor Co started exporting the Micra in October 2010 and dispatched 59,770 units during Apr-Oct 2011. Likewise, Ford India Pvt Ltd which started exporting its small car Figo in June 2010 registered shipments of 15,402 units during the period (4,882 units in 2010). The trend of exports is more pronounced in case of petrol models, the demand for which has fallen steeply in the Indian markets. Ford aims to export 20% of its total production by the end of March 2012, while Nissan India declined to comment on the issue. A major dampner for the car makers is the unstable situation in the European markets. Hyundai Motor India Ltd shipped 1,44,000 units to Europe during April-October 2011, going up by just one percent from the exports in 2010. Hyundai, which exports cars made in India to over 150 countries, has faced dwindling demand from Europe. Exports to European countries which comprised 55% of the exports during 2009 have come down to 45 % currently. Another disadvantage for Hyundai is the fact that the company had shifted the production base of its i20 model from India to Turkey in March 2010.

ELECTRIC CARS: ALL SET TO MAKE A COMEBACK?

09 January, 2012 : It is not uncommon for us to hear of people talking of all-electric road transport systems as the imminent future for the human race. Electric vehicles which had a rough start when first launched in 1899, have the advantage of reducing harmful emissions. They are more silent and don't emit CO2, NOx or particulate matter, preserving the environment for the future generations. The cars don't promote burning fossil fuels and allow easy maintenance. Leading political leaders including Mr Sarkozy of France and Mr Merkel of Germany envision millions of electric vehicles (EVs) on the roads by about 2021. Rising costs of fuel, which is a depleting resource has led people to think of alternative fuel sources. Car makers like Renault claim about achieving production of one million EVs by about 2016. But then, how realistic or practical is the prospect of all-electric cars? Would car makers rake in millions with their EVs or would the idea just gather dust along with their cars? This is the question which needs to be pondered upon.

Despite the various grants/aids and tax breaks which are being offered by various countries to popularize electric cars, one needs to consider the situation on hand before taking a decision.

EVs are projected as that which is "almost free" and "maintenance free". When you think about the money you shell out at the fuel filling stations, the idea of just re-charging your car at home before proceeding on a long drive may sound exciting. But then why is it that we forget that electricity comes at a price too!

How practical are the EVs?

Producing cars would necessitate the use of various materials including steel, copper, aluminium, rubber, lead, plastics and other raw materials or finished products which do not come in infinite supply.

Building an EV would necessitate the use of even more rare earth materials (REE). EVs can comprise family size sedans or even just micro cars. The batteries used in them could range from lesser expensive lead-acid ones to nickel metal hydride or cellphone-type Lithium based batteries, which happens to be the most convergent choice for most family sized EVs.

The technology used in EVs suggests replacing or substituting oil with metals and minerals, which most people forget are depleting resources too. Let's take an example of an EV which operates on nickel-metal hydride batteries. One would need to build an electric power plant to recharge the fleet of such EVs which would be built. Is that practical?

Maruti Gypsy : An Indian Off roader’s dream

06 January, 2012 : Maruti Suzuki, India's number one automobile manufacturer is the market leader in the car segment both in terms of number of vehicles sold and revenue earned. Maruti Suzuki was earlier known as Maruti Udyog Limited till 2007. This company brought revolution in automobile industry in India. The company was formed in 1981 and the production of its first car "Maruti 800" kicked off in 1983. Since then, the company has produced several cars. The company has disseminated throughout the country. There are several Maruti service stations across the country. Maruti occupies a noteworthy position in the Indian car market due to its durability, longevity and reliability. Maruti Suzuki offers 15 models such as Maruti 800, Alto, WagonR, Estilo, A-star, Ritz, Swift, Swift DZire, SX4, Omni, Eeco, Gypsy, Grand Vitara and Kizashi. All the models are manufactured in Maruti Suzuki's Gurgaon plant except for the Swift, Swift DZire, A-star and SX4 which are manufactured in Manesar. Grand Vitara is imported from Japan as a completely built unit (CBU).

The Maruti Suzuki Gypsy, Maruti Suzuki's first off-road vehicle, was launched in 1985 at the time when India was evolving. It is a four wheel drive SUV based on the Suzuki SJ long wheel base. It has created waves in the Indian automotive industry at the time of launch. It is a 4x4 off roader available in the three variants, Soft Top, Hard Top, and Ambulance Car. Maruti Suzuki Gypsy is available in the following colors bright red, silky silver, superior white and icy blue.

Maruti Suzuki Gypsy is a thrilling surprise when it comes to performance. It is loaded with a powerful 1.3 L engine. The 1298cc 1.3-litre MPF1 16 valve gasoline engine pumps out a maximum power of 80 bhp @ 6000 rpm, with a maximum torque of 103Nm @ 4500 rpm. It has 4 cylinders. MPFI is multi point fuel injection system that ensures improved performance and fuel efficiency. The engine is mated to a 5-speed all synchromesh manual transmission which offers incessant shifts. It offers high cruising speeds and better highway mileage.

The suspension system of the Maruti Suzuki Gypsy has been designed and developed for a fantastic driving comfort on Indian roads both in plain and rough terrains. When driving on the hills, higher ground clearance ensures better off-road capability and the diaphragm spring clutch helps reduce wear of parts. When driving in snowy conditions the high thermal conductivity of the engine ensures that the engine is effectively ignited even in the midst of snow. Moreover, the lighter weight of the engine enhances power output, traction, and responsiveness. High thermal conductivity of the engine ensures that there is no overheating and the car drives smoothly even in the hot deserted areas. Gypsy also has a higher power to weight ratio that ensures faster and safer acceleration through streams and muddy terrain. The front and rear leaf spring suspension with double action damper helps improve handling and traction. The brakes are present with booster, front brakes are disc shaped and the rear brakes are drum shaped. It has F78-15-4 PR 205/70R15 type tyres. The capacity of the fuel tank is 40 litres and the engine oil 4 litres. Read our Maruti Gypsy review here at carazoo.com.