Honda Brio-based entry-level sedan named Amaze

Honda's entry-level sedan that is based on the underpinnings of the Brio hatchback has been christened the 'Amaze'. It will be the first diesel Honda in India and will slot into the sub-four metre sedan segment

News about Honda developing an entry-level sedan based on the Brio hatchback has been around for a while now. The Japanese car maker has now announced that the compact sedan has been christened ‘Amaze’. The car is currently under development and will be launched in India and Thailand in the financial year 2013-2014. 

The Honda Amaze will be a significant step for the company in India as it will be its first diesel car in India. Word is out that Honda is developing a 1.5 litre version of its new i-DTEC diesel engine and it is this mill that will do duty in the Amaze. The car will also be available with the 1.2 litre i-VTEC petrol engine that currently does duty in the Jazz and Brio hatchbacks. An automatic version of the petrol model is also likely.

Apart from being the company’s first diesel car in India, the Honda Amaze will also be slotted in that lucrative sub-four meter entry-level sedan segment, where it will compete against the Maruti Suzuki Swift DZire and the Tata Indigo eCS. 

Honda’s strategy with the Amaze is ‘more for less’ both in terms of value for money as well as keeping its dimensions compact for easy manoeuvrability while offering spacious interiors using Honda’s M/M (man maximum, machine minimum) concept. 

The Honda City has carved out a niche for itself in the minds of Indian customers as an aspirational sedan for the growing base of middle class customers. With the Amaze, Honda aims to capture another segment while sustaining the company’s core values of reliability, quality, performance and economy. This is why Honda insists on introducing the Amaze at affordable prices in India by intensifying local sourcing and production for greater cost effectiveness. 

The Honda Brio was developed exclusively for the Asian market, introduced in 2011 in India and Thailand the little hatchback caters well to the growing entry-level hatchback market in the region. And in its sedan avatar, the Honda Amaze will be a serious rival within its segment as well as to bigger hatchbacks. 

5 safest hatchbacks in India under Rs 5.5 lakhs

The 5 safest hatchbacks in India under Rs 5.5 lakhs

Safety is the new buzzword and automotive manufacturers are improving this aspect of their products. We look at some of the safest hatchbacks at the most competitive prices available in the Indian market

Hatchbacks are evolving as the optimal car choice for the average Indian family. Affordable prices, compact size and improved manoeuvrability make them the cars of choice for crowded Indian metros. However, with mushrooming road mishaps, safety is a very real concern for both buyers and producers. Here’s a list of the safest hatchbacks below Rs 5.5 lakh available in the country. We’re looking at airbags, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) as the parameters to judge their safety credentials.

Maruti Suzuki A-star:

The A-star is Indian numero uno Maruti Suzuki’s most competitive offering in the Indian hatchback segment. The pint-sized hatch sure does pack a punch though. The top end model, the ZXI Opt, is priced at an extremely frugal Rs 4.51 lakh and offers airbags, ABS and EBD, making it one of the cheapest and safest cars on Indian roads. The 1-litre engine returns 19kmpl which goes a long way towards it being wallet-friendly as well.

Ford Figo:

Another little hatch that’s big on safety is American multinational car manufacturer Ford’s solitary vehicle in the Indian hatchback market. The 1.2-litre Duratec Titanium variant is at the pinnacle of the list of variants and it’s priced at a prudent Rs 5.02 lakh. It returns approximately 17kmpl which isn’t too shabby at all.

Maruti Suzuki Ritz:

This mid-range hatchback is Maruti Suzuki’s second product with an adequate number of safety features enabling it to feature on this list. The Ritz is slightly bigger than the others on this list, and that’s reflected in its comparatively higher price. The Ritz ZXI is top dog in terms of the car’s internal hierarchy, and costs a fairly economical Rs 5.23 lakh. The Ritz also boasts of a 1.2-litre engine and will give you 17 kilometres to the litre, a range that rates decently well in this segment. 

Honda Brio:

Japanese car maker Honda’s petite Brio ticks all the right safety boxes. One of the smallest cars on this list, its highest rated V MT variant costs Rs 5.24 lakh and for its 1.2-litre engine, Honda claims 18.4kmpl, a good return for a car at that price. 

Nissan Micra:

Japanese car maker Nissan’s Micra has been making waves in the Indian hatchback segment. The top end XV variant comes equipped with the prerequisite ABS, EBD and a single airbag (unlike the dual airbags in all the other cars in this list). It is the most expensive of cars on this list at Rs 5.51 lakh. It’s not the most economical with a meagre 9.1kmpl return from its 1.2-litre engine. 

A discernable pattern emerges when researching the relevant information on Indian hatchbacks that are high on safety and low on price. It becomes apparent that only the top end variants of these aforementioned cars came equipped with the crucial airbag, ABS and EBD safety precautions, while the mid-range and low end versions typically do not see these features included. The only possible exception to this trend is the Nissan Micra that offers a single driver’s side airbag across all its variants.  

Not only are these cars the ultimate in safety and price, but also feature packed to the hilt, as they’re the best possible alternatives for each model of car, which means these cars will keep you safe, sound and driving in comfort. A few cars that also lead the line in terms of these safety features but lost out due to their slightly higher prices are the Renault Pulse RXZ (P), the Maruti Suzuki Swift ZXI, whose top end petrol versions cost Rs 5.55 lakhs and Rs 5.72 lakhs respectively.

[Source: zigwheels.com]

Rendering – Next generation Toyota Corolla to look younger

Toyota is working on the 11th generation of their most successful model, the Toyota Corolla.

The testing cycle got underway in the US earlier this year implying that a formal introduction is on the horizon.

The 2014 Toyota Corolla, codenamed E160, will have a sporty look to lure younger buyers. The new Corolla is expected to have better driving dynamics in order to align itself with Mr. Akio Toyoda’s slogan “Fun to drive, again”. Mr. Toyoda is the president of TMC, so the engineers better get this one right!

According to a newly revealed rendering by Car and Driver Brazil, the new Corolla looks completely different from the current model. The steeply sloping bonnet gives the nose a low slung stance. The smiley grill is interrupted by a body coloured applique which houses the logo.

The headlamps are angular with sharp edges and the fog lamp housings are set deep into the bumper. The chrome lined trapezoidal lower air dam complements the sporty front fascia.

The silhouette of the car remains largely unchanged while the rear reminds us of the Toyota Camry. The good looking tail lamps extend to the boot and the black diffuser masks the bulk.

The 2014 Corolla is expected to be powered by an improved version of the 1.8 litre petrol engine which will deliver more power and is likely to be mated to 6-speed manual and automatic transmissions. A larger capacity diesel motor is a no-brainer if the car is growing in size as a 90hp 1.4L engine is a complete mismatch on a D Segment model, in India, in 2014.

The new Toyota Corolla might be launched in the second half of 2013 globally.

[Source: Caranddriverbrasil.uol.com.br]

Tata

Spied – Military version of Tata Safari Storme

Tata Motors is one of the primary vehicle suppliers for the Indian military and the company is preparing its newly launched Tata Safari Storme to take up protection duty.

Two prototypes of the Tata Safari were showcased at the DEFEXPO 2012 and today we have another example from the roads of Pune.

Our friends at Motorbash.com spotted this Military green Safari Strome testing in Pune. The car had some Military grade accessories strapped on to it.

Tata has been supplying armoured versions the of previous generation Tata Safaris to the Indian defense forces and there could be a bullet proof version of the Safari Strome in the works as well.

The test mule spotted doesn’t appear to be armoured but with 4×4 system and Military add-ons it could be used to transport defense officials.

Compared to the civilian version, the chrome strip on the bonnet is missing and the ‘Storme’ lettering is body coloured. The tail gate is also fully body coloured while the civilian Safari Storme has a black insert. On the bonnet, there is what appears to be a powerful antenna for wireless communications.

The SUV is expected to be powered by the same 140 bhp 2.2 litre VARICOR diesel engine mated to 5-speed manual transmission that does duty on the civilian version. An aromoured version would warrant a more powerful engine to haul the extra weight.

[Source: Motorbash.com]

Maruti Suzuki

Maruti Ritz AT variant details appear on official website

Maruti Suzuki is ready to launch the Ritz AT to nullify the threat posed by the recently launched Honda Brio AT.

The official website of the Maruti Ritz has already posted pictures and details about the Ritz AT which should be launched soon.

However, the Maruti dealers in Chennai, one of the important markets for the Ritz, were clueless when we enquired about the automatic variant over the telephone.

According to the official website, the automatic transmission is available only in the mid level petrol Vxi trim, as introducing it in top of the line Zxi variant would shoot the costs up. The other Maruti cars which come with automatic gearbox are A-Star, Swift Dzire and SX4.

The 4-speed automatic transmission is expected to be similar in construction to the four speeders employed by the A-Star and the Swift Dzire. The introduction of Ritz AT is a reaction to the Honda Brio AT which has a 5-speed autobox.

The website says that the Ritz AT has an ARAI certified mileage of 17.6 kmpl which is 1.1 kmpl more than what the Honda Brio AT offers. The Ritz Vxi AT weighs 20 kg more than the Vxi Manual. It is powered by a 1.2L K Series engine that outputs 85PS.

There are no details about the launch date or pricing on the website. We expect the Maruti Ritz AT to sell at a premium of around Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 70,000.

[Source: Official website of Maruti Ritz]

Ford

Chinese Ford EcoSport will not get the EcoBoost engine

The Ford EcoSport will have to make do without the path breaking 1.0 litre EcoBoost engine in China.

Reports from the Chinese media say that the three cylinder 1.0 litre EcoBoost engine will not be offered in the soon to be launched EcoSport.

Instead, the compact SUV will be powered by a more conventional 110 bhp 1.5 litre naturally aspirated petrol engine that also powers the Ford Fiesta.

The Chang’an-Ford joint venture currently builds engines as well as Ford cars for China. The possible reason for sacking the 1.0 litre EcoBoost is that it is not manufactured in China. The Chinese government has a heavy tax structure for imported engines which would hinder the EcoSport’s price competitiveness.

However, Ford is building an engine plant in China and may likely offer the EcoBoost engine in the future. The EcoSport could lose an edge over rivals due to the lack of the tech-laden petrol mill in the first few laps.

The 1.0 litre EcoBoost employs one of the world’s smallest turbochargers to pump out a healthy 123 bhp of power. The engine won the world engine of the year title for 2012.

The Ford EcoSport is expected to be launched in China in early 2012 shortly after which, the compact SUV will enter India, with the 1L engine.

new Mahindra video advert

Have you watched the new Mahindra video advert?

Mahindra has released a new advertorial yesterday which covers their entire passenger UV portfolio.

The Indian UV specialists are at the best of their times and are surging ahead of Tata Motors with a lineup of best selling cars.

By introducing the Rexton, Mahindra had brought their foreign acquisition, the Ssangyong brand, to India.

The energetic video which has a tagline “Live young. Live free” targets the youth and portrays Mahindra vehicles to be friendly to the younger generation.

Mahindra has risen steadily after the launch of the XUV500 which received a response which was never before seen in India for an SUV. Their latest offering Mahindra Quanto is also clocking a pretty good number of bookings.

Apart from the UVs, Mahindra is gearing up to launch the Mahindra E2O electric city car which will be built at the new Mahindra Reva plant at Bengaluru.

Mahindra

Pinch Me! Mahindra looking to buyout Aston Martin?

If you think that Tata Motors’s buyout of Jaguar-Land Rover was something of a dream come true to Indian motoring, wait till you hear this – Mahindra&Mahindra is being approached for a possible buyout of Aston Martin.

The buyout of Aston Martin by Mahindra won’t mean a saber-toothed grille will feature on the Vanquish and the mHawk will be shoehorned under the upcoming Lagonda SUV or sedan. Mahindra would infuse capital using which Aston Martin can work on new technologies and platforms. There are no synergies Mahindra can explore with Aston Martin as things stand now as Aston is a luxury sports car maker and Mahindra, along with Ssangyong, manufacture mini trucks and SUVs.

Aston Martin, more popularly known as ‘Bond Car’, has been going through tough times since the early 2000s. The Ford era ended in 2007 and a Kuwait investment group called Investment Dar Co took charge of Aston Martin. However, the group has hit financial troubles and wants to sell its 64% stake in the Gaydon-based automaker.

The biggest news is that Mahindra&Mahindra has been approached by Investment Dar for a potential buyout. If the deal finalizes, Mahindra will have to shell out USD 805 million (Rs. 4,400 crore) for the British marque. However, Mahindra is not the only automaker in the potential suit of Aston Martin. Toyota, the Japanese czar, is also interested in the British firm. Toyota’s president Mr. Akio Toyoda is a big fan of driving, and he is the kind of the person who may not consider defeat as an option in this bidding.