Nissan working on Alto and WagonR rivals for India

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px;"><div style="border-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 15px; vertical-align: baseline;">If you thought that the Micra is the end of Nissan’s small car story for India for now, you’re wrong. The company knows very well that the Indian market is all about small cars, and plans to launch two more small cars below the Micra to strengthen its product portfolio for India.</div><div style="border-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 15px; vertical-align: baseline;">ACI reveals that Nissan plans to utilise the old Micra platform to cut down costs and prepare a  model which will compete with the likes of the WagonR and Santro. Codenamed K2, the new car is slated for a launch in late 2012 and would be priced in the region of Rs 3.5 lakh. Engine options will include the 1.2 litre three cylinder mill that powers the Micra as well as a new 1.0 litre engine which is expected to be very fuel efficient.</div><div style="border-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 15px; vertical-align: baseline;">The car will be made for the Indian as well as the export market. There will be two versions, a short and a long wheelbase one. The LWb version will be sent out to export markets, while the SWB version will do duty here. There will also be an MPV version to cater to the Indonesian market.</div><div style="border-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 15px; vertical-align: baseline;">Another car to hit our roads from the Nissan stable would be an even cheaper hatchback. Codenamed I2, the new car will take the challenge directly to the industry leading Alto. Tested by Defiance Testing and Engineering, a US company is owned by Ashok Leyland, which is a JV partner of Nissan in India. A major part of R&D for the Alto rival will be carried out in India, the price will be kept low at Rs 2.5 lakh and will be launched sometime in 2013.</div></span></span>

Nissan working on Alto and WagonR rivals for India

If you thought that the Micra is the end of Nissan’s small car story for India for now, you’re wrong. The company knows very well that the I...

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Maruti Suzuki to launch the Kizashi on 28th January

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6loB1NUaFtuKl79tnYhUcLC_eIFIFZu2GWR4RyMx7vbnLmnVvm0lkClBkyxnlHhfD77JV0lwf3zP74mRpSvuwC1LXJE600MoR8WJBWypqiD-PwHlJ8cSL3MzpP96VZwX9ikQfG1B6nU/s1600/Suzuki-Kizashi-front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6loB1NUaFtuKl79tnYhUcLC_eIFIFZu2GWR4RyMx7vbnLmnVvm0lkClBkyxnlHhfD77JV0lwf3zP74mRpSvuwC1LXJE600MoR8WJBWypqiD-PwHlJ8cSL3MzpP96VZwX9ikQfG1B6nU/s400/Suzuki-Kizashi-front.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px;">Maruti Suzuki is planning to launch its D-segment car, the Kizashi in India on the 28th of January 2011. The new car will initially be imported as a CBU, priced at around Rs 16lakh and MSIL will take a call on local assembly based on its success.  The Kizashi is well received across the world and is doing decent numbers in some key markets. The company has been pitting the D-segment car against some of the entry-level luxury cars such as the C-class and Audi A4 in its latest ad campaign. Suzuki plans to keep the ‘Maruti’ badge out from the Kizashi branding, so as to make sure that their first venture into the D-segment is not seen an effort by a small car maker to make a bigger car.</span></span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px;">The Kizashi internationally comes with 2WD and AWD, although we doubt whether Maruti Suzuki would introduce the AWD version in the price-conscious Indian market. Powered by a 2.4-litre four cylinder engine, the Kizashi is looking good on paper – we hope it’s good enough to tackle its key competitors such as the Honda Accord and the Skoda Laura. The car will be available with a 6 speed manual and a 6-speed CVT transmission.</span></span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px;">Kizashi’s features list includes goodies such as ESP, eight airbags, a Rockford Fosgate sound system and 18 inch alloys. Here’s the technical specification chart for your ready reference.</span></span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px;">Exterior Dimensions                <br />Overall length (in.)    183.1<br />Overall width (in.)    71.7<br />Overall height (in.)    58.3<br />Wheelbase (in.)    106.3<br />Front tread (in.)    61.6<br />Rear tread (in.)    61.6<br />Ground clearance (in.)    5.7<br /><br />Capacities                <br />Seating capacity    5<br />Fuel tank capacity (liters/gallons)    63 / 16.6<br /><br />Engine                <br />Engine type    2.4 liter, DOHC, 16-valve, digital fuel injection<br />Number of cylinders    4<br />Bore x stroke (in.)    3.62 x 3.54<br />Compression ratio    10.0:1<br />Maximum output (horsepower @ RPM)    185 HP @ 6,500 RPM (MT)<br />180 HP @ 6,000 RPM (CVT)        <br />Maximum torque (lbs.-ft. @ RPM)    230Nm @ 4,000 RPM<br />Fuel distribution    Multiport Injection<br />Emission standard compliancy    BIN 5 / LEV 2<br />Fuel    Gasoline<br /><br />Transmission                <br />Type    6MT    CVT    <br />Final drive ratio    4.117    5.798    <br /><br />Chassis                <br />Steering    Electronic power steering with rack & pinion<br />Suspension, front    MacPherson strut and coil springs<br />Suspension, rear    Multi-link<br />Brakes, front    Vented disc<br />Brakes, rear    Solid disc<br /><br />Weight                <br />Curb weight (min.) (lbs.)    3241    3329    3241<br />Gross vehicle weight (lbs.)    4409 </span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" style="border-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><tbody style="border-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><tr style="border-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td style="border-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></td><td style="border-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></td><td style="border-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></td><td style="border-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></td><td style="border-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></td></tr><tr style="border-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td style="border-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></td><td style="border-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></td><td style="border-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></td><td colspan="2" style="border-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></td></tr><tr style="border-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td style="border-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></td><td colspan="4" style="border-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span></span>

Maruti Suzuki to launch the Kizashi on 28th January

Maruti Suzuki is planning to launch its D-segment car, the Kizashi in India on the 28th of January 2011. The new car will initially be impor...

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Maruti Suzuki may drive in the Jimny to counter Mahindra Thar

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGnSSg6ppg03lXOU05ju9uyGvZ1t2MJZtnJNZ-_RbA7K2wHC5EjZqhdjlxSDIutvD-Ixy-3nDo84bnZspdpu0x81N4IBnDmrtkhN4Nrj7XE156yR1KkXqAD2huRKSAgGINnRPd8D2R1YE/s1600/Maruti-Suzuki-Jimny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGnSSg6ppg03lXOU05ju9uyGvZ1t2MJZtnJNZ-_RbA7K2wHC5EjZqhdjlxSDIutvD-Ixy-3nDo84bnZspdpu0x81N4IBnDmrtkhN4Nrj7XE156yR1KkXqAD2huRKSAgGINnRPd8D2R1YE/s1600/Maruti-Suzuki-Jimny.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 15px; vertical-align: baseline;">Mahindra seems to have brought the compact, hardcore SUV segment alive. While the Premier Rio tried to have a shot at the segment, although sans a 4×4 option, it didn’t quite succeed. Now reports are rife that Maruti is planning to bring the Jimny compact SUV to offer competition to the Jimny 4×4. Currently the company is making the Gypsy king only against orders, a huge chunk of which comes from the armed forces. The Jimny will be a slightly more mainstream and comfortable option for the Indian market. </div><div style="border-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 15px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Jimny, in its original form is a two-door off-roader. With its short wheelbase and light weight it’s a potent weapon off the tar. However, for the Indian market, MSIL may just add two more doors to make it more practical.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />The Jimny in its stock form comes with a 1.3-litre petrol engine, with 80 horses and 130 Nm of torque. However, for the Indian market petrol engines don’t makes much sense, especially for the SUV segment. Maruti Suzuki may just replace the petrol mill with the fab 1.3 DDiS diesel power plant, which would endow the Jimny with more than enough grunt to take on any terrain.</div><div style="border-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 15px; vertical-align: baseline;">The cabin comfort won’t be too great, but would still be better than the Thar with a permanent roof and A/C. The Jimny also will have a filly covered cabin unlike the Thar’s open rear. The suspension is not well suited for comfort and Maruti Suzuki will probably have to make some amends if the Jimny has to make for a reasonably comfortable ride quality for families.</div><div style="border-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 15px; vertical-align: baseline;">The discussions to bring in the car are still in the embryonic stage. The estimated price and launch timelines still far from having been finalized. We will, however, let you know as soon as we get to know more details.</div></span></span>

Maruti Suzuki may drive in the Jimny to counter Mahindra Thar

Mahindra seems to have brought the compact, hardcore SUV segment alive. While the Premier Rio tried to have a shot at the segment, although ...

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