Fiat may launch Jeep Cherokee in India

Fiat, the Italian auto giant is rumored to be on the verge of launching Chrysler’s Jeep division and premium brands such as Alfa Romeo in India.

Fiat India, sells only two models, the Grande Punto and the Linea. Introduction of Chrysler and Jeep models such as Cherokee will allow Fiat to expand its product lineup in the country. It has to be noted that Fiat acquired a majority stake in Chrysler, the US auto maker, three years ago.

According to a newspaper report, a team of senior officials from Chrysler had visited India to conduct a feasibility study for the Jeep Grand Cherokee. The Cherokee is an entry-level premium SUV that is expected to be priced close to the Toyota Fortuner, Chevrolet Captiva and Ford Endeavour in India.

We can expect Chrysler’s Jeep models to be brought into India via the Completely Knocked Down (CKD) route, which attracts lower import duties. Fiat may use its Ranjangaon plant to assemble the Chrysler models. Local assembling of models will likely help Fiat to price the Jeep models competitively. Models of premium brands such as Alfa Romeo will most likely be brought into the country as Completely Built Units (CBUs), which attract 110% import duty.

Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Grand Cherokee has been in production since 1992. The latest Grand Cherokee is the fourth generation model and has been given as much as 30 awards for its safety, off-roading potential and luxury features.

The Grand Cherokee has the typical 7-slat Jeep grille and looks. The side profile shows a high waistline and large trapezoidal wheel arches with good clearance for off-road use. The rear of the Grand Cherokee is again simple design with wrap-around tail-lamps flowing into the rear hatch, and a thick chrome garnish with ‘Jeep’ embossed on it.

The interiors of the Grand Cherokee are expected to be premium with soft touch materials. The cabin features only two rows of seats for five people, and may discourage buyers looking for a seven-seat SUV.

The Grand Cherokee is available in both petrol and diesel engine variants. We expect the India-bound Grand Cherokee to be powered by a 3-litre, V6 CRD diesel engine that puts out an impressive 237 bhp of power and 550 Nm of torque. The Grand Cherokee can accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph in 8.2 seconds and achieve a top speed of 203 kmph. The Grand Cherokee clearly has an advantage over the Toyota Fortuner and other SUVs in terms of power, acceleration and overall performance.

The Grand Cherokee employs a Quadra-Trac II 4×4 system that has ‘Selec-Terrain’ feature for off-roading duties.  The Quadra-Trac II has sensors to detect tyre slip and supply torque accordingly. Its off-roading ability is further assisted by Hill Descent Control and Hill Start Assist.  The uniqueness of Cherokee lies in its ‘Selec-Terrain’ system that allows the driver to choose from five driving conditions: Sand/Mud, Sport, Auto, Snow and Rock. The Cherokee also features the new Quadra-Lift air suspension system that offers five height settings (modes) depending on the driving conditions.

The Grand Cherokee is one of the safest premium SUVs for it is loaded with numerous safety features such as eight airbags, ABS, all-four disc brakes, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Enhanced Accident Response System, Traction Control and so on.

Expected Pricing

With the level of equipment, quality of interior upholstery and off-roading abilities, the Grand Cherokee may have a price tag of about Rs. 30 lakh.

There are no official statements about the entry of Chrysler or premium brands like Alfa Romeo in India. However, it isn’t a surprise for a brand like Chrysler/Jeep focusing on emerging markets like India where the demand for premium luxury vehicles is growing. It would be interesting to see, how Fiat will manage to sell the Jeep and Alfa Romeo cars here when it struggles to sell its own models such as Punto and Linea in significant numbers.

Source: Economic Times 

New Maruti Suzuki Dzire Xclusive Pics

Maruti Suzuki will launch the new Dzire during the first week of February 2012. Here is a phot0 gallery of the new Swift Dzire!

The Dzire is the largest selling entry-level sedan in India and the new Dzire will continue to retain the ‘No.1’ crown hopefully. The new Dzire measures less than four meters, thus qualifying for the small car excise duty sops. The new Dzire is powered by the same 1.2-litre K-series petrol motor and the 1.3-litre DDiS diesel engine that powers the new Swift.

Let us take a look at the exterior design, interiors, gadgets and features that the Dzire offers. All the features mentioned below are available at the top-end variants ZXI and the ZDI.

The new Dzire has its front, very similar to the new Swift, but with subtle changes. When compared with the Swift, the upcoming Dzire has radiator grille with horizontal slits, wider air dam and bigger housing for fog lamps.

On the side profile, the new Dzire has unique shaped rear quarter glass and the size of rear doors are slightly stretched than in the Swift hatchback. The chunky alloy wheels add a sporty flair to the compact Dzire.

The major design changes are found in the boot section. The thick chrome strip running across the entire width of the boot door renders a premium appeal.

The taillamps have been redesigned to give a fresh look. Overall, the Dzire, with its shortened boot and Swift like styling, is one good looking compact sedan.

On the inside, the new Dzire gets a Swift like cabin. The black-beige dual tone shades brighten up the interiors. The dashboard layout has faux wood inserts and has displays for MID, music system and automatic climate control system.

The steering wheel of the Dzire is same as that of the new Swift. The steering wheel is tilt-adjustable and has illuminated steering-mounted audio controls.

The MID includes digital clock, outside temperature, odometer, trip meters, tachometer, speedometer, engine temperature gauge, fuel gauge and usual tell tale lamps.

The automatic climate control auto adjusts to the weather and ensures a cool cabin.  The neatly laid out large buttons are easy to operate.

The music system plays CD/MP3, FM/AM and has USB and Aux-in ports. The music system is connected to four speakers.

The four power window switches are integrated into the driver side inner door handle. Also seen are the door lock switches and electric ORVM adjustment round knob.

The interiors come with plush and comfortable seats. The driver seat is height adjustable. The rear seats have a central arm rest.

The dual airbags protect both the driver and the front passenger in case of collisions. The steering column is collapsible and minimizes injuries during a frontal collision.

The new Dzire has 316 litres of boot space which is 100 litres less than the present Dzire. The boot space has been reduced due to the shortened length. The boot has a lower loading lip for easy access.

Maruti Suzuki to launch Dzire compact sedan in February

Maruti Suzuki will launch the new Dzire during the first week of February 2012. The new Dzire will measure less than four meters in length as was expected. Surprisingly, the new Dzire petrol will be offered with a 4-speed automatic transmission on the Vxi and Zxi trims though the diesel version will come with 5-speed manual transmission only.

The new Dzire is expected to be priced close to the outgoing model which is priced between Rs. 4.94 lakh – Rs. 7.29 lakh.

Looks and comfort

The new Dzire looks similar to the new Swift but has subtle differences which tend to go unnoticed at first glance. When compared with the Swift, the upcoming Dzire has a horizontally slit radiator grille, wider air dam and bigger housing for fog lamps. In profile, there are minor changes in the shape of the rear quarter glass and the size of rear doors. The taillamps have been redesigned to give it a fresh look. The thick chrome strip running across the width of the boot door renders a premium appeal to the car. Overall, the Dzire is one good looking compact sedan.

On the inside, the new Dzire gets a Swift like cabin. The black-beige upholstery will likely brighten up the interiors. With regard to comfort, the new Dzire will be as comfortable as the new Swift on which it is based. Hence, expect good room for front passengers, while the rear will be best for two occupants and tight for a third passenger.

Expected Performance

The new Dzire will be powered by the same engines that power the new Swift. The 1.2-litre K-series petrol motor puts out 86 bhp of power and 1.3-litre DDiS motor churns out 74 bhp of power. The fuel economy of the new Dzire is similar to that of the Swift which is 18.6 kmpl for the petrol version and 22.9 kmpl for the diesel version. Expect the performance of the new Dzire to be similar to the Swift as well. However, we can expect a significant drop in acceleration and mild difference in handling due to the car’s length and added weight.

Expected Features

The new Dzire will likely come with all the features available on the Swift hatchback. The top-end variant of the upcoming Dzire may get features like automatic climate control, steering wheel mounted illuminated audio controls, driver & front passenger airbags, ABS with EBD, brake assist, integrated music system with speakers and alloy wheels.

Expected Price

There were expectations that the new Dzire will be priced substantially lower than the present model. However, the new features, facelift changes and upgraded interiors may likely bring its price close to the outgoing model. The new Dzire will start at around Rs. 5 lakh and it may go up to Rs. 7.5 lakh for the top-end diesel variant. The new Dzire will take on the Tata Indigo CS priced in the range of Rs. 4.58 lakh – Rs. 5.80 lakh. The new Dzire may soon face new competition in the form of the Mahindra Verito compact sedan and Tata Manza compact sedan.

Conclusion

The new Dzire looks smart and will most likely attract buyers looking out for compact sedans. Buyers who had booked the outgoing model may also change their plans and go for the newer version. On the other hand, it is not yet clear whether Maruti Suzuki will discontinue or retain the current Dzire once the new Dzire is launched.

Safari Storme vs. Scorpio

Tata Motors unveiled the Safari Storme at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo. The Safari Storme is the facelifted version of the present Safari with changes to the exterior, interior and some engine refinement. Let’s check out how the Safari Storme stacks up against its arch rival, the Mahindra Scorpio.

Driving and Handling

The Safari Storme will be powered by a 2.2-litre VTT engine that puts out 138 bhp of power while the Scorpio is powered by a 2.2-litre mHawk engine that puts out 120 bhp of power. Hence, as per paper specifications, performance wise, the Safari Storme will have an edge over the Scorpio.

Photo: Radically different front end on the Safari Storme

The Safari Storme is built on the Tata Aria platform. Expect significant reduction in body roll and improvement in the ride quality as well. The Safari Storme also gets all round disc brakes not found in the Scorpio. The Scorpio is known for its refined engine and pretty good performance that offers sufficient torque for city runabouts. On highways too, the Scorpio offers decent cruising ability, but lacks stability.

Photo: Even the XUV500 has not dented the popularity of the Mahindra Scorpio

Both the Safari and Scorpio are proven off-road vehicles. The new Safari Storme can be expected to further improve Safari’s off-roading potential, given that it has got underpinnings from the Aria and a refined engine, while the four-wheel drive variant retains the old Borg Warner 4×4 system, which also has a low-ratio gearbox for extreme off-road conditions.

Overall, the Safari Storme seems to have made the right improvements that could make driving and handling better. However, we hold our judgment till we lay our hands on it.

Space and Comfort

With regard to space and comfort, the Safari Storme has an edge over the Scorpio. The Safari Storme has comfortable seats for both the front and the middle row. The third row jump seats are best suited for children.

Coming to the Scorpio, it does offer space, but not as much as the Safari Storme does. The front row seats in the Scorpio are quite comfortable but the middle row seat has limited legroom and headroom. The rear seat is best suited for kids.

Summing up, the Safari Storme comes with large interior space and can happily fit five large adults. The Scorpio has limited space and best suited for average size adults.

Looks

The Safari Storme has subtle design cues borrowed from the Range Rover, owned by Tata Motors. The prominent front and rear chrome strips are stand out additions to the Safari facelift. The headlamps and taillamps are radically different from the ones featured in the present model. The spare wheel is now tucked under the body and hence the Safari Storme looks tame and less brawny than before. The interiors of the Safari Storme gets new faux wood inserts, slightly modified door handles and minor changes such as deeper cubby holes. The fit and finish has been improved though panel gaps are evident in some areas. The facelift breathes fresh air into this old working horse from Tata’s stable.

The Scorpio is a rugged looking SUV whose design was last updated in 2009 with a new grille, headlamps and bumper. Though the Scorpio looks a bit dated in its design, it still lives up to the macho SUV looks expected from a buyer in this segment. Interiors of the Scorpio have a ‘built to last’ feeling though the panel gap, plastic quality and fit and finish still have room for improvement.

Summing up, the Safari Storme looks more contemporary and elegant than the Scorpio. However, SUV enthusiasts may likely prefer the looks of the muscular Scorpio to the toned down Safari Storme.

Features

The Scorpio VLX (top-end model) has features such as micro hybrid technology, tyre pressure monitoring system, intelli-park, rain & light sensors, 2-DIN audio system with Bluetooth, CD/MP3 player, USB & SD card compatibility, cruise control & audio control on steering wheel, alloy wheels and optional 4WD and Airbags.

The Safari Storme, on the other hand, is expected to come with new features, though there is no official information about them at the moment. However, the Safari Storme will most likely have all the features offered in the present VX model such as dual airbags, ABS with EBD, reverse parking system, DVD player and ‘follow me’ headlamps.

Price, mileage and VFM

The Safari Storme will likely be priced in the range of Rs. 11 lakh – 13 lakh. At present, the Scorpio is priced in the range of Rs. 7.53 lakh – 12.30 lakh. The 4×4 variants start at Rs. 9.28 lakh. The Scorpio and Safari have been arch rivals for many years and have always been priced close to each other. The Safari Storme will hopefully carry forward this strategy and offer maximum features at a competitive price.

In terms of mileage, the Scorpio has an ARAI-certified mileage of 12.9 kmpl. The Safari Storme is expected to offer around 13.93 kmpl. On paper, the Safari Storme appears to have an edge over the Scorpio in terms of fuel economy.

Whether the Safari Storme will be a ‘value for money’ proposition or not will be known in February when it reaches dealers.

Verdict

The Safari Storme is a significant improvement over its predecessor, which is a good thing. If you are looking for a ‘less aggressive’ spacious and comfortable SUV, the Safari Storme is a better choice for you over the Scorpio. However, if you want an easy to drive, brawny SUV, the Scorpio is a proven vehicle.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga Launched

Maruti Suzuki unveiled the Ertiga MPV at the 11^th Delhi Auto Expo and the company will launch it in April. The Ertiga kicks start a new compact MPV segment and will compete with the Chevrolet’s production version of the MPV concept and Mahindra’s mini Xylo that did not make appearance at the auto show.

It seats seven adult seats (2+3+2 configuration) with 135 litres boot space when all seats are up—or, 480 liters with folded third row.  The petrol variant will be powered by a 1.4-litre K-series 98 bhp motor while the diesel variant will be powered by 1.3-litre DDiS super turbo that makes 90 bhp.

The Ertiga is expected to be priced in the range of Rs. 6 – Rs. 8 lakh depending on the variant. At this price, it will make for rather compelling big family car.

Bajaj RE60

RE60, which weighs barely 400 kilograms, is expected to cost around Rs 1.8 lakh and will be produced in Aurangabad, Bajaj Auto’s production base for its three-wheeler range. Fitted with a 200-cc rear engine, it will have petrol and CNG/LPG fuel options.

During the unveiling of the model, the company outlined some parts of its strategy for selling the RE60.

One, in India, the company is eyeing the market of five million three-wheelers in India, nor ordinary individuals looking to buy their first car, as its target audience. Since Bajaj Auto is the dominant producer of three-wheelers in the country, that means it’s not trying to grab market share from other companies; instead, it will attempt to convert its own customers to opt for the RE60. “I feel that in the next 10 years, that entire fleet can be replaced with something like this,” said Bajaj.

Three-wheeler commuters are unlikely to complain — auto rickshaws and good-carrying three-wheelers have always been perceived to be somewhat of a safety hazard because of their instability (three wheels) and lack of a proper roof or side doors (in the case of auto rickshaws in particular).

According to a Business Today report, the company already has an ally in Delhi’s Chief Minister, Sheila Dixit, who apparently is quite eager to get rid of these “eyesores” (autorickshaws) from the city. “Do not be surprised if a diktat to replace all three-wheelers with products like the RE60 happens within a year or so,” the report noted.

Two, if priced right, the environmental friendliness and high fuel efficiency could add to the allure of the RE60 within its target three-wheeler market. According to media reports, the vehicle’s fuel efficiency is said to be more 35 kilometres per litre. In contrast, the Tata Nano offers about 25 kilometres per litre.

In addition, the RE60 emits just 60 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre— the lowest for a small car anywhere in the world, according to experts, which should further bolster the appeal of the vehicle among state governments seeking to cut down carbon emissions in urban centres. It is being touted as a green replacement for autorickshaws.

Three, Bajaj Auto plans to aggressively market the RE60 in global markets. At the press conference, Bajaj said that Sri Lanka could, quite possibly, be the first market where the RE60 is launched, even ahead of India. In Sri Lanka, however, the target could be ordinary individuals looking for a cheap self-owned vehicle to commute. Bajaj Auto already exports 10,000 three-wheelers  every month  to Sri Lanka and 90 percent of them are used for personal travel, the company said.

Africa is another market that the company is keen to tap, especially since public transport in the continent is extremely poor. This strategy leverages on the company’s capacity to sell in overseas markets. “We make about 5,20,000 three-wheelers a year, of which only 2,00,000 are sold in India; the rest are exported,” said Bajaj.

So will the RE60 become the success that the Tata Nano hoped for but has not yet achieved? Only time will tell. But if all goes according to plan (and government regulations permit), we might soon be saying goodbye to our three-wheeler rickshaws.