Sport Car Concept: November 2009

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Ford India is vying for larger market share

Ford Motor India intends to become a mainstream player in the hatchback segment. The manufacturer has announced that it will be launching a new car model every year for the next five years. It is also aiming to triple its car sales by the end of 2010. As we have revealed earlier first up will be its new Figo hatchback.

According to Micheal Boneham, President and Managing Director, Ford Motor India, if one wants to be in the game in India, then one has to be in that segment otherwise one will be an interesting niche player not a mainstream player.

The B segment car sales constitute around 70% of the total car sales in the country. Ford Moor India currently holds only 2% of the car market in terms of sales figures. The American auto major currently sells iis sedans Ikon, Fiesta, Fusion along with its SUV Endeavour in India.

Mercedes F1 sign on Nico Rosberg

The reigning F1 world champions Mercedes (previously known as Brawn GP) have signed on the German ‘Britney’ a.k.a Nico Rosberg as one of their title contenders for 2010.
Williams Chief executive Nick Fry admitted that Nico’s Brawn switch had happened long ago and had been kept under wraps until the end of the season.

However the second Mercedes seat is still up for grabs. Rumors suggest that Nick Heidfeld is the most likely candidate for the seat making it an all-German party, but some other big names have been linked to the seat as well. Michael Schumacher might even make a comeback to F1 just to thank Norbert Haug and Mercedes for supporting him all through his pre F1 struggle. It could also be the incredibly talented Pole, Robert Kubica if Renault decides to quit of F1. But it could also be Kimi Raikkonen re-united with a ‘Silver Arrows’. Hope it somehow works out that way.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Tatas Omni Challenge : Ace Van

For the past two and a half decades, Maruti's little van, the Omni has been the only 'really cheap' mode of transporting 6-7 people around in our country. Rivals have come and gone, but thanks to their optimistic price-tags, none of them have been able to make a dent into the popularity of the 'lil Omni.

Even though the demand for the other Maruti, the 800 has dropped from 20,000 units (per month) to just 2500 these days, the Omni remains popular as ever with steady sales of 8,000+ examples.

Tata wants a piece of this pie, and have it, it will with its Super hit, Ace-based Van that you see here in the pics. The re-worked grille and tail-light do give it an upmarket air compared to the utilitarian Ace. Interiors too seem to be more than a match for the Omni. The chassis and power train will be carried over from the Ace albeit with modifications, as it will no longer be expected to haul its usual 1 tonne legal + 1 tonne illegal cargo. So modification to the suspension to improve its ride quality and to the gearing for improving the drivability must have been on the cards.

Expected launch: March 2010.
Expected Price: Rs. 3.25 Lakh (on-Road).

Volvo's new car line-up for India

Volvo has decided to enrich its existing product portfolio for India. The Scandanavian manufacturer will be launching the latest variant of its luxury sedan S80, premium utility vehicle XC60 and the S60 sedan in the country. The new S80 will be powered by a twin turbo, Euro V compliant, diesel engine. Volvo Auto India has not revealed the pricing of its soon to be launched cars but said it will be announced closer to their launch early next year.

According to Paud de Vojis, Managing Director, Volvo, the first batch of containers carrying the new S80 sedans is on its way to India and should be here around the time of the Delhi Auto Show. He further said that Swedish manufacturer will be focusing its resources towards the new car launches planned for 2010 and are working towards expanding their product portfolio in India with the proposed launch of Volvo XC60 in the first half of 2010. He also commented that the XC60 and the S60 are good products for the Indian market.

Paud de Vojis further stated that the luxury car market in India, comprising of cars priced above Rs.24-25 lakh has grown at 11% this year while Volvo Auto India has grown at 16%. He revealed that Volvo Auto India sold 900 cars last year and expects to beat the 10% increase it had earlier projected this year. Speaking on behalf of Volvo cars he said that the manufacturer has decided internally to not participate at the upcomming Delhi Auto Show.

Bentley Continental GT BR9 2010

Cadillac CTS Coupe 2011

Friday, November 20, 2009

FIAT's city car confirmed for 2011

A few days back, we revealed Honda’s plans of launching a small car specifically for India powered with a 1.1-litre petrol engine. Close on the heels of this news, we learn that even FIAT is readying a small car that will be designed and developed specially for India. With the design finalized, we hear that a clay prototype of the car is ready with the Italian’s firm design studio in Turin. A fully functional set of prototypes are expected to reach the firm’s Ranjangoan factory by early 2010 where the rigorous testing will commence.

If pointers given by FIAT are to be believed, then expect the new car to employ a wide array of engines ranging from a frugal 600cc to a competitive 1.1-litre mill. The car will be powered by petrol initially, while a small turbo-diesel engine might be in the pipeline. Designed specifically for India and its traffic conditions, the car will be placed between the A and B segments in terms and pricing and features – where it will take on the likes of the i10 and A-star. Similar to Hyundai and Suzuki, FIAT too will make India a production hub for the city car and will export it to the European markets to begin with. The car may well be christened the ‘Topolino’ – an old classic like the 500, which FIAT has hinted at reviving since early last year.

Expected: Q2 2011

Price bracket: Rs. 2.5-lakh to 5-lakh
Engines: 600cc & 1.1-litre petrol