AlVolante has projected the upcoming Audi Q3 expected to land in India shortly after its international debut. The Q3 will sit under the Q5 in Audi’s global product portfolio and that means prices should begin at around 30 lakh rupees (speculative).

The Q3 is based on the same platform as the Volkswagen Tiguan (PQ35) and that hints at a very competitive pricing. The Q3 should be assembled at the company’s facility in Aurangabad.

A 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four petrol engine is on the cars for this junior crossover while the 3.0 TDI found on most Audis can make it to the list as well.

Source – AlVolante.it

Tagged as: Audi Q3, Audi Q3 India, Q3

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Ford India is hard at celebrations after winning all major Car Awards for its uber-popular hatch – The Figo. But away from all the Indian action, Ford Brazil is developing the new successor for the mini SUV –the Ecosport.

Mechanically, the new Ecosport draws inspiration from two of Ford’s newest, internationally successful cars, the new Fiesta and the Focus 2012.

Artist impression of the upcoming EcoSport

The exterior design reveals so many elements of the ‘Kinetic Design’. There are cleaner lines throughout the body, dominated by large bumper air intakes. The grill is influenced by the recently launched Ford Ranger. Overall, this is certainly an extension of the ‘One Ford’ philosophy.

The engine duties will be performed by 1.6L and 2.0L Ecoboost engines configured with manual gearbox or automatic gearbox with optional 4WD. Ford plans to sells this SUV is Brazil, China, Thailand and some European countries. Ford might manufacture this car in China, India and Brazil in the next couple of years.

New generation Fiesta styling cues aplenty on this urban SUV

But does the Ecosport make sense for India? One cannot forget that the mini SUV market is something that has been attracting attention of a lot of manufacturers in India. Even the largest auto manufacturer in India – Maruti Suzuki is readying a Gypsy-like model. Skoda took the plunge with their Yeti last year but it was a pricier option.

Ford Fiesta hatch also expected in India this year

Current Ecosport (based on Figo platform) will cost you around 20K Euros which the same as 11 lakh INR. If the product costing is done right (a la Figo) and the Ecosport is brought to India under 10 lakhs, it will certainly sit as a unique lifestyle.

What do you think? Should the Ecosport invade the Indian streets? Will you pay around 10 lakh for an urban SUV?

Source – automocionblog.com via AutoEsporte

Tagged as: 2012 EcoSport, EcoSport, Ford B515, Ford EcoSport

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Here’s another IAB speculation – A compact sedan version of the VW Vento.

Volkswagen registered good numbers with the Polo and Vento. According to a press release issued today, VW had sold 27,946 units of the Polo and Vento in 2010. The company is on the verge of launching more models including those from the international line-up like the new Jetta, Passat and Touareg in 2011.

But the holy grail of the car market lies in the compact car segment. The new trend in the auto industry is to make cars or variants that are under four meters long. The next generation Suzuki Swift is pipped to stay under 4 meters, Tata Motors is rumored to be working on a compact sedan on the Manza platform. There’s the Mahindra Xylo 5 seater and the Logan boot-cut models in the pipeline.

The latest development is the shortened HM Ambassador variant eligible for the 12% excise duty instead of the regular 22% for longer models.

Could Volkswagen join the bandwagon by shortening the VW Vento?

They have powertrains ready for lower excise eligibility. The 1.2-liter petrol and diesel engines on the Polo can be used to complete the formalities. The boot could be smaller and a car ready to take on the likes of the Swift Dzire and Indigo Manza is prepared.

Volkswagen has a terribly congested production line. The relatively new factory in Chakan, Pune is struggling to cope with the demand for the Polo, Fabia and Polo sedan. VW will ramp up production step by step and its immediate priority will be to produce enough Polos and Ventos. Perhaps in 2012, could one see a VW Vento compact?

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By Kaustubh Shinde

These days everyone wants to make a small car. If you don’t have a small car under your portfolio, you are nobody in the auto market.

A similar ambition has been undertaken by Fiat as the top boss Mr. Rajeev Kapoor earlier announced about an Alto competitor in works for 2012. In his speech he said -

“It will be an all-new car, nothing to do with any of our other models and will be priced aggressively. It will compete with the Alto and will have a one-litre engine. The new car will be an India-specific one, made in India, made for India, keeping in mind the country’s unique terrain and temperatures. Our R&D team is working day in and day out to develop the car that meets consumers’ needs in the best manner. The small car market in India is blazing and there is intense competition. The entry level car space excites us”

We are guessing this new model will borrow design cues from the new Uno, Punto and Panda. We can bet a million bucks that Fiat will drop a 900 cc Twin Air petrol motor under the bonnet. May be the higher variants will come with a 1L or a 1.2L engine including the 1.3-liter multi-jet diesel.

We have also spoken about the Project 326 which is the Palio revival, which Brazilian engineers are working on as we speak. Since we lack enough information on the India small car, we sense there is a possibility of the two being related, perhaps both are the same car.

Taking on the kingpin – The Maruti Alto is a tall order. After all, it has been the best seller since the dawn of time. Fiat engineers clearly have the work cut out for them.

Best of luck to you Fiat!

Source – Wheelosphere.org

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By Kaustubh Shinde

The Honda Jazz (a.k.a Fit) is one hatch back that has some awesome amount of space in it. The one complaint that we have in the current model is that the 1.2L engine feels heavily strained when trying to lug that huge body around.

Note that Honda sells the Jazz/Fit with larger engines overseas. The above sentence holds good only for India.

It seems that Honda has finally turned the hearing ear to us. The new Jazz will get a proper 1.5L engine with an electric motor assisting it alongside. A full-electric version of the Fit called the Fit EV is also in the works.

Honda could use the same technique on the other variants. The 1.2-liter engine could work in tandem with the electric motor and make the Jazz more fun to drive. Honda is also working on a tiny diesel engine for its compact hatchbacks and sedans.

Design wise, the car improved on the current looks and not going in for a complete overhaul. It is expected to have a new silver taillights and a new grille treatment as well. Over its lifecycle, the Jazz/Fit has certainly come of age and among the current crop of small cars, it looks unique. The current generation model has received a majestic front end and a mild makeover which expected in India in 2011.

With these interesting additions, and perhaps a diesel engine, Honda can position the Jazz in the future for buyers upgrading from Brio.

Source – woodyscarsite.com

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