10th Indian Auto Expo: Toyota Etios and Honda New Small is unveiled

The show has begun and people have started to come to the 10^th Indian Auto Expo. On January 5, 2009, two major auto makers unveiled their products. Toyota Kirloskar group unveiled its concept car, Toyota Etios. Etios is Toyota's compact car for the Indian market. There will be two versions of this car- hatchback and sedan. The sedan version of the car will be launched first in India followed by the hatchback version in 2011. The sedan version of the Toyota Etios will enter production first and it will come with a 1.5 liter gas engine. While the hatchback will sport a smaller 1.2 liter engine. Toyota told reporters that the cars will be best in their classes and come in competitive price. Business Standard Motoring reports:

The concept behind the design is 'bold simplicity.' The sedan looks quite futuristic when viewed from the front three-quarters, but the profile is typically conservative Toyota. The triangular tail-lamps frame the rear three-quarters quite well. The hatchback, on the other hand, barely conceals its sporty intent - bright red brake callipers, anyone?

Honda on the other hand, unveiled its concept small car for India known as the Honda New Small. Slated to release in 2011, the car will be released in India and Thailand. Business Standard Motoring:

The design language of the car looks all-new, with extensive use of LED lights. While the grille does resemble that of the Honda Jazz, the overall shape of the car is from a new school of design altogether. The concept sports a raked C-pillar, and clam-shell bonnet, with a nice waistline that merges midpoint with the hatch glass.

The car will come with a 1.0 litre VTEC engine but there is a possibility for a 1.2 litre engine version that is now available in Honda Jazz. In India, the car will compete with Hyundai i10 Kappa, Maruti Swift and Hyundai i20 base version.

Honda Jazz: The first premium hatchback model car in India

Japanese automaker, Honda is going to launch a new hatchback model car, Honda Jazz, in India in June 2009. Already Honda launched Honda Accord V6, a midrange automobile in March 2009. Despite recession, India saw an increase of 22% in car sales in February compared to January. Honda Jazz will compete with other major small cars like Skoda Fabia, Volkswagen Polo Bluemotion and small cars of Toyota. The car will be produced at Honda’s manufacturing plant in Noida. In South Asia Blog, we recently covered about Skoda Superb and India Mobile phone operators. If you read these entries then you will perhaps have good understanding of the recent condition of Indian market.

Masahiro Takedagawa, President and CEO, Honda Siel Cars India said that Honda Jazz is a premium category car. He does not expect that Honda Jazz would out sale Honda City. Honda Jazz is a very stylish and well-designed car. It comes with seats that resemble with Honda Accord.

Dimension:

Width (excluding mirrors):1695 mm

Width (including mirrors) : 2029 mm

Height : 1525 mm

Wheelbase : 2500 mm

Car length : 3900 mm

Kerb weight : 1086 kg

Maximum load weight : 1520 kg

Fuel tank : 42 litres

Features:

• The short nose and rear-end gives Honda Jazz a tight turning circle and it can be parked in tight parking spaces.
• The Honda Jazz is powered by a 1.2-litre intelligent variable valve timing and lift electronic control (i-VTEC) petrol engine.
• The Honda Jazz comfort features include: ashtray, boot light, cigar lighter, driver vanity mirror, front electric windows, interior light standard, intermittent front wiper, map light, pollen filter, power assisted steering, rear cargo hook, and tilt adjustable steering wheel.
• The Honda Jazz comes with body color bumpers.
• The Honda Jazz has electric adjustable and heated door mirrors.
• The Honda Jazz comes with roof mounted aerial.
• The Honda Jazz emits 125 grams of CO2 per km.
• The Honda Jazz has fuel efficiency of 53 miles per gallon.
• The Honda Jazz comes with auxiliary socket.
• The Honda Jazz has front speakers.
• The Honda Jazz comes with a stereo CD tuner with MP3 compatability.
• The Honda Jazz has speed adjusting audio volume.
• The Honda Jazz comes with adjustable dashboard illumination.
• The Honda Jazz has audible headlight on reminder.
• The Honda Jazz comes with digital clock.
• The Honda Jazz has external temperature gauge.
• The Honda Jazz can go from 0-62 miles per hour in 12.5 seconds.
• The Honda Jazz has a maximum speed of 110 km/hour.
• The Honda Jazz has 5 x 3 point seat belts.
• The Honda Jazz comes with active front head restraints.
• The Honda Jazz has Aanti-lock raking System (ABS).
• The Honda Jazz comes with dual front SRS airbags and dual side SRS airbags and side curtain airbag.
• The Honda Jazz has front disc brakes and rear disc brakes.
• The Honda Jazz comes with emergency brake assist.

Price:

India is a price sensitive market. Though the five door Honda Jazz is built on Honda City platform, it is going to be pricier than Honda City. The car is expected to be priced above 4,50,000. Initially, 70% of the auto-parts of the Jazz will be available in India. This will further increase at a later stage.

Related articles:

Associated Content

Honda official website

domain-b.com

Khabrein.info

(This entry was originally uploaded in March 2009.)

Skoda Superb: 7 Star experience on wheels

India is one of the emerging car markets in the world. Already some of the top car makers of the world such as Ford, Hyundai, Honda are competing in the Indian car market. Now, there is a new competitor, the Czech automaker, Skoda. The company launched an upgraded version of its Skoda Superb, a Euro-Sedan in India, this week.

The launching ceremony took place in New Delhi. Skoda is claiming that the Superb is a ‘7 Star experience on wheels.’ Built on a Volkswagen platform couple with VW/Audi engines and VW suspension, the Skoda Superb is a great car. The earlier models of Skoda did not do well in India because of their higher price. Skoda Superb is a premium segment car. Skoda is looking forward to sell 1,000 units of Skoda Superb this year. It already sold 522 models in the last eleven month.

Dimension:

Length: 4838 mm

Width: 1817 mm

Height: 1462 mm

Clear height: 139 mm

Wheel base: 2761 mm

Features:

• The new Skoda Superb comes with a ‘fuel-efficient’ new TSI (Turbocharged Fuel Stratified Injection) petrol engine. The 1.8 TSI/118kW is coupled with a 7° automatic DSG transmission that can be controlled using the 3-spoke multifunction steering wheel.
• The new Skoda Superb has parking assistant.
• The new Skoda Superb has Bi-Xenon headlamps with Adaptive Frontlight System (AFS).
• The new Skoda Superb comes with Twin-door system. Normally, you open up the fifth door of your car to carry luggage. If you are carrying bigger luggage that requires lots of space, then under the twin-door system, the rear window can be lifted up to create more space for luggage. If necessary, the volume of space can be further increased by tilting the backrest of the rear seats. In a typical cars, you would have to slam the door to shut the boot. In Skoda Superb, all you need is a light touch.
• The Emory interior of the new Skoda Superb makes it a great style statement. The fabric, leather and synthetic leather comes in ivory color. The dash board comes in two colors- blackand ivory.
• The new Skoda Superb comes with Climatronic air-conditioning. It ensures a comfortable environment inside the car.
• The new Skoda Superb has sunroof with solar panels. It makes sure that there is enough air even if the car is packed.
• The new Skoda Superb comes with 9 airbags including driver’s knee and rear side airbags.

Price:

Skoda Superb costs Rs. 18.8 lakh. The older models range between 20.1 lakh and Rs 22.7 lakh. Thomas Kuehl, Board Member, Sales & Marketing, Škoda Auto India, said that the new price is very important for the car because India is a price sensitive market. It is very important to get the right price for value proposition.

Related articles:

Business Standard Motoring

Sify.com

Skoda Auto.com

(This entry was originally published in march 2009)