FIESTA SEDAN

FIESTA SEDAN

The new generation Fiesta has been doing the rounds on Chennai streets for almost a year now.  Although only the hatchback variant of the car has been caught testing till now, we are quite sure that what it’s testing under that skin is the drivetrain for the sedan version. We expect the new car as a replacement to the current Fiesta – however, as commonly seen in the Indian market, companies don’t mind selling the replacement model alongside the existing model with a new name. That may apply to the current Fiesta as well.
The European spec Fiesta is a highly acclaimed car with class leading dynamics and features. It’s considered to be a leader in its segment and we are sure it will do well in the Indian market as well. Engine options include a 1.6-litre petrol with 120 PS of power and a 1.6 L Duratorq diesel with 90 PS and 212 Nm of torque.

PROTON

PROTON

Various vehicles
Malaysian national car maker has been looking at an entry into the Indian market for many years now. However, 2011 seems to be the year when the carmaker would actually start selling its cars in the country. The company is looking at launching various vehicles from its international portfolio in the Indian market. The Saga sedan and the Exora MPV are the two most probable launches apart from the small car Savvy we talked about last week.
Former Hyundai India president BVR Subbu is director on the Proton board and that should say a lot about the company’s seriousness to make a foray into the Indian market. Proton is in talks with a variety of carmakers including Nissan and HM, and while nothing seems to have been finalized as of now, the company has the capability to quickly start assembling their cars here once they have access to an assembly plant and retail outlets.

KOLEOS COSSOVER

KOLEOS

According to Renault’s strategy, the next vehicle to be introduced in the Indian market after the Fluence sedan will be the Koleos crossover. The Koleos comes with a 2.0-litre diesel engine in two different states of tune. The first version produces 150PS of power, while the second, more powerful version dishes out 170PS of peak power.
Although not as refined or as capable as its international rivals such as the Honda CR-V, Ford Kuga and VW Tiguan, the Koleos has made a strong point for itself internationally as a value offering and is a laudable first effort by Renault at a crossover. The Koleos is expected to hit the Indian roads by Mid-2011 and will be priced in the region of Rs. 17-18lakh.

RENAULT FLUENCE

RENAULT FLUENCE

Renault is betting big on India, and is ready with its lineup of next-gen cars to erase the bad memories of Logan. The first in the range of the new Renault vehicles to be introduced in India would be the Fluence sedan. The Fluence is a mid-size sedan which can be compared with the Cruze and the Civic in terms of size and will be available with both petrol and a diesel engines. The diesel mill will be a more powerful version of the 1.5-lite DCi mill that powered the Logan. The petrol motor will be a 1.6-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder unit, sourced from its ally Nissan, and capable of 110bhp. While both petrol and diesel engines will be mated to a six-speed manual transmission, the petrol engine will also get the option of a CVT auto.

AVEO SEDAN

AVEO SEDAN

GM have taken the wraps off the new Aveo sedan at the Detroit Motor Show. The handsome looking car has been entirely refurbished and looks ready to take the fight to the likes of the Sx4 when it arrives in India. Christened the Sonic for the US market, the new Aveo will internationally be available with a 1.4 litre turbocharged engine producing 138 horses and mated to a six speed manual transmission. There would also be a naturally aspirated 1.8 litre four cylinder engine which will be mated with a five speed manual or six speed auto tranny. The engines for the Indian market however may differ from the international options.

HONDA CIVIC

HONDA CIVIC

Honda have unveiled the new Civic in the ongoing Detroit Auto Show. Although the exteriors are not very different from the current version, we can expect an infusion of plenty of positive changes in the new generation Civic. With the advent of the Corolla Altis and the Cruze, the Civic is under pressure and the need for a new model is increasingly felt by the Japanese carmaker. Details about the engine options are not out yet, but hopefully Honda will offer better (read more efficient) engine options in the new car.