2012 AUTO EXPO

MARUTI SUZUKI'S XA ALPHA

Maruti Suzuki, as usual, was the show-opener for the Auto Expo – but contrary to everybody’s expectations of witnessing the launch of the Ertiga on day one – it was the unveiling of the XA-Alpha Concept that got the Expo underway.


In a nutshell, the Maruti Suzuki XA-Alpha is a compact-SUV concept. Its dimensions look very similar to that of the beloved Maruti Suzuki Gypsy, but this concept looks brawny with its muscular design, unlike the understated (and outdated) looks of the Gypsy. Maruti Suzuki implies that the XA-Alpha’s design is inspired from the moves and the body language of Indian wrestlers – and therefore you see the muscular lines and the butch stance on the XA-Alpha. The Lava-red colour in which the XA-Alpha was displayed, is said to add vigor to the overall design.

To us, the concept looks like it is inspired more from the Land Rover Evoque than Indian wrestlers – the receding and floating roofline, the flared wheel-arches, the shape of the air-dams on the front bumper, the gills on the side – they all look too much like the Land Rover Evoque (pictured below). But the XA-Alpha, even in its concept form, doesn’t look even half as polished as the Evoque. But frankly, it doesn’t even need to. Its production version will be look conventional and will be placed in the Rs 8 to 12-lakh bracket – which is at least four steps lower than the segment in which the Evoque dwells.


We expect the XA-Alpha to go into production in the next couple of years, so probably the 2014 Auto Expo should see a ready-for-the-road version of this concept. When produced, it will compete with the likes of the upcoming Ford EcoSport and the Renault Duster. The model will, in all likelihood, replace the aged Maruti Suzuki Gypsy (and Jimny in the global market). In fact, the production version of the XA-Alpha will be co-developed by the Indian team at Maruti Suzuki, in collaboration with Suzuki’s team in Japan.

Such compact SUVs / Crossovers are soon to become popular in countries like India for their practicality in the congested conditions that our automobiles are subject to day in and day out. If the Gypsy’s cult following is anything to go by, we expect the production version of the XA-Alpha to be a big hit as well!

SSANGYONG'S XIV

The XIV-1 concept is a B-segment compact SUV. The concept when in production would offer the economies of a small car. The concept derives its name from eXciting User Interface Vehicle and offers seats which rotate 360 degrees thus providing more space utilization.

Mr.Anand Mahindra has nor denied or accepted the market speculation of Mahindra taking over SAAB, though he mentions that acquisitions is the current flavour Mahindra is believing in. He also states that Mahindra would concentrate on bringing more value for money products which has already made its mark with the recently launched XUV500. The Mahindra Mini Xylo would also be carrying the value for money tag and will have a mid 2012 launch.

BMW VISION

BMW has hit their stand at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo with the fifth generation of the legendary M5 which will now be made available in India. BMW has also unveiled the Vision ConnectedDrive concept study. A limited edition Steinway and Sons edition of the BMW 7 Series is also being showcased for the discerning luxury car enthusiast. 

The BMW Vision ConnectedDrive concept study is a technology crammed concept car that aims to interlink the world around you with various elements from online applications, driver assistance, call centre services and solutions for the integration of mobile devices. BMW Vision ConnectedDrive symbolises the epitome of intelligent networking of driver, vehicle and the environment in the modern world.

Dr. Andreas Schaaf, President, BMW Group India said, “Pioneering technology of the BMW Vision ConnectedDrive concept study heightens driving pleasure. BMW Vision ConnectedDrive has strengthened the leading position of BMW in the development of innovative driver assistance systems. The concept symbolises the advanced level of intelligent networking in the automobile world which sets new benchmarks in convenience, infotainment and safety.”


MERCEDES A-CLASS

Mb.Inspired: The philosophy of Best or Nothing has always inspired Mercedes-Benz as a guiding philosophy. It has not just inspired Mercedes-Benz in pioneering many innovations, it has also helped Mercedes-Benz vehicles to be the best in the auto industry and many more. Mercedes-Benz would be promoting this philosophy in India through the mb.Inspired Initiative.


A new India is on the rise and its all about youth and rising aspirations. It’s a India which is fearless about taking risks and doesn’t fear failure. Mercedes-Benz commemorates these young youth inspirational icons through mb. Inspired 

Peter Honegg, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India explains: “ As India readies itself for globalization, the young India seeks recognition for their talent & uncompromising attitude which have made many stand up & get recognition in their respective fields. mb Inspired is once such platform which shall recognize these individuals & collaborate with them to spread inspiration. This helps us in communicating our brand values of Best or Nothing seamlessly to the Indian consumers”

Debashis Mitra: Director, Sales & Marketing, Mercedes-Benz India said; “mb. Inspired is an initiative which synergises the Mercedes Benz ethos across various creative , sporting, business and lifestyle universes. The result is a collaborative perspective that fuels new ways of thinking and spreads inspiration.”


Farhan Akhtar, Chetan Bhagat & Masaba Gupta are all reflections of these very brand values which inspire the younger generation to take up new challenges & risks. They demonstrate the philospy of “Best or Nothing” in their own fields & spread inspiration in their peer groups.


The Auto Expo 2012 is taking place in Delhi, India between the 7th and 11th January 2012. The North American International Auto Show – NAIAS 2012 is also starting today 9th January 2012.

CHEVROLET CORVETTE STINGRAY

A model poses near a Chevrolet Corvette concept car at 11th Auto Expo 2012, at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi on Friday. 


RENAULT DEZIRE

With its 'sensuous lines and a bright red finish', French car maker Renault's new concept car, the Renault DeZir, has turned out to be a major crowd-puller at the 11th Auto Expo currently underway at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.


Powered by an electric motor, the car's 150 HP engine pushes it to 100 kmph in just 5 seconds. The motor has been mounted in a mid-rear position to optimize weight distribution over the front and rear wheels. The vertically-mounted 24kWh lithium-ion battery is located behind the bench seat.

However, the DeZir is just a concept so far, and Renault is not planing to send the model for mass production anytime soon.


The latest chapter of Asia's biggest auto carnival has seen the unveiling of several alternative fuel vehicles. With the price of conventional fuel touching record highs, auto makers are increasingly looking at developing 'green', enviroment-friendly models.

Maruti, for example, showcased the electric version of its bestseller, the Swift, while Nissan put on display its popular electricity-driven vehicle, the Leaf.

JAGUAR CX 16

The Jaguar CX16 concept was first unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show earlier this year. Powering the CX16 will be a 3.0 liter, 375 horsepower V6 engine. Supplementing this is an electric motor producing up to 94HP, available to the driver at the push of a steering-wheel boost button. Allied to an eight-speed gearbox and mounted in a lightweight aluminum chassis this allows the C-X16 to sprint to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds.


The interior of the Jaguar CX-16 concept showcases a new era of technologies such as multimodal rotary controls that incorporate miniature OLED screens, which reconfigure to reflect the different functions that can be performed via the controls, all of which are designed for maximum compatibility between sports car needs and everyday usability.

TATA PIXEL

Pixel is a three door gull-winged small car, which has the same dimension as the famed Nano. But the Tata Pixel has much larger space inside compared to the Nano and can comfortably accommodate four passengers. Tata had earlier declared that the Pixel would have 1.2 liter diesel engine with a mileage of 29kmpl and CO2 emission of 89grams/km.


According to the company, the Pixel will also have much more robust safety features built into it, which the current versions of the Nano do not have. The Tata Pixel is also a ‘zero-turn’ drive vehicle and thus, it can easily be parked in the tightest of places. The turning circle radius of the Pixel is as low as 2.6 meters. People in Tata have revealed to Indian Drives that the Pixel was designed to be quite spacious inside keeping the European market in mind. 

Another unique thing about the Pixel is that it will be equipped with “My Tata Connect”, which is the first integrated Human Machine Interface (HMI) from Tata Motors for use in its future vehicles. This particular system allows seamless integration of smartphones and tablets with the car’s infotainment system.

TATA MANZA HYBRID

Tata Manza Hybrid Electric sedan is on display at the Tata Motors pavilion at the 11th Delhi Auto Show currently underway at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from January 7th to 11th 2012. This show had opened two days prior for guests and invitees to view the many four wheelers and two wheelers on display.


Tata Motors are also showcasing Indica Electric Concept and Vista Electric Concept which has lithium ion batteries. Tata Manza will be positioned between Vista hatchback and Manza sedan but when it will actually go in to production is still uncertain. Manza electric is seen as competition to Maruti Dzire and Mahindra Verito both of which are scheduled for launch during the current year.


Though auto manufacturers eager to bring out electric and hybrid cars into production they still have to ensure that infrastructure facilities are in place before such large scale investment and launches in India. Tata Motors will be the second Indian auto manufacturer to bring in electric cars next to Mahindra and Mahindra.
Click here to see bit by bit updates and images from the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo right from 5th Jan 2012.

DC's AVANTI

DC Design has unveiled its supercar called the Avanti. The car has been named after the Studbaker Avanti that appeared in Tintin comics.

This supercar will initially come powered by a 4-cylinder turbo petrol engine from Ford, and later a turbo V6 Honda engine. The 4-cylinder turbo petrol will make 265 hp, while the V6 engine will make 400 hp. The Avanti is expected to do a sub-seven second zero to hundred timing. These engines are mated to a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission system!


The engines on offer are being tuned in the UK and shipped to India in crates, where they will be installed the the cars. Much like the engines, most of the other components that go into the cars will also be imported into the country. However, the body and interiors are being manufactured at DC's Talegaon plant in Pune. The body shell is made of aluminium, while the body panels are made of GRP.


DC Design is also setting up showrooms across the country in order to sell the Avanti Supercar. The first of these showrooms will be launched in Hyderabad. The showrooms will also stock other DC products.


The idea behind the Avanti, which means 'forward' in Italian, is to make affordable supercars and the car is expected to be priced at Rs 30 lakh.

The 1560 kg Avanti looks more along the lines of a Lotus Evora, rather than a full-fledged Ferrari 458-like supercar. DC Design aims on manufacturing 200 cars a year, which means it would produce one car every two days. They also have plans to slowly expand that number to 2000 cars annually.