Car News - Latest Indian Car News & Views | CarWalehttp://www.carwale.com/news/Latest news updates on Indian car industry, expert views and interviews exclusively on CarWale.Copyright 2012 CarWaleCarWale RSS Generator8950<![CDATA[The CarWale Daily Fuel - May 19, 2012]]>http://www.carwale.com/news/8950-the-carwale-daily-fuel-may-19-2012.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/8950-the-carwale-daily-fuel-may-19-2012.htmlCarWale Team5/19/2012 3:45:00 PM1278http://img.carwale.com/ec/8950/img/m/8950_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/8950/img/m/8950_lFiat launches Punto 90hp Sport and second Fiat Caffe at Pune, new Tata Safari Storme will go on sale in July, Premier Rio to use Fiat's Multijet diesel and auto manufacturers in India may get recall guidelines by end of year.

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  • Fiat India has launched the Punto 90hp Sport at a price tag of 7.36 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi. The Punto Sport has decals, contrasting mirrors, interior trim with chrome accents and different fabric over the regular 90hp diesel. 
  • Fiat also launched a Fiat Caffe at Koregaon Park in Pune, the second such café in India. India is the only country to have two Fiat caffes. One can shop for a Fiat or simply sip a cup of coffee at the café.
  • The Bajaj RE60 will probably be launched by the end of 2013. It is said that the RE60 will compete with auto rickshaws for intra-city transport rather than the Nano that still owns the crown of the cheapest car in India.
  • The Tata Safari Storme is expected to hit the showrooms by July this year. Tata is planning to keep the existing Safari on sale along with the Storme at least in the initial phase.
  • The Premier Rio joins the ranks of Indian Fiat and Maruti diesels as well as some Tata diesels in being powered by the Fiat 1.3 Multijet engine. Fiat, under the new agreement, will deliver 28000 engines to Premier over the next three years.
  • Hyundai India is expecting a slow growth of about 6 to 8 per cent over the year owing to rising fuel costs, interest rates and a general perception of a dampened economy. Meanwhile, the Korean company is taking efforts to ramp up its service and dealer network.
  • Auto manufacturers in India may be required by law to issue a recall if a vehicle is found to have a defect. Nothing has been decided yet, but proposed steps include informing the government of the recall and issuing an official media statement. SIAM plans to get in the door first with its own set of voluntary guidelines, to be issued next month.
  • The state of Kerala will soon have an automated system to judge vehicle fitness, thus giving a scientific approach to vehicle testing before a fitness certificate is issued. The cost is Rs 1.8 crore per machine, and two machines have been ordered.
  • The state of Goa is going to get equally high-tech as Kerala: within six months, all the offences and accidents committed by a vehicle will be recorded on the registration card itself. Palmtop readers/writers will be provided to the traffic police to help record or retrieve the information.
  • The world's first nationwide electric car network has been launched in Israel. 'Refuelling stations' swap the depleted battery for a new one instead of merely charging it, so that a refuel takes just as much time as filling up on a fossil fuel. The vehicle of choice is the electric Renault Fluence.
  • With increasing electronic control over a vehicle's functions, it is getting harder for independent mechanics to diagnose and thus repair faults with modern cars. A law in Massachusetts, USA aims to make the necessary software available to these shops but with security restrictions beginning 2015, the same year that vehicle 'black boxes' become mandatory. However, the bill hasn't been passed yet.
  • Bentley is expected to resume its motorsport participation in an unlikely form - the Dakar rally. Parent VW has been buying up all the race Touaregs it sold to privateer teams. This move would make marketing sense to the Winged B, since the EXP 9F SUV is its biggest upcoming product.
  • British GT car manufacturer Aston Martin sees scope for further growth in the Chinese, Russian and other Asian markets besides China. They are planning to launch an SUV under the Lagonda brand to foray into the premium SUV segment.

    • The CarWale Daily Fuel is your quick daily dose of automotive news from India and around the world. If you want to know whatever's in the news but want it short and sweet, here's your solution.

    ]]>    7972<![CDATA[Tata Safari facelift spied]]>http://www.carwale.com/news/7972-tata-safari-facelift-spied.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/7972-tata-safari-facelift-spied.htmlRachit Hirani9/7/2011 11:02:00 PM3591http://img.carwale.com/ec/7972/img/m/7972_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/7972/img/m/7972_lThe first Tata Safari was launched in the late 90s and since then it has been the flagship model on Tata Motors, until lately the Aria was launched in October 2010. The Safari has got two facelifts and engine changes. Tata Motors had even revealed its plans to make a new Safari on the newly developed X2 platform, on which the Aria has been built. However, for the time being the Pimpri-based manufacturer has given the Safari another facelift. 

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    The first Tata Safari was launched in the late 90s and since then it has been the flagship model on Tata Motors, until lately the Aria was launched in October 2010. The Safari has got two facelifts and engine changes. Tata Motors had even revealed its plans to make a new Safari on the newly developed X2 platform, on which the Aria has been built. However, for the time being the Pimpri-based manufacturer has given the Safari another facelift. 

    This time, the car gets the 2.2-litre engine from the Aria. The Aria sports the same Safari engine, but a large number of changes have been made to it in the refinement and vibrations department before it got plonked into the crossover. This same refined engine will now come fitted in the facelift Safari. The Safari will get new headlamps, new front grille and new hood. The conventional spare wheel has been moved below and it gets dual exhausts. The interiors have been revamped and it now gets grab door handles.

    ]]>    7242<![CDATA[Tata Motors' Global Sales grow by 21 percent]]>http://www.carwale.com/news/7242-tata-motors-global-sales-grow-by-21-percent.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/7242-tata-motors-global-sales-grow-by-21-percent.htmlCarWale Team1/14/2011 3:09:00 PM2092http://img.carwale.com/ec/7242/img/m/7242_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/7242/img/m/7242_lThe Tata Motors Group global sales including Jaguar Land Rover, were 90,294 nos. in December 2010, a growth of 21% over December 2009. Global sales of all passenger vehicles were 42,126 nos. in December 2010, higher by 13%.

    ]]>    The Tata Motors Group global sales including Jaguar Land Rover, were 90,294 nos. in December 2010, a growth of 21% over December 2009. Global sales of all passenger vehicles were 42,126 nos. in December 2010, higher by 13%.

    Global sales of Jaguar Land Rover in December 2010 were 21,353 vehicles, higher by 1%. Jaguar sales for the month were 4,332 nos., lower by 10%, while Land Rover sales were 17,021 nos., higher by 4%. Cumulative sales of Jaguar Land Rover for the fiscal are 175,442 nos., higher by 28%. Cumulative sales of Jaguar are 42,952 nos., higher by 18%, while cumulative sales of Land Rover are 132,490 nos., higher by 32%.

    Global sales of Tata passenger vehicles and the distribution offtake in India of Fiat cars were 20,773 nos. for the month, higher by 28%. Tata Motors has had a fruitful year and the coming year will witness a lot more launches. The Vista 90hp - Power Petrol as it is called will be launched soon and the all new Tata Safari too is in the pipeline. We look forward to both these cars from the Tata Motors stable as they will pave the way to another successful year for the company.

    ]]>    6814<![CDATA[Tata Motors to Launch All New Safari in 2011]]>http://www.carwale.com/news/6814-tata-motors-to-launch-all-new-safari-in-2011.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/6814-tata-motors-to-launch-all-new-safari-in-2011.htmlCarWale Team10/27/2010 8:10:55 PM59710http://img.carwale.com/ec/6814/img/m/6814_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/6814/img/m/6814_lWhile most people have been saying that there’s a Tata Safari facelift around the corner, we have good reason to believe that the Safari which will roll out of Tata Motors early next year, will be the second product to be based on Tata’s all-new X2 platform. The first product on the X2 platform is the recently launched Tata Aria (read road test) and we strongly believe that the Safari will be based on this significantly more advanced platform rather than just a facelift. For starters the X2 platform has several structural advantages right from the strong hydro-formed chassis sections and the more refined powertrain package which consists of the 2.2 Litre DiCOR engine with the dual-mass flywheel and the upgraded G76-Mark II gearbox.

    ]]>    While most people have been saying that there’s a Tata Safari facelift around the corner, we have good reason to believe that the Safari which will roll out of Tata Motors early next year, will be the second product to be based on Tata’s all-new X2 platform. The first product on the X2 platform is the recently launched Tata Aria (read road test) and we strongly believe that the Safari will be based on this significantly more advanced platform rather than just a facelift. For starters the X2 platform has several structural advantages right from the strong hydro-formed chassis sections and the more refined powertrain package which consists of the 2.2 Litre DiCOR engine with the dual-mass flywheel and the upgraded G76-Mark II gearbox.

    With such extensive testing having been done for the X2 platform development in the Aria, the upcoming Safari will no doubt have significantly better ride and handling than the outgoing one. This also means that the Safari will come with four wheel disc brakes and all the electronic safety kit (ABS, EBD and ESP) when it is launched. Staying true to it’s off-road worthy nature; the new Safari will sport a selectable 4x4 mode which will give it better off-road prowess than the Aria currently has with its full-time All Wheel Drive. We also think that the new Safari will have a significantly more Land Rover like styling for the exterior. Perhaps the most significant difference, thanks to the new X2 platform is the fact that the spare tyre now sits underneath the vehicle like the Aria and not hinged to the rear tail-gate.

    We hear there’s extensive high quality rugged body-side cladding on the Safari and the side still retains a very ‘Safari’ profile with the front and the rear receiving most of the styling attention. The front, we believe is a little more squared off as is the rear, and this will no doubt make the Safari look a lot more rugged and SUV-ish than it already is. The interiors are fresh and will follow a general theme as found in the Aria – which means that we’ll see simple clean interior lines as well as a more functional and better built interior. We’re quite looking forward to the new Safari soon and no doubt this will really be a better Safari to drive and own than ever before. Watch this space!

    (Note: Images are artist's impressions of the new Safari)

    ]]>    4184<![CDATA[Tata Motors Forays Into Combat Vehicles for Defence Sector]]>http://www.carwale.com/news/4184-tata-motors-forays-into-combat-vehicles-for-defence-sector.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/4184-tata-motors-forays-into-combat-vehicles-for-defence-sector.htmlCarWale Team2/16/2010 2:35:45 PM3225http://img.carwale.com/ec/4184/img/m/4184_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/4184/img/m/4184_lTata Motors today announced the launch of a Mine Protected Vehicle, as part of its strategy to enhance the scope of its defence business right up to frontline combat vehicles. The company has displayed the vehicle at the ongoing DEFEXPO India 2010.

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    Tata already offers an extensive portfolio of troop carriers and logistics vehicles. The launch of combat and tactical vehicles and equipment will allow it to leverage the entire defence mobility spectrum.

    Speaking on the occasion, P.M. Telang, managing director (India Operations) of Tata Motors, said, “Our aim is to participate in the entire defence value chain. Besides consolidating our traditional supplies, going forward we will also participate in creating vehicles and equipment specific to the defence sector as also offer our expertise in upgrades and life extension programmes. In addition to our own initiatives, we will form appropriate partnerships and harness the capabilities of our own subsidiaries and other Tata Group companies.”

    The Tata Mine Protected Vehicle is based on modular flexibility and integrates V shaped hull blast protection technology, ideally suited for counter-insurgency operations. The two roof-top hatches for observation, 9 firing ports and a 360-degree roof mounted rotating turret for an LMG/HMG weapon ensures maximum fire power. Its combat survivability comes from all round NIJ Level 3 BP protection and customer/mission specific underbelly blast protection.

    The air-conditioned crew cabin also renders itself to multiple configurations for different combat roles, like a command post, emergency evacuation ambulance or a troop carrier. Crew and seating layouts from 8 to 12 troops can meet these varied operational requirements.

    The 245 PS diesel engine generates a top speed of 100 kmph and a gradeability of 60%. The 860 mm ground clearance and fordability of 1000 mm ensures mobility even in the toughest terrain. Space for appropriate communication equipment and ADNAV system makes it operational even at night and in adverse weather conditions.

    Besides the Army, Tata Motors will also offer the vehicle to paramilitary and police forces. The company has the ability to mobilise adequate manufacturing capacity, and will deploy its dealer/service network across the country for maintenance and service.

    Tata 8x8 Weapon Platform: The company is also displaying the Tata 8x8, a unique and versatile high mobility platform, capable of being configured to a host of military applications like missile/artillery and air defence weapons, surveillance equipment, communications and electronics warfare. It is already becoming the platform of choice to various weapon / missile system integrators in the role of a cost effective launcher, carrier, radar pedestal, generator van and command post.

    Its 380/420 PS engine generates a speed of over 80 kmph and gradeability of up to 60%. With a fordability of 1200 mm, trench crossing ability of 2 metres, ground clearance of 400 mm, a compensating bogey suspension, wide wheel tracks it can operate under severe terrain conditions. The tiltable military cabin, compatible to up-armouring and NBC protection on demand, and traditional chassis frame ensures free accessibility to all major aggregates and lends itself to easy maintainability. The wide cabin windscreens ensure good all-around visibility.

    Tata Light Specialist Vehicle (LSV): The LSV is a single platform to undertake diverse missions such as reconnaissance, counter-insurgency operations for special forces and even as an ambulance. It has an adaptive automatic transmission, 60% gradeability, 750 mm fordability, 300 mm vertical obstacle climbing ability, 45% approach angle, 45% departure angle, 250 mm ground clearance and a top speed of 100 kmph. The vehicle can operate in a temperature range of –20 degree to +55 degree Celsius.

    Tata Light Armoured Troop Carrier (LATC): The LATC is designed for movement of troops for counter insurgency operation, with protection against small arm fire, floor protected against hand grenade blasts, and fuel tank bolstered with explosive suppressant material.

    Armoured Tata Safari: The air-conditioned Armoured Safari, offering NIJ Level 3 protection for VVIPs, is equipped with features like hand grenade protection for underbelly, run flat tyres, five exit doors, explosive suppressant material in the fuel tank, extra wide footsteps for escorts and RYG (Red Yellow Green) indicator for escort vehicles. It comes with comfortable interiors, plush seating, and a fine-tuned suspension.

    Armoured Tata Sumo: The Armoured Sumo can carry six troops for counter-insurgency operations especially in hilly off-road terrain. Six firing ports and a roof hatch ensure maximum fire power. It can move from 4x2 to 4x4 mode whilst on the move. It too offers NIJ Level 3 protection, with underbelly protection against hand grenades, run flat tyres, and five exits.

    ]]>    1931<![CDATA[Tata launches a new variant of Safari]]>http://www.carwale.com/news/1931-tata-launches-a-new-variant-of-safari.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/1931-tata-launches-a-new-variant-of-safari.htmlRachit Hirani3/5/2009 11:24:41 AM10525http://img.carwale.com/ec/1931/img/m/1931_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/1931/img/m/1931_lTata Motors has expanded its range with the addition of a new Gx variant. The new variant is offered at an attractive price point below the top end variant.

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    Safari Gx is offered with dual tone exteriors in selected shades. Interiors of the Safari Gx sport leather cum fabric upholstery. Two features of Vx have been offered on the Gx: reverse guide system to aid the driver while reversing and ABS with EBD. Another new feature is indicators on the side mirrors. This feature will be extended to other variants of the Safari also. Alloy wheels are standard on the Gx on both 4x2 and 4x4 versions. 

    Safari Gx has been launched at a price of Rs. 9.95 lakhs (ex showroom Delhi) for the 4x2 version and 10.87 lakhs (ex showroom Delhi) for the 4x4 version.  The price of the Safari DICOR range starts at Rs.7.67 lakhs (ex showroom Delhi).

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