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Maruti Suzuki has revealed its plans for the upcoming 2012 Auto Expo. The big news for the small-car giant will be its aggressive entry into the UV segment with two models – both of which will be showcased at the Expo in New Delhi. First up will be the global unveiling of Maruti’s first compact MPV, the Ertiga. As originally seen in our spy images, the Ertiga looks similar to the Swift from the front, with peeled-back headlights that stretch to the pronounced wheel arches. The rear treatment looks well proportioned, if rather generic in comparison. The Ertiga will seat seven and will come with petrol and diesel engine options. Along with the Ertiga, Maruti will also showcase a compact SUV concept.  Both these new models are the result of a joint effort between Maruti Suzuki in India and Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan.  According to Maruti, the compact SUV concept has been designed in a record time of just nine months. “As the market gets more competitive, we have to gear ...

Mahindra is will once again take orders for its hugely popular XUV500 SUV in January. As you may recall, the company shut down bookings on October 11, after having received over 8,000 orders – or four-months’ production – over the span of just 10 days. The company says production is on schedule and will also be ramped up to meet demand, which has grown thanks in part to word of mouth from customers who have taken delivery. The launch prices, which started at Rs 10.8 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), however are expected to go up.

Honda has showcased an all-new small diesel engine at the Tokyo Motor Show. The 1596cc i-Dtec unit is the first of a new generation of engines the company is calling ‘Earth Dreams Technology’. It claims the tech will deliver a good mix of performance and environmental values. The engine produces 118bhp at 4000rpm and a considerable 30.5kgm from 2000rpm, so it should have the performance end of the spectrum covered. Honda also claims it is lighter than any other 1.6-litre diesel engine in the market, and that CO 2  emissions are less than 100g/km.  While its first application will be in the European Civic, it’s not yet clear which other models will use this 1.6-litre motor, but Honda says the new technology will make its way across the entire model range over the next three years. [Source:autocarindia]

India's biggest carmaker Maruti Suzuki has increased the prices of its diesel cars by up to Rs 10,000. While the diesel variants of Swift, Dzire and SX4 cars became costlier by Rs 10,000 from Monday, the price of the Ritz hatchback has been raised by 2,000.  "There has been a critical upswing in the inputs cost and an adverse appreciation in the Japanese currency yen that had made imports costlier and forced this hike," a company spokesperson said.  The carmaker is in the process of normalising production after a 55% decline in October to 50,487 units, following recurrent strikes since June that kept the Manesar plant shut for 59 days. As a result, the waiting time for some of Maruti's diesel model stretches up to nine months.  Industry sources say other carmakers, including Hyundai  and Toyota , are also looking at price revisions. 

Skoda has launched the Rapid saloon in India at a starting price of Rs 6.75 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi. The Rapid is available in both petrol and diesel engine options, and offered with manual and automatic variants. Built on the same platform as the Vento (code: VW251), the Skoda iteration (code SK: 251) shares most mechanical bits with the VW saloon which includes engines as well. Hence, the Rapid is powered by the same 1.6 petrol and diesel motors both of which develop 105bhp, but in a slightly different state of tune. In the looks department, the headlights, the grille and the fogs are similar to Skoda’s Fabia. To help the Skoda and VW bits blend, the Rapid gets a new bonnet, new fenders and a mildly altered chin. The bonnet is longer, the new fender has the Vento’s sharp crease built into it and the chin is slightly altered at the corners, where it merges with the Vento’s beautifully executed wheel arches. The rear is different from the VW Vento too. Skoda has inserted its ‘C’ mot...

Tata Motors, today, launched the all new Tata Sumo Gold, the most powerful SUV in its category, which will redefine the market with its sheer power & reliability.  The Tata Sumo Gold has been conceived and designed keeping in mind the needs of the young & progressive customer, who is looking for a stylish, new-age vehicle that is powerful and takes on any terrain with ease.  Launching the Tata Sumo Gold, Mr. R. Ramakrishnan, Vice President, Commercial - PCBU, Tata Motors said ,  "The Tata Sumo Gold is a result of extensive consumer studies and field tests. The product has been designed to fulfil various requirements, long-awaited by the new generation customer."   At the heart of every Tata Sumo Gold, lies a growling engine that thumps out vicious power. The Tata Sumo Gold goes a step ahead in putting the reins of power in the customer's hands, by letting him choose from two powerhouses, that suits his driving experience, delivering the best-in-class acceler...