Honda new small car Brio

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Honda’s all-new small car will be christened the Brio. Showcased at the Auto Expo in Delhi earlier this year, Honda’s small car concept (codenamed 2CV), will compete against arch rival Toyota’s small car Etios.

Honda will showcase a prototype of the Brio, which will be very close to the production version, at the 27th Thailand International Motor Expo, starting November 30, 2010. Based on a completely new platform, the Brio will be an entry level compact car that will be four meters long with an engine similar or smaller to the 1.2-litre motor of the Jazz. Honda is working on a 3-cylinder version of the same motor, but without the VTEC technology.

Expected for an early 2011 launch, the ‘2CV’ will boast of cutting-edge technology that would help return good fuel economy. Honda is hopeful of producing a car that will be the most economical car in its segment. While Honda has completely denied a diesel engine for its small car, the company has hinted towards a Hybrid version of the '2CV', following feasibility reports.

Interior packaging on the car is expected to be in line with the Jazz, so expect it to be high on comfort and space. If Honda could price the Brio competitively – unlike the Jazz – it could have a winner in its hands. Fitted with safety features like ABS and Airbags, Honda wants to tactfully price the Brio and has set a price target of under Rs 5lakh. Let's hope they achieve it!

Nissan Micra diesel price list - Autocar

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Nissan is all set to launch the Micra diesel on December 10, 2010. The diesel hatch will be available in two trim levels; XV and XV Premium, and the indicative prices are Rs 5.6lakh and Rs 6.2lakh respectively (prices ex-showroom Delhi).

The Micra diesel will be powered by the same 1.5-litre dCI motor powering the Mahindra Logan – churning out 63bhp and 16.3kgm of max torque. Option of a diesel engine would make the Micra a very strong contender in its segment. With the combination of light kerb weight and the potent 1.5 dCI motor, expect smooth power delivery, sufficient power and breathtaking fuel economy. Although Micra’s engine is an 8-valve motor, the engine is larger than the Swift’s 16-valve engine unit. As per the company claims, the diesel hatch would give efficiency figure of 23.08kpl and would hit the 100kph mark in 14.37 sec, half a second slower than the Swift diesel, which is not a bad thing.

The top-of-the-line XV Premium will get larger 15inch wheels and wider tyres (175/60 R15) as compared to the XV variant that comes with 165/70 R14 tyres – similar to the petrol Micra. The overall height of the diesel variant is slightly lower at 1525mm as compared to the petrol variant's 1530mm. Kerb weight for the XV variant stands at 992kg, going upto 1008kg for the XV Premium variant.

In addition to the petrol variants, the Micra diesel gets body coloured rear spoiler, leather wrapped steering wheel and gear knob. However, features like security alarm system, front passenger airbag, ABS, EBD and Brake Assist are missing from the diesel Micra.

Nissan India has already commenced pre-order bookings of the Micra diesel and customers can book the diesel hatch for an initial booking amount of Rs 50,000 through all 20 Nissan dealerships across India. The company is also aggressively ramping up their sales and service network.

The Micra diesel will be rolled out from Nissan’s manufacturing plant at Oragadam, near Chennai. The company also plans to export the diesel hatch to South Africa, starting 2011. In the first five months, Nissan managed to sell 4,500 units of the petrol hatch.

Overdrive Skoda fabia test drive

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The new Fabia now sports conventional halogen bulbs and reflectors. The bumper is lower and wider, and houses Laura fog lamps with twin daytime running lamp bulbs (disabled for India though). In silhouette it is similar to that of the Swift.

The Fabia’s multi-function display shows a tripmeter, distance till service, which gear you should be in, etc. Features include air-con vents even for the rear occupants, dual gloveboxes, rear reading lamps, coat hooks, and an aux in port for the factory audio system. It has shed a few features like the three-point seat belt for the third passenger at the rear. But the useful parcel tray is still there. It has best-in-class boot volume at 315 litres. The Fabia isn’t significantly bigger than its rivals but feels more roomy. The steering wheel that tilts and telescopes and the dead pedal are welcome features.

Its 1199cc three-cylinder turbocharged common-rail diesel generates 76PS and more importantly, 180Nm. It is surprisingly vibe-free for a three-cylinder, and the NVH levels are acceptably low. The engine has a linear spread of torque, with the turbo coming in at around 1800rpm but one needs to be over 2000rpm to get the car moving smartly. Coupled with the Fabia's 1100kg weight, it takes 16.9 seconds to 100kmph and top speed is about 160kmph. The tall-ratio gearbox is notchy, with long throws and slow shifts. The Fabia manages 19.2kmpl on the highway and 14.2kmpl in the city. The Fabia is built on Volkswagen’s PQ25 platform and sports MacPherson struts in the front and torsion beams at the rear. It handles well in the city, with its soft suspension absorbing little bumps and undulations well.

Toyota to launch next generation Innova

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Toyota plans to introduce the next-generation Innova sometime in 2012. However, the next Innova will be built on the same IMV platform which has been given an extended lifecycle and changes will not be very significant.

Customer feedback has indicated that owners are extremely satisfied with the existing Innova and want very little change. Toyota too is struggling to find ways to improve and hone its highly successful MPV. According to company sources, the next Innova will have some major styling tweaks and certain body panels will be reskinned. Engineers are working on ways to provide a more flexible seating configuration and to improve space in the third row.

Making the Innova longer has been ruled out because customer feedback has indicated that owners do not want an MPV with larger dimensions. There is talk of an automatic option in the next Innova as well as a marginally more powerful engine.

Volvo XC60 at Autocar performance show

The all-new Volvo XC60 is slated to premiere at the 2010 Autocar Performance Show, starting November 18. The XC60 will be the first vehicle in a new generation of the contemporary cross-over segment and is touted to be one of the safest cars across all categories.

In India, the XC60 will be offered with two engine options. First to be imported will be the 2.4-litre D5 diesel with a power output of 175bhp and 42.7kgm of torque available from as low as 1500rpm to 2750rpm. The figures are impressive and the XC60 is pretty quick for a vehicle its size and weight, with the 0-100kph mark coming up in a short 7.1 sec.

The other motor will be the top-of-the-line 3.0-litre T6 petrol engine that churns out 285bhp and a massive 40.7kgm of torque. With Volvo deciding to price it around the Rs 40-lakh mark, it’s definitely a crossover to look at.

Hot cars Autocar performance show

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SL 63 AMG
This is the AMG tuned version of Mercedes popular SL class roadster. The “63" denotes the AMG-designed 6.3-liter V8 now under the hood. This motor, the first designed in-house by AMG, puts out 518 horsepower, a 10 horsepower bump from the outgoing SL 55. Torque, however, is down to 64.28kgm from 73kgm. The new, naturally aspirated V8 replaces a supercharged 5.5-liter V8.

SLS AMG
The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is a luxury grand tourer automobile developed by Mercedes-AMG to replace the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren. The car is the first Mercedes automobile designed in-house by AMG and is described by Mercedes-Benz as a spiritual successor to the 300SL Gullwing. It produces 571bhp from its AMG sourced V8 engine.

Nissan 370Z
The Nissan 370Z is the sixth-generation of the Nissan Z-car line, succeeding the 350Z. It is powered by a 3.7-litre Nissan six cylinder engine producing 332 bhp. It competes with the likes of BMW Z4 and Audi TT for the Indian market.

Rolls Royce Ghost
The Ghost is the second model in the Rolls Royce lineup alongside the Phantom. The ‘Ghost’ nameplate was named in honour of the Silver Ghost, a car first produced in 1906. The Ghost borrows 20percent of its parts from the BMW F01 platform underpinning the current BMW 7 Series saloon. A 6.6-litre twin-turbo V12 rated 563bhp powers the Ghost.

Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano
You can find this one at our exclusive APS supercar stall. The 599 is Ferrari’s ultimate GT supercar currently on sale. This supercar is powered by a monstrous 6-litre V12 engine churning out a massive 612bhp.

Porsche Panamera
This is the first four door car ever built by Porsche, available in a range of power plants ranging from V6 to supercharged V8 engines. The Panamera competes with the likes of the Aston Martin Rapide, and the Mercedes CLS coupe saloons.

Lamborghini Gallarado LP560-4
This is the updated version of the popular Lamborghini Gallarado supercar. The updated version is now powered by an upgraded 5204cc V10 motor producing more than 550bhp.

Mitsubishi EVO X
The Evo X, the latest in the evolution of rally-bred Lancers, is finally here. The front has some serious aggressive stance which Mitsubishi calls a shark nose which incorporates a huge air intake. It’s powered by a turbo-charged version of 2.0-litre engine.

BMW Z4
BMW’s series Z models started its evolution in 1996 as Z3 and were upgraded to a new model called Z4 in 2002, and now in 2009, the Z4 was thoroughly re-designed, it now features a re-tractable hard top roof. It’s powered by a supercharged version 3.5-litre six cylinder engine.

Jaguar XK-R
This is the supercharged version of Jaguar’s XK range, powered by a supercharged AJ-V8 engin

Autocar scoop Nissan Micra diesel india

Nissan has revealed the engine details of the upcoming Micra diesel at the Autocar Performance Show 2010.

The diesel hatch will be powered by the same 1.5-litre dCI motor powering the Mahindra Logan – churning out 63bhp and 16.3kgm of max torque. Option of a diesel engine would make the Micra a very strong contender in its segment. With the combination of light kerb weight and the potent 1.5 dCI motor, expect smooth power delivery, sufficient power and breathtaking fuel economy. The Diesel hatch will have larger 15inch wheels and wider tyres (175/60 R15) on the top-of-the-line XV Premium variant as compared to the XV variant that comes with 165/70 R14 tyres. The overall height of the diesel variant is slightly lower at 1525mm as compared to the petrol variant's 1525mm.

Nissan India has already commenced pre-order bookings of the Micra diesel, it will go on sale in December 2010. Customers can book the diesel Micra for an initial booking amount of Rs 50,000 through all 20 Nissan dealerships across India. The company is also aggressively ramping up their sales and service network. Nissan hasn’t revealed the prices as yet, but expect the diesel hatch to be priced between Rs 4.50lakh - 5.70lakh.

The Micra diesel will be rolled out from Nissan’s manufacturing plant at Oragadam, near Chennai. In the first five months, Nissan managed to sell 4,500 units of the petrol hatch.

Overdrive Tata Nano drive

On a happier note, Cherrapunjee’s record for the highest rainfall in a single day is more than two and a half times Mumbai’s worst nightmare come true. A deeply staggering 245.5cm. That’s just over eight feet of rain over a day. If your house was perfectly watersealed and was missing only a roof, that day in Cherrapunjee would see your house fill up with rain water to just below the ceiling.

In fact, Cherrapunjee is no longer regarded as the wettest place on Earth, it’s only famous for that now. A nearby hamlet of Mawsynram is now officially the title holder. Cherrapunjee, though, still holds the records for the highest recorded rainfall in a year and over a month. As good a reason as any to go there in the middle of the monsoon.

Our search of driving adventure led us far and wide around India and Cherrapunjee fitted right in. Just to add a twist to the tale, instead of the obvious choice - an SUV with eight-foot wading capability, an outboard motor and a direct satellite uplink in case we need to send out a mayday, we chose to drive up in a Nano. That too, the base version, minus all the frills. We were out to see the monoliths the town is famous for, its caves and of course, the rain would be the thread that tied the story together.

We set off from Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya for Cherrapunjee, a good 60km away. Shillong is fascinating

Autocar December issue

* As always, we bring you the first impression first. Get to know what we think of Toyota’s much-awaited Etios saloon.
* Nissan’s compact saloon revealed!
* Toyota’s plans for new Innova bared
* New SUV from Force Motors to challenge Scorpio, Safari
* SUV Special: Volvo XC60 driven, Skoda Yeti tested, Hyundai Santa Fe takes on the Chevrolet Captiva and Nissan X-Trail
* Porsche Special: We drive the Cayenne Diesel, test a Panamera S, and guide you how to buy a used Cayman S!
* We also drive the new VW Passat, provide the definitive verdict on the new i10, revel in a shootout between the Linea T-Jet, City, SX4 and Fiesta, and then go flat-out in a Lambo LP 550-2
* Travel with us as we discover Nagini in Himachal Pradesh
* The fastest place on earth where Bloodhound SSC plans to crack 1600kph
* First ride of sporty new Honda CBR250R that’s here in April next year
* Too fast, too furious – that’s the Ducati Streetfighter S we rode
* Tech-laden Honda VFR1200F put to the test
* Our test verdict on the new Mahindra Stallio
* Past forward on Rajdoot RD350, the iconic two-stroke bike of yesteryear
* Crackling F1 reportage and analysis: Has 2010 been the greatest season ever?
* Plus: 27-page comprehensive New Car & Bike Buyer’s Guide