Maruti Suzuki Ertiga MPV debuts at Delhi Auto Expo 2012

January 5, 2012 at 3:00 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Suzuki

This is the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga MPV, a production version of the Maruti Suzuki Concept rIII that made its debut in Delhi two years ago. I’m quite curious about the name – rIII becomes Ertiga, sounds like Bahasa Malaysia to me!

The Ertiga sits on a Suzuki SX4 platform stretched to have a long 2,740mm wheelbase (overall length: 4265mm, overall width: 1695mm, overall height: 1685mm). That’s actually a pretty long wheelbase, when you compare it to other vehicles in its class.

The 7-seater compact MPV is powered by either a new K-14 model 1.4 liter VVT four cylinder petrol engine producing 94 horsepower at 6,000rpm and 130Nm at 4,000rpm, or a 1.3 liter Fiat four cylinder turbodiesel engine producing 88 horsepower at 4,000rpm and 200Nm of torque from 1,750rpm.

The interior offers features such as a tilt adjustable electric power steering, twin AC, audio system (USB Compatible, 4+2 speakers), steering mounted audio controls, central door locking and keyless entry, multi information display, power windows with auto down and electrically adjustable mirror.

“The Ertiga brings space, style and compactness to Utility vehicles for customers in India. As India gears to be amongst the largest global automobile markets by 2020, with the foray into UV segment, Maruti Suzuki will strengthen its leadership position in the industry. With Ertiga the Maruti Suzuki will step into the Utility Vehicle segments and effectively create a new Compact MPV segment in India,” said CEO of Maruti Suzuki Mr. Shinzo Nakanishi.

We hear that India will be producing CKD kits to be exported around the world, so this is definitely not an India-only product. Will Suzuki Malaysia offer the Ertiga here in Malaysia?

Live photos by MotorBeam.com

21 Comments      

Maruti Suzuki XA Alpha Compact SUV Concept

January 5, 2012 at 2:53 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Suzuki

Compact SUVs seem to be the theme at the Delhi Auto Expo 2012 in India. Not content with letting the Ford EcoSport stand alone, Maruti Suzuki unveiled this concept compact SUV called the Maruti Suzuki XA Alpha at the Auto Expo 2012 today.

The Maruti Suzuki XA Alpha Concept took about 10 months of development time, and 5 Maruti engineers were involved in the project. Maruti Suzuki does not currently have an SUV in the Indian market. SUVs consist of about 14% of the total market in India, and a smaller model like the XA Alpha would probably do better in India compared to larger models like the Grand Vitara.

The production Maruti Suzuki XA Alpha will come with a choice of both petrol and diesel engines. The petrol engine is expected to be a 1.3 liter, while details on the diesel engine remains unknown.

“India is set to become one of the top automobile markets of the world. This may become evident as early as the next Delhi Auto Expo. Maruti Suzuki will lead India’s automobile growth and evolution by strengthening its compact car portfolio, entering new segments and creating new product categories across fuel options. The Concept XA is designed for a market of customers with a young urban lifestyle. This Concept showcases the unified R&D efforts of Suzuki and Maruti which will be a big asset for us in India in the future,” said Managing Director and CEO of Maruti Suzuki, Mr. Shinzo Nakanishi.

Live photos thanks to Motorbeam and Maruti Suzuki.

5 Comments      


Ford EcoSport is ASEAN-bound – SUV is third of eight global One Ford offerings slated for the region by 2015

January 5, 2012 at 1:53 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Ford, International News

Ford has confirmed that the EcoSport SUV, which was officially introduced at the Auto Expo 2012 in New Delhi, will be coming to ASEAN markets. The vehicle is the third of eight all new global One Ford vehicles destined for the region by around 2015.

Developed by Ford’s Development Center in Camaçari, Brazil, the EcoSport sits on the company’s global B-segment platform, which will provide the basis for a family of vehicles expected to eventually represent two million units annually.

Ford has big plans for the vehicle, and says that the SUV is a significant linchpin in its plans to achieve its goal of increasing worldwide sales by nearly 50% by mid-decade to eight million vehicles a year, of which 60% to 70% of sales is expected to come from the Asia Pacific and Africa region.

No introduction dates have yet been bandied for the EcoSport in the ASEAN market, but the company says that it’ll be produced at Ford Thailand Manufacturing’s facility in Rayong, Thailand.

10 Comments      

BMW 5 Series now with four-cylinder turbo engines in Malaysia – 520i and 528i M Sport wear the new mills

January 5, 2012 at 11:49 am By Anthony Lim Filed Under BMW, Cars, Local News

BMW Malaysia has announced the arrival of new petrol variants for the 5 Series, featuring the new 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine in two different outputs. The new engine, which features twin-scroll turbocharging, Valvetronic variable valve control and Double-VANOS variable camshaft control, finds its way into the new 520i and 528i M Sport models.

The 520i’s motor turns out 184 hp and 270Nm of torque, and performance figures for the car include a 0-100 km/h time of 8.0 seconds and a 226 km/h top speed, as well as a claimed 6.4 litres per 100 km fuel economy.

Meanwhile, the TwinPower Turbo technology powerplant on the 528i M Sport offers 245 hp and 350Nm, and the extra horses translate to a 0-100 km/h time of 6.3 seconds and a 250 km/h top speed, with little sacrifice to claimed average fuel consumption – the car supposedly does 6.8 litres per 100 km.

As before, there’s the usual dollop of features and kit, with Brake Energy Regeneration, electromechanical steering and an 8-speed automatic transmission as standard, and the Auto Start/ Stop function now features across the model range.

Additionally, all the new variant entries also reflect upgraded equipment in its Driving Experience Control, which is the button located on the centre console that enables the driver to adjust mode settings for the vehicle’s accelerator, engine, steering, transmission, suspension system and traction control.

The modes available include COMFORT+, COMFORT, SPORT, SPORT+ and, for the first time, ECO PRO mode as standard. ECO PRO mode, which can help the driver to achieve fuel savings of up to 20%, depending on their individual style of driving, automatically optimises the vehicle’s drivetrain, heating and air conditioning strategy, as well as other electric comfort functions. It ensures fuel efficient throttle operation by dampening your throttle input so heavy footed people can drive fuel efficiently.

These new drive modes replace the old COMFORT, NORMAL, SPORT and SPORT+ modes. Essentially COMFORT has been renamed to COMFORT+, and NORMAL has been renamed to COMFORT.

The two new petrol new variants are joined by the improved 520d sedan, which offers 184 hp, 380Nm and 8.1 seconds for the century sprint and a 225 km/h top speed for numbers.

Price-wise, the 520i rolls in at RM358,800, while the 528i M Sport goes for RM409,800 and the 520d is priced at RM333,800, all on-the-road, without insurance, with BMW Service Inclusive + Repair (BS+RI). The new cars will be in all BMW showrooms from this weekend onwards.

68 Comments      

FIA lays down the rules on defending positions in F1

January 5, 2012 at 3:43 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Formula 1, Motorsports

Throughout the 2011 Formula 1 season, we’ve seen plenty of on track skirmishes. In some of the battles, it was clear who was in the wrong, while some were more debatable. The FIA has now issued new rules regarding defending positions, to put it clear for all.

The ruling body has decided that drivers defending their position will be allowed to move back onto the racing line, but must leave enough room between their car and the edge of the track. Only one move will be allowed.

“More than one change of direction to defend a position is not permitted. Any driver moving back towards the racing line, having earlier defended his position off-line, should leave at least one car width between his own car and the edge of the track on the approach to the corner,” reads the new regulation.

Another newly clarified rule states that lapped cars will be allowed to unlap themselves and then join the back of the field during safety car periods.

“If the clerk of the course considers it safe to do so, and the message “LAPPED CARS MAY NOW OVERTAKE” is shown on the timing monitors, any cars that have been lapped by the leader will be required to pass the cars on the lead lap and the safety car. This will only apply to cars that were lapped at the time they crossed the Line at the end of the lap during which they crossed the first Safety Car line for the second time after the safety car was deployed.

While this is going on, “the cars on the lead lap must always stay on the racing line unless deviating from it is unavoidable”.

The 20-race 2012 season starts in Australia on 18 March, before the teams head to Sepang the following week for the Malaysian GP. Bahrain is back in the calendar and F1 returns to America for the United States GP in November.

20 Comments      

VIDEO: New Porsche 911 Cabriolet to make Detroit debut

January 5, 2012 at 2:39 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Porsche, Videos

The new Porsche 911 Cabriolet, announced in November 2011, will make its world debut at the upcoming NAIAS in Detroit. The first motor show of the year was chosen because America is the biggest market for the drop top, by far. In fact, Porsche is thriving in the US despite the less than rosy economy – in 2011, Porsche sold 29,023 cars, 15% up from 2010. They plan to shift over 30k units this year.

Back to the 911 Cab. The big news here is the all new roof design. Throwing out the multi-layered fabric item from the 997, this lid uses a fabric skinned composite panel, which provides a nicer shape and a better fit. Porsche also says that this new roof, which takes just 11 seconds to raise or stow, is more resistant to high speed buffeting. There’s also an automatic wind deflector.

The roof is laid on a magnesium frame, and the glass rear window is glued directly to the outer fabric skin. The lowering and closing process can be done at speeds of up to 60 km/h. You can see this being done in the videos.

Powertrains are identical to the 991 Coupe. The Cabrio’s backside houses a 3.4-litre flat six with 350 hp/380 Nm driving the rear wheels via the world’s first seven-speed manual gearbox. The Carrera S Cabriolet comes with a 3.8-litre flat six with 400 hp and 440 Nm. Porsche’s twin-clutch PDK will be a popular option, delivering better fuel consumption and acceleration than the stick shift.

Click here for full details and a gallery of the 911 Cabrio.

1 Comment      

Ford EcoSport SUV debuts in Delhi Auto Expo – global offering to eventually be introduced in nearly 100 markets

January 5, 2012 at 12:53 am By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Ford, International News

Ford has premiered its all-new EcoSport compact SUV at the Auto Expo 2012 in New Delhi, India. It’s the second model to bear the name, the first-generation model being launched in Brazil in 2003.

Despite the debut, Ford is essentially introducing the vehicle in stages – the exterior design is the first aspect of the EcoSport to be previewed, with Ford saying that more details are to be released in the coming months.

Indeed, there’s not much technically on the EcoSport beyond the fact that the Indian launch vehicle wears the company’s new 1.0 litre three-cylinder EcoBoost mill, in 120 hp and 170 Nm form. The engine is the first EcoBoost unit to be introduced in India.

Exterior-wise, the SUV features Ford’s new global design language, with a short, raked hood and distinctive profile. Modern, oblique headlamps frame a high-mounted trapezoidal grille, which gives the vehicle a signature Ford face.

Design cues include a steeply raked windshield, as well as blacked out B-pillars that unify the side glass into one elegant shape, to help convey a clean, modern profile.

The rear of the vehicle features a large rear window, which wraps around to the sides along with distinctive taillights. A signature visual cue is the spare tyre, which is attached to a swing-out door.

While the interior remains to be seen, the company says that the cabin will feature the same levels of craftsmanship, material quality and quietness as found in its other new-generation global products found currently.

The choice of India for the vehicle’s global debut is in line with the company’s view of the growing importance of that market; the EcoSport is the second of eight products Ford plans to bring to India by 2015.

The EcoSport – which will eventually be sold in nearly 100 markets worldwide – will be produced at ultra-modern, flexible assembly plants in India and Brazil, as well as other markets to be announced at a later time.

Live photos from New Delhi thanks to Motorbeam.com and Ford APA.

19 Comments      

VIDEO: New Nissan Pathfinder teased, next Navara’s face?

January 4, 2012 at 8:02 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Nissan, Videos

Here’s a short teaser video of the Nissan Pathfinder preview concept, which provides a sneak peek at the next generation of Nissan’s longest running nameplate in the USA. To be unveiled at the upcoming Detroit show, Nissan says that it comes with “thoughtful technology, comfortable seating for seven and ample cargo room”.

The company adds that the new one “takes all of Pathfinder’s traditional SUV hallmarks and wraps them in a new platform and dramatic new aerodynamic body”. That seems to be true from what we can see via a profile teaser image released earlier. The new Pathfinder, in a departure from the current car as well as most truck based SUVs, sports highly sculptured body panels and has quite a curvy shape.

The seven-second teaser video shows the front end of the SUV. We can see that there’s a more distinct V-shape to the front fascia compared to today’s car. Slimmer, more dynamic headlights, too, but still a macho face, we think.

By the way, the Pathfinder is an SUV version of the Navara pick-up truck that we know (think Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Toyota Fortuner), so this could well be our first look at how the next-gen Navara will look like. Click here to see how the current Pathfinder looks like.

12 Comments      

Bajaj RE60 – not a car, but a four-wheeler vehicle

January 4, 2012 at 5:01 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, India, International News


Click to enlarge.

It has four wheels, has a car-like shape (can’t say if it drives like one though), but its maker says it isn’t a car. It’s the Bajaj Auto RE60, which was unveiled yesterday, ahead of the 2012 New Delhi Auto Expo.

You’d be forgiven if you thought that the rather ungainly RE60 has come about to compete with the Tata Nano, the world’s cheapest car, but Bajaj says it’s not the case – rather, the 400 kg hatchback has been designed to give drivers of three-wheeled vehicles the chance to move up to the safer performance of a four-wheeler, on the cheap.


Click to enlarge.

The boxy vehicle measures in at 2.75 metres long, 1.31 metres wide and 1.65 metres tall, and is powered by a whopping 20 hp 200 cc engine, which is rear-mounted. The little mill is capable of running on LPG and CNG as well as petrol, and gives the RE60 a 70 km/h top speed. Bajaj says that the car will give 35 km to the litre in regular use.

The RE60, on which work began in 2007, will be made at Aurangabad, which is where Bajaj produces its three-wheeler range. It’s expected to roll in cheaper than the Nano, but then again, it’s not being tagged as a car.

45 Comments      

Rolls-Royce rolls out the ‘Year of the Dragon Collection’

January 4, 2012 at 3:26 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Rolls Royce

Rolls-Royce has announced its Year of the Dragon Collection, a commemorative offering Inspired by the legendary creature revered by the Chinese. Designed in England by the brand’s Bespoke Team, the Year of the Dragon Collection has been created to “celebrate the ultimate symbol of power, prosperity and good fortune”. By the way, the Chinese Year of the Dragon starts from 23 January.

On first glimpse of the Dragon RR, a prominent feature is the twin coachline with a dragon, in gold colour, hand-painted to the side of each Phantom or Phantom Extended Wheelbase. In order to achieve perfect symmetry and balance, the dragon will always look forward. The hand-painted dragon coachline is inspired by the Forbidden City in Beijing.

Inside, the dragon is hand embroidered onto the interior leather of every headrest using a combination of four thread colours: Tan, Golden Sand, Black and White. The combination is designed to complement a pallette of recommended leather colour options and the design can be finished with additional seat piping. There are also two hand stitched cushions for the rear passengers, specified with embroidered contrast double R-R logos and piping.

All four door sills will feature exclusive red illuminated treadplates with Year of the Dragon 2012 highlighted with LED lighting. A dragon inlay will be hand laid to the passenger panel of every car in this unique collection. The Phantom model name is also applied in gold. Wood wise, modern or traditional marquetry matches the customer’s veneer choice, which is laser-cut and then hand assembled into position in the veneer.

Taukes who want to ride with dragons in the year of the dragon can place orders at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Kuala Lumpur, located along Jalan Semangat in Petaling Jaya.

6 Comments