Maruti Recalls 13,157 Diesel Cars

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd has issued a recall for its diesel cars due to a faulty engine part. Maruti uses Fiat’s MultiJet engines in its diesel models. According to Maruti, the connecting rod bolt needs inspection as it has been responsible for abnormal noise in the engine.

This recall affects as many as 13,157 diesel cars. This includes 4,505 Swift Dzire, 6,841 Swift and the 1,811 Ritz cars with diesel engines manufactured between 13 November and 4 December 2010. The manufacturer will replace the faulty part free of cost and customers of cars manufactured in that period will be contacted directly by Maruti. The faulty bolt was being supplied from Italy

Maruti had two other major recalls last year; In February 2010, the A-star was recalled due to a fuel tank problem where Maruti had rectified the same in as many as one lakh A-star hatchbacks sold in India and in other markets. The A-star is also sold as Nissan Pixo Internationally.

Also in July2010, a recall was issued for Maruti Alto due to a faulty ignition issue

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Posted in: News - Apr 2011

Mercedes Next-GeN A-Class

Mercedes is all set to preview its next-generation A-Class range later this month at the Shanghai Auto show; Set to be known as Concept will be known as Concept A study, the new A-class is tipped to capture much of the show car’s flowing sheetmetal, distinctive detailing and sporty stance.

The main difference compared with the concept is that the roofline and glasshouse are understood to be taller and deeper on the production car.

Under the skin, the new A-class is understood to feature an all-new platform, known as the MFA, with strut front suspension and a multi-link rear axle, all dedicated to Mercedes.

Emphasis has also been placed on interior quality, with the new A-class featuring plastics, trim and switchgear borrowed from the C-class.

The Concept A gives a strong feeling of a flowing instrument panel moulding, with a sporty steering wheel, dominant twin-dial instrument binnacle and a rotary controller for the infomatics system.

A theme of the concept is the centre-illuminated dials and air vents, which Merc says are based on the idea of a glowing jet engine afterburner. Power for the new A-class family will initially come from Mercedes’ existing range of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines from the C-class, modified for a transverse installation.

The core engine will be a 2.0-litre petrol unit, which the Concept A previews in 204bhp hot hatch form. It will be mated to a dual-clutch gearbox. The next A-Class will feature a dual-clutch gearbox, the Petrol models will have close to 150bhp. Diesels will be centred on Merc’s 2.2-litre four with power ranging from 130 to 180bhp.

Also coming is a 320bhp AMG hot hatch powered by a 2.0-litre turbo, employing four-wheel drive and due for launch in 2013.

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Posted in: News - Apr 2011

Ford India Launches Fiesta Classic

Ford India has launched a re-badge version of its Fiesta saloon, called the Fiesta Classic. The Classic will replace the existing saloon with prices starting from Rs 5.49lakh for petrol and Rs 6.48 lakh for diesel (ex-showroom, Delhi).

The Fiesta Classic will be available in two trim levels, LXI and CLXI. It gets refreshed interiors with new seats, graphic metallic finish centre console, Ebony and Jasper Blue instrument panel, blacked out headlamp surrounds and a new Classic badge.

The Classic will continue to be powered by 101bhp 1.6-litre Duratec petrol engine and the refined and frugal 1.4-litre Duratorq diesel motor developing 68bhp. Ford has positioned the Fiesta Classic half-segment lower than the next-gen Fiesta that will be launched by May this year.

“With a proud and loyal customer base, the Fiesta has been one of the main stays of our product brand portfolio in India. With the elegant Fiesta Classic’s thrilling on-road dynamics, refreshingly classy new interiors and proven frugality we invite more customers to experience and benefit from the additional new variants we are offering with our classy product,” said Michael Boneham, managing director and president, Ford India.

Ford has lowered the prices of the Classic and it’s now cheaper by Rs 46,000 for the base petrol and Rs 38,000 for the diesel. Ford will simultaneously sell the Fiesta Classic and the next-generation Fiesta when the latter is launched in May 2011.

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Posted in: News - Apr 2011

Bentley Unveils New Continental GT

The latest luxury car to be launched in India is the new Continental GT 4-seat Coupe from the Bentley stable. Built on the earlier GT platform, the latest Coupe is faster than its predecessor with 567bhp and 71.3kgm of torque.

A new six-speed quickshift transmission reduces gear change times by 50 percent. The Coupe can clock 100kph from standstill position in 4.6 seconds reaching a top speed of 197mph.

Bentley Regional Director, India Chris Buxton told media persons at New Delhi that India was aggressively growing in the luxury automobile space. ‘We understand the growing needs of the market and hence we bring the new Bentley Continental GT to India.’

In addition to the W12 engine, the GT Coupe would run on biothenol, petrol or any combination of the two.

The all wheel drive system in the Continental GT Coupe can instantaneously adjust the power split between the front and rear wheels depending on the available grip. The upgraded electronic stability control system operates along with the all wheel drive system to ensure a quality drive.

The new Coupe sports an entirely new hand-crafted interior and is priced at Rs 1.9 crore (ex-showroom).

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Posted in: News - Apr 2011