Three superb new SUVs coming to India

This year has been a year of some great car launches. From hatchbacks to Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs), every segment has seen the entry of a new model.

One of the recent entrants in this is the crossover launched by Tata Motors -- Aria.

The SUV and MUV (Multi Utility Vehicle) segment of the country is all set to get many more models in the coming future. Here is a little about three of them:

Mahindra Ssangyong Korando



The acquisition of Korean carmaker Sasangyong by Mahindra had the auto industry abuzz for a long time.

The two companies share special interest in the SUV/MUV segment and it is rumoured that the Mahindra Ssangyong Korando is expected to be in India soon.

The specifications about the new car are still not available, but the fourth generation Korando C is ready to hit the international market once again.

Volvo XC60


The car is expected to come to Indian shores by November 24.

The Volvo XC60 is a contemporary crossover and the company has put all its safety knowledge into making XC60 a very safe car across all categories.

The Volvo XC60 is expected to come in both diesel and petrol variants. The diesel variants include 2.4D 175hp, 2.4 D DRIVe 175hp and D5 AWD, 205hp engines. While there would be two petrol engines -- the 3.2 AWD, 238hp and T6 AWD 285hp.

The Volvo XC60 is claimed to have more energy than any other Volvo and is considered a visual feast. This makes the XC60 the prefect car for those looking for superior design, brand integrity and high-tech content.

BMW X1


The car is being launched in the premium compact segment in the price band of Rs 25 to Rs 30 lakh (Rs 2.5-3 million).

The car is expected to be available in five variants with a diesel engine in both manual and automatic transmission option.

It is expected to come with a 1995cc, 4-cylinder, 16-valve, diesel engine that produces 143bhp of maximum power at 4000rpm with 320Nm of maximum torque at 1750-2500rpm.

The same capacity engine capable of producing 177bhp of maximum power at 4000rpm with 350Nm of maximum torque at 1750-3000rpm would also be available.

The top end variant of the BMW X1 is expected to have the same engine with 204bhp of maximum power at 4400rpm with 400Nm of maximum torque at 2000-2250rpm.

The car also has features such as ABS (Antilock Braking System), EBD (Electronic Brake-Force Distribution), dual front airbags and side ITS head airbags, alarm system with remote control, engine immobilizer, front and rear anti roll bars, central locking, child lock, crash sensor, front and rear fog lamps, halogen headlamps, front and rear seat belts with pre-tensioner, belt force limiter and side impact protection.

Mahindra Scorpio – The Masculine Car Of India

After a lot of R & D, Mahindra and Mahindra has been able to produce and launch the Mahindra Scorpio. This vehicle is equipped with many features previously not available, auto cars, in cars in India. Moreover, the vehicle is a perfect example of the ability of the designers of automobiles in India. With its robust male body and the internal combustion engine, stands out in the crowd,, auto cars, drawing admiring glances all around.The Mahindra Scorpio SUV is the first company means not, auto cars, only the local market in India, but also for the world, auto cars, market, where it was well received.

The machine fills the gap between style and adventure, luxury and ruggedness, and performance and economy. Scorpio is looking good not only with a sophisticated interior design, but also has a strong, auto cars, engine.The motor vehicle is equipped with more than 2600 SZ diesel giving 109 hp with a torque of 26 kgm. The speed of 0-60 was achieved in less than 9 seconds. The petrol version of the, auto cars, vehicle has 116 hp engine reaches 0-60 in just under 8 secondsThe Scorpio is one of the few other cars in India which have been designed and built according to international standards and quality control.

Safety features will hold key to Indian cars on European roads

Many cars, including those from Tata Motors and Mahindra, about to hit the market, are set to have more integrated safety features. With Indian companies eyeing the European market and manufacturers looking to up the ante, one company set to get the wheels rolling with Indian auto majors is MIRA Ltd, UK automotive engineering specialist, which provides expertise to three Indian vehicles awaiting launch, including a small car.

“Many Indian companies, including Tata Motors, Mahindra and Ashok Leyland, are associated with us. People in Europe are more aware about safety mechanism for automobiles. European customers attach more importance to star ratings given by The European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP),” said Jim Hopton of MIRA, UK, talking to The Express. Hopton, in Pune to attend a symposium on international automotive technology held by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), said future niche areas included advanced driver assistance, warning assistance and collision avoidance and intervention systems.

Addressing the gathering, chief guest at the symposium, Lord Peter Mandelson, Secretary of State for business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, UK stressed the need for partnership between auto majors of Indian and UK origin. “We are setting up a business office in Banglore to support and encourage Indian companies entering joint ventures with UK counterparts. UK companies are well positioned to help Indian firms realise development plans,” he said.

“In Europe, the Euro NCAP publishes safety reports on new cars, and awards 'star ratings' (1 to 5) based on performance in a variety of crash tests, including front, side and pole impacts, and impacts with pedestrians. In 1997, 80 per cent of the cars could attain only two stars but starting 2005, 95 per cent cars got 4-5 stars. Now, the Indian auto companies are keen on matching European safety standards and our Indian clients are aiming for four stars,” Hopton said.

Terry Spell, vice president of MIRA, Shanghai, said more sophisticated technologies are coming up in the industry in safety engineering and that Indian companies could soon adapt to the change. “Active braking system, adaptive cruise control and other technologies are now in the offing. Most of the cars in Europe comes with anti-submerging seats, dual stage, sophisticated airbags among others,” he said.

MIRA, which has 400 niche engineers, was started 60 years ago as Motor Industry Research Association and was then funded by the UK government. It later became a company. In India, it has a business office in Chennai.

Electric car from Mahindra and Mahindra in India by 2010

India automaker Mahindra and Mahindra plans on introducing four-seater electric car for India, which is expected to hit the roads by 2010. However, power shortage and electric-drive in the country may cause problems.

The Indian Auto major, Mahindra and Mahindra, known for their sturdy SUV’s, is working on an electric car for India. The E-car is expected to hit the Indian roads by 2010. This four-seater will run on lead acid battery initially and later on nickel metal hydride.

The company claims this E-car will be bigger than Maini REVA brand and also little expensive. Currently REVA comes with the price tag of Rs 3.5 lakhs for the base model in Bangalore and in New Delhi it starts with Rs 2.9 lakhs onwards.

Once the car is settled and achieves success in India, it will be launched in other countries too. It is true that e-cars are the best solution for increase in fuel hike and the pollution level. But practically speaking, it is difficult for the electric cars to sustain in India, as the country is already experiencing power shortage and electric-drive versions are not as economical as CNG vehicles.

The CNG is readily available at gas stations now. A solution to this is to build up low-carbon electricity technology and the auto companies are looking at tying up with energy companies.

Old car or new?

This is totally dependent on your mentality. And of course, there is a price differential. So, it is better that you identify your needs first and then take a call on the one that suits your purposes.

For instance, if you are someone who is looking for a regular upgrade in say, every two-three years, then a second-hand car makes sense. Moreover, if this is your first car and you are trying to learn driving on it, a second-hand car definitely makes much more sense. On the other hand, if you are someone who is happy using the same vehicle for a number of years, then a new car is definitely recommended.

Of course, there are other important parameters like your negotiating skills and the previous owner. For instance, a Parsi owned car commands higher value as Parsis are known to maintain their cars very well. As a Parsi friend confesses, We do not believe in repair? we replace.? Whereas even the latest model in the hands of a Young Turk (a la Schumacher) would create imageries of burning tyres and engine on an overdrive.

Before buying any car, here are a few things you need to consider:

1. What is your budget for the car?

2. What is your monthly budget for the car?

3. How do you intend to use it? Within the city or even outside the city? (Heavy weight age towards the latter means that you need a MUV or multi-utility vehicle like Tata Sumo, Mahindra Bolero etc.)

4. How long do you intend to keep the vehicle?

Now that you have answered the above, you know whether you want a new or an old car. But before you go for that old car, get yourself a cool car mechanic that is, a trustworthy one who will check the car for you. Ask him to check all the parameters like tyres, suspension, cooling etc.