Porsche India started bookings of Panamera Turbo S

Porsche India started bookings of Panamera Turbo S prior to debut at Tokyo Motor Show – Price to be more than Rs. 2 crores.

Porsche has added one more model to its portfolio in the Indian market making it clear for the world how the country’s automotive spirit has evolved over few couple of years. The demand for production variants of luxury sports cars has enormously grown in recent years comparatively and there is no doubt that all leading automotive manufacturers of premiere cars are eager to try their luck in India. The bookings for ‘Porsche Panamera Turbo S’ have been started in India now and we could see the unit on roads within few weeks.

The brand new Panamera Turbo S was unveiled for the first time at this year’s Shanghai Motor Show held in the month of April. The model is named the fastest and most powerful variant out of all the models of the manufacturer available currently in the world. Turbo S is the successor for the ‘Turbo’ which has been revealed recently. There may not be much difference in the engine configuration and performance specs of both Turbo and the new Turbo S. The design of both these variants is also same mostly except few modifications.

Under the hood, Porsche has fitted a 4.8 litre twin turbo V8 petrol engine that is capable of generating around 570 bhp of power at the peak along with 750 Nm of torque. The power output and torque of Turbo S is around 50 bhp more than that of Turbo. It is informed that Turbo S is capable of attaining 100 kmph speed from rest within just 3.8 seconds only and the top speed of the model is around 310 kmph which is absolutely impressive. Engine comes mated to a 7 speed automatic transmission gear box. The cosmetic changes among Turbo and Turbo S includes a new front bumper design, new interiors, inclusion of 20 inch full alloy wheels with wider tires and a larger rear window.

Porsche is expected to deliver the booked units to buyers in India after its showcase at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show that will be held within a few days. We may expect the price of the new Panamera Turbo S to be around 24 lakhs costlier than that of Panamera Turbo and the price would be more than Rs. 2 crores as Turbo is being sold for Rs. 1.99 crores currently.

Hyundai to launch Grand i10 next month

Hyundai Motor India, the second-largest car manufacturer in the country, is beefing up its small car portfolio with a slew of new models to take on market leader Maruti Suzuki. 

Hyundai has lined up 8-10 launches in the next three to four years. It will drive in a sub-4 metre sedan in the second half of 2014, followed by a multi-purpose vehicle to take on Maruti's Ertiga and a compact SUV positioned between Ford EcoSport and Renault Duster in 2015-16. It's also exploring the potential to launch its flagship saloon Genesis in India.

The company is planning to launch new Eon 1.1 litre, which will be pitted against Maruti’s Alto K10. 

The company launched Eon in October 2011 and currently offers 814cc gasoline engine. 

In the last financial year, Alto sold roughly around 20,000 units a month, while Eon sales averaged around 7,000-8,000 units a month. 

The company will also launch its small car Grand i10 (referred to as the BA until now) in September this year, which is expected to compete with Maruti’s Swift. Grand i10 is a completely new car and will be positioned between i10 and i20. It will be manufactured at the company’s Chennai plant. 

As far as pricing goes, expect significant pricing overlap with both the i10 and i20. Expect the base petrol to start around the Rs 4.5 lakh mark, with the diesel Grand i10 priced at Rs 5.5 lakh.

“The Grand i10 has been positioned above the existing i10 and is targeted at the emerging compact high-entry segment,” the company said. 

Grand i10 will come with two engine variants -- 1.1 litre U2 diesel and 1.2 litre Kappa petrol. 

Even though the passenger car segment declined 10% this fiscal, experts feel that a new launch will bring excitement in the market. 

“Bringing a new product in the segment definitely creates a pull. In terms of product strategy, Hyundai is good at hitting the right area. They offer what Indians want. They were a bit weak on the diesel engine front, but the company will surely benefit with the new diesel engine offering,” said Puneet Gupta, associate director, IHS Automotive.  

Hyundai India reportedly is planning to launch up to four new models in the next two years, including a compact SUV and compact sedan.

Force Motors' Launches new SUV, Force One

Pune-based auto maker Force Motors launched two new variants of its sports utility vehicle, Force One, here on Wednesday. 

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan will be the brand ambassador for Pune truck and multi-utility vehicles manufacturer, Force Motors' new SUV, Force One.

The newly launched variants - EX and SX of Force One, are priced between Rs 8.99 lakh and Rs 11.99 lakh (ex-showroom price in Delhi). The company which launched its first personal vehicle, Force One, in August 2011 is now looking to cement its position in the market and is expected to a launch a third version of the same SUV in the coming days.

In the 19 months since the auto maker made its foray in the passenger vehicle segment, it has sold 2,600 units of Force One and aims to sell nearly 2,000 units in the current fiscal. It also hopes to sell 5,000 units of Force One in 2014-15. "We expect the sales to pick up due to our attractive price points, number of offerings and a growing rural market. We expect the sales to grow by 2,000 more vehicles," Firodia said.

In addition to the general slowdown, FM’s single offering in the segment as well as limited dealership network has impacted sales, he said. The company will double its existing 25-dealerships by the end of the fiscal, he added. Many of these will be in tier-II and III cities.

Force Motors had planned capital expenditure of Rs 1,000 crore over a period of three years beginning last year. The power drive for the entire Force One range comes from Mercedes Benz which is made at Pithampur under-licence from the German auto maker. Priced at Rs 11.99 lakh (ex-showroom Pune), the features of the Force One SX include ABS, Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD), progressive cruise control, steering mounted audio controls, reverse parking sensors and leather seats. Its has a 2.2-litre common rail, 16 valves, turbocharged diesel engine developing 141Ps made under licence from Daimler AG Germany. The onboard electronics is audited and validated by Mercedes-Benz Technologies Germany.

The Force One EX is targeted specifically at the “value minded customer” in the Tier-II and III towns. It is priced at Rs 8.99 lakh (ex-showroom, pan-India).

Ford EcoSport SUV launched at a starting price of Rs 5.59 lakh

US auto major Ford launched one of the most awaited cars of the year, the Ford EcoSport, at a starting price of Rs. 5.59 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

The Ford EcoSport will be available with three engine options -- the 1-litre EcoBoost petrol, 1.5-litre Ti-VCT petrol, and the 1.5-litre TDCi diesel. The 1.5 Ti-VCT will have the option of a six-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox (same as the one in the Fiesta) while the rest of the variants will sport a five-speed manual.

The EcoSport will be available in seven colours and 38 accessories.

The compact SUV will take on Mahindra & Mahindra's Quanto, Maruti Suzuki's Ertiga, Renault Duster and it will also try to wean away premium hatchback Hyundai i20 and prospective compact sedan customers of Maruti Suzuki Dzire and Honda Amaze.