Chevrolet Sail U-VA undergoing final rounds of testing

The Chevrolet Sail U-VA is no stranger to us. We have had a couple of posts on the car when it was caught testing extensively in and around Pune. In fact, spy-shots of the Sail U-VA has featured so regularly in various automotive websites and forums over the last two years, that it could possibly be the "most spied" car ever in the Indian market.

With the date of launch getting nearer and most of the automotive media having already driven the Sail U-VA, these could most probably be the final set of spy-shots of the car before it is officially launched. Yes, for a change, we are bragging about what could be the last ever spy-shots of a particular car.

Set to replace the Aveo U-VA that failed miserably in the Indian market, the Sail U-VA will compete with Maruti-Suzuki Swift, Ford Figo, Toyota Etios Liva and the likes. Armed with conservative design inside and out, the Sail U-VA will be available with a 1.2-liter, 4-cylinder petrol engine with 85 bhp of power and a 1.3-liter, 4-cylinder turbo diesel engine with 77 bhp of power. If the latter's specification sounds familiar, you are not wrong. It is the same 'Multijet' diesel engine that currently powers a host of cars in India and was jointly developed by General Motors and Fiat. Having heard from folks who have experienced the Sail first-hand in China where it is one of the largest selling cars, we know that the car has class-leading passenger and boot space and that will obviously be its trump card.

With the Sail twins, General Motors probably has the best shot to crack the mass market segment in India. At last, it seems that GM has awaken from its slumber as it gets ready for a spate of launches in the Indian market. Starting with the Sail U-VA hatchback, the company has lined up Spark Facelift, Sail sedan and Enjoy MPV for launch in quick succession, all possibly before end of this year.

Will the GM India ship 'sail' steady once the Sail twins set foot? Let's wait and watch.

Export variant of Mahindra Genio pick-up spotted testing near Chennai

Mahindra has been on a dream run of late with every model succeeding big-time in terms of sales. One among them was the Genio range of commercial pick-up trucks that were launched early last year. Developed from the modern "Ingenio" platform that underpinned the Xylo and more recently the Quanto, the Genio came as a breath of fresh air in a segment that was dominated by outdated designs and technologies. Not surprisingly then, the Genio became a big hit.

As with most of it's recent models, Mahindra made its intentions clear that the Genio is not going to be confined only for the Indian market. Exports to African, Latin American and a few European countries were planned. Truth be told though, the Genio, in it's Indian spec, just wouldn't make the cut for export markets. Mahindra knew this very well and that is exactly why it unveiled a significantly upgraded Genio for the export markets late last year amidst much fanfare.

It was this upgraded Genio that we caught testing near Mahindra World City on the outskirts of Chennai. The only difference was that the model being tested was a single-cab variant (code-named X-321, with the 'X' denoting Xylo platform) unlike the dual-cab variant that was unveiled.

So, what is different in this Genio from the model that is currently being sold in India? For starters, the rear half has been completely redesigned and looks all the more better for it.

Gone is the spartan sheet-metal loading bay that not only looked crude and utilitarian, but also exposed the chassis and mechanicals underneath. In its place comes a fully moulded loading bay that covers the chassis and gels well with the cabin in front. The basic taillight units have been replaced by modern vertical clusters with a character line running across the tailgate to connect them. Other details that are visible from these shots are a single reversing light, side-facing exhaust pipe behind the right rear wheel and the leaf spring rear suspension. The front end is similar to the old Xylo and did not have the intimidating look of the existing Genio pick-up.

The interiors are also lifted from the Xylo and is likely to be equipped with more features than the Indian model. Also likely to be different is the engine. Unlike the 2.5-liter mDI CRDe diesel engine that powers the Genio in India, this upgraded version might end up with the 2.2-liter mHawk engine that is more powerful and technologically advanced.

Overall, the export-oriented new Genio looks much better and upmarket than the existing model.

But, here comes the catch. Is Mahindra planning to upgrade the Indian Genio as well with this model? Or, is Mahindra just using Indian roads as a test bed for launching the Genio in international markets? With Tata taking the game forward recently by launching the Xenon RX range of pick-up trucks in India, there are fair chances for both. 

With our job done, it's now over to Mahindra to clear our doubts.

Bajaj RE60 spotted testing in Pune

One of the very first posts of the year 2012 was about the Bajaj RE60, a low-cost "four-wheeler" unveiled by the Pune-based manufacturer, just ahead of the Auto Expo. Intended to be an evolution of its popular three-wheeled auto-rickshaw, Bajaj was very particular that the RE60 isn't a 'car', but a 'four-wheeler'. That was pretty smart thinking, as registering the RE60 as a car would mean that stricter safety and emission norms should be met with, which may not be possible for a vehicle of its size and technology.

In a welcome move, Indian Government recently approved a new category of vehicles, that could be called 'quadricycles', to plug the big gap between three-wheelers and cars. Now, that's a slot where the Bajaj RE60 would fit in perfectly.

If you remember right, Anything On Wheels was amongst the first in bringing out spy-shots of the vehicle that looked very much like the RE60. But the big difference was the absence of passenger doors on the test vehicle, unlike the one unveiled at the Auto Expo. Now, thanks to our avid fan Guru, we are at it again. These shots were taken late last night at a suburb in Pune.

Beneath the strip camouflage pattern, it is clearly evident that this is the top-end variant of RE60 that is being tested here, the presence of passenger doors and snazzy-looking wheels being dead give-aways. While Bajaj is looking to conquer commercial segment with the base variant, this top-end variant is also being targeted at private buyers. Looking at it again and again, we can't stop comparing the RE60 to the Kia Soul, a hatchback that's known for its quirky yet appealing design. While the Soul looks attractive, the RE60 looks crude. It's tall, it's narrow and it's never going to replace your car, ever. It can, at best, be an intra-city run-about, one in which you just need not worry about squeezing in and out of traffic and parking spaces. Expected to be powered by a rear-mounted engine producing 20 bhp of power, the RE60 is claimed to have a top speed of around 70 km/h and a real world fuel efficiency of 35 km/l. To reduce running costs further, LPG and CNG fuel options are expected to be available as well. The advantage of having four wheels vis-a-vis three in terms of stability can already be noticed in in one of these shots, as the vehicle is seen doing moderate speeds comfortably.

As we already stated, if you look at it as a car, the RE60 doesn't make the cut. View it as an evolution of an auto-rickshaw or a quadricycle and you would start appreciating its benefits. We would be happy if the RE60 ends up replacing the manic auto-rickshaws on our cities. The RE60 is trying to open up a new segment that could possibly see many manufacturers getting into it, over the course of time.

For those who would like to know a bit of history behind, the RE60 is actually a fall-out of a failed Indo-German-Japanese joint-venture in which Bajaj was assigned the task of developing a frugal small car to compete with the Tata Nano, while Renault and Nissan would help in marketing and selling the car. What started off with a pretty decent prototype at the 2008 Auto Expo changed track all of a sudden and ended up with this at the 2012 Auto Expo. Renault and Nissan obviously weren't enthusiastic about this change of direction by Bajaj and decided to part ways.

Tata launches Safari Storme in India

After 14 long years since its launch in 1998, the Tata Safari has received its first major facelift today as Tata Motors launched the new Safari Storme in India. The Tata Safari Storme will co-exist with the existing Safari and is available in 4 variants – LX, EX, VX and VX 4x4, priced at INR 9.95, 10.77, 12.37 and 13.66 Lakhs respectively, ex-showroom Delhi.

At first glance, the Safari Storme looks like just a cosmetic facelift of an already old design, but it is actually more than that. The Storme is built on the new Aria platform, that is considerably more rigid and lighter than the existing Safari platform.

Though the basic shape and dimensions are still the same, the Storme comes with a redesigned front end that is inspired by Land Rover. The boomerang headlights with projector beams and an unique rectangular mesh grille with a thick chrome strip on top look classy. The profile remains untouched and retains the classic 'Safari' shape. The biggest change in the rear is the absence of spare wheel on the tail gate, which takes away the typical 'SUV' feel. In addition to the horizontal chrome strip that adds visual bling, a thick grey strip runs across the tailgate and houses the logo and badges. The taillights are redesigned too while the dual exhaust pipes and diffuser-style insert in the rear bumper makes the Storme look sporty.

Powering the Safari Storme is the same 2.2-liter common-rail engine that gives a maximum power output of 140 PS at 4000 rpm and a peak torque of 320 Nm between 1700-2700 rpm. The engine is now dubbed 'VariCOR', indicating the presence of variable geometry turbine technology. The 4x4 variant is fitted with a 4-wheel drive electronic shift-on-the-fly mechanism with a limited slip differential. The interiors are said to be much improved over the existing Safari, both in terms of aesthetics and quality. Fit and finish is also expected to be much better, an attribute that Tata Safari isn't famous for till now. We are sure that the spacious interiors, best-in-class middle row seats and brilliant ride quality of the existing Safari have been carried over to the Storme as well.

Quite a lot of features have been added too, like front airbags, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), parking assist with display in the rear view mirror, leather upholstery and music system with USB, Bluetooth and iPod connectivity. Though the list seems to be long, other cars in this price range like Hyundai Elantra and Mahindra XUV 500 have taken the game forward in terms of interior features. With even Tata's own Manza Club Class that was launched yesterday sporting features like automatic climate control, touch-screen music system with navigation and steering mounted audio controls, we really fail to understand Tata's strategy in omitting those features from the Safari Storme.

May be, a Safari Storme Club Class is in the making and would be launched a couple of years down the road.

Is a nip and tuck to a 14-year old exterior design, a substantial improvement in interior quality, fit and finish and a comprehensive overhaul of its underpinnings enough to bring the Safari back in the game? Will the Storme bolster the Safari range to compete with Renault Duster and Mahindra XUV 500? Tata hopes it will. As for us, we aren't sure.

Mahindra debuts SsangYong brand in India, launches Rexton

The last few years have seen Mahindra expand its automotive business into known and unknown territories by acquiring many companies. One among them is SsangYong, the South Korean manufacturer that recently went bankrupt, after which Mahindra took over, infused funds and stabilized its operations. Back in Korea, SsangYong's strength lies in its Sports Utility Vehicles, with models like Rexton and Korando leading the charge. So, it's only natural that Mahindra would want SsangYong to set foot in India, a market where Sports Utility Vehicles are a rage now.

Ending all speculations about which of those two models is going to launch the brand in India, Mahindra today launched SsangYong's flagship premium SUV Rexton W, the third and latest generation of the model. All set to compete with established models like Toyota Fortuner, Hyundai Santa Fe, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, Ford Endeavour and Chevrolet Captiva, the SsangYong Rexton has its work cut out, especially considering the fact that Mahindra has to teach prospective Indian customers about how to spell the word 'S-s-a-n-g-Y-o-n-g' first. But the Rexton W fits perfectly into Mahindra's 'rise' strategy and slots above the XUV 500, Mahindra's first premium SUV that has been a tremendous success in the market.

Brought in as a Completely Knocked Down (CKD) unit from South Korea, the Rexton W is available in 2 variants - RX5 and RX7, priced at INR 17.67 and 19.67 Lakhs respectively, ex-showroom Mumbai. While both variants are powered by the same 2.7-liter, 5-cylinder diesel engine, it is tuned for different outputs. While it produces 162 bhp of power at 4000 rpm and 340 Nm of torque at 1800-3250 rpm in RX5 variant, the same engine produces 184 bhp of power at 4000 rpm and 402 Nm of torque between 1600-3000 rpm in the RX7 variant. Also, RX5 variant comes with a manual transmission and 2WD while the RX7 comes with a Mercedes-sourced automatic transmission and All Wheel Drive (AWD).

Unlike both the earlier generation models that had an inherent quirkiness in their design, the new Rexton W neatly does away from it and, in fact, looks quite contemporary. The front end especially, with its huge chrome grille, projector headlights and L-shaped parking lights, does lend a premium look and feel to the Rexton. Though the profile and rear do not carry the same premium touch, the forward-sloping C-Pillars, LED taillamps and the huge 'Rexton' name embossed in the tail gate does look interesting. Going by the pictures released by Mahindra, the interiors of the Rexton seems to be made of high-quality materials and justifies its tag as a premium SUV.

The Rexton W comes fully loaded with even features like 8-way electrically adjustable driver's seat, memory presets for driver's seat and rear view mirrors, automatic headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, four airbags, cruise control, Hill Descent Control, touch screen infotainment system with inbuilt GPS, Electronic Stability Program, electric sunroof with sun blind, leather upholstery and parking sensors being a part of the list. No, we haven't mistakenly typed a Mercedes feature list here. All these are indeed available in the Rexton W at your nearest Mahindra dealership.

Can Mahindra repeat its XUV 500 success story with the even-more-premium SsangYong Rexton W? Will Indians pay more than 20 Lakh Rupees on a Mahindra product? Will the Rexton make a dent in Toyota Fortuner's utter dominance of the premium SUV segment? Let's keep our fingers crossed.