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Monday, April 11, 2011
Tokyo-TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announces its production and sales subsidiary in India unveiled today-under the banner: "World First, India First"-a concept version of the "Etios*", a compact car newly developed specifically for the Indian market. Toyota Kirloskar Motor Private, Ltd. (TKM) is showing the concept car at the 10th Auto Expo automobile show in New Delhi, which runs until January 11.The Etios is aimed at family users in India's rapidly growing automobile market. Reflecting its "one class above" theme, the Etios' styling evokes a sense of advanced status, and, along with a spacious interior with abundant storage space, it aims to offer both smooth and powerful driving and excellent fuel efficiency.
To make the car as affordable as possible for potential customers, thorough use of local parts will be pursued to keep costs low.
On display at the show are a sedan version with a newly developed 1.5-liter gasoline engine and a hatchback version with a newly developed 1.2-liter gasoline engine.
Etios chief engineer, Yoshinori Noritake, said at the show: "I visited many Indian cities and homes to learn the market and to hear from the consumer directly.
Over four years, more than 2,000 engineers have been involved in the development of the Etios, and each has devoted his or her best effort with no compromises. I am convinced in my heart that the Etios offers joy of ownership and quality of life to consumers in India."
TKM will produce the Etios from late 2010 at its second plant, which is now being built expressly for the new car.
Annual sales in India are set at 70,000 units. Exports are planned.
At the show, the TKM exhibit, with its key message of "Quality Revolution", comprises a total of 14 production and concept vehicles, including the third-generation "Prius" gasoline-electric hybrid passenger car, which is scheduled to go on sale in India in 2010, the "Prado" SUV recently unveiled for the Indian market, the "i-REAL" personal mobility vehicle and the "Fine-S" fuel-cell hybrid vehicle.
Subaru has revealed a successor to its Impreza S203 and S204 special performance models with the new S205 that benefits from chassis, engine and styling upgrades. The bad: at least for now, it's only available in Japan.
Billed as the top performance model of the WRX STI lineup, Subaru says that the R205 -where "R" stands for "Road Sport"- makes full use of specially designed features and performance parts of the "WRX STI spec C" model.
In the handling department, the R205 adopts STI tuned dampers, coil springs, flexible type strut tower bar, flexible type lower arm stiffener of front suspension, and 18-inch alloys wrapped in Bridgestone's specially designed RE070 tires size 245/40 R18.
Stopping power is provided by a Brembo brake system with 6-pot calipers up front and 4-pot calipers at the back.
Subaru also tweaked the Impreza WRX STI's engine by adopting an exclusively designed turbocharger with ball bearings for the turbine axle bearing, specially tuned ECU, and a new sport muffler with lowered back pressure exhaust. The result is an increased output of 325-horsepower and 431Nm or 317.9 lb-ft of peak torque.
As for the R205's looks, aside from the different alloy wheels, Subaru added newly designed front under spoiler, rear apron and black roof wing, as well as specially colored front grille and side STI garnish.
Suzuki's subsidiary in India has unveiled the Suzuki R3 Concept MPV at the Auto Expo 2010 in New Delhi earlier today. The Indian-designed vehicle with six individual seats was designed from scratch in only nine months.Unveiled live on national television, the R3 Concept was designed to capture the attention of a growing number of consumers in that country who require vehicles for multiple purposes. Should the vehicle make production, consumers should expect a vehicle whose seats fold away allowing for a substantial amount of cargo room.
If the subsidiary, Maruti Suzuki India, brings the car to market, rear passengers would find it much easier getting in and out of rearward opening doors versus conventional doors. The doors also look much more stylish compared to sliding versions. Color tones on the inside go together well, and include cream and black upholstery, glossy black inserts with chrome trim, and a mellow blue.
The exterior is given a somewhat brutish look, with a somewhat boxy shape and bulky rear. At the front, high-intensity lighting is contrasted with, what appears to be, subtle LED accents. LEDs can also be seen in the rear. Dual-exhaust pipes are well incorporated behind each wheel well.
It is unclear what engine is used on the car, what fuel it uses, and the performance it delivers. Some reports speculate the car could receive the automaker's 1.2- and 1.4-liter petrol engines, and a Fiat-built 1.3-liter diesel. The engine appears to be mated to a five-speed manual transmission on the prototype.
Maruti Suzuki is the big dog of the Indian auto market. The company holds nearly 50% of the market share in that country. Unveilings today by Toyota and Honda, and increased investment by GM, will require Suzuki to continue developing vehicles specifically for the Indian market if they want to continue dominating there.
A production version of the Suzuki R3 Concept MPV could come to market inside of two years.
