Maruti Ciaz, Compact SUV and LCV in Next 12 Months

Good looks or value for money? photoHonda has entered the Indian compact multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) market with the all-new Mobilio. This compact MPV blends style and practicality into a convincing package that Honda hopes will enable it to compete with Maruti Suzuki’s Ertiga. The Ertiga, which has the advantage of Maruti’s strong point—the top-of-the-line diesel version costs nearly Rs.1.5 lakh less than the Mobilio—has had an unchallenged run so far. At first glance When parked next to each other, the Honda does seem to make the Maruti look more van-like in its proportions. And while the Ertiga does have a pleasing shape and nice proportions, the Mobilio, with its kinks in the window line, floating D-pillar and smartly designed tailgate and tail lights, looks more premium, and certainly feels like it belongs to a higher segment. The core photo The Mobilio’s dashboard (top) doesn’t have the premium feel Ertiga’s does The Mobilio has a 1.5-litre diesel motor, the same as the new City sedan, and is more powerful than Ertiga’s 1.3-litre engine. The Honda engine is more responsive and there’s plenty of power in reserve for overtaking and slicing through traffic. The Ertiga’s diesel motor is sluggish at low revolutions and you constantly need to change gears to get the most out of the engine. But once it gets going, the Ertiga has a nice spring in its step and feels more refined than the Mobilio. Honda’s relaxed engine is more fuel-efficient, especially on the highway. Over rough territory In terms of ride quality, the Mobilio does a decent job of shielding occupants from rough roads. It delivers a consistent ride and is unfazed by bad surfaces. The Ertiga cushions its occupants from bad roads adequately—but not as well as the Mobilio. Also, the Mobilio feels more stable at high speeds and more nimble in town too, thanks to a light steering. Again, it’s easy to manoeuvre through the tight spots in the Ertiga, with its tighter turning circle, but it doesn’t have the Mobilio’s fantastic driving position and all-round visibility, which makes judging the extremities of the car a shade easier. Inner soul For the interiors, Honda has used its expertise at packaging and the cabin feels roomier than Ertiga’s. The dashboard is the familiar one from the Brio hatchback, and that’s not a good thing. The centre console and instruments look and feel basic and this detracts from the overall, otherwise good, quality of the cabin. Though the Mobilio’s dashboard may not feel as premium as the Ertiga’s, Honda’s strengths lie in the storage spaces provided. Cup holders, storage bins and cubbyholes are aplenty and the Mobilio has more luggage space too, which is vital for long trips. The feeling of space becomes more evident as you move to the second row of the Mobilio. There’s generous legroom and large windows, a happy contrast to the cooped-up feeling you get in the Ertiga. Getting in through the Mobilio’s wide-opening doors is comfortable, as is climbing into the third row—the second-row seats flip forward completely. It’s harder to access the Ertiga’s third row but once you’re sitting, it is a touch more comfortable. Bells and whistles photo Honda has kitted out the Mobilio well. There’s tilt-adjust steering, reclining seats for the second and third rows, a 2-Din audio system with steering-mounted controls, keyless entry, rear washer and wiper, defogger and height-adjustable driver’s seat, along with rear air-conditioner vents. Other features for the top-end version are dual airbags, two-tone interiors, electrically adjustable wing mirrors and a tailgate spoiler. In the diesel models, there is even an anti-lock braking system with electronic brake-force distribution. The Ertiga has similar levels of equipment and is more affordable. Both MPVs, however, lack rear-parking sensors, a rather useful feature in this class of cars. A matter of choice To sum up, the Mobilio is better to look at, nicer to drive and has a premium look that can make it an alternative to a family sedan. No doubt, it’s on the pricey side but Honda feels that it can command a premium for its badge. The Ertiga doesn’t have the overall appeal of the Mobilio but it has more comfortable seats, is a touch more refined and is better value for money. Money matters The Mobilio range with the diesel engine starts at Rs.7.89 lakh for the base E version, while the top-of-the-line V variant costs Rs.9.76 lakh. Another version, the RS, priced at Rs.10.86 lakh, will be launched in September and this will sit above the V. The Ertiga LDI costs Rs.7,22,630 while the fully-loaded ZDI version costs Rs.8,49,416. The more loaded the model, the greater the price difference between the two cars

Read more at: http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/zAEWq9KAxrNhcDKn3XCWII/FaceOff--Honda-Mobilio-vs-Maruti-Suzukis-Ertiga.html?utm_source=copy

Good looks or value for money? photoHonda has entered the Indian compact multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) market with the all-new Mobilio. This compact MPV blends style and practicality into a convincing package that Honda hopes will enable it to compete with Maruti Suzuki’s Ertiga. The Ertiga, which has the advantage of Maruti’s strong point—the top-of-the-line diesel version costs nearly Rs.1.5 lakh less than the Mobilio—has had an unchallenged run so far. At first glance When parked next to each other, the Honda does seem to make the Maruti look more van-like in its proportions. And while the Ertiga does have a pleasing shape and nice proportions, the Mobilio, with its kinks in the window line, floating D-pillar and smartly designed tailgate and tail lights, looks more premium, and certainly feels like it belongs to a higher segment. The core photo The Mobilio’s dashboard (top) doesn’t have the premium feel Ertiga’s does The Mobilio has a 1.5-litre diesel motor, the same as the new City sedan, and is more powerful than Ertiga’s 1.3-litre engine. The Honda engine is more responsive and there’s plenty of power in reserve for overtaking and slicing through traffic. The Ertiga’s diesel motor is sluggish at low revolutions and you constantly need to change gears to get the most out of the engine. But once it gets going, the Ertiga has a nice spring in its step and feels more refined than the Mobilio. Honda’s relaxed engine is more fuel-efficient, especially on the highway. Over rough territory In terms of ride quality, the Mobilio does a decent job of shielding occupants from rough roads. It delivers a consistent ride and is unfazed by bad surfaces. The Ertiga cushions its occupants from bad roads adequately—but not as well as the Mobilio. Also, the Mobilio feels more stable at high speeds and more nimble in town too, thanks to a light steering. Again, it’s easy to manoeuvre through the tight spots in the Ertiga, with its tighter turning circle, but it doesn’t have the Mobilio’s fantastic driving position and all-round visibility, which makes judging the extremities of the car a shade easier. Inner soul For the interiors, Honda has used its expertise at packaging and the cabin feels roomier than Ertiga’s. The dashboard is the familiar one from the Brio hatchback, and that’s not a good thing. The centre console and instruments look and feel basic and this detracts from the overall, otherwise good, quality of the cabin. Though the Mobilio’s dashboard may not feel as premium as the Ertiga’s, Honda’s strengths lie in the storage spaces provided. Cup holders, storage bins and cubbyholes are aplenty and the Mobilio has more luggage space too, which is vital for long trips. The feeling of space becomes more evident as you move to the second row of the Mobilio. There’s generous legroom and large windows, a happy contrast to the cooped-up feeling you get in the Ertiga. Getting in through the Mobilio’s wide-opening doors is comfortable, as is climbing into the third row—the second-row seats flip forward completely. It’s harder to access the Ertiga’s third row but once you’re sitting, it is a touch more comfortable. Bells and whistles photo Honda has kitted out the Mobilio well. There’s tilt-adjust steering, reclining seats for the second and third rows, a 2-Din audio system with steering-mounted controls, keyless entry, rear washer and wiper, defogger and height-adjustable driver’s seat, along with rear air-conditioner vents. Other features for the top-end version are dual airbags, two-tone interiors, electrically adjustable wing mirrors and a tailgate spoiler. In the diesel models, there is even an anti-lock braking system with electronic brake-force distribution. The Ertiga has similar levels of equipment and is more affordable. Both MPVs, however, lack rear-parking sensors, a rather useful feature in this class of cars. A matter of choice To sum up, the Mobilio is better to look at, nicer to drive and has a premium look that can make it an alternative to a family sedan. No doubt, it’s on the pricey side but Honda feels that it can command a premium for its badge. The Ertiga doesn’t have the overall appeal of the Mobilio but it has more comfortable seats, is a touch more refined and is better value for money. Money matters The Mobilio range with the diesel engine starts at Rs.7.89 lakh for the base E version, while the top-of-the-line V variant costs Rs.9.76 lakh. Another version, the RS, priced at Rs.10.86 lakh, will be launched in September and this will sit above the V. The Ertiga LDI costs Rs.7,22,630 while the fully-loaded ZDI version costs Rs.8,49,416. The more loaded the model, the greater the price difference between the two cars.

Read more at: http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/zAEWq9KAxrNhcDKn3XCWII/FaceOff--Honda-Mobilio-vs-Maruti-Suzukis-Ertiga.html?utm_source=copy

Good looks or value for money? photoHonda has entered the Indian compact multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) market with the all-new Mobilio. This compact MPV blends style and practicality into a convincing package that Honda hopes will enable it to compete with Maruti Suzuki’s Ertiga. The Ertiga, which has the advantage of Maruti’s strong point—the top-of-the-line diesel version costs nearly Rs.1.5 lakh less than the Mobilio—has had an unchallenged run so far. At first glance When parked next to each other, the Honda does seem to make the Maruti look more van-like in its proportions. And while the Ertiga does have a pleasing shape and nice proportions, the Mobilio, with its kinks in the window line, floating D-pillar and smartly designed tailgate and tail lights, looks more premium, and certainly feels like it belongs to a higher segment. The core photo The Mobilio’s dashboard (top) doesn’t have the premium feel Ertiga’s does The Mobilio has a 1.5-litre diesel motor, the same as the new City sedan, and is more powerful than Ertiga’s 1.3-litre engine. The Honda engine is more responsive and there’s plenty of power in reserve for overtaking and slicing through traffic. The Ertiga’s diesel motor is sluggish at low revolutions and you constantly need to change gears to get the most out of the engine. But once it gets going, the Ertiga has a nice spring in its step and feels more refined than the Mobilio. Honda’s relaxed engine is more fuel-efficient, especially on the highway. Over rough territory In terms of ride quality, the Mobilio does a decent job of shielding occupants from rough roads. It delivers a consistent ride and is unfazed by bad surfaces. The Ertiga cushions its occupants from bad roads adequately—but not as well as the Mobilio. Also, the Mobilio feels more stable at high speeds and more nimble in town too, thanks to a light steering. Again, it’s easy to manoeuvre through the tight spots in the Ertiga, with its tighter turning circle, but it doesn’t have the Mobilio’s fantastic driving position and all-round visibility, which makes judging the extremities of the car a shade easier. Inner soul For the interiors, Honda has used its expertise at packaging and the cabin feels roomier than Ertiga’s. The dashboard is the familiar one from the Brio hatchback, and that’s not a good thing. The centre console and instruments look and feel basic and this detracts from the overall, otherwise good, quality of the cabin. Though the Mobilio’s dashboard may not feel as premium as the Ertiga’s, Honda’s strengths lie in the storage spaces provided. Cup holders, storage bins and cubbyholes are aplenty and the Mobilio has more luggage space too, which is vital for long trips. The feeling of space becomes more evident as you move to the second row of the Mobilio. There’s generous legroom and large windows, a happy contrast to the cooped-up feeling you get in the Ertiga. Getting in through the Mobilio’s wide-opening doors is comfortable, as is climbing into the third row—the second-row seats flip forward completely. It’s harder to access the Ertiga’s third row but once you’re sitting, it is a touch more comfortable. Bells and whistles photo Honda has kitted out the Mobilio well. There’s tilt-adjust steering, reclining seats for the second and third rows, a 2-Din audio system with steering-mounted controls, keyless entry, rear washer and wiper, defogger and height-adjustable driver’s seat, along with rear air-conditioner vents. Other features for the top-end version are dual airbags, two-tone interiors, electrically adjustable wing mirrors and a tailgate spoiler. In the diesel models, there is even an anti-lock braking system with electronic brake-force distribution. The Ertiga has similar levels of equipment and is more affordable. Both MPVs, however, lack rear-parking sensors, a rather useful feature in this class of cars. A matter of choice To sum up, the Mobilio is better to look at, nicer to drive and has a premium look that can make it an alternative to a family sedan. No doubt, it’s on the pricey side but Honda feels that it can command a premium for its badge. The Ertiga doesn’t have the overall appeal of the Mobilio but it has more comfortable seats, is a touch more refined and is better value for money. Money matters The Mobilio range with the diesel engine starts at Rs.7.89 lakh for the base E version, while the top-of-the-line V variant costs Rs.9.76 lakh. Another version, the RS, priced at Rs.10.86 lakh, will be launched in September and this will sit above the V. The Ertiga LDI costs Rs.7,22,630 while the fully-loaded ZDI version costs Rs.8,49,416. The more loaded the model, the greater the price difference between the two cars.

Read more at: http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/zAEWq9KAxrNhcDKn3XCWII/FaceOff--Honda-Mobilio-vs-Maruti-Suzukis-Ertiga.html?utm_source=copy

Maruti Suzuki India is gearing up for a launch programme for a slew of products, including mid sized sedan Ciaz and an LCV along with compact SUV, in the next 12 months to strengthen its hold in the domestic market.
"We are poised for entering into a strong product launch cycle, including Ciaz and an LCV (light commercial vehicle) and refreshes of existing models in the next 12 months from now," Maruti Suzuki India Vice-President Rahul Bharti told analysts in a conference call.
The company will also be making its foray into compact SUV segment, he said without sharing the timeline for the launch of the products.

Also Read: Upcoming Maruti, Hyundai and Honda Cars, Game of Thrones Style
The company had showcased two concept cars - SX4 S-Cross and Ciaz during the Auto Expo held in February this year.
Its compact SUV based on XA Alpha, displayed in 2012 Auto Expo is long awaited. The product is likely to be launched early next year.
These upcoming products are in line with its strategy to to enhance market share in India. MSI increased its market share in passenger vehicle segment in the first quarter of the current fiscal to 42 per cent.
In the April-June period, the company sold 2,41,812 units of passenger cars and utility vehicles out of an industry total of 5,73,038 units, garnering 42.19 per cent market share, according to SIAM data.
MSI has earmarked a capex of Rs. 4,000 crore for this ongoing fiscal in order to support the new launches, increasing marketing infrastructure and building of stockyards, warehouses and other normal expenditure, company Chief Financial Officer Ajay Seth said.
On the distribution network for the upcoming LCV, Bharti said the company would keep in mind the need for its car customers to be offered the ideal showroom experience, hinting that the LCV could have a separate outlets.
Despite a late entrant in the LCV segment, MSI is confident of doing well, Bharti said stating its product would have distinct advantages over competition.
With MSI joining hands with parent Suzuki Motor Corporation, Seth said on products such as the compact SUV the rate of royalty payment would be less.
"As we mature and lot more joint product development happen our royalty rate will come down," he said, adding in the first quarter the royalty payment was around 6 per cent of net sales

source:-http://auto.ndtv.com

Good looks or value for money? photoHonda has entered the Indian compact multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) market with the all-new Mobilio. This compact MPV blends style and practicality into a convincing package that Honda hopes will enable it to compete with Maruti Suzuki’s Ertiga. The Ertiga, which has the advantage of Maruti’s strong point—the top-of-the-line diesel version costs nearly Rs.1.5 lakh less than the Mobilio—has had an unchallenged run so far. At first glance When parked next to each other, the Honda does seem to make the Maruti look more van-like in its proportions. And while the Ertiga does have a pleasing shape and nice proportions, the Mobilio, with its kinks in the window line, floating D-pillar and smartly designed tailgate and tail lights, looks more premium, and certainly feels like it belongs to a higher segment. The core photo The Mobilio’s dashboard (top) doesn’t have the premium feel Ertiga’s does The Mobilio has a 1.5-litre diesel motor, the same as the new City sedan, and is more powerful than Ertiga’s 1.3-litre engine. The Honda engine is more responsive and there’s plenty of power in reserve for overtaking and slicing through traffic. The Ertiga’s diesel motor is sluggish at low revolutions and you constantly need to change gears to get the most out of the engine. But once it gets going, the Ertiga has a nice spring in its step and feels more refined than the Mobilio. Honda’s relaxed engine is more fuel-efficient, especially on the highway. Over rough territory In terms of ride quality, the Mobilio does a decent job of shielding occupants from rough roads. It delivers a consistent ride and is unfazed by bad surfaces. The Ertiga cushions its occupants from bad roads adequately—but not as well as the Mobilio. Also, the Mobilio feels more stable at high speeds and more nimble in town too, thanks to a light steering. Again, it’s easy to manoeuvre through the tight spots in the Ertiga, with its tighter turning circle, but it doesn’t have the Mobilio’s fantastic driving position and all-round visibility, which makes judging the extremities of the car a shade easier. Inner soul For the interiors, Honda has used its expertise at packaging and the cabin feels roomier than Ertiga’s. The dashboard is the familiar one from the Brio hatchback, and that’s not a good thing. The centre console and instruments look and feel basic and this detracts from the overall, otherwise good, quality of the cabin. Though the Mobilio’s dashboard may not feel as premium as the Ertiga’s, Honda’s strengths lie in the storage spaces provided. Cup holders, storage bins and cubbyholes are aplenty and the Mobilio has more luggage space too, which is vital for long trips. The feeling of space becomes more evident as you move to the second row of the Mobilio. There’s generous legroom and large windows, a happy contrast to the cooped-up feeling you get in the Ertiga. Getting in through the Mobilio’s wide-opening doors is comfortable, as is climbing into the third row—the second-row seats flip forward completely. It’s harder to access the Ertiga’s third row but once you’re sitting, it is a touch more comfortable. Bells and whistles photo Honda has kitted out the Mobilio well. There’s tilt-adjust steering, reclining seats for the second and third rows, a 2-Din audio system with steering-mounted controls, keyless entry, rear washer and wiper, defogger and height-adjustable driver’s seat, along with rear air-conditioner vents. Other features for the top-end version are dual airbags, two-tone interiors, electrically adjustable wing mirrors and a tailgate spoiler. In the diesel models, there is even an anti-lock braking system with electronic brake-force distribution. The Ertiga has similar levels of equipment and is more affordable. Both MPVs, however, lack rear-parking sensors, a rather useful feature in this class of cars. A matter of choice To sum up, the Mobilio is better to look at, nicer to drive and has a premium look that can make it an alternative to a family sedan. No doubt, it’s on the pricey side but Honda feels that it can command a premium for its badge. The Ertiga doesn’t have the overall appeal of the Mobilio but it has more comfortable seats, is a touch more refined and is better value for money. Money matters The Mobilio range with the diesel engine starts at Rs.7.89 lakh for the base E version, while the top-of-the-line V variant costs Rs.9.76 lakh. Another version, the RS, priced at Rs.10.86 lakh, will be launched in September and this will sit above the V. The Ertiga LDI costs Rs.7,22,630 while the fully-loaded ZDI version costs Rs.8,49,416. The more loaded the model, the greater the price difference between the two cars

Read more at: http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/zAEWq9KAxrNhcDKn3XCWII/FaceOff--Honda-Mobilio-vs-Maruti-Suzukis-Ertiga.html?utm_source=copy

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Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire - Reliable and efficient sub 4-meter sedan in India

Maruti Suzuki has been a strong brand in India that is known to deliver cars as per local needs and demands. The brand has been synonymous with reliability, affordability and efficiency. The Swift Dzire from Maruti Suzuki has been a popular choice in the sedan segment. In one of instances, the Swift Dzire sedan has also topped the sales charts in May this year out-beating the highest selling Alto hatchback with about 18,953 Dzire units being sold.

Recently, Maruti Suzuki had also launched the limited edition of Swift Dzire rechristened as Swift Dzire LDiX in diesel variant which is offered at a lucrative price tag of about Rs 6.86 lakh (on-road New Delhi). Technologically the car has retained the existing 1248cc, D13A diesel engine. The limited edition LDiX is being offered with additional features like remote central locking, double-DIN stereo system with four speakers, power windows, vanity mirror under passenger side sun visor, front fog lamps and body colored wing mirrors with integrated turn indicators. The car looks stylish and different from its older siblings due to the presence of body color mud flaps, and high grade stainless steel door sill guard.

Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire - Reliable and efficient sub 4-meter sedan in India

The existing version of Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire is available in both Petrol and diesel variants. The petrol variant gets a 1197cc, K-12 engine mated with the impressive Variable Valve Timing (VVT) technology. The unique mechanism initiates timely valve opening and closing that result in better power and efficiency, thereby helping with smooth acceleration and a quicker response. The 1248cc, D13A diesel engine is said to be the most refined and evolved engine in this segment. The diesel version also gets an an inter-cooled turbo charger that delivers maximum efficiency and superior performance. The petrol version generates about 87 Ps of maximum power with 114 Nm of torque, whereas the diesel variant generates about 75 Ps of power with 190 Nm of torque.

Overall, Swift Dzire delivers stable, comfortable and enjoyable drive experience owing to MacPherson strut with coil spring suspension for front wheels and Torsion-beam with coil spring suspension for the rear wheels. Safety is also taken care of by the Indian car-maker with the Airbags, Brake Assist System (BAS) and Anti Lock braking system (ABS). The Dzire sedan is offered at a starting price of Rs. 4,85,162 (Ex-showroom Delhi).

source:-http://www.cartrade.com

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Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire : Maruti Launched Limited Edition of Swift Dzire LDiX in Diesel

Maruti doesn’t need an introduction in India; the most successful car manufacturer still has almost 50 per cent share in the market and will continue to hold its position for a while. Maruti is known for reliability, affordability and efficiency. Swift Dzire has always been popular car in compact sedan segment.

Maruti Suzuki has recently launched the limited edition of Swift Dzire known as Swift Dzire LDiX in diesel; this variant is offered at INR 6.86 lakh (ex-showroom New Delhi). This limited edition of Swift DZire has retained the existing 1248cc, D13A diesel engine. The limited edition LDiX is equipped with few additional features like remote central locking, double-DIN stereo, power windows, vanity mirror under passenger side sun visor, front fog lamps, body colored wing mirrors, integrated turn indicators.


The existing version of Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire is being offered in both Petrol and Diesel variants. The petrol engine is powered by 1197cc, K-12 with Variable Valve Timing (VVT) technology, while, the diesel engine is powered by 1248cc, D13A engine. The petrol version can produce the max power of about 87 bhp with 114 nm of torque, whereas the diesel engine can generate 75 bhp of power with 190 nm of torque.


Talking about safety, the Maruti Swift DZire is equipped with many safety features like, Airbags, Brake Assist System (BAS) and Anti Lock braking system (ABS). The Swift DZire is priced between INR 5.13 - 7.62 lakhs (Ex-Showroom, Mumbai)

source:-http://www.oncars.in

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Maruti Suzuki S-Cross to be launched in January 2015

Maruti's highly awaited crossover will make its debut by the end of January and will be available with both petrol and diesel options.

Maruti Suzuki’s highly awaited crossover, the S-Cross will be launched in India in the last week of January 2015. The S-Cross will cater to the hot and highly lucrative crossover market followed later by the equally awaited Maruti XA Alpla mini-SUV that is expected by the end of 2015. The Maruti-Suzuki S-Cross will be available with both a petrol and a diesel option with alternative fuel versions planned subsequently.

The S-Cross, based on the Suzuki S4 platform has been available in the European and American market for a while now and has seen moderate success with its no-nonsense appeal. The S-Cross takes on the likes of the Renault Duster and the Ford Ecosport and will employ a similar front wheel drive formula as the latter.

Although not a thoroughbred SUV, the Maruti Suzuki S-Cross does employ an SUV-esque styling cue with its bold proportions and plastic claddings. The S-Cross feature a sporty front guard combined with a rear bumper cladding that helps accentuating its higher ground clearance. Inside, the car will have a spacious cabin with a capacity to seat five individuals, along with a generous boot. The interior design will be similar to the existing Maruti range using the black-and-grey combination highlighted with brush metal accents.

In Europe, the Maruti Suzuki S-Cross is available with a 1.6-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine which produces 120PS of peak power and 156Nm of peak torque. The S-Cross also gets a 1.6-liter diesel engine with 120PS and 320Nm of torque. Where the petrol is mated to a tried and tested 5-speed gearbox, the diesel motor is mated to a rather more practical 6-speed gearbox option. We expect these engines to be retained or be replaced by the 1.4-litre petrol and the 1.3-litre diesel motors that do duty in the Ertiga. The Suzuki S-Cross also comes equipped with an optional four-wheel-drive system, along with a four driving modes. We doubt if Maruti will launch these features in India. In a price sensitive country like ours, Maruti may introduce just the two-wheel-drive option and may introduce these later on in its top-of-the-line variants to keep the sales momentum going.

The Maruti S-Cross will be the company’s first crossover in India and to be priced under Rs 10 lakh for maximum impact against players like the Ecosport and the Renault Duster

source:-http://www.zigwheels.com

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New 2014 Maruti Suzuki Swift to launch in November

Maruti will launch a refreshed version of its highly popular Swift hatchback in India in November 2014.

The new Swift will be just a mid life refresh as compared to an all new model. As with the current car, the new Swift will be available with petrol, diesel and CNG options.

Maruti Suzuki is also expected to offer both automatic petrol and an automatic diesel version of the new Swift.

The new refresh will stick to it's current body shape while adding bits and pieces to both the exterior and interior.

The biggest change, will be the integration of daytime running lights into the front bumper along with a redesigned grille and headlamp package. The taillights too will get a redesign with the possibility of a full LED tail lamp package being integrated into the Swift.

The interior will get a nip/tuck with a better infotainment system with an inbuilt LCD screen with a navigation option for the top of the line cars.

The popular DDiS 1.3-litre, 4-cylinder, turbocharged diesel engine making 75PS will continue to be the most popular engine on sale. Whether Maruti decides to offer a more powerful 90PS version of the same engine, as used in the likes of the Eritga and the SX4, is uncertain.

The equally popular K12 1.2-litre, petrol engine too will be retained for the new Swift. Making 85PS, this high revving engine is sure to have some takers in the enthusiasts segment. On the whole, expect the Maruti Suzuki Swift to get a little more expensive than it is now but only by about Rs 15-20 thousand.

source:-http://auto.economictimes.indiatimes.com

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Hyundai Recalls More Than 419,000 Cars And SUVs

DETROIT (AP) — Hyundai is recalling more than 419,000 cars and SUVs to fix suspension, brake and oil leak problems.
The biggest of three recalls posted Friday by U.S. safety regulators is of 225,000 Santa Fe SUVs from 2001-2006 to replace front coil springs that can rust and crack in cold-weather states. The springs can fracture and make contact with a tire, potentially causing a crash.
The recall covers Santa Fes originally sold in 20 states and Washington, D.C., where salt is used to clear snow and ice from roadways. States affected are Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
Hyundai said in documents posted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that dealers will replace the springs for free. Owners will be notified by the end of September.
The company received 1,200 warranty claims for the problem, including 90 in which the springs came in contact with a tire. No crashes or injuries were reported.
The Korean automaker also is recalling 133,075 Sonata midsize cars from 2011 because brake fluid can leak and cause increased stopping distances.
The leaks are caused by an inadequate seal between brake hoses and calipers.
Dealers will replace the hoses free of charge starting by the end of September. No crashes or injuries have been reported.
And Hyundai recalling 61,122 Veracruz SUVs from 2007 through 2012 because oil can leak from a valve cover gasket onto the alternator, causing it to fail. That could cause the engine to stall, and the driver wouldn’t be able to restart it.
No crashes or injuries were reported.
Dealers will inspect and replace or repair the alternator and front valve cover gasket starting by the end of September, at no cost to owners.
So far this year automakers have recalled more than 40 million vehicles in the U.S., passing the old full-year record of 30.8 million set in 2004.
General Motors leads all companies with recalls of nearly 30 million vehicles. The company’s recall crisis was touched off by the bungled recall of 2.6 million small cars for faulty ignition switches. GM has admitted knowing about the problem for more than a decade, yet it didn’t start any recalls until this year. The company blames the defective switches for at least 13 deaths

source:-http://boston.cbslocal.com

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Upcoming Maruti, Hyundai and Honda Cars, Game of Thrones Style

2014 has been a competitive year for the automotible market as car makers have drawn out their swords to battle it out during, what can only be described as, a slump in sales. The winner of this hand-to-hand combat will be decided by an unbiased and independent adjudicator - the consumer. To appease them, the companies have lined up the market with a wide array of new cars and facelifts and in such circumstances, there is only one thing I have to say: "Winter is coming!"
So, to save you further confusion and to ensure you are as updated as we are about the Kingdom of North in the Westeros of automobiles, here's a list of upcoming cars from the Houses of Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai and Honda.
P.S: Ignore the Game of Thrones reference, or not. Your choice.
1. House Maruti Suzuki
Maruti Suzuki India aka Lord of small cars is on the offensive. From a facelifted Swift to the all-new Ciaz, India's biggest carmaker has its hands full this year. Though Maruti might have lost a little bit of its market to competition over the years, it is now ready to reclaim the crown. Here's a list of the cars House Maruti Suzuki hopes to launch pretty soon:

a. 2014 Maruti Suzuki Swift Facelift
b. 2014 Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire Facelift
c. Maruti Suzuki Ciaz
d. Maruti Suzuki SX4 S-Cross
e. Maruti Suzuki Ertiga Automatic
2. House Hyundai
The Lord of feature-rich cars is no Joffrey Baratheon. I mean Hyundai is not one to take its power for granted and thus, constantly endeavours to bring its best to the table.

Looking at the list of the cars that will come out of its stables, I am sure it won't meet the fate of the kings in Westeros, at least not any time soon. Take a look:
a. Hyundai Elite i20
b. Hyundai Verna Facelift
c. New Hyundai Sonata
d. Hyundai ix25
If Lord Varys's reports are to be believed, Hyundai is also working on a compact MPV. Considering that it still has no players in the compact SUV and compact MPV segment, this ought to do it some good.
Also read: Hyundai Elite i20 Launch Details
3. House Honda
After launching the highly-anticipated MPV - Honda Mobilio - last month, the Lord of powerul and frugal cars has proved its mettle as the harbinger of power and efficiency on Indian roads. Case in point, Honda City - the nation's most fuel-efficient car and Honda Amaze - India's second most fuel-efficient car. Oh and did I tell you that the Mobilio is the most fuel-efficient MPV in the country? Quite the standards to set, one would say. Continuing that spirit, House Honda will bring the following cars to India soon:

a. 2014 Honda Jazz
b. A sub-compact SUV
c. An entry-level small car

source:-http://auto.ndtv.com

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Hyundai Elite i20 spied undisguised before launch on August 11

Hyundai was testing the facelifted version of the i20 hatchback in India since a long time. We have seen the car being tested several times but now we have received pictures of the car without the camouflage showing all the revisions the company has done to the exteriors and interiors. The car will be launched on August 11.

The pictures of the Asta model of the car which our reader, Aman Aggarwal, sent us gives us a clear idea of the changes made to the revamped vehicle. The Hyundai i20 Elite gets a wide but compact air intake with mesh design. The grille gets incorporated into the front bumper with a revised design for the fog lamps. The headlamps get a sweptback design while staying in line with the new fluidic design for the Hyundai cars. Similar is the case at the back of the car which sports newly designed taillights.

Hyundai has revamped the interiors of the Elite i20. The instrument panel is slightly revised and there are changes to the steering wheel as well. The round base for the gear-stick now gets a squarish shape with a chrome surround. The position of the 2-Din music system has changed and now the AC vents in the centre are placed transversely. Apart from the current grey colour option for the interiors, the company seems to have introduced the beige colour option as well for Indian consumers. All these revisions have been made to keep up with the new competitors in the B+ segment of cars in India.

The Hyundai Elite i20 might be powered by the same set of engines that power the outgoing i20. The current hatchback gets the 1.2-litre petrol (83bhp/113Nm), 1.4-litre petrol (99bhp/136Nm) and the 1.4-litre diesel unit (89bhp/219.7Nm) which is expected to be carried over to the facelifted hatchback. Coming to the transmission options, there are three gearbox options with the petrol being offered with a five-speed manual/four-speed AT while the oil-burner gets a six-speed manual.

Hyundai has started teasing the Hyundai Elite i20 and released a trailer as well. The car is expected to go on sale as soon as it is launched on August 11. The company has started the bookings while the exact prices of each model will be available on the day of launch. It is expected that the manufacturer will price the revised car around the same range of the current car. The Elite i20 will replace the current car and go up against the facelifted Volkswagen Polo, the new Fiat Punto and the upcoming Honda Jazz.

source:-http://www.carwale.com

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Report – Honda India starts work on mini SUV and small car for 2017 launch

A report on the Economic Times says that Honda Cars India has started development work on an entry-level small car and a compact SUV. The work has progressed from a consideration stage to a development stage, sources told the publication. Yoshiyuki Matsumoto, president and CEO of Honda Motor India, confirmed that the process to develop the small car has already started.

Both cars will be based on the same GSP platform underpinning the Brio.

The small car is codenamed ‘World A Entry Car’ as it could also be sold in markets like Indonesia and Africa. It will be positioned below the Brio, and is expected to cost below INR 4 lakhs. The compact SUV on the other hand will rival cars like the Ford EcoSport and the yet-to-be launched VW Taigun and Maruti XA-Alpha. Both cars will be based on the GSP platform which underpins the Brio, Amaze and Mobilio.
Part of the development of these cars will be carried out by Honda India’s R&D center to increase localization and thereby keep costs low. However, Japan will be the lead country to develop these cars.
The new cars are expected to hit the market in 2017. As both models play in voluminous segments, they are expected to significantly increase Honda India’s market share from the current 5.37 percent.
Honda World A Entry Competitors: Maruti Wagon R, Hyundai i10, Chevrolet Beat
Honda World A Entry Expected Price: Starting below INR 4 lakhs
Honda Mini SUV Competitors: Ford EcoSport, VW Taigun
Honda Mini SUV Expected Price: INR 6 – 9 lakhs, ex-Showroom

source:-http://indianautosblog.com

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Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Honda post sales growth in July; Mahindra & Mahindra slides

Major carmakers Maruti Suzuki India, Hyundai, Honda and Toyota today posted growth in domestic sales in July signalling revival in the automobile market that has been under a prolonged slump.
India's largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki India reported 19.9 per cent increase in domestic sales at 90,093 units in July as against 75,145 units in the same month last year.
Its sales were driven mainly by the compact segment - comprising Swift, Estilo, Ritz - which rose 81.2 per cent to 25,156 units during the month as against 13,882 units in July last year.
MSI said sales of its popular compact sedan Dzire rose 22.2 per cent last month to 18,634 units as against 15,249 units a year ago.
Its rival Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) posted a growth of 12.69 per cent in its domestic sales at 29,260 units as compared to 25,965 units in the same month last year.
HMIL Senior Vice-President (Sales and Marketing) Rakesh Srivastava said: "The green shoots of growth are visible with the stabilisation of macro-economic factors and near to average monsoons."
He said the demand pull created by the product launches and strong channel spread has brought down the discounts.
Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL) also reported 39.97 per cent increase in domestic sales at 15,709 units as compared to 11,223 units in July last year.
HCIL Senior Vice President – Marketing & Sales Jnaneswar Sen said the company's latest Honda Mobilio has received good response from the market with over 10,000 bookings since its launch.
Toyota Kirloskar Motor said its domestic sales in July stood at 11,921 units as against 11,515 units in the year-ago month, up 3.52 per cent.
Car sales in India had fallen for the second consecutive fiscal in 2013-14 with a drop of 4.65 per cent as the auto industry continued to struggle with demand slump due to the sluggish economy.
In order to boost the sector, the previous government had in the Interim Budget in February reduced excise duty on small cars, scooters, motorcycles and commercial vehicles to 8 per cent from 12 per cent earlier.
For SUVs, it was slashed to 24 per cent from 30 per cent, while on large cars it was reduced to 24 per cent from 27 per cent. For mid-sized cars it was cut to 20 per cent from 24 per cent previously.
The new Narendra Modi-led government has extended the reduced rate

source:-http://www.financialexpress.com

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Honda has a very strong brand in India, says Yoshiyuki Matsumoto

Yoshiyuki Matsumoto, president and CEO of Honda Motor India, is cheerful and he has good reasons to be ebullient as Honda's two wholly-owned ventures in India — the car and two-wheeler businesses are on an overdrive. Speaking to ET's Ketan Thakkar and Satish John, Matsumoto takes the help of a translator. But often he lapses into English before realising that there is a man to do the job for him. Edited excerpts:

source:-http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com

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Honda Cars India Posts 40% Sales Growth in July

Honda sold 15,709 units in July, as against the 11,223 units in the corresponding month last year. Last month, the company sold 74 units of its small car Brio, while its Amaze and City offerings stood at 4,507 and 7,705 respectively. Beside this, it sold 58 units of its sports utility vehicle (SUV) CRV. The export of the company stood at 858 units in July, taking the grand total of vehicles sold in July to 16,567.
Honda's new Mobilio is also said to be getting good response from the market. Talking about the recently launched Mobilio, the company said it has sold 3,365 units of the MPV so far and its bookings have crossed 10,000 in the country. The company is also said to be looking at an option of exporting Mobilio to the markets like South Africa.
Launched on 23 July in India, the new Honda MPV, a Maruti Ertiga killer is offered in petrol and diesel engine option. Under the hood, the car packs 1.5L i-DTEC diesel engine and 1.5 L i-VTEC petrol engine. Both the engines come mated to a five-speed manual transmission. Currently, the Mobilio is offered in three trims in India (S, E, V in both petrol and diesel) and the top end variant of the MPV, Mobilio RS will be coming to India in September this year.
"We are extremely happy with the progress we have made in this year. Our recently launched Honda Mobilio has received good response from the market with over 10,000 bookings since its launch and are confident that it will attract more customers with its strong desirable values. We would also like extend our gratitude to the customers for the continuing success of Honda Amaze and All new City and are confident that we will continue to do well in respective segments," said Jnaneswar Sen, Sr. Vice President – Marketing &Sales, Honda Cars India Ltd in a press release.

Model wise sales break-up for April 2014
Brio	578
Amaze	3,355
City	7,044
CR-V	63
Domestic Total	11,040
Exports	402
Grand Totall	11,442

source:-http://www.ibtimes.co.in

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Honda Mobilio Bookings: Honda MPV crosses 9000 bookings in India

Honda Cars India has just launched their most awaited MPV – Mobilio in Indian market, according to the sources, this stylish 7-seater MPV has received over 9000 bookings just in seven days after its launch in India.
Mobilio launched on 23^rd of July in India and has received the good response from Indian car buyers; the current booking figure of this car is reportedly over 9000 units.


Mobilio, is competing with Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, Toyota Innova, Chevrolet Enjoy and Nissan Evalia in the MPV Segment. The price of Honda Mobilio petrol version starts at INR 6.49 Lakh while the diesel version of the Honda MPV will be priced starting at INR 7.89 lakh (the prices are ex-showroom Delhi).


Honda Mobilio has launched in both petrol and diesel versions, the 1.5 litre 16Vi.DTEC 4 cylinder petrol engine generates the max power of 119 bhp at 6600 rpm, produces the torque of 145Nm at 4800 rpm. The price of petrol variant starts from INR 6.49 lakhs for the base model Mobilio E, and 8.76 lakhs for the top end variant which is called Honda Mobilio V.



The diesel model is powered by the 1.5 litre 16 Vi. DTEC diesel engine, with max power of 100 bhp at 3600 rpm and a peak torque of 200 Nm at 1750 rpm. The price of diesel variant starts from INR 7.89 lakhs for the base model Mobilio E, and 10.86 lakhs for the top end variant which is called Honda Mobilio RS.

Below is the detailed specification of Honda Mobilio:


Honda Mobilio: Engine Specifications – Petrol/Diesel

	Honda Mobilio
Engines (Petrol/Diesel)	1497cc/1498 cc
Power(Petrol/Diesel)	119 PS at 6600 rpm/100 PS at 3600 rpm
Torque (Petrol/Diesel)	145 Nm at 4600 rpm/200 Nm at 1750 rpm

Honda Mobilio: Dimensions

	Honda Mobilio
Length	4386 mm
Width	1683 mm
Height	1603 mm
Wheelbase	2652 mm
Ground Clearance	189 mm

Honda Mobilio: Features

	Honda Mobilio
Base	Front and rear power windows, reclining third row
Mid-spec	Driver seat height adjustment, steering mounted audio controls
Top-end	Rear wiper

Honda Mobilio: Fuel Efficiency

	Honda Mobilio
Petrol	17.3 kmpl
Diesel	24.2 kmpl

Honda Mobilio: Price

	Honda Mobilio
Base petrol	INR 6.49 lakhs
Mid-spec petrol	INR 7.5 lakhs
Top-end petrol	INR 8.76 lakhs
Base diesel	INR 7.89 lakhs
Mid-spec diesel	INR 8.6 lakhs
Top-end diesel	INR 9.76 lakhs

Comparison Honda Mobilio Vs Maruti Suzuki Ertiga Vs Toyota Innova: compare price & technical specifications

source:-http://www.oncars.in

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Mahindra E2O electric car to get power steering and four door variants

Mahindra Reva will launch two new variants of the E2o electric car. One variant will get an electric power steering as the added feature and the other will get four doors. The version with the electric power steering is already being displayed on Mahindra Reva’s official website. The power steering equipped E2o will be called the T20. The four door version is under development and more details of this variant are not yet available. 
The power steering for the E2o will make the car easier to steer at low speeds. The E2o weighs 830 kgs and due to that electric car is not easy to steer in city traffic. Many customers of the E2o are women and elders, and they have complained that the E2o is hard to steer at slow speeds. By adding the power steering to the E2o, Mahindra Reva will make the car a better deal for people who find the non assisted steering tiring.
The additional two doors for the Reva E2o is to make access to the car’s rear seats easier. The present version of the E2o comes with 2 doors and to get into the rear seat, one has to crouch and twist. This will be eliminated once the Reva gets two more doors to provide easy access to the passengers at the rear. The E2o with four doors may also be equipped with a power steering so that it solves two issues in a single package.
The E2o electric car is India’s only zero emission car. It comes with a 25 Bhp electric motor that uses lithium ion batteries. The batteries can be charged from a regular household socket. The E2o can hit a top speed of 81 kph and the range per charge is 100 kilometres. At present, Mahindra Reva sells the E2o in To and T2 variants. Two more variants means more sales

source:-http://www.indiancarsbikes.in

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Honda To Overtake Mahindra As India’s 3rd Largest Car Maker

Honda Car India has been among the best foreign brands in our subcontinent for a while now. The Honda City in particular has been a flagship model, having created a fan following and even aspirational value. The car was expensive when it arrived in 1998 and still managed to sell around 60,000 units. Ever since then Honda has gained popularity among Indians for its brilliant use of space and refinement and the Japanese automaker is all set to overtake Mahindra as India’s third largest vehicle manufacturer behind Hyundai and Maruti Suzuki.

Honda Car India Line-Up.  Mobilio coming soon

According to June sales figures, Honda was behind Mahindra & Mahindra by 464 units. The Japanese maker sold 16,316 units in the month (a growth of 75%) compared to M&M’s 16,780 units (down by 3%). Over the years Honda has changed a strong deal in its model range, but the overall brand philosophy has remained the same. Models like the D1 segment Civic and D2 segment Accord have been discontinued while the CR-V SUV has been kept as a halo product. The mistake made by overpricing the Jazz hatchback led to its discontinuation 2 years ago and through all this, Honda’s R&D team has learnt that to become a big market share holder you have to go small. The Brio hatchback sold in decent numbers, but the real knock out punch came from the Amaze compact sedan. The car continues to fly out of showrooms and continuously featured on the list of top ten selling cars in India.

The Honda Mobilio Will Rival Maruti’s Ertiga

The launch of the 2014 Honda City saw an increased booking influx and the car beat the Hyundai Verna’s sales within a month. Honda has now made a diesel available on all its best selling models. There are now two more major launches all set to take place by March 2015. The first launch will be of the Mobilio MPV which is set to take place on July 23rd,while the return of the Jazz will take place in 2015. The Mobilio will be powered by the same engines as the Honda City i.e. the 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol and 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel. The MPV will take on rivals like the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and Toyota Innova. The Jazz on the other hand will have a retuned version of the 1.2-litre i-VTEC on the previous model and the same 1.5-litre i-DTEC as the Amaze, City and Mobilio.

source:-http://www.indiancarsbikes.in

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HomeNewsMahindra Ssangyong Korando to be launched in India on August 2014

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Mahindra Ssangyong Korando to be launched in India on August 2014

Updated on :06:18 pm, July 21, 2014

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Indian auto maker’s South Korean subsidiary, Ssangyong Motor, has announced the launch of their new SUV 2014 Korando in India by August 2014. We have seen the first look of the car in Delhi Auto Expo 2012. Korando was initially launched in South Korea from 1983–2006 as Korando jeeps and then the new model of Korando was again launched on 2010. And now Ssangyong is all set to launch new Kornado in August 2014 in India.

The CEO of Ssangyong Lee Yoo-il says, “The Korando C has been reborn as the New Korando C, with a new innovative style and greater appeal to drivers. I have no doubt that it will be an attractive choice for drivers looking for vehicles for both urban driving and outdoor leisure activities.”  

The 2014 Korando is a proper 5-seater SUV with rugged and muscular body. Mahindra Ssangyong Korando has many impressive features like; angular lines on the front bumper, alloy wheels, fog lamps, stylish headlights. At the back, the Korando C has a dual chrome exhausts, high mounted stop light, and rear spoiler.

On the Interior front, Mahindra Ssangyong Korando is loaded with many features like; touchscreen sat-nav system, steering-mounted audio controls, ABS with EBD, two airbags, cruise control and climate control.

The dimension of Mahindra Ssangyong Korando will measure 4.4 meters in length, 1.83 meters in width. TheMahindra Ssangyong Korando is powered by a 2.0 litre turbocharged diesel engine with max power of 175bhp can produce the torque of 360Nm. Mahindra Ssangyong Korando will available with 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission.

The price of this Compact SUV will be in the range of INR 15 Lakhs to INR 20 Lakhs. Mahindra Ssangyong Korandocan compete with Chevrolet Captiva, Renault Koleos and the Skoda Yeti

source:-http://www.oncars.in

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UK to allow driverless cars on public roads in January

The UK government has announced that driverless cars will be allowed on public roads from January next year.

It also invited cities to compete to host one of three trials of the tech, which would start at the same time.
In addition, ministers ordered a review of the UK's road regulations to provide appropriate guidelines.
The Department for Transport had originally pledged to let self-driving cars be trialled on public roads by the end of 2013.
Business Secretary Vince Cable revealed the details of the new plan at a research facility belonging to Mira, an automotive engineering firm based in the Midlands.
"Today's announcement will see driverless cars take to our streets in less than six months, putting us at the forefront of this transformational technology and opening up new opportunities for our economy and society," he said.
UK engineers, including a group at the University of Oxford, have been experimenting with driverless cars. But, concerns about legal and insurance issues have so far restricted the machines to private roads.
Other countries have, however, been swifter to provide access to public routes.

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Business Secretary Vince Cable 'felt safe' in driverless car

The US States of California, Nevada and Florida have all approved tests of the vehicles. In California alone, Google's driverless car has done more than 300,000 miles on the open road.
In 2013, Nissan carried out Japan's first public road test of an autonomous vehicle on a highway.
And in Europe, the Swedish city of Gothenburg has given Volvo permission to test 100 driverless cars - although that trial is not scheduled to occur until 2017.
Competition cash UK cities wanting to host one of the trials have until the start of October to declare their interest.
The tests are then intended to run for between 18 to 36 months.
A £10m fund has been created to cover their costs, with the sum to be divided between the three winners.
Meanwhile, civil servants have been given until the end of this year to publish a review of road regulations.
This will cover the need for self-drive vehicles to comply with safety and traffic laws, and involve changes to the Highway Code, which applies to England, Scotland and Wales.
Two area will be examined by the review: how the rules should apply to vehicles in which the driver can take back control at short notice, and how they should apply to vehicles in which there is no driver.

How do driverless cars work?

Google's self-drive car combines video and sensor data to determine where to steer

The label "driverless vehicle" actually covers a lot of different premises.
Indeed, the cruise control, automatic braking, anti-lane drift and self-parking functions already built into many vehicles offer a certain degree of autonomy.
But the term is generally used to refer to vehicles that take charge of steering, accelerating, indicating and braking during most if not all of a journey between two points, much in the same way aeroplanes can be set to autopilot.
Unlike the skies, however, the roads are much more crowded, and a range of technologies are being developed to tackle the problem.
One of the leading innovations is Lidar (light detection and ranging), a system that measures how lasers bounce off reflective surfaces to capture capture information about millions of small points surrounding the vehicle every second. The technology is already used to create the online maps used by Google and Nokia.
Another complimentary technique is "computer vision" - the use of software to make sense of 360-degree images captured by cameras attached to the vehicle, which can warn of pedestrians, cyclists, roadworks and other objects that might be in the vehicle's path.

Part of the challenge for manufacturers will be how to hide the many sensors involved

Autonomous vehicles can also make use of global-positioning system (GPS) location data from satellites; radar; ultrasonic sensors to detect objects close to the car; and further sensors to accurately measure the vehicle's orientation and the rotation of its wheels, to help it understand its exact location.
The debate now is whether to allow cars, like the prototype unveiled by Google in May, to abandon controls including a steering wheel and pedals and rely on the vehicle's computer.
Or whether, instead, to allow the machine to drive, but insist a passenger be ready to wrest back control at a moment's notice.

source:-http://www.bbc.com

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Small cars fare poorly in crash tests

The four-door Mini Cooper Countryman was the only one of 12 cars to earn a top rating of "good" in new frontal crash tests.

The Nissan Leaf, Nissan Juke, Fiat 500L and Mazda5 wagon all fared worst in the tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, an Arlington, Va.-based safety group that's funded by insurers.

The Chevrolet Volt, Ford C-Max, Mitsubishi Lancer, Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ all got the second-highest rating of "acceptable." The Hyundai Veloster and Scion xB were a notch below that, with "marginal" ratings.

The small overlap front crash test, introduced in 2012, replicates what happens when 25 percent of a car's front end strikes a rigid object at 40 miles per hour. It's a difficult test because a small area of the car's front end must absorb and manage the energy from a severe, high-speed crash.

To earn a "good" rating, a car must keep the cabin around the occupants largely intact and protect them with a combination of seat belts and air bags, the institute said. When a car's cabin collapses, as it did in the crash tests of the Juke, Leaf, 500L and Mazda5, it can move the seats and air bags out of place, increasing the risk of injuries.

The institute said 19 of the 32 small cars it has now tested have earned "good" or "acceptable" ratings on the small overlap test. The institute said the Mazda5 was among the worst performers it has tested. Its side air bags didn't deploy at all and its driver's side door unlatched, which shouldn't happen during a test.

In a statement, Mazda pointed out that the Mazda5 has earned "good" ratings on other IIHS tests, including a front moderate overlap test and a roof strength test. It earned a "marginal" rating in a side-impact crash test performed by the institute.

"We take these results seriously, and are studying the results of these IIHS tests as we consider the design of future vehicles," the company said.

The Chevrolet Volt was the only car in the group to be labeled a "Top Safety Pick Plus," because it has an optional front crash prevention system. The C-Max Hybrid, Countryman, Mitsubishi Lancer, Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ earned "Top Safety Pick" awards because they don't have front crash prevention systems.

To be a top safety pick, vehicles must earn "good" or "acceptable" ratings for small overlap protection and "good" ratings on the institute's other four crash tests.

source:-http://www.foxnews.com

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