Nissan Terrano spotted testing in Chennai

India's love for Utility Vehicles combined with the overwhelming success of the Renault Duster and Ford Ecosport have opened the floodgates for compact Sports Utility Vehicles in our country. From Maruti-Suzuki to Mercedes-Benz, every automotive manufacturer looking to increase their share in our market are developing one right now. Fortunately, Nissan seems to have one ready, thanks to it's strategic partnership with Renault that allows both brands to re-badge and sell each other's models at a slight premium. With Nissan lending its Micra and Sunny to Renault earlier, it's time for the latter to return the favour.

With most of the media fraternity starting to speculate on the name, looks and specifications, Nissan decided to put an end to all those rumors a couple of months back. Revealing that its compact SUV would be called the 'Terrano', a once-popular but discontinued nameplate, the Japanese manufacturer also released an official sketch that revealed the Terrano's significantly-redesigned front end. The Duster might be a big success, but one of its negatives is its design that lacks finesse. Don't get us wrong, we love the Duster's butch stance, but it just doesn't cut out in terms of attention to detail. If the official sketches are anything to go by, Nissan seems to have addressed that problem to an extent in the Terrano

The sharp, angular headlights, the aggressive bumper and the thick chrome slats in the grille not only establishes an instant connection to other SUVs in Nissan's global lineup, but also adds some depth to the otherwise boring front end of the Duster. The profile, with its massively-flared wheel arches, looks untouched while Nissan seems to have tweaked the lights and bumper again at the rear to increase the Terrano's appeal. The rest of the car, including the chassis, engines and transmissions are expected to be carried over from the Duster. That's not bad, given the extremely practical and fuel-efficient 1.5-liter 'dCi' diesel engine that powers the Duster in two states of tune and its brilliant ride quality. Apart from the change of logos, we don't expect the interiors to change much as well.

These pictures of the camouflaged Terrano that was spotted testing in Chennai proves that Nissan isn't taking chances, despite the Duster proving itself in our market. It is being widely speculated that Nissan would launch formally unveil the Terrano before the end of this month.

The recent launch of the Ford Ecosport has exposed two more negative factors in the Duster - the lack of features and it's uncompetitive pricing. While its easy for Nissan to tackle the first problem by adding more features to the Terrano, the second problem is a bit more hard to deal with. Renault being the donor brand, Nissan would be forced to position the Terrano a shade higher than the Duster. And that means Nissan should be able to convince customers that the Terrano is worth buying at a premium when people have started realizing that the Duster itself is overpriced.

Will Nissan manage to do that? Will it shake off the Evalia's disastrous run in the market with the Terrano? Let the game begin!

The mystery of Nissan Evalia in India continues

For us at Anything On Wheels, the story of Nissan’s Evalia in India continues to remain a mystery. The part-van part-MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle), that made quite a splash as the official taxi in major metropolitan cities around the world and was expected to take the fight to the hitherto-unchallenged Toyota Innova in India, failed miserably. Why did New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai failed to accept something that New York, London, Barcelona and Tokyo embraced?

Look no further than the Evalia itself for clues. The design and styling, a factor that singularly influences most car-buying decisions these days, was a major dud. Agreed, the style quotient is not that important in the MPV segment that Evalia is playing in, but still, it mattered. The absence of certain essential features like, for instance, the captain seats and fully-open-able windows in the middle row, didn’t help either.

While the model itself had its fair share of shortcomings, Nissan is also to be blamed for the Evalia’s disastrous run in India. Apparently, a problem with its marketing agency meant that most dealerships didn’t have stocks of the Evalia when it was launched, thus losing out on very-critical early enquirers. With the exception of a few newspaper and television adverts at the time of launch, there was no sustained marketing efforts to be seen. This was very different from the approach Nissan adopted for the Micra and Sunny, which saw a series of ads every time the market showed signs of coming down. Compare this with what Tata’s relentless efforts in pushing the Aria, a model that has performed as poorly as the Evalia in the Indian market, and you will understand the difference.

All this eventually forced Nissan to stop production of the Evalia in its Chennai plant, as dealers struggled to move out the stocks that they held. Reports that Nissan is working on making some essential changes to the Evalia for a renewed assault against the Toyota Innova and Mahindra Xylo also came in. The rumored changes included the availability of captain seats and open-able windows for the middle row, a redesigned dashboard with a closed glove box and some additional features such as rear washer and wiper. Surprisingly, all these changes have already been incorporated in the Ashok Leyland Stile, an Evalia clone that was unveiled earlier this week and is all set to enter the Light Commercial Vehicle segment as part of the joint-venture between Ashok Leyland and Nissan.

That’s why the sight of this Evalia with ‘On Test’ stickers in Chennai had us excited for a moment. But, the excitement was short-lived, as we realized that this was nothing but the existing model in its international trim. Note the ‘NV200’ badging and the absence of reflectors and chrome strips in the boot-lid that was added exclusively for India to mask the Evalia’s bulk. As the suspense over Evalia’s future continues, let’s hope that Nissan hasn’t given up on this model’s prospects in India already.

Tata Nano CNG caught testing in Pune

Tata Motors made news last month when they launched eight face-lifted, refreshed and new variants of existing models on a single day. Among them was the CNG variant of the Nano, which was badged as 'emax'. Though the price of Nano CNG was not announced and the model has not gone on sale yet, we know that Tata Motors is planning to launch it as quickly as possible to try and stem Nano's falling sales.

This Tata Nano CNG, spotted testing in Pune a couple of days back, proves that the work is going on in full swing. What catches our eyes first is the 'Nano CNG' badge in this test car, quite different from the 'emax' sub-branding that was unveiled for all the CNG variants of Tata cars last month. Don't let the badge confuse you though. This test car might have been manufactured and put into testing many weeks or even months back, when the marketing strategy to brand it as emax wasn't finalized. Or, it could well be that Tata might just launch the car as Nano CNG, instead of bothering with the emax moniker. Whatever way it is, the CNG variant of Nano is coming soon.

Apart from the bigger air-vents in the rear bumper that is said to aid engine cooling and was officially introduced in the 2013 calendar year model launched last month, the test car was no different from the other Nanos that are plying on the roads. So, expect nothing more than a chrome strip each in the front and rear bumper to bring it in line with the current model year when the Nano CNG goes on sale.

The CNG variant of the Nano comes with a button on the dashboard that lets the driver toggle between gasoline and CNG fuel options. With a 624-cc rear-mounted engine powering the rear wheels, the Nano CNG produces 38 PS of power at 5250 rpm when run in gasoline and 33 PS of power at 5500 rpm in CNG mode. The torque ratings stand at 51 Nm at 4000 rpm in gasoline and 45 Nm at 3500 rpm in CNG. Depending on the fuel running the engine, the fuel gauge alters its reading accordingly, giving the driver a sense of the amount of fuel left on both tanks. The CNG tank is placed beneath the driver's seat and the filling nozzle is tucked under the hood. Just like you do for filling gasoline, pop the car's hood up for filling up CNG too.

With the promise of lesser running costs, the already-efficient Nano becomes even more frugal in the form of Nano CNG. Even if the sales don't pick up drastically, we expect the CNG variant to bring back some excitement into the Nano brand, which should keep it going until the diesel variant comes and shake things up completely.

Ashok Leyland Stile spotted testing in Chennai

The joint-venture between Nissan and Ashok Leyland couldn't have had a better beginning in India. Dost, the first model to roll out of the joint-venture, is a critical and commercial success and the plant in Chennai is not able to produce enough of them. With its first entry in the Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) segment deemed a hit, Ashok Leyland is getting ready for its next.


This test mule spotted testing in the busy Anna Salai in Chennai is proof of that. Unveiled to the public at the 2012 Auto Expo in New Delhi, the Stile is the next model that will carry the Ashok Leyland tag. Sharp eyes would have found out by now that this test car has a big resemblance to the Nissan Evalia. That's because the Stile is nothing but a re-badged and stripped-down Evalia. While the latter is pitted against the high-end variants of Mahindra Xylo and Toyota Innova targeting the family audience, the Stile will take the fight to the lower variants of the same cars targeting the commercial audience. Strategically, it does make a lot of sense.

The test car had its front end partially camouflaged, indicating that the Stile could look a little different from the Evalia. The tweaks would be limited to the grille, bumper and headlight detailing as touching the body panels would mean a lot of investment. The exposed rear reveals that the Stile has lost the taillight inserts that are present in the Evalia. Our guess is that the Stile would look similar to the model that was displayed at the Auto Expo. Expected to undercut the Evalia in terms of pricing, the Stile will loose many such features to keep the costs firmly in check. Though stripping down the already-bland Evalia inside and out isn't going to help the Stile in terms of looks, appeal and richness, Ashok Leyland knows that it's target customers wouldn't be too concerned about those factors.

What they will be concerned about though, is reliability and fuel-efficiency. With a solid base in the form of Nissan Evalia, Ashok Leyland has got the fundamentals of the Stile spot on. Remember, the Nissan NV 200 (That's how the Evalia is called, internationally) is making waves around the world as official taxis in cities like New York, London and Barcelona, which is a testimony to its reliability. It is being widely speculated that the Ashok Leyland Stile will be powered by the 1.5-liter, 3-cylinder, turbocharged, common-rail diesel engine from the Dost and not the popular 1.5-liter K9K diesel engine that powers the Nissan Evalia and a host of other models in the Renault-Nissan lineup. This move, it is said, is not only to improve the fuel efficiency, but also to keep costs down.

Ashok Leyland is expected to launch the Stile later this year to kick-start its innings in the commercial people-mover segment. With the Nissan Evalia turning out to be a huge disappointment in terms of sales, will the Stile hit the sweet spot in the market? Can Ashok Leyland do what Nissan couldn't? Through the joint-venture, will Nissan gain with the Stile what it lost with the Evalia in India? That's a whole lot of questions for the Stile to answer.

Tata continues testing variants of the Nano

Tata Motors is in a free fall right now, both in terms of sales and in terms of brand image. Neither are the company's perceived high volume models like the Nano and Vista selling in consistently high numbers nor is the brand's attempt at improving its brand image by going upscale with the Aria working. With no all-new models in sight atleast for the next few months, the only option left for Tata is to launch new variants and refresh their existing line up to sustain interest amongst customers.

This Tata Nano that was caught testing in Pune should be one of those attempts to improve the dismal sales that the cute little car has been experiencing of late. While the 2013 Nano with subtle but noticeable changes in the front and rear bumpers, dashboard and tailgate was spotted testing by a fellow automotive website earlier, the Nano diesel with partially-camouflaged front and rear ends was also caught testing on a different occasion. This Nano that we spotted yesterday has neither of those changes and looks exactly similar to the 2012 Nano facelift that was launched early last year. All these make us believe that this could be the CNG variant of the Nano being tested by the company before launch.

Whatever it is, there is no doubt that the Nano needs a new lease of life. In the last two months, sales of the Nano was just around 1500 units, an alarmingly-low number for a car that was thought to put the entire nation on wheels. Tata realized the hard way that people don't take easily to the tag of "world's cheapest car" and is working to project the Nano in a different light. The CNG variant, along with the 2013 facelift and the diesel variant that are in the pipeline, is expected to give a much-needed fillip to the falling sales of the Nano. Let's wait and watch the results.

Stripped-down variant of Nissan Micra spotted in Chennai

Renault-Nissan might have went on a new model rampage in India over the last few years, but only a couple of them have went on to become big success stories. Nissan Micra, sadly, isn't one of them. Ever since its launch in 2010, Micra's sales numbers in India can best be termed average. Its a different story in international markets though, as the Chennai plant keeps churning out Micras in significantly bigger numbers to cater to the export demand. Now that three years have passed since it went on sale, Nissan is planning to launch a mid-cycle facelift of the Micra in India and abroad. But, it looks like Nissan is not going to discontinue the existing Micra altogether.

 
The company is planning to launch a stripped down variant of the car that will be priced significantly lower than the current model. These pictures of the Micra hatchback caught testing in Chennai are proof of that. If reports in other automotive websites are to be believed, this variant will be called the 'Micra Active' and will continue to sell alongside the face-lifted Micra.

To reduce costs, Nissan is planning to cut down on many features like, for instance, the Driver Airbag that is currently standard across the Micra range. We also expect the stripped-down Micra to lose out on some of the NVH material and chassis safety structures that are currently designed for stricter European norms. Though the thin camouflage at the front hints at a subtle change for the Micra Active, the rear end is exactly same as the existing model. Expected to be launched within the next few months, the Micra Active is said to be targeting models like the Hyundai i10 and Honda Brio, which means it might end up priced significantly lower than the existing Micra.

Will this move work out for Nissan and help increase Micra's sales in India? Let's wait and watch.

Ford still testing the Ecosport, official launch date not announced yet

Sports Utility Vehicles might have become a rage in India, a few thousands of potential customers might be waiting for its launch ever since it was unveiled more than a year ago at the 2012 Auto Expo in New Delhi and the media might be carrying all sorts of speculations on the expected date of launch of this hugely-anticipated model. But, it looks like Ford is silently continuing with its work without giving a damn about these things. Neither has Ford confirmed the date of launch of the Ecosport nor is it done with the testing formalities. Three top-end diesel variants of the Ecosport caught testing yesterday in the busy Chennai-Trichy Highway (NH 45), some 50 km from Ford India's manufacturing facility, proves that.

Spy shots of the Ford Ecosport have become the most common thing on automotive websites these days. We at Anything On Wheels have shot the Ecosport testing in and around Chennai on two separate occasions before. While the first spotting was of a fully camouflaged model, the second set of spy shots gave us a clear glimpse of the base petrol variant. This time though, all three Ecosports caught testing were top-end diesel variants, as proved by the 'TDCi' and 'Titanium' badges on the rear door. As such, features like body-colored door handles and rear view mirrors, chrome-lined front grille, fog lamps with chrome surround and roof rails that were not available in the base variant earlier, have found their way into this variant.

Ever since its unveiling, the Ford Ecosport has been attracting people just by virtue of its looks. That is clearly evident on the road, more so in that bright shade of orange, that adds a lot of character to the Ecosport. The multi-layered, chrome-lined grille up front and the pillarless rear windscreen steal the show, as does the rear door-mounted spare wheel. The compact dimensions of the Ecosport will be a boon inside the city while the high stance will prove its worth on potholed country roads. Three engine options, a 1.5-liter TiVCT petrol engine, a 1.5-liter TDCi diesel engine and a 1.0-liter 'EcoBoost' petrol engine are expected to power the Ecosport. Being a Ford, we can safely expect the Ecosport to sport a superb ride and handling characteristics too.

All in all, the Ecosport looks to be perfectly armored to succeed in the Indian market. For that to happen though, the model should first go on sale in India. Of late, Ford has started a lot of marketing initiatives to keep the Ecosport in limelight ahead of its official launch. Apart from displaying the Ecosport at select malls in Delhi and Mumbai and releasing a schedule for public displays in other Indian cities, Ford is running an "Urban Discoveries" campaign to promote the Ecosport amongst the general public. The launch is expected only after the conclusion of these events, which means the Ecosport is not set for launch until end of May. So folks, let the wait continue!

Ashok Leyland Jan Bus spotted testing in Chennai

As the buses plying on Indian roads keep improving towards international standards with the arrival of global brands like Volvo and Mercedes-Benz, the Indian commercial-vehicle manufacturers who have traditionally dominated the market are being pulled out of their comfort zones and forced to come up with something indigenous to stay afloat. Ashok Leyland, head-quartered in Chennai and the most traditional and conservative brand of all, is undergoing such a transformation now. The proof of that is what you see in this post.

Ashok Leyland made it to the headlines last year when it unveiled the Jan Bus, which the company claims is the world's first single-step entry, front engine and fully flat floor bus, at the 2012 Auto Expo in New Delhi. In the Jan Bus, Ashok Leyland seems to have found out a niche that none of the global brands have filled in for various reasons. In regular front-engined buses, there is an axle that runs below the passenger compartment transferring the power to the rear wheels. That's why most low floor buses gets rid of this axle by having their engines placed at the rear which invariably increases the cost. Ashok Leyland's Jan Bus bucks the trend, as it qualifies as a low floor bus inspite of having its engine at the front.

Unlike many models that disappear without a trace after the paparazzi of the Auto Show, the Jan Bus project is very much alive and kicking. If ever proof was needed, here it is.

Two Jan Bus prototypes were spotted testing in the busy GST Road in Chennai yesterday hinting that the project is running at a brisk pace. One was an air-conditioned model while the other was a regular model without air-conditioning. From the way in which the buses were driven, it was obvious that the Jan Bus was powerful, quick and agile. They were refined, accelerated quickly, changed lanes at will and, importantly, looked stable while doing so. Ashok Leyland has got the styling right as well, with the Jan Bus featuring a smooth and clean look. The front end, with it's Volvo-inspired headlights look great and the profile features an uncluttered look. The rear could have been slightly better though and the taillights seem to be a tad small for our liking. Large windshields and windows are sure to be well-received by the public, as does the well-appointed seats and driver's cabin that were clearly visible.

The brochure released by Ashok Leyland states that the Jan Bus will be powered by a 6-cylinder 'H Series' engine that's good for 235 HP of power at 2400 rpm and 720 Nm of torque between 1600 to 1800 rpm. This turbocharged, multi-point fuel injected engine runs on CNG and is BS4 compliant. Mated to this is Ashok Leyland's proprietary 'Leymatic' Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) that significantly reduces driver fatigue. If the brochure is to be believed, the interiors of the Jan Bus are sure to impress too, with features like a clutter-free gangway courtesy the cantilever-mounted seats and seat-mounted stanchions, infotainment system for the passengers, full air suspension and a stylish layout with good fit and finish. The seating and door placements are customizable and the Jan Bus can be configured for regular city transportation, Bus Rapid Transit Systems and airport tarmac applications as well.

With the Jan Bus, are we finally looking at a model that's not only going to mount a challenge to global players in India, but also trying to crack open a segment that's hitherto untouched in the global space? We definitely think so and would be surprised if the Jan Bus doesn't succeed.

Ford Ecosport spotted testing near Chennai

The world did not end in 2012 and we are, thankfully, living to see 2013 and beyond. What better way to begin the year than catching "the most" awaited car in the Indian market in action? Yes, the New Year couldn't have been better for us at Anything On Wheels, as we managed to spot the much-delayed and still eagerly-awaited Ford Ecosport testing on the outskirts of Chennai. If you are a regular reader of our blog, you will remember our post on a camouflaged Ecosport caught testing in the busy OMR. Of late, the American giant has started testing the Ecosport without camouflage and most automotive websites and blogs have reported spotting the test cars across many cities in India. It's our turn now to do the same.

First spotted in a toll booth on the Chennai-Trichy Highway (NH 45), we have to admit that the Ecosport turned a lot of heads, literally. There was widespread commotion, as people craned their necks out of cars and buses to get a glimpse of this all-new compact SUV. Apart from looking fresh and modern in the group, the Ecosport had good acceleration and slithered in and out of lanes for overtaking slow-moving traffic with utmost ease and composure. The model spotted is most likely to be the base variant, as it lacked body-colored rear-view mirrors and door handles, chrome-slats in the radiator grille, front fog-lamps, roof rails and metallic inserts in the front and rear bumpers, all of which were present in the car that was used at the official unveiling ceremony. Surprisingly for a base variant, a swanky set of alloy wheels were available. The absence of TDCi or EcoBoost badging in the tailgate means that this test car should be having the 1.5-liter TiVCT petrol engine under its hood. After a few miles of spirited driving, the test car joined two more Ecosports parked along the roadside.

Though Ford is keeping it's mouth firmly shut in terms of pricing and the date of launch, rest of the details are already out. Based on Ford's B-Car platform that underpins the Fiesta and developed under the much-touted "One Ford" policy, the Ecosport is already on sale in Brazil and is slated for launch in most international markets, including China and India, in the near future.

At launch, the Ecosport is expected to have three engine options - a 1.5-liter TiVCT petrol engine, the award-winning 1.0-liter 'EcoBoost' petrol engine that was recently crowned "International Engine of the Year" and the 'most-crucial-for-India' 1.5-liter TDCi diesel engine. As evident from the specs, both the 1.5-liter engines are going to be shared with the new Fiesta sedan while the much-acclaimed 'EcoBoost' technology will be making its debut in India under the hood of this compact SUV. With its high stance and compact dimensions, the Ecosport's design and proportions are just what Indians need to tackle the worst of roads and crowded cities. Being a Ford, class-leading ride and handling balance can be expected in the Ecosport too.

Maybe it's a combination of these factors that has resulted in so much enthusiasm and interest in the car. It isn't an exaggeration when we state that the Ecosport has been making thousands of potential customers put their car-buying decisions on hold, as they wait for it with bated breath. We are no different too. Having been smitten by the Ecosport ever since it was unveiled on the eve of the 2012 Auto Expo in New Delhi an year back, we have been counting the days for it's launch. But it looks like we will run out of breath and numbers soon. Will Ford ensure that the launch happens quickly so that the Ecosport can strike when its still hot?

Bajaj RE 445M Diesel Auto-rickshaw spotted testing in Pune

With the advent of four-wheeled people carriers like the Tata Magic Iris, Mahindra Gio cab and the soon-to-be-launched Bajaj RE 60, any sane mind would be thinking that the three-wheeled autorickshaws are on their way out. Being no bigger than the regular auto-rickshaws that we know, models like the Gio and Magic Iris are comparatively more stable, safer and weather proof. On the contrary, manufacturers are sending out a loud and clear message that the three-wheeled auto-rickshaws are here to stay. First, it was Mahindra testing its Alfa auto-rickshaw on an arterial road in Chennai. Now, it's the turn of Bajaj, India's largest three-wheeler manufacturer and arguably one of the world's largest too.

Not content with its total dominance of the three-wheeler market with the older RE range, Bajaj Auto recently launched two new variants - the RE 145D in petrol, CNG and LPG variants and the RE 445M diesel auto-rickshaw. Yes, you read that right. With the diesel fetish that's currently prevailing in India, the RE 445M could be the perfect transport solution for suburban India. While Bajaj announced that it was planning to launch the RE 445M in a phased manner across the country, the testing apparently hasn't stopped. These two pictures shot in one of the suburbs of Pune late last week proves that Bajaj is still hard at work to ensure that the RE 445M hits the sweet spot once it is finally available nationwide.

For those who aren't aware already, the RE 445M boasts of twin halogen headlights, a twin fork suspension, a single piece front windshield and a 7-plate hand clutch apart from a stronger and bigger body with better passenger and luggage space compared to the regular auto-rickshaws. With a claimed mileage of 36 km/l and top speed of 55 km/h, the RE 445M is designed to deliver maximum mileage and better earnings, claims Bajaj. With an ex-showroom Pune price of INR 1.21 Lakh, it isn't much expensive than the regular auto-rickshaws too, thus having all the makings of a winner.

Force Trax Gurkha to make a comeback, spotted testing in Pune

It's raining Sports Utility Vehicles in India at the moment. At one end, we have the Premier Rio trying hard to get noticed and the Renault Duster that has kick-started a dust storm in the market. At a diametrically opposite end, the all-new Range Rover is wooing Indians with it's sheer opulence. With the Utility Vehicle segment being the biggest money-spinner in the Indian market today, manufacturers cannot afford to ignore it anymore. It looks like Force Motors is thinking on the same lines.

A few years back, Bajaj Tempo, as Force Motors was called then, was selling an affordable off-roader called Trax Gurkha in the market. Though it wasn't very popular amongst the general public, the off-roading aficionados, though far and few in between, rated it very highly. Inspite of being crude and utilitarian, the Trax Gurkha had its own niche market, thanks to its go-anywhere capability. Apart from its rugged looks and supreme off-roading skills, the Trax Gurkha had nothing else to boast of though.

All that is about to change, if the two test vehicles spotted in Pune yesterday by our reader Guru are any indication.

The design hasn't changed much and the Trax Gurkha retains its boxy shape and dimensions. The circular headlights along with the black plastic grille and bumper gives it an utilitarian look up front, which is carried over to the profile and rear. The exposed door hinges and the horizontal bumper-mounted taillights are decades-old stuff that should have been changed for the better. As if to compensate, there are a few purposeful design elements like the snorkel air-intake that juts out of the hood ahead of the A-Pillar, roof rails, snazzy alloys and tail-gate mounted spare wheel. The high stance of the vehicle combined with its short wheelbase not only gives the Trax Gurkha a butch look but will also aid in it's off-roading trails. The 3-door layout means that the rear-seat occupants have to get in through the front passenger door. There are a host of stickers and badges - Force, Trax, 4WD, Power Steering, et all, with the 'Gurkha' moniker conspicuous by its absence.

The biggest change in the new Trax Gurkha is most likely to be under the hood. The 2.2-liter Mercedes-Benz-sourced engine with 142 PS of maximum power and 320 Nm of peak torque is expected to be carried over from the Force One SUV. That will give the Trax Gurkha a crucial advantage over similar-priced off-roaders like the Maruti-Suzuki Gypsy and Mahindra Thar. The interiors are also likely to be spruced up, but we aren't expecting much improvement here. We expect Force Motors to launch the Trax Gurkha sometime next year.

Mahindra Alfa auto-rickshaw spotted testing; Is this the CNG variant?

The arrival of Tata Ace and its associated variants reduced the once-flourishing three-wheeler market into an also-ran, with volumes getting so meager that we thought manufacturers would be looking to exit the segment for greener pastures. Mahindra, which has a product called Alfa competing in that segment with both Goods and Passenger variants, was also expected to pull out of that segment gradually. With the success of four-wheelers Maxximo and Gio, the end of Alfa was imminent. Or so we thought.

But, Mahindra has other plans. They are not only going to continue selling the Alfa in the existing Goods and Passenger forms, but are also trying to expand the range and grow it further it seems. This Alfa auto-rickshaw was caught testing in an arterial road in Chennai yesterday. Though it could have easily passed off as just another auto-rickshaw with looks that are remarkably similar to the Piaggio Ape, the current market leader in three-wheelers and the prime competitor of Alfa, the test registration plates and the ‘On Test’ sticker clinched that there is something new brewing up in there.

Though we couldn't figure out what is new in this Alfa compared to the model that is currently on sale, we could speculate where Mahindra is heading to with this. While the Alfa goods carrier is available in both diesel and CNG variants, the Alfa people-mover is only available with a diesel engine that produces all of 8 hp of power. With auto-rickshaws in most Indian cities opting for CNG these days for the dual benefits of lower running costs and lesser emissions, it is imperative that Mahindra Alfa comes with a CNG variant as well to tap the market.

Is that what Mahindra is working on? It could be, despite the absence of CNG stickers and the customary green paint job synonymous with CNG vehicles, in this test vehicle. More details, if any, about this Alfa are welcome.

Another variant of Tata Indica spotted testing in Pune; Is this the Indica XL?

It seems Tata Motors' fetish with the Indica platform isn't over yet. Or that's what these shots captured in Pune late last evening convey us. Sent in by one of our regular contributors who confirmed us that the front half of this vehicle is exactly similar to the new Indica eV2, we now know that Tata is working on yet another variant of the Indica family. Though the rear end is camouflaged to look like a Station Wagon or a Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV), the complete absence of rear overhang makes us speculate that this could be a hatchback, albeit an extended one with a really long wheelbase.

Though many other automotive websites have already concluded that this is the XL variant of the Indica hatchback, we would like to wait until Tata Motors opens up on this subject. For the moment though, we leave it to you to decide whether this is a hatchback with an extended wheelbase, a small car-based MPV or a mini Station Wagon. After all, they could spring up a big surprise, just like they did with models like the Indigo CS and Ace range of commercial vehicles, both of which were religiously copied by many other manufacturers.

Whatever it is, Tata Motors seems to be not content with the number of variants and body styles that it manufactures and sells on the tried and trusted 'Indica' platform. Once launched, this new model will be joining a long list of models such as Indica, Indigo, Indigo Marina, Indica eV2, Indigo CS, Indigo eCS, Indigo XL, Indica Vista and Indigo Manza, all of which share their underpinnings with the first Indica that was launched a decade and half back. It looks as if Tata Motors isn't going to stop until every available gap in the passenger car spectrum below INR 10 Lakhs is plugged.

Though Tata's effort in eking out every last drop of money out of the age-old Indica platform must be commended, its high time they start developing an all-new platform that is totally different, both in terms of design and engineering, from what we have seen and experienced with Tata till date. Are you listening Tata?

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.