Maruti Suzuki Swift 2011

Finally, after months of waiting, the most anticipated car of 2011 has been launched. After our first glimpse of the longer and trendier version of the new Maruti Swift at the Paris Motor Show last year, it’s taken the Japanese car maker a while to bring this new version to India. The small car will sit in India’s upper B-segment of the Indian car market, taking on the likes of a long list of cars namely the Hyundai i20, the Ford Figo, the Chevrolet Beat, the Tata Indica Vista, the Honda Jazz, the Volkswagen Polo, the Skoda Fabia, the Maruti Ritz and the Nissan Micra.

Now, coming to the new Maruti Suzuki Swift, the car is built on an all new platform that is longer and larger than the older platform, thus resulting in a bigger car overall. Interiors of the new Swift have received an applause worthy upgrade with features that include a CD player, USB port connectivity, steering mounted controls and an in dash multi information display (MID), all of which presents itself with a far more upmarket feel.

The new Maruti Swift comes with improved fuel efficiency norms, the petrol variant will offer a decent mileage of 18.6 kmpl while the diesel variant will offer a whopping mileage of 22.9 kmpl. The new Maruti Swift petrol variant adorns a 1.2 liter K-series engine with VVT which delivers a torque of 114 Nm @ 4000 rpm and power of 87 ps @ 6000 rpm. The diesel variant on the other hand is powered with award winning 1.3 litre DDiS engine that delivers 190 Nm of torque @2000 rpm and 75 ps power @ 4000 rpm.

Maruti Suzuki has launched the new Maruti Suzuki Swift Hatchback in India with prices ranging from Rs. 4.22 lakh to Rs. 5.53 lakh for the petrol variant and between Rs. 5.17 lakh to Rs. 6.38 lakh for the diesel powered variant.

Volkswagen Jetta

World’s second largest car manufacturer, Volkswagen launched their new Jetta sedan in the Indian auto industry today. The new Volkswagen Jetta follows VW’s new design theme of a more angular design. One can be forgiven for mistaking the Jetta for a Vento at first glance because of the striking similarity of design on the front end. The headlamps, though, are twin-lamp units, but are housed in a single Perspex housing that looks like the Vento’s.

Features like leather seat upholstery, a leather package for the steering wheel, handbrake and gear lever, day time running lights, Cruise control, Hill Start Assist, an electrically adjustable driver seats, rear AC vents, a touchscreen entertainment system with an integrated CD player, aux input and 8 speakers all comes as standard with this new version of the Volkswagen Jetta.

The all New Jetta is equipped with 2.0Litre, 4 cylinder CRDi engine with a maximum power output of 140PS @ 4200rpm and a maximum torque of 320 Nm @1750-2500 rpm. Mated to a 6 speed DSG gearbox and a Manual version, the new Jetta will have smoother gearshift and better responsiveness as compared to the older model. For ensuring optimum safety of its drivers and their co-passengers, the new Jetta will feature Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) and 8 Airbags to minimize injury in the event of an accident or collision. A 3-point belt for the center rear seat is also a welcome feature in this new version.

Mr. Neeraj Garg, Member of Board and Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars, is confident about success of this new launch considering important market like India. The price range was set from Rs. 14.12 lakhs to 18 lakh for the top end variant.

Jazz Face lift 2011

The Honda Jazz was first introduced in India at a time when the premium hatchback segment was just beginning to build up. But due to it’s steep pricing, the Honda Jazz failed as a major volumes puller for Honda in India. Earlier, we had seen Honda slash the Jazz’s price in India by as much as Rs. 1.75 lakh. And now we have the new 2011 Honda Jazz facelift which has been launched at a starting price of Rs. 5.5 lakh.

The 2011 Honda Jazz now comes with a new interior design, which includes a Tilt steering column, Keyless Entry with answer back, Integrated audio equipment with MP3/CD, Aux-in & USB, Steering Mounted Audio Controls, Auto Volume by Speed, Magic Seats and Driver’s footrest.

Like on the original model, the new Jazz will be powered by a 4-cylinder 1.2 liter i-VTEC engine. The engine features Programmed Fuel Injection that delivers a maximum output of 90PS @ 6,200 rpm and a Torque of 110 Nm @ 4,800 rpm, while continuing to give an impressive fuel economy of 16.7 km/ltr (ARAI tested).

The new Honda Jazz facelift will be available in three variants: S, Select and X. The base Honda Jazz S is priced at Rs. 5.5 lakh ex-showroom Delhi. The top-of-the-line Jazz X on the other hand is priced at Rs. 6.06 lakh, while the mid-range Select comes with a price tag of Rs. 5.75 lakh. The old Jazz was priced between Rs. 7.12 lakh and Rs. 7.56 lakh.

Force One SUV

Force Motors is a company well known in India for its successful passenger vehicles, the Tempo Traveler and Gurkha. Now, the manufacturer is entering into the premium SUV segment with Force One, their first entrant in the passenger vehicle segment.

The Force One SUV is based on the Guandong Foday Explorer III which is sold in China. In fact, it is the very same vehicle that Force Motors will manufacture in the country with minor tweaks to make it suitable under Indian conditions. Equipped with a 2.2 liter FMTech Daimler engine putting out 141 PS at 3800 rpm, and a massive 321 Nm at 1600 rpm, this beast stands at a kerb weight of 2510 kilos.

Force One has designed the SUV to be a 7-seat vehicle with 3 forward facing rows. The company claims that it has a best-in-class comfort and space. It has an on-board computer with distance to empty, real time fuel-efficiency, gear selection etc. Daytime LEDs are standard on the vehicle while the car will also boast of electrically controlled ORVMs.

The current model will powered by a 4×2 drivetrain mated to the Daimler Mercedes Benz sourced 2.5-litre diesel engine will be available at a price tag of Rs. 10.65 lakhs ex-showroom all India. A 4×4 variant will be launched in March 2012 while a ABS-EBD equipped model will be launched by December 2012. The Force One will be available in four colours – Black, White, Maroon and Blue