Ready reckoner: Car launches in November 2011

The month of November witnessed some interesting launches in almost all segments be it small cars, sedans, MPVs or SUVs.  Here’s a ready reckoner of all the cars launched over the past month and what they have to offer buyers.

In all two small cars were launched namely, the Hyundai i10 LPG version and the new 2012 Tata Nano. Among the sedans, the launches include the Skoda Rapid and the Volkswagen Vento with new features. The MPV segment saw the launch of the refreshed Tata Sumo Gold. Among SUVs the Mahindra Scorpio LX with four-wheel-drive and Skoda Yeti 4×2 were launched. Let’s take a closer look at these cars.

Skoda Yeti 4×2: November 24^th, 2011

Variants and price details: Skoda launched the 4×2 variant of the Yeti priced at Rs. 13.46 lakh for the base Active variant and Rs. 14.32 lakh for the top-end Ambition variant. The Yeti 4×2 variant will attract buyers who don’t need four wheel drive but want an SUV to drive around town.

Looks: The Yeti 4×2 retains the same looks of the Yeti 4×4 variant except for the missing 4×4 badge on the tailgate. The Yeti 4×2 gets all the lines that characterize a compact SUV though it has radical design cues especially at the front and the sides.

Performance: The Yeti 4×2’s 2-litre diesel motor puts out 110 bhp of power and 250 Nm of torque. The Yeti 4×2 has a claimed mileage of 17.72 kmpl. With its compact dimensions, good power to weight ratio and refined engine, the Yeti 4×2 is an attractive option.

Driving Aids: The Yeti 4×2 Ambition variant packs in driving aids such as Hill Hold Control (HHC), Hydraulic Brake Assistant (HBA) and Mechanical Brake Assistant (MBA) though it is not meant for serious off-roading adventures. Read more: Yeti 4×2 launched

Hyundai i10 LPG: November 23^rd, 2011

Variants and price details: Hyundai India launched a LPG version of the i10 dubbed the ‘i10 BlueDrive’. It is available only in two variants, the 1.1-litre Era LPG priced at Rs. 4.16 lakh and the 1.1-litre Magna LPG priced at Rs. 4.30 lakh. The LPG variants are priced roughly Rs. 28,000 higher than their corresponding petrol variants. The i10 now competes with the LPG variants of small cars such as the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R, Hyundai Santro and the Tata Indica eXeta.

Looks: The LPG variant has the same looks as that of the petrol variant. The Hyundai i10 now has the familiar fluidic design giving it a bolder and contemporary look.

Performance: The LPG variants of the i10 are powered by an iRDE2 1.1-litre engine, 4-cylinder engine that puts out 67 bhp of power and 99 Nm of torque. The ARAI-certified mileage of the i10 1.1-litre petrol is 19.81 kmpl.

Comfort and Convenience: The i10 LPG Magna gets a rear parcel tray, driver side front power window with autodown & illumination, rear power windows, front power windows, passenger vanity mirror, front room lamp, cup holders, i-Shift gear console, folding rear seats, AC with heater, internally adjustable outside mirrors, front door map pocket and deluxe floor console. Read more: i10 LPG launched

Mahindra Scorpio LX 4×4: November 22^nd, 2011

Variants and price details: Mahindra has introduced a four-wheel drive variant of the Scorpio in its mid-range LX variant. The Scorpio LX 4WD is priced at Rs. 9.18 lakh ex-showroom Delhi. This four-wheel drive variant is about Rs. 1.2 lakh dearer to its rear-wheel drive counterpart.

Looks: Externally, there is not much to differentiate the LX 4WD variant from the regular LX variant other than the 4WD badging on the tail-gate and the trailer hook on the rear bumper, both features have been a trademark of four-wheel drive Scorpio models over the years. The LX variant comes with steel wheels without wheel caps and so the front 4WD locking hubs are quite prominently visible as well.

Performance: The Scorpio LX 4WD is powered by Mahindra’s tried-and-tested 2.2-litre MHawk engine that puts out 120 bhp of power and 290 Nm of torque, mated to a 5-speed manual transmission primarily driving the rear wheels. In addition, the LX 4WD variant has a shift-on-the-fly, Borg-Warner transfer-case that transmits power to the front-wheels as well at the flick of a switch. The Scorpio gives a claimed mileage of 13 kmpl on diesel in normal driving conditions. Off-road, depending on the extent of four-wheel drive usage, mileage can drop to about 8-9 kmpl.

Comfort and driving aids: The Scorpio LX 4WD comes with comfort features such as manual HVAC, rear AC vents, power windows, tilt-adjustable steering and manual central locking. The driving aids for this 4×2 mid variant includes tachometer, dual trip-meter and shift-on-the-fly 4WD system with High / Low ratio. Read more: Scorpio LX 4×4 launched

2012 Tata Nano: November 21^st, 2011

Variants and prices: Tata Motors has launched the 2012 Tata Nano with improved fuel efficiency (25 kmpl), drivability, ride quality and some new features. There are no changes in the price of the 2012 Nano despite the upgrades offered. The 2012 Nano is available in three variants, the base variant Nano standard (no AC) priced at Rs. 1.40 lakh, the mid variant Nano CX (with AC) priced at Rs. 1.70 lakh and the top-end variant, Nano LX (AC and body colored bumpers) priced at Rs. 1.96 lakh.

Looks: The 2012 Nano is identical to the previous model except for minor changes such as the inclusion of a left hand side mirror and full wheel caps in the LX variant. On the inside, the 2012 Nano LX gets beige fabric with a silver metallic centre console and beige-black door trims. The CX variant gets black fabric with a silver dust central console and black door trims. The 2012 Nano is available in eight new colors i.e. Pearl White (LX), Rouge red, Aqua Blue, Serene White, Silver Meteor, Papaya Orange (CX), Mojito Green (LX) and Neon Rush (CX). The other colors include Champagne Gold and Sunshine Yellow.

Performance: The 2012 Nano is powered by the same 624 cc engine that the outgoing Nano had but produces slightly more power, 37.4 bhp against the earlier 34.5 bhp. It also makes more torque (51 Nm) against the earlier 48 Nm. This may improve the Nano’s drive slightly. The ARAI-certified fuel economy of the 2012 Nano is 25 kmpl up from the earlier 23.6 kmpl.

Comfort and convenience: The top trim Nano LX comes with features like AC with heater, front & rear fog lamps, front power windows, electronic trip meter, cup holders, door map pockets, full wheel caps, a rear spoiler, ORVMs on both sides and central locking. Read more: 2012 Tata Nano launched

Skoda Rapid: November 16^th, 2011

Variants and price details: The Rapid is available in 8 variants, including two petrol automatics, three petrol variants and three diesel variants priced between Rs. 6.75 lakh and Rs. 9.19 lakh ex-showroom Delhi.

The petrol variants include: Active 1.6 MPI MT priced at Rs. 6.75 lakh, the Ambition 1.6 MPI MT priced at Rs. 7.09 lakh, the Elegance 1.6 MPI MT priced at Rs. 7.99 lakh, the Ambition 1.6 MPI AT priced at Rs. 8.09 lakh and the Elegance 1.6 MPI AT priced at Rs. 8.99 lakh. The diesel variants consist of Active 1.6 TDI CR (diesel) priced at Rs. 7.95 lakh, the Ambition 1.6 TDI CR (diesel) priced at Rs. 8.29 lakh and the Elegance 1.6 TDI CR (diesel) priced at Rs. 9.19 lakh.

Looks: In terms of looks the Rapid has a Fabia-derived front end and the Vento’s body. The front grille, bonnet, bumper and headlamps, are all from the Fabia with some subtle curves added to give it more flair. There is a small indentation on the boot lid to differentiate it from the Vento and Laura-inspired, tail-lamps.

Performance: The petrol Rapid is powered by a 1.6 litre engine that puts out 104 bhp of power at 5,250 rpm and 153 Nm of torque at 3,800 rpm. The diesel version of the Rapid is powered by a 1.6-litre common-rail diesel engine that puts out 104 bhp of power at 4,400 rpm and 250 Nm of torque at 1,500-2,500 rpm. Mileage figures again are identical to the Vento, with the petrol giving 15 kmpl and the diesel models giving 20 kmpl.

Comfort and convenience: The Elegance (top-end) variant of the Skoda Rapid comes with comfort and convenience features such as Climatronic (Automatic) AC, rear AC vents, height adjustable head restraints at front and rear, front centre armrest, dust and pollen filter, front & rear power windows with one-touch autodown, anti-pinch system, tinted windows and windscreen, remote control with foldable keys (two), remote control locking, remote control opening & closing of windows, rear centre armrest, electrically adjustable external mirrors, Ergolever for front passenger seat adjustment for rear seat and storage pockets on backrest of front seats. Read more:     Skoda Rapid launched

Volkswagen Vento diesel: November 11^th, 2011

Variants and price details: Volkswagen India has relaunched the Vento with new features. It now gets steering mounted audio controls, park distance control, RCD 310 Music System with USB & 4 speakers as standard features on the highline diesel variant. The car is priced at Rs. 9.77 lakh, ex showroom Delhi. The Vento with new features is at par with the top-end variants of cars such as the Hyundai Verna, Ford Fiesta, Maruti Suzuki SX4 and Fiat Linea.

Looks: On the exterior, the looks of the new Vento TDI Highline are same as the outgoing variant. The Vento TDI is equipped with body colored bumpers door handles and mirrors, chrome inlays in front grille, body, rough road package with increased ground clearance and a partially zinc coated body with six years anti-rust warranty.

Performance: The Vento diesel is powered by a 1.6-litre engine that puts out 103.5 bhp of power and 250 Nm of torque and is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. The ARAI-certified mileage of the 1.6-litre diesel is 20.54 kmpl. The Vento diesel has strong mid range punch that comes handy not just for day to day commuting, but also for driving on highways.

Comfort and convenience: The diesel highline is now equipped with new features like a music system with USB, steering mounted audio controls and park distance control (parking sensors). Other features include electrically adjustable outside mirrors, climatronic automatic AC with rear AC vents and remote control for central locking. It also has a multi function information display including a door open warning, height adjustable driving seats, space lever for rear passenger and a steering wheel adjustable for reach and rake. Read more: Vento Highline with new features

Tata Sumo Gold: November 11^th, 2011

Variants and price details: Tata Motors has launched a mildly refreshed Sumo MPV dubbed the ‘Sumo Gold’. It is priced between Rs. 5.54 lakh and 6.86 lakh. The Sumo Gold is available in 4 variants – CX, LX, EX and GX with 7 or 9 seat configurations on all variants. The base variant, Sumo Gold CX BS-IV is priced at Rs. 5.54 lakh, the Sumo Gold LX BS-IV is priced at Rs. 5.91 lakh, the Sumo Gold EX BS-IV is priced at Rs. 6.23 lakh while the Sumo Gold GX BS-IV is priced at Rs. 6.86 lakh. The base variants of the Sumo Gold are cheaper than its direct rival Mahindra Bolero priced in the range of Rs. 6.19 lakh – Rs. 6.96 lakh.

Looks: The Sumo Gold gets minor tweaks in the front with a redesigned grille that has the word ‘SUMO’ embossed on a chrome strip. The refreshed headlamps; redesigned front bumper, new round fog lamps and body decals all try to hide the old-school, boxy design of the Sumo Gold. The outside rear view mirrors of the Sumo Gold look similar to that of the Tata Vista hatchback and the spare wheel is placed below the cabin.

Performance: The major update in the facelift version is the new BS-IV engine. The Sumo Gold is now powered by a 3-litre, CR4 (Common Rail) BS-IV compliant engine that makes 83.8 bhp of power and 250 Nm of torque Tata also offers the Sumo Gold in a BS-III version which is powered by a 3-litre DI Turbo engine that makes 69 bhp (70 PS) of power and 225 Nm of torque. Both the engines are mated to a 5-speed transmission. The ARAI-certified mileage for the CR4 engine is 14.7 kmpl while that of the DI Turbo engine is 14.3 kmpl.

Comfort and convenience: The top-end variant of Sumo Gold comes with comfort features such as HVAC with demist, power assisted steering, front & rear power windows, soft feel steering wheel, tinted glass, remote fuel lid opener, rear wiper & defogger, 12 V outlet on centre console, anti-glare rear view mirror, and cup holders on glove box lid. Read more: Tata Sumo Gold launched

*All prices are ex-showroom, Delhi.