Launch line-up for cars and SUVs in August 2011

There are a slew of launches lined up for August 2011. Here’s a ready reckoner for all those who are planning to buy cars in the next month or so.

The launches in August include the Maruti Suzuki Swift, the new Volkswagen Jetta and the Force One SUV.

Maruti Swift: August 17^th

The second-generation Swift, to be launched in August (17^th to be precise), will be not just  a cosmetic makeover, but an entire new car designed to look like the older one. It will sport bigger, upswept headlamps, a sporty front grill, a redesigned tail-lamp cluster, and slightly improved leg room at the rear.

On the interior, expect the new Swift to be loaded with electrically adjustable side view mirrors, a redesigned central console (as in the Maruti Suzuki Kizashi), up-market plastics and upholstery. Maruti Suzuki will also introduce a new top-end variant for the diesel Swift, ZDI.

Engine

Under the hood, the new Swift will have a re-engineered petrol motor that now gets variable valve timing and will produce around 90 bhp of maximum power, making it 6 bhp more powerful than the present model’s 1.2 litre K-series engine. The diesel version is expected to come with the same 1.3 litre DDiS engine that powers the present Swift diesel. This engine makes 75 bhp of max power.

Price & Competition

The new Swift will be priced 5-7% higher than the current models’ range that starts from Rs. 4.09 lakh and goes up to Rs. 5.56 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The new Swift will compete with cars like the Ford Figo, Hyundai i20, Toyota Etios Liva, Nissan Micra, Volkswagen Polo, Skoda Fabia and Tata Indica Vista.

For more details, read our story here.

Force One

Force Motors will enter into the Indian SUV market with the Force One. Force One will have body shell based on the Foday Explorer that is currently sold in China.

The interiors of the Force One are expected to have better or at least quality at par with what the competition offers in their SUVs. The seating arrangement will likely be two at the front, three in the middle and two in the third row.

Engine

The Force One will be powered by a Mercedes-Benz (Daimler) OM 611, 2,146 cc (2.2 litre) common-rail turbo-diesel engine that makes 140 bhp of max power and 345 Nm of max torque. It has to be noted that this engine powered the Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W210) when it was launched in 2000.

The engine will be made under license from Daimler. Force One will initially launch the Force One as a 4×2 version and the 4×4 version could be launched a year later.

Price & Competition

Force Motors will pitch the Force One 4×2 in the Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 12 lakh range. It will take on the Mahindra Scorpio and the Tata Safari.

For more details on Force One, click here.

Volkswagen Jetta: August 17

Volkswagen’s D segment sedan, the Jetta will be launched this August 2011 with a complete makeover and slight changes in dimensions as well. The new Jetta’s wheelbase is now longer by 2.76 inches, while the overall length is up 3.54 inches.

The upcoming Jetta’s front will sport what seems to be a scaled up version of the Volkswagen Polo and Vento’s front grille. The face-lifted Jetta’s headlamps too are similar to those on its younger siblings. The new Jetta’s rear will give a sporty look but the tail lamps have an uncanny resemblance to Audi’s luxury sedans such as the A4.

The interiors of the new Jetta will undergo major overhauling that will include more comfortable seats, ergonomically laid out dashboard made of high quality materials and improved luggage space.

Engine

Volkswagen will offer the Jetta in both petrol and diesel versions. The diesel Jetta will be powered by a 2.0 litre TDI motor (found in the Skoda Laura and Yeti) that will make 140 bhp of maximum power. The engines will likely be mated to both manual and automatic transmissions (The automatic gearbox could be the 6-speed DSG).

Price & Competition

The new Jetta will compete with the Chevrolet Cruze, Toyota Corolla Altis, Honda Civic, Maruti Suzuki Kizashi and Skoda Laura in the D segment. Volkswagen could price the upcoming Jetta in the Rs. 16 – 19 lakh range.