Small car launches slated for 2012 Delhi Auto Expo

There will be some interesting small cars at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo. Here’s a list of the small cars that will be showcased and launched at the Expo long.

The cars that everyone will have their eyes on are the Tata Nano diesel, Mahindra Reva NXR, new Maruti 800, the Chevrolet Spark, the Volkswagen Up and its sibling the Skoda Citigo. Let’s take a quick look at all of these cars.

Tata Nano diesel

Expected unveiling: January 5

Looks: Expect the diesel Nano to look like the recently launched 2012 Nano. There may be a diesel badge to differentiate the Nano diesel from its petrol version.

Performance: The Nano diesel is expected to be powered by an 800 cc, 2-cylinder common rail diesel motor. Though the power and torque specifications are not clear, there are speculations that the power may be around 35 bhp and the torque around 110 Nm.

Mileage: The mileage will likely be the USP of the Nano diesel as it is expected to return a fuel economy in the range of 30 – 40 kmpl. If a high fuel economy (30 – 40 kmpl) is achieved the running cost of the Nano diesel will be at par with that of 180 – 250
cc bikes running in the country.

Variants and price details: The Nano diesel may be available in three trims like its petrol version: Standard (non-AC), CX (AC) and LX (AC with body colored bumpers). The Nano diesel is expected may have a price range of Rs. 2 lakh – 2.56 lakh as it could be priced at Rs. 60,000 more than the Nano petrol (Rs. 1.40 lakh – Rs. 1.96 lakh). Read more about the Nano diesel here.

Variants and prices: Maruti seems to be targeting Tata Nano buyers in the sub-Rs. 2 lakh category with its new M800. The new M800, in that case would need to be priced at least Rs. 40,000 lesser than the outgoing M800 (Rs. 2.03 – 2.40 lakh).

Mahindra Reva NXR electric car

Expected unveiling: January 5

Looks: The styling of Reva NXR has been done by well-
known Indian car designer Dilip Chabbria. The side profile reveals the short wheelbase of the NXR hence it is unclear whether there will be sufficient leg room for adults in the rear seat. The boot will likely be around 150 litres and may have a hatch door as well.

Performance: The NXR is expected to be powered by either lead-acid or lithium ion batteries. As per the company, the range of the NXR (powered by lithium ion battery) will be 160 km per charge and the top speed will be 104 km/hr (similar to the Tata Nano). There are speculations that the NXR would also be made available as a lead-acid battery variant with a range of 80 km per charge and maximum speed of 80 kmph. Read more about the Reva NXR here.

Variants and prices: We assume the Reva NXR to be offered in two battery variants: lead-acid battery variant and lithium ion battery variant. The price of the Reva NXR could be in the range of Rs. 5 -6 lakh.

Skoda Citigo

Expected unveiling: January 5

Looks: The Citigo is a ‘rebadged’ version of the Volkswagen Up hatchback. Visually it will have a different front grille, headlamps and modifications in the bumper. Overall, the dimensions will be same as the Up car.

Performance: the Citigo will likely have the same 1-litre 3-cylinder engines as in the Up.

Mileage: The mileage of the Citigo is expected to be in the range of 19 – 22 kmpl.

Variants and prices: The Citigo will likely be priced similar to the Volkswagen Up. However, since Volkswagen has a strategy to position Skoda cars as a mass market brand, the Citigo will most likely be the cheaper car as against the Up.

Volkswagen Up

Expected unveiling: January 5

Looks: The Volkswagen Up looks like a squashed Polo hatchback with its angular headlamps and the typical Volkswagen front grille. The side profile is a conventional tallboy design and the rear gets attractive tail lamps cluster, but glassy hatch door alike the Brio.

Performance: The Volkswagen Up is expected to be powered by the 1-litre, 3-cylinder engine that puts out around 60 bhp of power.

Mileage: The mileage of the Up is expected to be in the range of 19 – 22 kmpl.

Variants and prices: The Up will be the cheapest offering from Volkswagen in India and could have a price in the range of Rs. 3 – 5 lakh targeting buyers of Maruti Suzuki Wagon R and Hyundai i10.

Piaggio small car

Expected unveiling: January 6

Looks: The NT3concept is a three-seater with four wheels and is just 2.4 meters long. Interestingly, the driver’s seat is at the front middle with the two passengers at the rear, the driver gets a steering wheel mounted in the middle. Getting in and out of the NT3 will be very easy as it sports two large doors on either side which open wide. There is no luggage space although some space can be created by removing the passenger seats.

Performance: The Piaggio NT3 will be powered by various engines in the 200cc, 300 cc categories. The 200 cc engine is meant to reduce ownership cost and give better fuel efficiency, while the 300 cc engine was developed based on a technology that incorporates Piaggio’s Mp3 technology and focuses more on performance.

Taking a step towards a greener world, the Piaggio NT3 will also get a 300 cc Hybrid motor which has both an internal combustion engine that can achieve a top speed of 80 kmph and a ZEV electric motor that can cruise at a modest 30 kmph.

Mileage: the Piaggio NT3 will likely have a fuel economy in the range of 20 – 30 kmpl owing to its 3-seater light weight configuration and smaller engines.

Variants and prices: The NT3 will likely have three engine variants and could be priced in the range of Rs. 1.5 – 3 lakh.

Maruti 800

Expected unveiling: N.A

Looks: The face-lifted M800 model will get a new front grille with a pair of horizontal chrome slats. The headlamps will have a tear-drop shape as can be seen in the slots cut out for the headlamps in the test mule, unlike the outgoing model’s rectangular headlamps and turn indicators.

Performance: The face-lifted M800 will likely be powered by the Maruti Suzuki Alto’s 796 cc, FC engine ( BS IV compliant) that makes 46 bhp of maximum power and 62 Nm of maximum torque. The engine is known for its frugal nature.

Mileage: Expect the new Maruti 800 to return around 20 kmpl. In real world conditions it will likely be around 17-18 kmpl.

Chevrolet Spark 800 cc

Expected unveiling: N.A

Looks: The Spark 800 cc will look same as the 1.0-litre petrol version.

Performance: The Spark 800 cc engine may have 50 bhp of power and will likely have a performance in par with its rival, the Maruti Suzuki Alto. Expect the Spark 800 to accelerate from 0 – 100 kmph in about 20 seconds.

Mileage: The mileage of the Spark 800 version will likely be in the range of 18 -21 kmpl.

Variants and prices: The Spark 800 is expected to come with as many variants as the current version which includes: standard, PS, LS and LT. The Spark 800 could be priced around Rs. 30,000 lower than the present model which has a price range of Rs. 3.23 – 3.85 lakh.