Upcoming car launches in July and August 2011

There are a slew of launches lined up for July and August 2011. The cars that will be launched in the coming months will include the Ford Fiesta, Tata Aria, Chevrolet Beat, Force One SUV, new Honda Jazz and the Maruti Suzuki Swift.

Ford Fiesta

Expected launch: July

The new 2011 Global Ford Fiesta has attractive “foxy-eyed headlamps”, a trapezoidal front grille and a forward-leaning stance. Interesting features of the new Fiesta include multi-function voice-activated controls, steering mounted audio controls, follow-me home headlamps and auto-folding mirrors.

The new Fiesta has good, supportive front row seats, but the rear row lacks adequate leg room especially when 3 persons are seated. Read more: 2011 Ford Fiesta Video Review

Engine

The new Fiesta petrol is powered by a 1.5 litre, Duratec, TiVCT petrol that churns out 109 bhp of max power and 140 Nm of max torque while the diesel variant is powered by a 1.5 litre Duratorq motor that makes 90 bhp of maximum power and 204 Nm of max torque.

Both engines are mated to a 5-speed manual gear box. As per ARAI ratings, the mileage of the Fiesta petrol is 17 kmpl and that of the diesel is 23.5 kmpl. Also read our first drive reports of the petrol and diesel Fiesta.

Price

The new Fiesta is expected to fall in the Rs. 8 lakh to Rs. 11 lakh price band. The new Fiesta will take on cars like the Maruti Suzuki SX4, Honda City, Volkswagen Vento, Hyundai fluidic Verna and Fiat Linea.

Tata Aria 4×2

Expected launch: July

Tata Motor’s crossover, the Aria will now come in a lower priced, 4×2 avatar to attract price-conscious buyers. The Aria is essentially a family oriented car and is loaded with safety features like ABS, EBD,  airbags, ESP and all four disc brakes. Read more here.

It also comes with creatures comforts like climate control, GPS navigation, cruise control, auto bonnet lift, chilled glove box, puddle lamp, automatic rear wiper, etc.

Engine

The Aria 4×2 will be powered by the same 2.2 Dicor engine that powers the Aria 4×4 version as well as the Tata Safari. The engine makes 140 bhp of max power and 320 Nm of max torque and mated to 5-speed transmission. The front-wheel-drive Aria will have better mileage than the all-wheel-drive version that has a claimed mileage of 13 kmpl.

Price & Competition

The Aria 4×2 version will be roughly Rs. 1.5 lakh cheaper than the 4×4 version. It is still not clear whether Tata will offer the Aria 4×2 version in all the three variants like the 4×4 version.

At present Tata Aria is offered in 3 variants, the base variant, Pleasure 4×4 costs Rs. 12.9 lakh, the middle-variant, Prestige 4×4 costs Rs. 14.13 lakh and top-end variant, Pride 4×4 costs Rs. 15.5 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).  The Aria 4×2 may attract buyers of the top-end variant of Toyota’s Innova MPV.

Chevrolet Beat diesel

Expected launch: July

The Chevrolet Beat diesel is a much anticipated launch as rising petrol prices are forcing small car buyers to go for diesel versions. The upcoming Beat diesel will most likely be available in same trim levels as the Beat petrol PS, LS and LT). Also read: Upcoming small cars between now and December 2011

Engine

The Chevrolet Beat diesel will be powered by a locally-built, 996 cc, 3-cylinder diesel motor that makes 56 bhp of maximum power, 150 Nm of maximum torque and will be mated to a 5-speed transmission.

The Beat diesel returns a claimed mileage of 24 km/litre. The Beat diesel will retain all the features and equipment found in the Beat petrol version.

Price & Competition

With a high level of localization, the Beat diesel is expected to cost around Rs.40,000 more than the petrol variant. The price of the Beat diesel will be between Rs. 3.95 lakh to Rs. 5 lakh. The Beat diesel will lock horns with the diesel variants of Maruti Ritz, Ford Figo and its likes.

Maruti Swift facelift

Expected launch: August

The second-generation Swift, to be launched in August (launch may be postponed), will be a cosmetic makeover and will sport bigger, upswept headlamps, a sporty front grill, a redesigned tail-lamp cluster, improved leg room etc.

On the interior, expect the new Swift to be loaded with electrically adjustable side view mirrors, a redesigned central console and up-market plastics and upholstery.

Engine

Under the hood, the new Swift will have a re-engineered petrol motor that will produce around 90 bhp of maximum power, making it 5 bhp more powerful than the current 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 current Swift diesel. This engine makes 75 bhp of max power.

Price & Competition

The new Swift will be priced 5-7% (Rs. 26,000 approx) 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, Hyundai i10, Toyota Etios Liva, upcoming Honda Brio, Nissan Micra, Volkswagen Polo, Skoda Fabia and Tata Indica Vista.

Force One

Expected launch: 2011

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. Read more here.

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 power train is made under license from Daimler. Force One will initially be launched 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 in the Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 12 lakh range. It will take on the Mahindra Scorpio and the Tata Safari.

Honda Jazz

Expected launch: August

Honda will likely launch a face-lifted Jazz in August. Dealers have already started accepting bookings for the new Jazz. The new Jazz like the outgoing model will have a spacious interior, flexible rear seats and overall premium feel to it.

The Jazz face-lift will be same to the present model in terms of looks but will sport new bumpers, grille and other minor changes. Read more about the new Jazz in our photo gallery.

Engine

The face-lifted model will not undergo a change of heart and will be powered by the same 1.2 litre i-vtec engine offered on the present model that produces 89 bhp of max power and 110 Nm of max torque. However Honda may introduce the new car with an automatic transmission variant.

Price

Honda hasn’t officially announced the price of the new Jazz but we except it to be in the Rs 6.7 lakh to Rs 7.8 lakh price range. At this price the new Jazz will be pit against the Hyundai i20, Fiat Grande Punto, Volkswagen Polo and Skoda Fabia.