carazoo.com asked:


This title could send a mixed bag of emotions in the reader. It is sure to bring sneers even from the most optimistic of market watchers. New cars? And in these economic conditions? Yet, surprising as it may seem, if you thought that only the ardent fan of the Indian car industry will find some interest in the new introductions into the car market, you may be forced to think again.

Despite the heavy squeeze on car loans in a tight financial market and the doldrums major car manufacturers are optimistic about India’s growing affluence.

And the surprise of surprises is that all the new brands slated for release in 2009 are from those manufacturers who are struggling for breath elsewhere in the world but are laying out big plans in India.

Here are some of the upcoming cars for India in 2009

Hyundai Santa Fe

This brand derives its name from the Spanish transliteration for Holy Faith. Hyundai needs a lot of this to introduce this brand in India. It may have been a 2008 Consumer Reports’ Top Pick by being in this magazine’s top ten brands in the US; yet, the ball game is different in India. This mid-size, premium SUV, with its steep price tag of Rs 23-26 Lakh, is sure to find attraction with not more than a small section of the market. It is expected to be tailored to Indian conditions, in which its 147 bhp engine may find little suitability.

Fiat Grande Punto

Fiat, with a long history of association with India, is planning to come out with yet another hatchback, the Grande Punto. Having taken off in 1993 in Europe as a replacement for the Fiat Uno, the Punto will be in its third generation when it takes off in India by the middle of 2009.

Its low price may have been its forte in Europe and US all those years back when it was far cheaper than the competition from Volkswagen and Opel, but this advantage may not apply in India. In the Indian car market, it will be placed in the Rs 5-7 Lakh range, where its immediate competitors, the Maruti Swift, Tata Indica Vista and the Hyundai i20 are placed.

As of now, there appears nothing revolutionary this car offers in relation to these brands, so it had better keep a watch on the price. It is likely to make a fierce ad pitch with its finessed Essessee Kit, which is expected to push up its performance but unfortunately this is not going to be standard.

Honda Jazz

Honda, one of the prime car brands in India is planning to introduce the Jazz around the middle of the year. This is sure to be sweet music to Indian car lovers, as this is going to be a rare hatchback into the Indian market from this esteemed company. With striking looks and a broad range of colours to choose from, the Jazz will be Honda’s answer to Fiat Punto Grande and the Skoda Fabia. It is competitively priced in the range of Rs 5-6 Lakh.

Maruti Suzuki Ritz

After the success of its Swift, India’s best selling car name introduced the A-Star in 2008. It plans to follow up on this introduction with another zestful, lively hatchback, the Maruti Suzuki Splash, which is now christened as Ritz. Expected around March, this model is slated as a follow up to the Zen Estilo, and is priced between Rs 4 and 5.5 Lakh. Given its varied and long experience of the Indian car market, one may not expect a flop from this veteran.

Toyota Fortuner

Scheduled for an early 2009 release, the Toyota Fortuner will be a full-fledged large SUV. Following the grand success of its now-discontinued Qualis, the Fortuner will test Toyota’s fortunes. It will be locking horns with the upcoming Santa Fe and a bevy of existing SUVs. It is expected to carry a price tag of Rs 16-18 Lakh.



Octavio

Ally Wahlberg asked:


HONDA has emerged victorious in UK’s 2007 Which? Car reliability study of new models – its Jazz supermini besting all other contenders to emerge as the overall ratings with a rating from owners of 96 per cent.

Honda – also maker of top of the line auto parts like Honda ball joint, has also either won or shared top spot in the medium car bracket with the previous generation Civic; in the large car group with the Accord; in the people-carrier section with the FR-V and among off-roaders with the old CR-V.

The only disappointment the automaker so far had was with its latest Civic which earned a poor reliability rating of only 82 per cent. Overall average for new cars was 88 per cent.

According to Which? Car, the least reliable new model based from its survey of 93,365 motorists was the Land Rover Discovery 3, “not as big and tough as it thinks it is,” with a rating of 79 per cent.

Which? Car also noted that the VW Passat, contrary to Volkswagen’s reputation for reliability, was a disappointment, same with the Peugeot 307 and Renault Megane, all with 82 per cent.

Honda also won Which? Car’s manufacturers’ league table, taking the overall reliability index of 86 per cent, with Toyota following closely behind with just one point to sit in the second place.

Following in the list were other Far Eastern manufacturers: Daihatsu, Hyundai, Lexus, Mazda, Subaru and Suzuki were all vying for the third place, all of which scored 82 per cent.

At the bottom of the list was Land Rover with 68 per cent, just behind Renault and Fiat.

‘Honda is setting the benchmark in car reliability and it’s up to other manufacturers to raise their standards to match.’ Which? Car Editor Richard Headland, said

Complete List:

Category: Superminis

Most reliable new car(s)

Honda Jazz (96 per cent)

Least reliable new car(s)

Fiat Grande Punto (85 per cent)

Category: Medium cars

Most reliable new car(s)

Honda Civica, Mazda 3

(both 94 per cent)



Least reliable new car(s)

Citroën C4, Honda Civic, Peugeot 307, Renault Mégane (all 82 per cent)

Category: Large cars

Most reliable new car(s)

BMW 3 Series, Honda Accord, Toyota Avensis (all 94 per cent)



Least reliable new car(s)

Peugeot 407, Skoda Octavia, VW Passat, Volvo S40/V50 (all 82 per cent)

Category: Luxury cars



Most reliable new car(s)

Audi A6 (91 per cent)



Least reliable new car(s)

BMW 5 Series, Jaguar S-type, Saab 9-5, Volvo V70 (all 85 per cent)

Category: Mini MPVs

Most reliable new car(s)

Nissan Note (94 per cent)



Least reliable new car(s)

Ford Fusion, Vauxhall Meriva (both 88 per cent)

Category: MPVs (people carriers)



Most reliable new car(s)

Honda FR-V (91 per cent)



Least reliable new car(s)

Chrysler Grand Voyager, Ford

C-Max, Renault Scénic (all 82 per cent)

Category: Sports/coupés



Most reliable new car(s)

Mazda MX-5 (94 per cent)



Least reliable new car(s)

Mazda RX-8 (82 per cent)

Category: Off-roaders



Most reliable new car(s)

Honda CR-Va, Toyota RAV4 (both 94 per cent)



Least reliable new car(s)

Land Rover Discovery 3 (79 per cent)



Marcel

Benard Worseley asked:


Showcasing new levels of performance, style, driving dynamics, and safety, the third-generation Honda City release on the 4th of Feb 2009 combines excellent functionality, versatility, and aesthetics. Since 1996, the City has been incredibly successful in Australia and beyond with more than one million units sold in 39 countries. The variants are offered including the VTi and the VTi-L.

Standard Features and New Technologies

Thoroughly equipped with central locking, power mirrors and windows, and iPod ready in-dash stereo with MP3 compatibility, the new Honda City also has a wide range of safety equipments. From the dual front, side and curtain airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners, to the ABS brakes with EBD (electronic brake-force distribution), car buyers can be rest assured that they are well protected against collisions and other car accidents.

Both the VTi and the VTi-L are powered with a 1.5 liter SOHC i-VTEC engine with an economical output of 88kW and 145 Nm. The engine can also produce a combined 6.3/100km and 147/km in manual gear. The two variants are available with 5-speed automatic transmission or the 5-spped manual transmission. Buyers are given a choice between their driving preferences.

There are several main differences between the VTi and the VTi-L model. The VTi-L is more expensive because it has tilt and telescopic steering, chrome door handles, 16-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, premium trim, and leather steering wheel. Similar to the Honda Jazz, the Honda City release on the 4th of Feb 2009 also use the MacPherson strut front and torsion rear for maximum efficiency. It provides precise handling, agility, and a comfortable ride. A notable feature in the 2009 Honda City is the spaciousness of its interiors. It easily accommodates five adults and even has a bigger boot compared to the more expensive Accord.

Fuel Economy and Value-for-Money

The Managing Director of Honda Australia, Yasuhide Mizuno, said that the launching of the new model is welcomed by the company, its dealers, and customers. Although the image of Honda City is currently different in Australia compared to Asia and the United States, it is expected appeals to a broad market spectrum from the younger generation to pensioners. The 2009 Honda City appeals to the young market with its edgy styling while it remaining as an attractive option for families because of its fuel economy, quality, and value-for-money.

Manufactured at Honda’s plant in Thailand, the Honda City release on the 4th of Feb 2009 made the market for compact cars all the more competitive. Aside from offering quality features, the price range of new City is quite attractive as well. It ranges from AUD 17,990 to AUD 21,990.

More features will be available on the Honda City in 2010. Australia is a member of the UNECE WP29 Global Technical Regulation on electronic stability control (ESC). It requires all passenger cars in Australia to be fitted with ESC; it also imposed new light duties. Because of this, the ESC feature will be included in Honda vehicles in all future passenger cars.



Robin