Maruti Suzuki IGNIS launching soon ?

 Internet is abuzz with rumors of the much awaited Suzuki IGNIS launching in the Indian markets soon.

Maruti Suzuki showcased IGNIS in Delhi Auto show in Feburary this year. The car which looked similar to the hot selling tall boy Wagon R, received good response from the auto enthusiasts visiting Maruti pavilion.

Even though Maruti did not announce any expected date of launch for IGNIS in the Indian markets, rumour mills have been working overtime since than, and expecting a launch in the festive season this year.

Maruti has been plagued with production issues this year, and the long waiting list for its last two launches Vitara Brezza and Baleno made the expected 2016 festive season  launch date for IGNIS seem very unlikely. Auto pundits expected Maruti to clear up the backlog for Brezza and Baleno before launching a new product which may tax its already overstretched production capacity.

But recent spyshots of IGNIS road testing in the Delhi NCR region has made the auto enthusiasts speculate  and bet again on the 2016 launch date.

When introduced in India Maruti may  bring IGNIS through its Nexa showrooms there by making Ignis the second car - after Baleno - to be sold through its premium dealerships.

Found this video of International version Suzuki IGNIS which shows the interiors and exteriors of the car in detail. I just hope Indian version of IGNIS too will be at par with the models available internationally.                                                                      ...Alok

Renuka Kripalani reviews new Hyundai Elantra.

Renuka Kripalani drives the  new Elantra on the Chennai roads and gives us her first impressions of this handsome and roomy executive sedan.

Hyundai India has just launched new Elantra which will be its flagship offering targeted at the executive sedan buyers.

Elantra 2016 will be available with diesel and petrol engines and in a choice of manual or automatic transmissions.

The interiors of new Elantra look very stylish and European.

Review video of new Hyundai Elantra.
 

Renault Kwid - the best gets more powerful !

 Renault Kwid, the hot entry level hatch, has been burning the sales charts since its launch mainly due to its SUVish looks and good value for money proposition.

Though most Kwid buyers were satisfied by the performance of its  800cc engine in the city , its lack of power became more apparent on the long highway runs, particularly while overtaking. Comments from car enthusiasts desiring a Kwid with more powerful engine started floating around the internet since its introduction.

To increase its market share by attracting the enthusiast drivers towards Kwid, Renault took this customer expectation seriously and recently introduced a new model of Kwid powered by a 1 liter engine.

To keep the costs down the same  800cc engine has now been tuned to produce more power , this has also helped Renault in keeping the fuel efficiency numbers in check and there has not been much drop in the ARAI tested fuel efficency figures for Kwid 1 liter engine.

More power means the one liter Kwid is more fun to drive as it still has best in class power to weight ratio. I feel with a bigger engine Kwid is now a more complete car - good for city and also more competent on the long highway drives, which were not as enjoyable in the 800 cc model, particularly for the more enthusiastic drivers.

The price of 1000 cc Kwid is 25-30  thousand rupees more than the  800 cc model, but it still proves to be a great value for money hatch.I feel with the bigger engine Kwid is now a more complete car - good for city and also more competent on the long highway drives, which were not as enjoyable in the 800 cc model, particularly for the more enthusiastic drivers. 

With the launch of this new model Renault India will be able to tap into new market segment and Kwid is sure to increase its share in the Indian auto market. 
                                                                                                                                                         ...Alok

Review video of Renault Kwid 1.0 liter.