India Cars Review

MARUTI ALTO

Small and successful and a great entry level car offered by India’s largest car maker. It’s been around for some time and it’s to the credit of its designers that the Alto still looks quite contemporary and has aged well. But the same cannot be said of its interiors which look quite basic and bare now. You could also look at it as cramped or accept that for a small car it has decent space for four. Proven performance, along with sound mechanicals including a very fuel-efficient 800cc, three-cylinder engine, make it a worthwhile urban commuter
hatch. It’s also quite nimble and offers a fairly decent ride, but feels slightly low on power, especially with the A/C. The gear shifter and all controls are light and easy to operate and it’s amongst the easiest cars to drive and park. It has better build than its cheaper sibling, the 800, and is also stiffer and safer. And just like other small Marutis, spares are cheap and maintenance easy due to the largest service network in the country.

Price : Rs 2.53 to 3.28 lakhs

EQUIPMENT
AC
Power steering
Power windows at front

SPEC CHECK: Petrol, 796cc, 3 cyl, 47bhp/6200rpm, 62Nm/3Q0Orpm,
5 Manual, L/W/H: 3495/1475/1460, wh: 2360kg, weight; 735kg, fuel tank: 35L

Price : Rs 3.76 to 5.07 lakhs

FIAT PALIO STIL

Fiat’s only current product got a facelift sometime back and now comes with a 1.1 and 1.6 petrol engines. The 1.3 multi jet diesel is also available . The recent front and rear end have infused some freshness but the 1.1 engine has still to score with buyers. The new two-tone finish does little to conceal that the cabin has gone way past its expiry date but there is no doubt that the Palio is a strong, safe and solid car. It steers and handles quite well and the 1.6 engine can still give the competition a run for its money.

SPEC CHECK: Petrol, 1108cc, 4 cyl, 57bhp/5250rpm, 92Nm/2750rpm,5 Manual, L/W/H: 3827/1620/1440, wb: 2373, weight: 990kg, fuel tank: 47L

EQUIPMENT

AC

Alloy wheel

Central Lockirig Systern

Fog lamp

Power steering

Power Windows

FORD FUSION

This uniquely styled vehicle now also has the Fiesta’s most impressive 1.4 diesel engine. And it retains its strong qualities like space, comfort, perform­ance, driving dynamics, practicality, refinement and build quality. Based on the Fiesta platform it is a ‘fusion’of different body styles and offers the features and driving experience of a car, along with the practicality of an SUV. The interior is bright and practical with ten innovative stowage spaces. Everything feels well put together and the additional height generated by the nature of the design, makes getting in and out very easy and also provides a lot of headroom. The gearbox is a slick-shifting one and the Fusion rides on 1 5-inch wheels. But despite its tall stance it is impressively agile around curves and the ride is also quite good. Out on the highway it feels stable and solid and the diesel engine makes it a very economical tourer. Though it is not very popular, it’s a very good choice as a recreational vehicle.

Rs 6.37 to 7.77 lakhs

EQUIPMENT

•AC

• Central Locking System

•Fog Lamp

• Power Steering

•Power Windows

•Fog Lamp

SPECCHECK: Petrol, 1596cc, 101bhp/6500rpm, 146Nm/3400rpm, 5Manual, L/W/H:4018/1720/1529, wb: 2486, weight: 1134kg, fuel tank: 45L

Diesel, 1399cc, 68bhp/4000rpm, 160Nm/2000rpm, 5 Manual, L/H/W: 3989/1720/1529, : 2486, weight: 1180kg, fuel tank: 45L

BENTLEY CONTINENTAL

The car that marks the revival of Bentley under German (VW) ownership. The Continental coupe range is now three-car strong, consisting of the base version that develops just 552bhp, a slightly more powerful version - the GT Speed -that develops only 600bhp and the cabriolet alternative to the base coupe. We recommend the GT Speed which has a 0-1 OOkph time of 4.3 seconds and a V-max of 325kph. This in a car where you can ferry three of your friends in sheer luxury, surrounded by leather, wood and aluminium.

1.65 to 2.24 crores

SPEC CHECK: Petrol, 5998cc, W12,553bhp/61OOrpm, 650Nm/1600rpm, 6 Auto, L/W/H: 4804 /1918/1479, wb: 2745, weight: 2385kg, fuel tank: 90L

EQUIPMENT

ABS AC/Climate
Control Airbag
Alloy Wheels
Auto Transmission
Central Locking System
Electric.mirror
Etec.Seat
Fog Lamp
Tilt Steering
Traction control

Rs 70 to 85 Lakhs
The biggest SUV that you can get in India, the Q7 also comes with one mighty motor: a 4.2-litre V8 that propels the 2.5-tonner all the way to 250kph. But then if you are the sort that cares, the behemoth guzzles fuel. The more sensible buy is the three-litre diesel and you don’t lose out much: the 233bhp V6 manages a 0-100kph time of 8.4 sees! Equally impressive is the Tiptronic transmission, along with a mighty set of brakes.

SPEC CHECK: Petrol, 4163cc, V8,345bhp/6800rpm, 440/3500rpm,
6 Auto, L/W/H: 5086/2170/1737, wb: 3002, weight: 2270kg, fuel tank: 100LDiesel, 2967cc, V6,233bhp/4000rpm, 500Nm/7500-2750rpm,
6 Auto, L/H/W: 5086/2170/1737, wb:3002mm,weight: 1615kg, fuel tank: 72L

EQUIPMENT
ABS’AC/Climate
Control Airbag
Alloy Wheels
Auto Transmission
Central Locking System
Elec mirror
Elec. Seat
Fog lamp
tilt Steering
Traction control

The Tavera came in just as the somewhat similar Toyota Qualis was making its exit. It benefited from this and became an ideal replacement for taxi operators due to its fuel-efficient diesel engine, space and reliability. The badging on the Tavera may scream Turbo, but the engine hardly advertises this. The turbo operates very discreetly providing the additional boost in a very linear manner, which means response is quick and the torque well spread. Its spacious interiors are user friendly, but the plastic quality is not that special.
The middle row seat is comfortable and offers the most legroom. The on-road performance and driving dynamics are quite alright and the brakes also do a good job of bringing it to a halt. It’s a mechanically sound UV, which also appeals to larger families and those that do a fair bit of long distance driving. As a result it’s also quite popular with private taxi operators and this further establishes its credentials as a reliable vehicle.

Rs 6.42 to 10.88 lakhs
SPEC CHECK: Diesel, 2499 cc, 4cyl, 80bhp/3900rpm, 186Nm/1800rpm,
5 Manual, L/W/H: 4435/1680/1765, wb: 2685mm,weight: 1660kg, fuel tank: 55L
EQUIPMENT
A/C
Alloy wheel
Audio System
Central Locking System
Fog Lamp
Power Steering
Power Windows

A smart looking saloon that now also has a Clint Eastwood style ‘Magnum’ badging and a dynamo of a two-litre common rail diesel engine to justify this tag. The energetic and fuel-efficient modern engine has infused fresh interest in the Optra andgiven this comfortable and competent saloon a new reason to exhibit itsmany attributes like a spacious and well fin­ished cabin, good ride, sound handling and a substantial boot.The feature list is also very extensive and higher end versions come equippedwith features like sunroof and leather upholstery, allowing the Optra to stalk and hunt down cars in the high­er D-segment category. Two petrol engines (1.6 and 1.8) are also avail­able. The 1.8 has hardly any takers and sale figures show that even the 1.6 petrol Optra has been overshad­owed by the diesel. What continue to shine are the sound driving dynamics, elegant styling, confident braking and well dressed interiors.

Rs 71to 11.78 lakhs

Chevy’s smallest car ever, based on the Aveo platform. Ciorgetto Giugiaro of Italdesign has ensured that the styling is smart and the overall proportions pleasing. The interior is also nice with the individual circular pods of the instru­ments being appealing and innovative. Insides are spacious but the 1,1 50cc engine feels a tad underpowered. The body is rigid and the U-VA scores on ride quality and handling. It also gives the impression of being solid and bigger than it actually is. Braking is excellent and ABS is also available.

Price:Rs 3.76 to 5.07 lakhs