Meanwhile, the more...
Meanwhile, the more powerful 150bhp Fiesta ST - as featured exclusively in Auto Express last week - costs í‚á£13,595. That compares with the turbocharged Mitsubishi Colt CZT at just under í‚á£13,000, and í‚á£13,600 for the more powerful Renaultsport Clio 182 Cup. Buyers of the 2.0-litre ST have the option of twin body stripes over the car for í‚á£150, a pair of side stripes for í‚á£75 or both for í‚á£200.
These days, it"s not...
These days, it"s not only Detroit which causes waves in the world of motoring- Delhi does, too!
Home grown auto-makers and those with bases in India were out in force at the city"s motor expo- and the star of the show was Honda"s striking "New Small Concept". The eye-catching machine is similar in size to the Ford Kuga and is set to take the growing budget market by storm when it goes on sale in India and Thailand in 2007.
Penned by Honda Siel Cars India Ltd. the Japanese firm"s Indian arm, it gets blacked-out A-pillars to give the impression of a wraparound screen, plus sharply tapered rear side windows which add to the dynamic profile. A series of body slashes and creases should help make it among the most stylish models in its class.
It sits on a new platform developed by Honda in Japan, and power comes from the Jazz"s 1.2-litre VTEC unit.
Taking its packaging clues from that versatile supermini, the New Small Concept has room for five inside.
Prices for the 1.2 will start at less than ÷£6,750, while a frugal new 1.0-litre VTEC is set to be offered in some markets too. There are currently no plans to bring the car to the UK.
Toyota Etios
Not to be outdone by Honda, Toyota showed off a new city car at Delhi, too.
The Etios concept made its debut in both hatchback and saloon form. Production versions will be built at the company"s new plant in Bangalore, and go one sale in India in late 2010.
The model is a similar size to the Yaris, and has been developed by Japanese and Indian engineers for emerging markets. It"s claimed to offer budget-conscious family car buyers comfortable motoring at a relatively low ownership cost. The hatch variant will be powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine, while the saloon gets a more powerful 1.5-litre unit.
Prices are expected to start at ÷£6,000 in India. That budget tag has been achieved by reducing sound-proofing, plus offering a hard wearing cabin and a single wiper. However, Toyota claims the Etios will adhere to the firm"s usual high-quality standards.
The firm is hoping the Etios will sell well in India, a strategically important market for its global operations. A huge 70,000 are likely to be bought in the first year of production, but it won"t reach UK shores.
Suzuki SX4 hybrid
Developed in conjunction with the Indian government, the SX4 features a 1.2-litre petrol powerplant teamed with a 50kW electric motor plus a lithium-ion battery pack.
Set to be built from 2015, the SX4 comes with a five-speed anual transmission. The technology will migrate to other models in the Suzuki range, too.
Chevrolet Beat
Making it"s Delhi debut was the Chevrolet Spark, which will be called the Beat in India- as was the original concept car. It will cost ÷£4,500 in entry-level form, and have optional anti-lock brakes and airbags. A 1.2-litre petrol engine will be joined by a diesel powerplant before the end of 2010. It is likely that the latter motor will make its way into the UK Spark, as well.
Tata Aria
Here"s proof that Tata doesn"t want to be typecast as a budget maker. At ÷£12,000, the Aria crossover- big- brother to the Nano- is the firm"s most costly car to date. The seven-seater uses an all-new 4WD platform and a 138bhp 2.2-litre common-rail diesel. Built in India, the Aria will launch in its home country by the end of 2010 and could even make it to Europe.
Suzuki R111 MPV
This is our first glimpse of an upcoming MPV from Suzuki. The supermini-sized people carrier concept made its debut at the Delhi Motor Show, and could go on sale within the next two years. Developed in partnership with the firm"s Indian arm Maruti, it shares much with the Swift underneath the skin. A tall roof adds extra cabin space.
DC Imperator
You may have never heard of DC Designs, but it"s India"s answer to Pininfarina- and here"s one of its most amazing productions to date. The Imperator- which means Emperor in Latin- certainly looks grand, and incredibly the SSUV (Super Sports Utility Vehicle) is based on an Audi Q7. With gullwing dooes and a luxurious four-seater cabin, it really stands out.