Toyota Etios Cross Preview
Toyota recently launched the Etios Cross for the Brazilian market and it is expected to now make its Indian debut at the 2014 Auto Expo. Much like the Volkswagen Cross Polo and the Ford EcoSport, it will be the Japanese automaker’s entry into the rapidly expanding compact crossover segment. It has been spotted running in and around Pune which means that it is likely to have got its ARAI approval and will go on sale shortly after the Auto Expo.
Exterior
The Toyota Etios Cross is a beefed up version of the standard car and much like the Cross Polo, it gets a large plastic based body kit. This is further enhanced in terms of overall toughness through the use of taller wheels and contrast coloured roof rails which can hold luggage up to the range of 50kgs-55kgs. The overall design of the car is pretty much the same as the EtiosToyota Etios Cross Preview
Toyota recently launched the Etios Cross for the Brazilian market and it is expected to now make its Indian debut at the 2014 Auto Expo. Much like the Volkswagen Cross Polo and the Ford EcoSport, it will be the Japanese automaker’s entry into the rapidly expanding compact crossover segment. It has been spotted running in and around Pune which means that it is likely to have got its ARAI approval and will go on sale shortly after the Auto Expo.
Exterior
The Toyota Etios Cross is a beefed up version of the standard car and much like the Cross Polo, it gets a large plastic based body kit. This is further enhanced in terms of overall toughness through the use of taller wheels and contrast coloured roof rails which can hold luggage up to the range of 50kgs-55kgs. The overall design of the car is pretty much the same as the Etios Liva hatchback. Other changes from the standard car include the Etios Cross lettering on the side.
Interior
The interiors and the feature list remain the same as the standard car with the exception of some new seat fabrics and trim accents. We expect that Toyota will offer the Etios Cross only in the top spec petrol and diesel variants which means that it will get the same feature list and cabin design including the centrally mounted speedometer and gauges. This is currently the case with the Brazilian spec car so we expect that the Indian one will be no different.
Engines
The India spec Etios Cross will get the 1.2-litre petrol unit that produces 79bhp and 104Nm of torque as well as the 1.4-litre diesel unit that does 67bhp and 170Nm of torque. Both engines have been mated to a five-speed manual. There is a possibility of a TRD Sportivo unit that will get the 1.5-petrol engine and the same 1.4-litre diesel unit.
Competition and price
The Toyota Etios Cross will compete with the VW Cross Polo, Ford EcoSport, Renault Duster and the Nissan Terrano of which the latter two will be in the lower spec variants. It is also expected to get competition in the form of the Mahindra S-101 which will see the light of the day sometime this year. It is expected to be priced Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 more than the standard car. The model sold in India will be locally produced at Toyota’s factory outside Bengaluru and so will have a large amount of localisation, definitely more than the Cross Polo and so that should give it an advantage. Liva hatchback. Other changes from the standard car include the Etios Cross lettering on the side.
Interior
The interiors and the feature list remain the same as the standard car with the exception of some new seat fabrics and trim accents. We expect that Toyota will offer the Etios Cross only in the top spec petrol and diesel variants which means that it will get the same feature list and cabin design including the centrally mounted speedometer and gauges. This is currently the case with the Brazilian spec car so we expect that the Indian one will be no different.
Engines
The India spec Etios Cross will get the 1.2-litre petrol unit that produces 79bhp and 104Nm of torque as well as the 1.4-litre diesel unit that does 67bhp and 170Nm of torque. Both engines have been mated to a five-speed manual. There is a possibility of a TRD Sportivo unit that will get the 1.5-petrol engine and the same 1.4-litre diesel unit.
Competition and price
The Toyota Etios Cross will compete with the VW Cross Polo, Ford EcoSport, Renault Duster and the Nissan Terrano of which the latter two will be in the lower spec variants. It is also expected to get competition in the form of the Mahindra S-101 which will see the light of the day sometime this year. It is expected to be priced Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 more than the standard car. The model sold in India will be locally produced at Toyota’s factory outside Bengaluru and so will have a large amount of localisation, definitely more than the Cross Polo and so that should give it an advantage.
Expected Launch: August 2014
Expected Price: 25 - 30 lakhs
Audi A3 Sedan Preview
The A3 sedan is Audi’s answer to Mercedes-Benz CLA and BMW 1 Series sedan. The sedan was unveiled at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show and is set to debut in India at the 2014 Auto Expo, to slot in below the A4 as one of the entry-level models for the German marque.
At 4.46 meter, the A3 sedan is shorter than the A4 and has MQB underpinning like most other new Volkswagen models. The overall appearance is typical Audi and most design elements resemble with the A3 Sportback. Audi says that the new model is a cross between coupe and three-box design.
This sedan is smaller than the A4, so the space will also be a relatively less. The front seat space won’t be much of an issue, but the rear could be a little cramped. The boot space at 425 liters will be sufficient for most occasions.
The features list will include Audi MMI and the all the safety bits including ABS-EBS, ESP and airbags. The A3 sedan will be available in both petrol and diesel guise in India – the petrol version will be most probably be powered by 1.8-litre TFSI unit developing 168bhp and 320Nm, the oil burner is expected to use the 2.0-litre TDI mill with output of 141bhp and 320Nm. Both the engines will power the front wheels via seven-speed DSG gearbox.
The Audi A3 sedan is expected to be launched in April 2014. Initially the car might be imported to India as a CBU, but Audi will soon start CKD operations from its Aurangabad plant.
Exterior
The facelifted Audi A8L has the same overall proportions and design but gets revised features to make it a fresh vehicle. At the front, the car gets a revised bumper; hood as well a modified single piece grille. Internationally the new car gets what the company calls a chrome trim and its party piece the Matrix LED headlights. The boot space has also been increased but has not affected the overall length.
They basically comprise 25 high beam LEDs (five per reflector) across both headlights. The system gets activated when the headlights are in automatic mode with the high beam on. The vehicle crosses 30kmph on the highways and 60kmph in the city. Basically, when the front camera detects an oncoming vehicle it dims the LEDs focused on the vehicle but continues to illuminate all the areas around the dimmed section. However, this does not affect the illuminated areas that the driver sees. The technology also removes the need for a pivoting mechanism as it uses the GPS system to determine the route and focus the LEDs accordingly.
Interior
The facelifted Audi A8L retains most of the current cars interior trim including the upholstery but is now being offered with a new wood trim level to add a premium feel. It also gets a new type of leather trim which has been dubbed as more natural looking and breathable. Apart from the usual list of bells and whistles, there is now an active lane assist, park assist and a heads-up display. However, we are unlikely to get any radar assisted systems due to laws pertaining to their usage in India.
Expected Launch: May 2014
Expected Price: 1.10 - 1.80 crores
Audi A8 L Facelift Preview
The battle of the luxury car maker in the Indian market has been strong in the second part of this quarter and none is more involved in the fight for the flagship vehicle battle. BMW was the first to enter the fray with its facelifted 7 Series in April. Mercedes-Benz then followed in the beginning of January with the 2014 S-Class and now Audi will bring a facelifted version of its flagship A8L at the upcoming 2014 Auto Expo....read full review The battle of the luxury car maker in the Indian market has been strong in the second part of this quarter and none is more involved in the fight for the flagship vehicle battle. BMW was the first to enter the fray with its facelifted 7 Series in April. Mercedes-Benz then followed in the beginning of January with the 2014 S-Class and now Audi will bring a facelifted version of its flagship A8L at the upcoming 2014 Auto Expo. The car made its official debut in September and has already been spotted testing in and around Mumbai.Exterior
The facelifted Audi A8L has the same overall proportions and design but gets revised features to make it a fresh vehicle. At the front, the car gets a revised bumper; hood as well a modified single piece grille. Internationally the new car gets what the company calls a chrome trim and its party piece the Matrix LED headlights. The boot space has also been increased but has not affected the overall length.
They basically comprise 25 high beam LEDs (five per reflector) across both headlights. The system gets activated when the headlights are in automatic mode with the high beam on. The vehicle crosses 30kmph on the highways and 60kmph in the city. Basically, when the front camera detects an oncoming vehicle it dims the LEDs focused on the vehicle but continues to illuminate all the areas around the dimmed section. However, this does not affect the illuminated areas that the driver sees. The technology also removes the need for a pivoting mechanism as it uses the GPS system to determine the route and focus the LEDs accordingly.
Interior
The facelifted Audi A8L retains most of the current cars interior trim including the upholstery but is now being offered with a new wood trim level to add a premium feel. It also gets a new type of leather trim which has been dubbed as more natural looking and breathable. Apart from the usual list of bells and whistles, there is now an active lane assist, park assist and a heads-up display. However, we are unlikely to get any radar assisted systems due to laws pertaining to their usage in India.
