Chevrolet MPV will be called ‘Enjoy’

‘MPV’ name plate shown at Expo was only a temporary name. Will go on sale mid-2012, petrol powered version will be offered initially.

Chevrolet unveiled its much-awaited MPV based on the Chinese Wuling CN-100 at the Auto Expo in New Delhi. But while that car carried name plates that simply read ‘MPV’, it was only a working title, and Autocar India has learned that the seven-seater will be called ‘Enjoy’ by the time it goes on sale in mid 2012.

The Enjoy will first be launched with a 94.6bhp 1.4-litre petrol, but will get a 1.3-litre SDE diesel – GM’s version of Fiat’s Multijet – at the beginning of next year. GM is hoping to undercut rivals like the Toyota Innova and Mahindra Xylo by a huge margin – targeting a starting price of under Rs 6 lakh.

Fiat, Suzuki ink pact for Multijet

Fiat to supply upto 100,000 diesel engines every year to Suzuki.

Fiat and Suzuki Motor Corporation have reached an agreement for the supply of Fiat’s small diesel engine -- the 1.3-litre Multijet -- to Maruti Suzuki. Fiat India will supply up to 100,000 Multijet 75hp SDE engines every year for a three-year period that begins in the third week of January. Production of the engine for Maruti will start at Fiat India Automobiles’ Ranjangaon plant near Pune.

These volumes will be in addition to the 1.3-litre Multijet SDE engines already licensed by Fiat and manufactured by Suzuki Powertrain India. The 1.3 Multijet is a BS IV four-cylinder, 16V engine. It powers the all-new Swift and these additional supplies will enable Maruti to fulfill its deliveries of the car to the over 100,000 buyers who booked it. An estimated 80 percent of demand was for the diesel version. The SX4 and Ritz are also powered by the 1.3 Multijet engine.

With the colossal swing towards diesel-engined cars in the Indian market, carmakers have struggled to supply enough diesel models to their customers. With over 100,000 bookings for the all-new Swift, the problem was particularly significant for Maruti. Earlier, Maruti Suzuki had imported diesel engines from its Hungary facility.

Test Drive and Review of New Fiat Linea and Grande Punto

Fiat has made some of the greatest advances in small car design and technology over the years. It has designed some of the most attractive-looking hatches, it often sets the benchmark for ride and handling and its 1.3 Multijet diesel is so good, even the Japanese have bowed down to its genius. Yet, despite having all the essentials, Fiat hasn’t attained the level of success it should have enjoyed in India.

Still, Fiat has put its shoulder to the grindstone to update its very underrated Linea and Grande Punto. This year sees some significant updates for its flagship Linea and the Grande Punto. But look at the cars and you won’t be able to tell the difference instantly. What hasn’t changed is that they are still among the best-looking cars in their respective classes.

On the outside, the Linea Emotion now gets the handsome 16-inch turbine-blade alloy wheels from the T-jet, all Linea models now get automatic headlights and wipers (a first for the segment) and Fiat has improved the aircon unit as well. Mechanical changes include more ground clearance (Fiat claims a best-in-class 185mm) and revisions to the state of tune of the 92bhp diesel engine. Fiat’s diesel still feels a bit rattley at idle, however, and you still have to work the gearbox and accelerator to extract any performance from it. Interior quality has been given a perceptible lift and, on its raised suspension, the Linea still rides beautifully. The handling isn’t as sharp as when the car was originally launched here, but we think this softer character of the suspension suits it better overall.

Also brightened up from the inside with two-tone colours and nicer fit and finish is the Grande Punto. Like the Linea, ground clearance has been increased and the aircon system has been improved. The car drives beautifully, feeling very solid and one-piece. Ride quality is exceptional, agility is good and now even the base version gets the Linea’s slick-looking audio system as well as central locking. If only Fiat had a proper 16-valve 1.2-litre motor; this current 1172cc, eight-valve unit is simply too anaemic. Still, the 1.3 diesel is good enough to get the job done. And it’s still one of the most attractive-looking hatchbacks ever.

As expected, the updates have come at a price, and there is an increase of approximately Rs 50,000 on the price tag of every model in both cars’ ranges. The Grande Punto now starts at Rs 4.81 lakh and the Linea at Rs 6.84 lakh for their respective base Active petrol variants (both prices ex-showroom, Delhi).

Fiat offers festival discounts on Linea and Punto

NEW DELHI: In a bid to increase sales during the festival season, Italian automobile major Fiat's Indian subsidiary on Wednesday launched discount offers for its hatchback Punto and sedan Linea.

"With the launch of this campaign, we portray our commitment towards the Indian market and communicate that this campaign has been designed keeping in mind the emotions, sentiments and key values, deeply portraying our Indian connect," said Fiat India chief executive Rajeev Kapoor.

According to the company, the new offer would allow customers to avail discounts of up to Rs.1,30,000 on Linea and Rs.75,000 on Punto.

• The offer is from September to October.The schemes also includes a further option to add Rs.20,000 in discounted purchase for customers who exchange their old-car for Fiat vehicles.

"This scheme includes attractive exchange benefits of up to Rs.20,000, wherein customers can upgrade to Fiat cars if they exchange their cars while buying new Fiat cars," the company said in a statement.

The scheme also provides 50 months of roadside assistance package along with one-year insurance at the rate of Re.1.

Fiat's 'diesel for petrol' offer

Fiat India has introduced a unique marketing initiative titled ‘Diesel at the price of petrol’, for the month of July.  If you buy a Fiat Linea or Punto, you get a chance to participate in a lucky draw, which may entitle you to a year’s supply of fuel or the diesel variant of the petrol car that you plan to buy.

In case you plan to buy a diesel Fiat and your name comes up in the lucky draw, you’ll have to pay only for the corresponding petrol variant. If you buy the Linea T-jet, and win, you get Rs 100,000 off on the ex-showroom price.This initiative is meant to influence customers who would prefer to buy a diesel Fiat due to the low running costs but are deterred due to the high initial premium.  Buyers can opt for a diesel Linea or Punto at the price of the petrol variant or equivalent cash back.

The offer is not limited only to the winners of the contest; all buyers of Fiat cars in July will be provided free fuel for three months and discounts on the first year’s insurance and free 50 months roadside assistance. Customers exchanging their old cars to upgrade to a Linea or Punto get an additional exchange bonus of upto Rs 20,000.