Indian Debut for Pininfarina-Styled Tata Pr1ma Sedan Concept

Following its world premiere at last year's Geneva Salon, Tata brought its oddly named Pr1ma concept car back home for the New Delhi motor show. Designed and built by famous Italian coachbuilder Pininfarina, the Pr1ma is suppose to offer an indication of how the next generation of Tata saloons could be stylistically interpreted.

The compact-size four-door saloon is based on the platform of the first Indian sedan, the Tata Indigo, and features a wheelbase of 2.700 mm. Neither Tata or Pininfarina have released any more information about the Pr1ma.

Tata Debuts Magic Iris Mini -Minivan for those that want to Upgrade from Tricycles

Tata Motors, the Indian maker of the world's cheapest mass produced car, the Nano, and owner of Jaguar and Land Rover, swiped the covers off the Magic Iris at this week's New Delhi motor show. The odd looking (and that's an understatement...) mini version of a minivan was developed specifically for India with the company claiming that it "aims at upgrading the quality of travel for those who depend on three-wheelers".

The pint-size four-wheel passenger car is said to seat up to five people, two at the front and three at the back.

Tata Motors makes it a point to note that the Iris Magic is "controlled by a steering that provides car-like on-road stability, while the hard roof, made of sheet metal, provides car-like safety" and that it also features "car-like clear lens headlamps and tail lights". If you've ever seen the tri-cycles in India, you'll understand why.

The Magic Iris, which is expected to go on sale in India later this year, is powered by a 0.6-liter water-cooled diesel engine producing 11.3-horsepower that allows the vehicle reach speeds of up to 55km/h or 34mph.

Toyota Previews Low-Cost Small Car with Etios Sedan and Hatchback at New Delhi Show

When we first heard about Toyota's plans to introduce a compact car developed specifically emerging markets such as India and the South American region, our mind went to a Japanese version of the Renault-Nissan group's low-cost Dacia Logan. And true enough, Toyota's new Etios concept that was unveiled at the New Delhi Show is exactly that - it even looks a bit like the Logan too.

Toyota showed off both a five-door hatchback and a four-door saloon version of the Etios that will go on sale initially in India towards the end of the year. The production Etios will be offered with two newly developed petrol engines, a 1.2-liter and a 1.5-liter unit, while a diesel option could follow after.

Etios chief engineer, Yoshinori Noritake, said at the show: "I visited many Indian cities and homes to learn the market and to hear from the consumer directly. Over four years, more than 2,000 engineers have been involved in the development of the Etios, and each has devoted his or her best effort with no compromises. I am convinced in my heart that the Etios offers joy of ownership and quality of life to consumers in India."

Toyota alliance in India that's called "Toyota Kirloskar Motor Private, Ltd" will produce the Etios from late 2010 at its second plant, which is now being built specifically for the new car.

The Japanese automaker expects annual sales in India to reach 70,000 units while exports in other emerging markets such as Russia and the South American region are planned.

Suzuki R3 Concept Proposal for a Six-Passenger Compact MPV Debuts at New Delhi Auto Show

This year's Auto Expo in New Delhi, India, is turning out to be a crowd puller as many automakers chose the show to unveil an array of concept and production models designed with the domestic market in mind. Maruti Suzuki took the covers off the R3, a Compact Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV) that was penned at the firm's Research and Development Department in India.

Despite its compact size, the futuristic looking concept model can accommodate a total of six passengers in three rows of seats. Suzuki didn't release any more details on the R3, but it has been speculated that the concept model may base a production version in the very near future.

Toyota Etios Low-Cost Small Car Concept Spied at New Delhi Auto Show Floor?

In less than 24 hours, Toyota will take the covers off its new small car concept at the New Delhi motor show in India, but spy photos of the pre-production concept model (or at it least it is claimed that it this is the firm's concept car) from the exhibition center have already made their way on Facebook. Even though initial reports made word only of the sedan model, the pictures also show a five-door hatchback version.

As we told you in our previous (video) post on the model, media reports from India suggest that the Toyota's proposal for a low-cost small car will be called the Etios and will be offered with both diesel and gasoline engines.

It is understood that the production version of the Etios will first go on sale in India this year and then in other emerging markets such as Russia and South America. We'll have the Full Monty on the Toyota Etios on Tuesday.

Source: Facebook , Via: Autoincar

Toyota Video Teases its New Low-Cost Small Sedan Concept

In anticipation of next week's New Delhi motor show in India, Toyota has released a video teaser of its new small sedan that appears to be more pre-production than pure concept. Media reports from India suggest that the production version of the low-cost sedan will be called the Etios and will be offered with a small displacement diesel and gasoline engines when it arrives in the market towards the end of 2010.

From what we understand, the Etios is a similar proposition - both in terms of size and philosophy - to the Renault-Nissan alliance's Dacia Logan sedan.

The Japanese firm's low-cost sedan that has been specifically developed for emerging markets will first go on sale in India with other international markets including Russia and South America to follow shortly after.

Honda Joins Toyota with New Small Concept Car at New Delhi Auto Show

Following in the footsteps of Toyota that revealed its plans to present a new compact-sized concept model at the 2010 Auto Expo in India, Honda announced today that it will also swipe the covers off a city car concept model at the motor show that takes place in New Delhi from January 5 to 11, 2010.

Honda did not publish any photos of the car that bears the name "New Small Concept", but the Japanese automaker revealed that the concept previews a low-cost production model that is currently under development especially for India and other emerging markets.

More details about the New Small Concept are expected to be released at the New Delhi auto show.

PS: The above photo is from an older Honda concept