GOOD MOTORING
Multi-purpose vehicles for 2012
H. Kishie Singh 

Maruti does not fear to tread into other manufacturers’ territory. Called the Ertiga, to be launched at the Auto Expo in January 2012 and, this Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) will be a first from Maruti. The front end of the MPV looks like the Swift, there is a bit of the Ritz and the overall looks, though not startling, will give out a signal yelling ‘MPV’!

It is a seven-seater and has enough space though the third seat could be a little cramped considering that the length is only 4.2 meters on a 2740mm wheel base. To make up for being cramped there are a/c vents for the rear passengers. Cramped but cool.

It’s a Maruti, so expect a good product, reasonably priced, value for money. The price will be in the range of Rs 8 to Rs 9 lakh and there will be excellent after-sales service. And reliability, which is a Maruti hallmark.

The Duster is a mini-SUV and will be available in two-wheel drive only

The Ertiga will offer a 1.3-litre diesel engine putting out 90 b.h.p. and 20 kgm of torque and a petrol engine, 1.4 litre putting out 95 b.h.p. and 13 kgm of torque. With a choice of a diesel engine available who will opt for a petrol engine in India? Only time will tell. Not much is known about the interior, you’ll find out in January. But rest assured, lots of Maruti bits and pieces will be there.

Another first from Mercedes Benz will be the B-Class, a sort of MPV, a cross-over, neither hatch nor MPV but a Merc. It looks good with the famous three-pointed star on the front. The interior has to be Merc class luxury. It is also a front-wheel drive. It will come with a 1.8 litre diesel and 1.6 litre turbo petrol. Priced at Rs 18 to Rs 20 lakh, it could be the cheapest, sorry, least expensive Merc.

Renault, on a charge in the Indian market, will introduce the Duster in mid-2012. It’s a mini-SUV and will be available in two-wheel drive only. Based on the Logan platform means a rough and tough machine and Renault engineering is amongst the best. The Duster will offer a 1.6-litre petrol engine putting out 105 b.h.p. or a diesel 1.5 litre putting out 90 b.h.p. The price is about Rs 8 lakh.

Nissan is set to do battle with the Toyoto Innova. The NV 2000, a joint venture between Ashok Leyland and Nissan, is an eight-seater van. A van? Yes! Because it has sliding doors at the rear. It borrows the engine from the Renault Fluence, which is a 1.5-litre diesel engine. The price starts at about Rs 8 lakh. It would make an ideal vehicle for taxi operators.

Force Motors, who have always had a strong connection with Mercedes Benz, will bring out an MPV sometime next year. An eight-seater, it will be a take-off from the Mercedes Viano and manufactured under licence from Mercedes. The OM 611 2.2 litre comon rail diesel engine, 139 b.h.p. will be its strongest selling point. The price is not known. The Chevrolet is also in the running, with a seven-seater with the CN-100. It is a result of the joint venture between Shanghai Automotive Industries Corporation – SAIC and G.M. SAIC now have a 50 per cent share of GM. India. The actually made-in-China CN-100 will have a 1.4 litre petrol engine. Its USP will be the folding down or removable second and third row seats, making it a large truck. However, with no diesel engine option and Chinese inspired G.M. product it may be fighting an uphill battle. Price unknown at the moment but that will be a deciding factor.

The Endeavour will have a stable mate in the Ford Ranger. The Ranger, made in Thailand, will have a 2.2-litre diesel TDCi engine, putting out 148.6 b.h.p. This engine could also move into the Endeavour, replacing the current 2.5-litre engine. A six-speed manual or an automatic gear box will be available. The price is about Rs 20 lakh. The Honda CR-V is being upgraded. In spite of having a petrol engine with poor fuel-consumption figures, the CR-V has a following because even though it is an MPV, it has exceptional handling. Instead of being a CBU, the CR-V will be assembled locally. Strangely that won’t make a difference to the price which will be around Rs 20 lakh. The engine will be the 2.4 litre petrol one, so don’t expect a fuel-economic car. There is talk of a diesel engine but that may not happen till 2013.

Happy motoring, safe motoring and a Happy New Year!