Toyota introduces a refreshed Etios and Etios Liva

Toyota has officially launched the 2014 Etios sedan and Etios Liva hatchback. The new 2014 Etios sedan continues to offer similar equipment as the 2013 car but adds dual tone interiors for the G and GD variants, which were earlier available only on GD (SP) and higher trims.

Audi confirms 2015 for global unveiling of the new A4

Audi is readying an all-new A4 saloon for a global unveiling in 2015. The German carmaker is already testing the new Audi A4 near Ingolstadt, Germany.

Globally, like the current car, the fifth-generation Audi A4 will feature three body styles -- a sedan, a wagon and an Allroad variant which would follow later. The next-generation A5 coupe, Audi RS5 coupe and Sportback models will follow in 2016.

Maruti Celerio expected to be debuted with clutchless Automated Manual Transmission

Maruti Suzuki is expected to introduce the Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) technology in India through its upcoming global hatchback, the Celerio, that's set to make its world debut at the New Delhi Auto Expo 2014.

Tata Nano to get power steering in Middle and Top variants

Power steering-equipped Nano, the Nano Twist will get the ZF-sourced electric power steering system. The middle variant of the Nano Twist, equivalent to the existing CX, will become the XE, while the top variant of the Nano Twist, equivalent to the current LX, will become the XT model. The Tata Nano Twist is expected to be launched on January 15, 2014.

The Nano Twist will also be offered in a purple paint shade option for the first time and the EPS version will be approximately around Rs 15,000 more expensive than the equivalent non-power steering Nano (which is expected to be sold alongside the EPS version). The biggest grouse against the Tata Nano has been its heavy steering, the result of a flawed steering geometry that Tata hasn't quite got right on this 630kg, rear-wheel drive car.

Manoeuvring the small car through traffic and parking was a bit cumbersome and to counter this, Tata gave a larger steering diameter in the upgraded 2013 Nano, to make it easy on the triceps. But this was just a half measure.

Now, the Tata Nano Twist could overcome one of the car's major drawbacks.

The ZF electric power steering has taken about a year-and-a-half in development and Tata engineers have fine-tuned the calibration of the hatchback to give a good balance between low effort and road feel, according to company sources.

Since its launch in 2009, sales of the Tata Nano have been a fraction of what Tata Motors hoped for. Although Tata has upgraded the interiors and exteriors of the Nano in a bid to entice buyers, the stigma of the world's cheapest car has kept many buyers away.

The ZF-sourced electric power steering system on the Nano Twist marks the first mechanical upgrade for the Nano since its launch. This upgrade is a part of Tata Motors' new Horizonext strategy which seeks to improve existing products, sales and service to combat the recent slump in sales.


This article was Posted by:
Kurian Akkara

Source: Autocar.

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Honda to launch City Diesel this month

Honda's most popular sedan Honda City's fourth-generation variant is slated to be unveiled this month at the Tokyo Motor Show with a fresh crisp design and would be bigger than the current model and carry premium features in a move to wrest back its coveted top slot that it had lost to Hyundai Verna.