At the Indonesia International Motor Show 2024 taking place in Jakarta, Suzuki made a splash by revealing their latest offering - the Jimny 5-Door edition. Notably, this variant is presented as one of the company's flagship and most high-priced features for the Indonesian market. In terms of pricing, this top-end variant of the Jimny 5-Door stands at around IDR 478 Million, which comes to roughly Rs. 25.4 lakh when converted to Indian rupees.
Unveiling the Jimny 5-Door was PT Suzuki Indomobil Motor, within the context of the International Motor Show. They showcased the car, which drew attention with its appealing Candy Red shade. In India, this shade is marketed by Maruti Suzuki under the name of Sizzling Red. Furthermore, they also offer a combination of Candy Red and Bluish Black in a dual tone roof option.
Presently, the manufacturing of the Jimny 3-Door variant takes place primarily at Maruti Suzuki's Kosai plant located in Shizuoka, Japan, as well as at Maruti Suzuki's Manesar plant in Gurugram, India. Meanwhile, the 5-Door variant of the Jimny is specifically manufactured solely in India. Going down under, the Jimny 5-Door variant is also being launched in Australia under the Jimny XL name, which comes equipped with an enhanced 9-inch infotainment system and is directly shipped from India.
The Indonesian version of the Jimny 5-Door is expected to be imported from India. While in India, Karnataka is notorious for having the highest road taxes, the top-end Jimny 5-Door Alpha AT here is priced around Rs. 18.4 lakh. However, when we look at the price in Indonesia, the same car is almost Rs. 7 lakh more expensive. This becomes a key advantage for locally manufacturing the car.
Anderson further noted that the base model of the Jimny 5-Door starts its pricing at IDR 443.9 Million, or roughly Rs. 23.6 lakh. To upgrade from the 3-Door model to the 5-Door model, PT Suzuki Indomobil Motor charges an extra IDR 18 Million, which comes close to Rs. 1 lakh when converted to Indian currency. This is fairly reasonable for what it offers.
Moreover, the Jimny 5-Door in Indonesia comes equipped with both manual and automatic transmission variants. Furthermore, it retains the essential features of its Indian counterpart - the K15B 1.5L 4-cylinder NA petrol engine. Other features like a front headlight washer, 4X4 transfer case, 15-inch wheels, projector headlights, a rear tailgate mounted spare wheel, a 9-inch free-standing touchscreen infotainment screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, parking sensors and a parking camera are all included as standard.
Particular note is a standout accessory that Suzuki offers in Indonesia - a new front grill adorned with the Suzuki lettering. Known as the “Front Grille (Logo Suzuki)", it adds a more refined look than the standard 5-slat grill. Many hope that this accessory is soon offered in India since it effectively accentuates the Jimny's overall appeal. It's reasonably priced at IDR 3.75 Million, or around Rs. 20,000.
However, amidst these exciting developments, Jimny's sales in India have seen a significant dip, with only 163 units being sold in January 2024. This is vastly overshadowed by its main competitor, the Mahindra Thar, which registered a best-ever figure of 6,059 units. Against such odds, expanding its export markets might present a logical step forward for the company.
Design Highlights:
Key Features:
Variant Pricing: The Ebony Edition is approximately ₹15,000 more than the standard AX7 and AX7 L variants.
Safety Update:
Rear Seat Belt Reminders: All Mahindra XUV700 variants now come standard with rear seat belt reminders, enhancing passenger safety.
The XUV700 Ebony Limited Edition is now available for bookings, offering customers a unique blend of style and performance.
Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the 2025 CLA, introducing both electric and hybrid variants to its lineup. This move signifies a shift from developing separate electric models to integrating diverse powertrains within a single model range.
Electric Variant:
Porsche is working on an all-new SUV that will be available with both petrol and hybrid powertrains, expanding its portfolio beyond its existing electric and internal combustion engine (ICE) offerings. This upcoming model is expected to provide customers with a blend of performance, efficiency, and adaptability to evolving market trends.
New Model Strategy and Market Positioning
Engine Specifications:
New Turbocharged Engine: The foundation of this hybrid system is a newly developed 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, internally designated as the G20E. This engine is engineered to support both plug-in hybrid and mild-hybrid configurations.
Compact Design: Featuring a shorter piston stroke and lightweight construction, the Toyota G20E engine is optimized for hybrid integration without significantly increasing the vehicle's weight.
Performance Expectations:
Power Output: In standard road versions, the G20E engine is anticipated to produce over 400 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque. For motorsport applications, outputs exceeding 600 horsepower are projected.
Motorsport and Production Integration:
Versatile Application: The G20E engine is designed for both competitive motorsport and consumer vehicles, aligning with Toyota's strategy to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions across its performance lineup.
Prototype Testing: The engine has been showcased in the mid-engined GR Yaris M Concept, indicating ongoing development and testing efforts.
Future Outlook:
By integrating hybrid technology into its GR sports cars, Toyota aims to balance high performance with environmental responsibility, ensuring compliance with stringent emission standards in various markets.
As development progresses, more detailed specifications and launch timelines for these hybrid-powered GR models are expected to be announced.
Aston Martin is set to introduce its latest flagship grand tourer, the 2025 Vanquish, to the Indian market on March 22.
This new model succeeds the DBS Superleggera and positions itself as a direct competitor to the Ferrari 12Cilindri.
Performance and Powertrain:
At the heart of the Vanquish lies a formidable 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine, delivering an impressive 835 horsepower and 1,000 Nm of torque. Paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission that channels power to the rear wheels, the Vanquish accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in a swift 3.2 seconds and reaches a top speed of 345 km/h.
Design and Features:
Exterior:
The 2025 Aston Martin Vanquish is anticipated to be priced above ₹6 crore (ex-showroom) in India, excluding optional features. This pricing positions it as a premium offering in the luxury sports car segment.
With its blend of performance, luxury, and cutting-edge technology, the Vanquish aims to set new benchmarks in the Indian automotive landscape.
Tesla is advancing its plans to enter the Indian market by submitting homologation applications for its Model 3 and Model Y electric vehicles (EVs). This crucial step ensures that the vehicles comply with India's regulatory standards before their official launch.
Progress Towards Indian Market Entry:
The Indian government is considering reducing import duties on specific EVs from the previous range of 70%–110% to 15%. This reduction aims to encourage foreign manufacturers like Tesla to enter the Indian market. However, to benefit from these concessions, manufacturers are required to commit to domestic production by investing at least $500 million within three years.
Implications for the Indian EV Market:
Tesla's potential entry is poised to invigorate the Indian EV sector, offering consumers advanced electric mobility options. The Model 3 and Model Y are expected to appeal to a broad audience, aligning with India's push towards sustainable transportation solutions.
As Tesla progresses through the homologation and certification stages, further details regarding the official launch dates and vehicle specifications tailored for the Indian market are anticipated.
Design and Dimensions:
Despite the heavy camouflage, the Tata Sierra's distinctive boxy silhouette is reminiscent of the original model. When observed next to the Hyundai Creta, the Sierra's larger dimensions are evident, suggesting a more spacious interior and commanding road presence. The test vehicle was equipped with alloy wheels, indicating a focus on both style and functionality.
Powertrain Options:
The upcoming Tata Sierra is expected to offer both internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric vehicle (EV) variants:
ICE Version: Anticipated to feature a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine delivering 168bhp and 280Nm of torque. Additionally, a 2.0-litre diesel engine, currently powering the Harrier and Safari models, may be available, producing 168bhp and 350Nm of torque.
EV Version: Set to utilize Tata's Gen2 EV platform with the acti.ev architecture, the Sierra EV is expected to debut later this year, aligning with Tata's commitment to sustainable mobility.
Market Positioning:
The Tata Sierra aims to blend nostalgic design elements with modern features, targeting consumers seeking a robust and versatile SUV experience. Its availability in both ICE and EV formats reflects Tata Motors' strategy to cater to a diverse customer base in the evolving automotive landscape.
As testing progresses, more details regarding the Tata Sierra's specifications, features, and launch timeline are anticipated, generating excitement among automotive enthusiasts and potential buyers alike.
