New for India

By C. Manmohan Reddy

FRANKFURT, SEPT. 29. With the Frankfurt motor show having come to an end, it is interesting to speculate on which models will make it to India first.

It is certain that Hyundai will fit its new three cylinder, common rail diesel engine in the Accent within the next few months to replace the smooth, but anaemic TUD 5 diesel that it now sources from Peugeot. The equally smooth new engine will give the Accent a level of performance available in India only in the larger Mercedeses. The diesel Accent should more than match its petrol cousin in performance and be economical to buy and run.

Hyundai Matrix

The 1.5 litre diesel engine that the Accent will soon sport is already available in the rest of the world as one of the options in the Matrix mini van, along with 1.6 and 1.8 litre petrol engines. The Matrix itself only hit the international markets about six months ago and is exceptionally spacious and comfortable for five adults and their luggage. All this in a vehicle just over four metres long - an Esteem is slightly longer! This exceptional roominess is the result of a 2600 mm long wheelbase, only slightly shorter than "our" Qualis', which makes the vehicle a classic in the "big on the inside small on the outside" mould. This good handling vehicle is a true five seater, thanks to front and rear tracks considerably wider than that of even the Mitsubishi Lancer.

Slotted in just above the Accent, it will be a real winner for Hyundai. The Accent and Matrix's new diesel engine will also pave the way for its four cylinder big brother into the Sonata.

Ford Fusion

Ford exhibited the Fusion "concept vehicle" along with its attractive new Fiesta on a giant stand attracting much excitement. The Fusion is expected to be introduced in the European market in the middle of 2002 fitted with a revolutionary new three cylinder, 1.1 litre, direct injection petrol engine as the "standard option". This petrol engine is, however, unlikely to make it into the Indian market soon because it needs very low sulphur fuel. Incidentally, the Mitsubishi direct injection petrol engine was not initially introduced into the European market because much of Europe did not at the time (1996) have sufficiently low sulphur fuel.

The Fusion should need little modification for an Indian debut because it already possseses a relatively higher ground clearance and a firmer suspension than its Fiesta sister. The new Fiesta has a much longer wheel base and wider track than its predecessor making it roomy internally. The Fusion is built on the new Fiesta's platform like our Ikon which is a stretched wheelbase version of the former Fiesta.

An Indian version of the Fusion is likely to sport either the Ikon's South African 1.6 litre petrol engine or the new 1.4 litre common-rail diesel that Ford has just introduced in the Fiesta. This powerful, smooth and economical new diesel will also find its way into the Ikon replacing the larger, but much less powerful and economical 1.8 litre version now in use.

Ford India has been coy about what will join the Ikon on our roads (along with the imported Mondeo) - the Fusion at Frankfurt is the reason why.

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Section  : Business
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