The Hindu Business Line : Question `n' Auto

I want to upgrade from my Maruti 800 to a B-segment petrol car. My options are Maruti Zen, Fiat Palio 1.2, Tata Indica or Hyundai Santro Xing. I am in my 60s and need the car for city driving and occasional out- of- town travel. I am thinking of the Palio. Comfort, reliability and long-term value for money are my considerations. Please advise. -- Ravi Eipe

Our pick will be the Hyundai Santro Xing for its resale value, higher fuel-efficiency, fit-and-finish quality and its tall-boy design (which may be a plus considering your age). The Santro Xing's design also enables the user to get a better driving position and the shorter, sharp sloping bonnet gives the driver better visibility of the road.

Among the other petrol options, the Maruti Zen may be on a par with the Santro on the parameters listed, but the low-slung driving position may make entry and exit from the car a bit of a problem for you.

The Fiat Palio continues to be a good option in this segment for potential buyers who do not mind the car's lower fuel efficiency and lower resale value. Going by your expectations, the Palio may fall short on these counts, though finish quality in the Palio continues to be class leading.

The Tata Indica's petrol-engined version may not offer long-term value in terms of fuel efficiency and resale value compared to its peers such as the Santro and the Zen. But the diesel version of the Indica V2 may be considered, if you are not opposed to buying a slightly noisier, but cheaper to run diesel variant.

Remember to choose the power steering variant of the car that you end up buying, unless your shopping budget restricts the choice to a lower trim variant. More than anything else, power steering will make handling the car easier in crowded city streets.

I want to buy a Tata Indigo (probably LX model) in two-three months. I heard that Tata Motors is working on CRDI diesel versions. Is it true?

If so how long it will take? Can I expect it within three-four months? Is the present Indigo version Euro III compliant? I heard that engaging the second gear in the Indigo is problematic and the headlight is not sufficiently powerful.

Is this true? Are there any plans to introduce gas tanks for the Indigo petrol version? What is the exact mileage of the Indigo LX and the price in Thiruvananthapuram? What is the noise level inside the cabin? Is it much higher than the diesel engine in the Ford Ikon? -- Sheeja Krishnan

Tata Motors is said to be working on new generation engines for its range of passenger cars which will include the common rail direct injected (CRDI) type. These new engines are needed to enable the company's cars to comfortably meet the new Euro III emission norm that is expected to be mandated by law from 2005 for new vehicle registrations, at least, in the metros. Of course, there are ways by which the current indirect injected diesel engines can be made to meet the newer stringent emission norm even without taking recourse to the CRDI type injection systems.

While the company has not confirmed that it is working on the new generation diesel engines, industry sources say that Tata Motors already has working prototypes that are being tested. The current diesel engine in the Indica V2 and the Indigo are not Euro III compliant. The new Euro III compliant engine in the Indigo is unlikely to be launched this year.

The gear slotting in the Indigo is more prominent compared to the Hyundai Accent or the Ford Ikon, but there have not been specific complaints about problems while engaging the second gear.

Headlamp power and, therefore, the throw of the light beam may be considered inadequate by users of the Indigo in some cities that lack sufficient street lighting. This is partly due to the 55-60 watt power of the Halogen bulb in the Indigo. However, this can be rectified by changing over to a more powerful watt Halogen bulb.

The cost of the step up in wattage and the other adjustments that need to be made to the electrical circuitry will work out to about Rs 700. But remember to drive with the headlamp on low beam. Driving on a high beam may make you feel a bit more confident, but can be blinding for oncoming motorists.

Tata Motors will not introduce CNG/ LPG gas tanks in its cars as a factory-fitted option. But CNG kits are available in the market that can be retrofitted in the car you buy. A note of caution though: CNG as a fuel is not yet widely available in the market in many cities. An authorised Lavato gas kit dealer should be easy to locate in your city.

The Indigo diesel should give you a mileage of about 12 km per litre in city conditions and about 14 km per litre in highway driving conditions. Price ex-showroom in Thiruvananthapuram will be about Rs 5.11 lakh (not including any dealer promos).

Noise levels in the Indigo's cabin when the engine is idling and accelerating will be a bit higher than in the Ford, but during cruising it will not be very different.

Queries may be sent to: q&a@thehindu.co.in or by post to Q&A, Business Line, 859/860, Kasturi Buildings, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002.

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